Lexus RX vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2024 Lexus RX, following its recent redesign, presented a somewhat polarizing exterior. Its front end was characterized by an oversized trapezoidal grille, which, rather than being a separate styling element, awkwardly started in the bodywork. This design choice was particularly jarring in lighter colours. The hood added to the bulky appearance with a prominent bump, contrasting sharply with the sleek designs of previous RX models. The sides of the RX featured bulging body panels that enveloped the rear fenders, while a swooping chrome accent strip suggested a floating-roof design, which seemed slightly out of place. The rear end, however, was more cohesive, with a tidy design that connected the taillights with a single light strip.

Inside, the RX was less divisive, offering a more conventional layout. Higher-priced packages included faux suede inserts, lending a softer feel to the cabin. A large 14-inch infotainment touchscreen was available, positioned high on the dash with organized climate controls below. The centre console featured a simulated woodgrain that felt and looked like plastic, contrasting with the genuine wood inlays on the steering wheel. Despite this, the cabin was covered in premium leather and well-grained plastics, ensuring a sturdy construction.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, meanwhile, took a conservative approach to styling, drawing inspiration from the popular RAV4. This resulted in a design that resembled a larger RAV4, offering seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior prioritized function over form, with the Platinum trim adding a layer of luxury. However, the use of glossy hard plastic and unlined storage surfaces explained the vehicle's value proposition. The controls were logically laid out, with matte black surfaces and clear iconography.

The climate system was straightforward, featuring large knobs for temperature adjustments, while the infotainment interface had room for improvement. The volume knob was notably small, and there was no tuning knob. Despite these quirks, the Grand Highlander offered a practical and spacious interior, with a focus on comfort and utility.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered four distinct models, starting with the base RX 350, powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive was standard across all models in Canada. The RX 350h hybrid version featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, routed through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The RX 500h F Sport Performance combined a turbo 2.4-litre inline-four with a hybrid powertrain, delivering 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The plug-in hybrid RX 450h+ added a larger 18.1-kWh battery pack to the RX 350h's powertrain, increasing output to 304 hp. It could travel up to 60 kilometres on electric power with a full charge, and a Level 2 charger could replenish the battery in 2.5 hours. The RX 350 and RX 350h felt underpowered compared to other luxury SUVs, with the hybrid's CVT keeping engine revs high. The RX 450h+ was more responsive, reaching 96 km/h in 6.2 seconds, but still lacked the potency of some rivals. The suspension was tuned for comfort, smoothing over road imperfections but resulting in noticeable body roll when cornering.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max emphasized 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 traded some fuel efficiency for power, with a combined rating of 8.8 L/100 km, compared to the regular hybrid's 7.0 L/100 km. It could tow up to 2,268 kilograms, 681 kg more than the standard hybrid.

During testing, the Hybrid Max averaged 9.1 L/100 km on a balanced city and highway route, and 10.1 L/100 km on a mountainous loop. The powertrain provided rewarding acceleration, with electric motors eliminating turbo lag. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though undulations in the road could cause vertical bounding and lateral rocking. Handling was secure at moderate speeds, but the tires scrubbed and squealed early when pushed. Visibility was excellent, aided by available cameras, though the front camera's frequent takeover of the infotainment screen was a minor annoyance.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered spacious front seats with ample power adjustments, standard heating and ventilation, and a comfortable design for long trips. A rubberized wireless charging pad, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and additional USB ports were included. The centre console featured novel cupholders and a double-hinged armrest lid for easy access. Rear seats provided adequate space for average-sized adults, with standard rear climate controls and USB charge ports. The RX had up to 838 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 1,308 litres with the second-row seatbacks folded. The load floor was slightly taller than competitors, requiring more effort for loading.

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 featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and supportive cushions. The rear doors were long and required ample space to open, posing challenges for buckling children into safety seats. Second-row captain’s chairs with a removable centre console allowed for easy access to the third row. The rearmost seats were comfortable for adults and tall teens, with ample crush space behind them. The Grand Highlander offered 586 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 1,640 litres with the third-row bench seat folded, and 2,761 litres with the second row folded.

The 2024 Lexus RX featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen measuring 9.8 inches in lower-priced models and 14 inches in higher-end versions. The system had logical on-screen menus, sharp graphics, and quick responses. It accepted natural speech commands and included multi-function pads on the steering wheel for easy control. A cloud-based navigation system was standard, though prone to connectivity issues and available as a subscription service. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, and the available 21-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system offered excellent audio quality.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Toyota Connected Services plans offered features like automatic collision notification, SOS emergency response, and a digital voice assistant. The system was easy to use, though the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously and the low-contrast font were minor drawbacks. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, and the Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and surround-view camera system. The JBL premium audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2024 Lexus RX earned five stars in overall and side collision protection from the NHTSA, and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, despite a "Poor" rating in the new moderate frontal overlap test. The Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Some features were conservatively tuned, resulting in unnecessary warnings, but could be adjusted or disabled.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features and driver assistance technologies. Proactive Driving Assist was standard, though it could be irritating in certain situations. The Grand Highlander earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to "Acceptable" ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.