Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was a blend of efficiency and power, offering a range of powertrains including a turbocharged gas engine, a hybrid system, and the robust Hybrid Max configuration with 362 horsepower and full-time AWD. The Canadian trims included XLE, Limited, and Platinum Hybrid Max, with prices ranging from $57,465 to $69,060. The Platinum Hybrid Max, priced at $69,060, featured a Storm Cloud paint finish and no additional options. Its design echoed the popular RAV4, scaled up to accommodate up to eight passengers and ample cargo space. The interior, while functional, was adorned with a touch of luxury in the Platinum trim, though some materials like glossy hard plastics were evident. The climate controls were user-friendly, but the infotainment system's small volume knob was less so.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained its handsome SUV appeal with subtle updates to its headlights, grille, and fascia. Its design, characterized by a wide-track look and classic Jeep elements, stood out among competitors. The Grand Cherokee offered seven anticipated trims, with wheel sizes varying from 18 to 21 inches. Inside, the layout was somewhat plain due to similarities with the smaller Cherokee, but higher trims boasted premium materials. The seating options ranged from cloth to genuine leather, with sunroof choices available. Despite the interior's simplicity, the Grand Cherokee retained its "grand" status with thoughtful material choices and equipment, particularly in the upper trims.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max was built for performance, featuring a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine paired with electronic full-time AWD and two electric motors, delivering 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 a towing capacity of 2,268 kg. During testing, it averaged 9.1 L/100 km on a balanced city-highway route and 10.1 L/100 km on mountainous roads. The ride quality was smooth, though some road undulations caused minor disturbances. Handling was secure, with early tire squeal and understeer at higher speeds. Visibility was excellent, though the front camera's frequent screen takeover was a minor annoyance.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee introduced the Hurricane 4 Turbo engine, producing 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the Wrangler's output. This engine was standard on most trims, except the base Laredo and Laredo X, which retained the 293-hp Pentastar V6. Both engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions and standard 4WD in Canada. The Hurricane 4 offered impressive power delivery across a broad rpm range, making uphill passing effortless. With a towing capacity of 2,810 kg, it led the midsize SUV segment. The Grand Cherokee's driving experience remained unchanged, with truck-like steering and suspension. The standard steel suspension provided comfort, while the available air suspension on the Summit model offered height adjustability. Off-road capability varied by trim, with the top Summit featuring advanced 4WD systems.

The Toyota Grand Highlander provided spacious seating across three rows, with a maximum cargo capacity exceeding 2,700 litres. However, unlined storage areas contributed to potential cabin noise. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, offering heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The second-row captain’s chairs allowed easy access to the third row, which accommodated adults comfortably. 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered two-row and three-row configurations, with the latter providing competitive headroom but limited legroom in the third row. Cargo space in two-row models was 1,067 litres behind the second row and 2,004 litres with seats folded. The three-row Grand Cherokee L offered 487 litres with all seats up, 1,328 litres with the third row folded, and 2,395 litres with all back seats down. While lacking some features like dual wireless chargers, the Grand Cherokee provided ample storage options, despite the impractical placement of the rotary shifter and drive mode selector.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel available on Limited and Platinum trims. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various Toyota Connected Services. The infotainment interface was user-friendly, though the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously was a drawback. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and JBL premium audio system.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen on higher trims, with a 10.2-inch screen on lower models. The Uconnect 5 system provided wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Off-Road Pages for off-road enthusiasts. While the interface was generally easy to use, the main menu was cluttered, and the digital instrument cluster was disorganized. The Summit trim featured a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system and a front-passenger touchscreen, though the latter was deemed unnecessary.

The Toyota Grand Highlander 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 PDA system was often turned off due to its intrusive nature. 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee was expected to maintain standard driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring. Active Drive Assist offered hands-free highway driving, with improvements for 2026. While crash-test ratings for the 2026 model were unavailable, the 2025 model received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, though the latter's criteria had since changed.