Jeep Wrangler vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 Jeep Wrangler retained its iconic and instantly recognizable design, characterized by its upright, military-style stance and distinct seven-slot grille. The vehicle offered a unique open-air experience with removable doors and roof, and even a fold-down windshield. The Wrangler was known for its extensive customization options, ranging from basic to luxurious trims. Our test model, the Willys ’41, was finished in a special army green colour with matching wheels and a ’41 hood graphic, adding to its rugged appeal. The interior was utilitarian, featuring rugged materials and a minimalist design, which suited the Wrangler's adventurous nature. Despite the hard plastic surfaces, the interior was practical and easy to clean, with weatherproof floor mats and tan-coloured cloth seats. The Wrangler also featured hard buttons and dials for the HVAC system, which was appreciated for its functionality.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, pursued a more conservative and familiar design, drawing inspiration from the previous-generation RAV4. This approach resulted in a vehicle that resembled a larger RAV4, offering seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior emphasized function over form, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. The controls were logically laid out, and the climate system was simple to use, featuring large temperature adjustment knobs. However, the infotainment interface had some drawbacks, such as a small volume knob and the lack of a tuning knob. The Grand Highlander’s interior was spacious and comfortable, with decent material quality, although some storage surfaces were unlined, potentially contributing to noise and vibration.

The 2026 Jeep Wrangler offered a variety of powertrains, including the Pentastar 3.6-litre V6, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo, and a 6.4-litre Hemi V8. Most models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, but the V6 engine also offered a six-speed manual option. Our Willys ’41 test vehicle was equipped with the V6 engine, delivering 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided ample power for everyday driving and highway merging, with impressive low-end torque for off-road crawling. The Wrangler's maneuverability was a highlight, with an excellent turning radius that made it easy to navigate tight urban spaces. However, the off-road tires and upright stance contributed to rough handling and significant wind noise at highway speeds, making the cabin quite noisy.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max focused on performance with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 net horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate quickly, with a traditional six-speed automatic transmission avoiding the droning common in CVTs. The Hybrid Max had a fuel economy rating of 8.8 L/100 km combined, with a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms. During testing, it averaged 9.1 L/100 km on a balanced city and highway route. The powertrain provided rewarding acceleration, with electric motors eliminating turbo lag. The ride quality was soft and isolating, although road undulations could cause some vertical and lateral movement. The handling was secure, but the tires tended to scrub and squeal early when cornering.

The 2026 Jeep Wrangler was a practical vehicle for off-road adventures, with a standard 24.6 centimetres of ground clearance and the ability to ford up to 75 centimetres of water. The four-door model offered 898 litres of cargo space behind the second-row seats, expanding to 2,050 litres with the rear seats folded flat. However, the two-door model had significantly less cargo space. The swing-out tailgate and lift-up rear glass provided easy access to cargo, and the spare tire was conveniently mounted on the back. Despite these practical features, the Wrangler's interior space was limited, with a high step-in height and tight back seats, making it less suitable for regular back-seat passengers.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable seating in all three rows, with more than 2,700 litres of maximum cargo space. The Platinum-trim test vehicle featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, adding a touch of luxury. The front and second-row seats were heated and ventilated, providing comfort for long journeys. However, the rear doors were long and had sharp corners, making it challenging to buckle children into safety seats. The second-row captain’s chairs with a removable centre console allowed for easy access to the third row. The Grand Highlander’s rearmost seats were reasonably comfortable for adults and tall teens, with ample crush space behind them. Cargo space was generous, with 586 litres behind the third-row seat and up to 2,761 litres with the second row folded.

The 2026 Jeep Wrangler came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A two-year free trial of the Trails Offroad app was included, allowing drivers to explore trails and topographic maps. Optional tech features included a nine-speaker Alpine audio system, a digital rear-view mirror, and a forward-facing TrailCam. Our Willys ’41 test vehicle had many of these optional features, including the Alpine audio system, which was essential for highway driving due to the cabin noise. The TrailCam was recommended for off-road enthusiasts, providing a clear view of the terrain ahead.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. The system was easy to use, although the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously was a drawback. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, enhancing the user experience. Our Platinum test vehicle included a colour head-up display, a camera-based digital rear-view mirror, and a surround-view camera system. The JBL premium audio system delivered impressive sound quality, adding to the overall enjoyment of the vehicle.

The 2026 Jeep Wrangler offered limited standard safety features, with most advanced safety tech available as optional extras. Starting from the Sport S trim, features such as blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors were available. The Wrangler received mixed safety ratings from the IIHS, with “Good” ratings in some crash tests but “Poor” and “Marginal” scores for headlights.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of 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 the NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to “Acceptable” ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.