Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was a blend of conservative design and practicality, reminiscent of the popular RAV4 but on a larger scale. Its exterior, particularly in the Platinum Hybrid Max trim, featured a Storm Cloud paint that gave it a distinctive, albeit subdued, appearance. The interior prioritized function over form, with a focus on logical control layouts and decent material quality. Despite the presence of glossy hard plastics, the Platinum trim added a touch of luxury. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface left room for improvement with its small volume knob and lack of a tuning knob.

In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 combined retro hatchback aesthetics with modern crossover elements, resulting in a unique and attractive design. Its angular lines and dark cladding contributed to a crossover-like appearance, while the hatchback design made it appear smaller than it was. Inside, the Ioniq 5 leaned towards a utilitarian feel with a strong emphasis on technology. The interior featured a pair of 12.3-inch screens and touch controls for the climate system, creating a somewhat sterile but technologically advanced environment. The upholstery options, though not genuine leather, offered a cold yet modern theme.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max was designed for performance with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate swiftly, aided by a traditional six-speed automatic transmission that avoided the droning typical of CVTs. While the Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel efficiency, achieving 8.8 L/100 km combined, it offered impressive towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms. During testing, fuel economy varied from 9.1 L/100 km on level routes to 10.1 L/100 km on mountainous roads. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though handling was secure only up to a point, with early tire squeal and understeer in curves.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a choice between a single-motor RWD powertrain with 225 horsepower and a dual-motor AWD setup producing 320 horsepower. The Ioniq 5 N performance model further increased output to 641 horsepower. The dual-motor powertrain provided quiet and robust power, with a 0 to 100 km/h time of 5.3 seconds. Regenerative braking settings allowed for customizable driving experiences, from freewheeling to one-pedal driving. While the steering was direct, it lacked agility, and the vehicle's weight could lead to understeer in corners.

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered spacious seating across three rows, with a maximum cargo capacity of over 2,700 litres. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, adding an upscale touch. However, unlined storage areas could contribute to cabin noise. The second-row captain’s chairs allowed for easy access to the third row, which was comfortable for adults and tall teens. Cargo space behind the third row was 586 litres, expanding to 1,640 litres with the third row folded, and 2,761 litres with the second row down.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 provided spacious front seats with standard eight-way power adjustments for the driver and optional for the passenger. The Ultimate Package added ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a “Relaxation” seat for the driver. Rear legroom was generous at 1,002 millimetres, though shoulder room was limited for three adults. Cargo space was slightly smaller than average, with 745 litres behind the rear seats and 1,655 litres with them folded. A 24-litre front trunk added minimal extra space.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to various Toyota Connected Services. The system was user-friendly but lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and JBL premium audio system, which exceeded expectations in sound quality.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen, both under a single glass panel. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in navigation. The Ultimate Package added a wireless charger, head-up display, and Bose audio system. The MyHyundai app allowed for remote vehicle management, and the infotainment system was intuitive, with voice command capabilities and separate climate controls.

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane keep assist and Proactive Driving Assist. While the safety tech was generally accurate, the lane keep assist occasionally strayed too close to lane markers. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but missed the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to headlight and frontal-impact ratings.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 included a robust list of standard safety features, such as blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist 1. The Ultimate Package added advanced features like a surround-view camera and Highway Driving Assist 2. The Ioniq 5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though NHTSA ratings were unavailable.