Hyundai Tucson Hybrid vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid emerged as a bold departure from its predecessors, showcasing a striking new design that was both longer and wider. Its sharp, angular lines and dramatic grille, which seamlessly integrated with the LED headlights, gave it a futuristic appearance. The Tucson's design was a gamble, with its hard creases and aggressive styling potentially polarizing opinions. Inside, the Tucson offered a spacious and airy cabin, with standard heated front seats and a proximity key. Higher trims added luxury features like a 10.25-inch digital driver display and ambient lighting. Despite its bulkier centre console, the interior felt open, aided by a hoodless driver information display that minimized glare but attracted dust.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid adopted a more conservative design, reminiscent of the popular RAV4 but on a larger scale. Its exterior was functional, with a focus on practicality and cargo space, accommodating up to eight passengers. The interior, especially in the Platinum trim, exuded a sense of luxury with leather and artificial suede upholstery. However, some storage areas were unlined, potentially contributing to cabin noise. The Grand Highlander offered ample legroom and cargo space, with a maximum capacity of over 2,700 litres. Its second-row captain’s chairs and accessible third-row seats made it a versatile choice for families.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid impressed with its 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This setup provided a noticeable boost in performance compared to the gas-only model. The Tucson Hybrid's steering was responsive, and its six-speed automatic transmission performed admirably. Its suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections, maintaining balance through corners. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with a combined rating of 6.4 L/100 km, and the plug-in hybrid variant offered even greater efficiency with a 2.9 Le/100 km rating and 53 km of electric range.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max prioritized performance with its turbocharged 2.4-litre engine and electronic AWD, producing 362 horsepower. This powertrain enabled quick acceleration, aided by a traditional six-speed automatic transmission that avoided the droning typical of CVTs. While the Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel efficiency, with a combined rating of 8.8 L/100 km, it excelled in towing capacity, handling up to 2,268 kg. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though some road undulations caused vertical and lateral movement. The Grand Highlander’s handling was secure, with excellent visibility enhanced by available camera systems.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid offered impressive cargo space, with 1,097 litres in the trunk and 2,108 litres with the rear seats folded. Its dual-level cargo floor allowed for flexible storage options. The Tucson provided ample legroom for both front and rear passengers, and its interior was equipped with practical features like cupholders and ambient lighting in higher trims.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid excelled in interior space, offering comfortable seating across three rows and a maximum cargo capacity of 2,761 litres. While some storage areas were unlined, the overall design was practical, with second-row captain’s chairs and a pass-through to the third row. The Grand Highlander provided 586 litres of cargo space behind the third row, making it suitable for family road trips.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with native software, though Android Auto and Apple CarPlay required a wired connection. The touch-capacitive controls for infotainment and HVAC were less user-friendly, but steering-wheel controls offered an alternative. The Tucson included multiple USB ports and a Bose premium audio system in higher trims.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, though the font could be difficult to read. The Grand Highlander offered advanced features like a digital voice assistant, head-up display, and JBL premium audio system, enhancing the overall tech experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot collision avoidance. Higher trims added advanced features like a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor. The Tucson received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a range of standard safety technologies. While the Proactive Driving Assist system was sometimes intrusive, the overall safety tech operated accurately. The Grand Highlander earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS due to headlight performance.