INFINITI QX80 vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 presented a bold and commanding presence typical of body-on-frame SUVs. Its design was characterized by a tall, upright stance with high shoulder lines and a simple two-box profile. The vehicle featured a distinctive black, two-part grille inspired by a bamboo forest, flanked by LED headlights and piano-key daytime running lights. At the rear, a taillight light bar echoed the piano key design, sitting above wide Infiniti lettering. The QX80 Sport trim added a wider mesh pattern for its frameless grille and dark matte chrome exterior trim, enhancing its sporty appeal. Inside, the QX80 offered a luxurious and modern interior with real leather, aluminum, and open-pore wood trim. The Sport models featured a Dusk Blue interior theme, adding a touch of elegance.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was available with a range of powertrains, including a turbocharged gas engine, a hybrid powertrain, and the powerful Hybrid Max configuration with full-time AWD and 362 horsepower. The Grand Highlander’s design drew inspiration from the popular RAV4, resulting in a familiar yet conservative appearance. Its interior prioritized function over form, with a focus on practicality and comfort. The Platinum trim added a layer of luxury with leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and supportive cushions. Despite some unlined storage areas, the Grand Highlander offered ample cargo space and comfortable seating for up to eight passengers.

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 transitioned from a 5.6-litre V8 to a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6, boosting power to 450 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time 4WD in Canada. The QX80's performance was impressive, with a 0-96 km/h time of 6.1 seconds. Despite its size and weight, the QX80 maintained a robust towing capacity of 3,850 kilograms. The suspension system, featuring air springs and adaptive dampers, provided a comfortable ride, although the vehicle exhibited notable body lean and was challenging to maneuver in tight spaces.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max emphasized performance with its turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 horsepower. The Hybrid Max offered a satisfying driving experience with quick acceleration and a traditional six-speed automatic transmission. While the Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel efficiency, it still achieved a respectable 8.8 L/100 km combined. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max could tow up to 2,268 kilograms, making it a versatile choice for families. Its ride quality was soft and isolating, although it exhibited some vertical bounding and lateral rocking on uneven surfaces.

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 was a spacious SUV, measuring 5,365 millimetres in length with a 3,075-mm wheelbase. It accommodated up to seven passengers comfortably, with standard leather upholstery and power-adjustable seats. The Sport and Autograph trims offered semi-aniline leather and massage functions for the front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs were heated and power-adjustable, while the third-row bench provided ample space for adults or children. The QX80 offered generous cargo space, with 623 litres behind the third row, 1,670 litres behind the second row, and 2,860 litres behind the first row.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provided comfortable seating in all three rows and more than 2,700 litres of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and supportive cushions. The second-row captain’s chairs offered a pass-through or could be tipped and slid for easy access to the third row. The Grand Highlander’s cargo space included 586 litres behind the third row, 1,640 litres with the third row folded, and 2,761 litres with the second row folded, making it suitable for family road trips.

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 was equipped with advanced technology, including a pair of 14.3-inch screens for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system. The infotainment system featured Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 5G connection for in-vehicle Wi-Fi. The QX80 also offered a 14-speaker Klipsch audio system, with a 24-speaker system available on higher trims. Additional features included a head-up display, wireless charging pad, and a surround-view camera system with nine camera views.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system was user-friendly, although it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The Platinum trim included a colour head-up display, a camera-based digital rear-view mirror, and a JBL premium audio system. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 came standard with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, ProPilot Assist 1.1, and a surround-view camera system. The optional ProPilot Assist 2.1 allowed for hands-free driving on certain highways. The QX80 earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation, although NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of publication.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a range of standard safety features and driver assistance technologies. The system included lane keep assist and Proactive Driving Assist, although the latter was found to be irritating in some situations. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating due to headlight performance and frontal-impact protection.