Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was a blend of practicality and performance, offering a range of powertrains including a turbocharged gas engine, a hybrid system, and the powerful Hybrid Max configuration with 362 horsepower and full-time AWD. The Platinum Hybrid Max trim, priced at $69,060, featured a Storm Cloud paint finish and a conservative design reminiscent of the RAV4, providing ample seating for up to eight passengers and generous cargo space. Inside, the Grand Highlander prioritized function over form, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim, though some materials like glossy hard plastic detracted from the overall premium feel. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had room for improvement, particularly with its small volume knob.

In contrast, the 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained its distinctive and elegant appearance, characterized by a steeply angled windshield, a gently sloping roofline, and trendy styling elements like pop-out door handles. The SV Carbon trim stood out with its two-tone hood and carbon fibre accents, complemented by enormous 23-inch carbon wheels. The interior design evolved from the previous generation, featuring a minimalist aesthetic that some found too sparse, with black plastic dominating the centre stack. Despite this, the quality of materials like the seat controls and steering wheel remained top-notch. The Range Rover Sport offered a variety of headliners and upholstery options, including Ultrafabrics, which provided easy maintenance compared to traditional leather.

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. 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 offered impressive towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms, it came with a fuel economy trade-off, averaging 9.1 L/100 km in mixed driving conditions. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though handling was secure only up to a modest point, with early tire scrub and squeal during aggressive cornering. Visibility was excellent, but the front camera's frequent takeover of the infotainment screen was a minor annoyance.

The 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a range of powertrains, including a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with 355 horsepower, a plug-in hybrid with 454 horsepower, and a BMW-built 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 with 523 horsepower. The SV trim featured a revised V8 engine producing 626 horsepower, delivering tremendous acceleration and precise handling thanks to its advanced suspension system. Fuel economy figures for the V8 were 15.0 L/100 km city and 13.1 combined. The Range Rover Sport excelled in off-road capability, with adaptive dampers and air springs allowing for significant ground clearance and water fording. The SV Carbon's handling was exceptional, rivaling high-performance SUVs, while maintaining a comfortable ride in normal driving mode.

The Toyota Grand Highlander offered spacious seating across three rows, with a maximum cargo capacity of over 2,700 litres. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, providing a premium feel. However, the lack of underfloor storage and unlined storage locations detracted from its overall practicality. The second-row captain’s chairs allowed for easy access to the third row, which was comfortable for adults and tall teens. The Grand Highlander provided 586 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,761 litres with the second row folded.

The Range Rover Sport provided ample legroom and headroom for five passengers, with heated and electrically adjustable seats. Cargo space was generous at 592 litres behind the rear seats, but limited to 1,267 litres with the seats folded. The narrow rear door openings were a drawback, but the vehicle's towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms was a significant advantage. The lack of physical controls for many functions was a downside, as most were hidden in the touchscreen interface, complicating tasks like climate control and driving mode selection.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various connected services. The system was user-friendly, though the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously and the low-contrast font were minor drawbacks. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and a JBL premium audio system, which delivered impressive sound quality.

The Range Rover Sport's 13.1-inch display offered advanced features like the Wade Sensing app and 4x4i app, but basic functionality was hindered by the complex interface. Apple CarPlay and the factory navigation worked well, and the instrument panel was configurable without being overwhelming. The surround-view cameras were clear, and the Meridian Signature stereo provided good sound quality, though not as exceptional as in the full-size Range Rover.

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid 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 system operated with accuracy, some features like the PDA were found to be irritating. 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.

The Range Rover Sport included standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. However, it lacked front knee airbags and rear side airbags. No North American crash-test ratings were available, but the Euro NCAP awarded it a five-star rating.