Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson, a continuation of its fourth generation, maintained its striking design with sharp angles and a distinctive grille that seamlessly integrated the headlights. This cohesive design approach resulted in a modern and attractive compact SUV, even in the typically unflattering white colour. Unlike some luxury brands that replicate designs across models, Hyundai ensured each vehicle had its unique style. The Tucson's interior mirrored its exterior's modernity, offering a refined cabin with advanced technology. However, the absence of a volume dial in favour of touch-capacitive buttons was a minor inconvenience. The Tucson's trim levels in Canada ranged from the Preferred to the Ultimate, each offering a variety of features, from basic comforts to advanced driver assistance technologies.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid adopted a more conservative design, reminiscent of the popular RAV4 but on a larger scale. This approach resulted in a spacious SUV with seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior, especially in the Platinum trim, offered a touch of luxury with leather and artificial suede upholstery. However, the use of glossy hard plastics and unlined storage areas detracted slightly from the overall quality. The Grand Highlander's design prioritized functionality, with logically arranged controls and a simple climate system. Despite its size, the Grand Highlander provided excellent outward visibility, aided by a comprehensive camera system.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson in Canada came with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. While adequate for city driving, the engine struggled to deliver swift acceleration on highways, often requiring heavy throttle input. For those seeking more power, Hyundai offered hybrid variants with up to 261 horsepower. The Tucson excelled in handling and ride quality, offering a comfortable and composed driving experience, though it wasn't as sporty as some competitors.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max, on the other hand, focused on performance with its turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, delivering an impressive 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, it offered a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though the SUV's size could lead to some body roll on uneven roads. The Grand Highlander's handling was secure, but its large dimensions made it feel cumbersome on narrow mountain roads.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson offered up to 2,119 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 1,097 litres with them in use, making it a standout in the compact SUV segment. The hands-free power liftgate, available on higher trims, added convenience for loading cargo. The Tucson comfortably accommodated five passengers, with ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The cabin featured numerous storage solutions, including deep cup holders and a centre tray with a wireless charging pad.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provided generous interior space, with comfortable seating across all three rows and a maximum cargo capacity of over 2,700 litres. However, the lack of lining in storage areas could contribute to noise and vibration. The Platinum trim's interior featured upscale materials, including leather and artificial suede upholstery. The second-row captain's chairs with a removable centre console allowed for easy access to the third row. The Grand Highlander offered 586 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 2,761 litres with the second row folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a fully digital instrument panel. While the system was intuitive, it lacked wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The haptic volume toggle was less user-friendly than traditional dials, but the interface was operable with gloves, a practical feature in cold weather. Hyundai's evolved remote start system allowed drivers to start the vehicle remotely and drive off without pressing the start button again.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music. The system was user-friendly, though the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously was a drawback. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, enhancing the user experience. The Platinum trim included advanced features like a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and JBL premium audio system.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Ultimate trim added advanced features like a 360-degree camera system and Smart Park remote-parking. The Tucson received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the former.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a range of standard safety features. While the Proactive Driving Assist system was sometimes intrusive, the overall safety tech operated effectively. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to headlight performance and frontal-impact protection ratings.