Nissan Pathfinder 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—XLE, Limited, and Platinum Hybrid Max—were priced between $57,465 and $69,060. The Platinum Hybrid Max, reviewed in a Storm Cloud paint, was reminiscent of a larger RAV4, providing seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior, while functional, featured a mix of luxury and practicality, with logically arranged controls and decent material quality. However, the infotainment interface had its quirks, such as a small volume knob and the absence of a tuning knob.

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder combined smooth and chunky design elements, with a restyled front bumper and a simplified grille. The exterior changes included new wheel designs and a fresh Baltic Teal paint colour. Inside, the Pathfinder featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 9-inch unit, and a redesigned steering wheel. The interior was simple yet modern, with good materials that promised longevity. The Platinum trim offered semi-aniline leather with diamond stitching, elevating the Pathfinder's luxury appeal. Despite these updates, the Pathfinder maintained a classic feel, with practical features like a wider silver strip above the climate controls and a polygonal steering wheel hub.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max was built for performance, powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, delivering 362 horsepower. Its six-speed automatic transmission provided a smooth ride, avoiding the droning typical of CVTs. The Hybrid Max achieved a combined fuel economy of 8.8 L/100 km, with 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 powertrain offered rewarding acceleration, with electric motors eliminating turbo lag. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though handling was secure only up to a point, with early tire squeal and understeer in curves. Visibility was excellent, aided by comprehensive camera systems, though the front camera's frequent screen takeover was a minor annoyance.

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder retained its naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque, or 295 hp and 270 lb-ft in the Rock Creek trim with premium fuel. AWD was standard, and both trims could tow up to 2,720 kg. The nine-speed automatic transmission resulted in sluggish acceleration, with the engine sounding laboured. Fuel economy was estimated at 11.8 L/100 km city, 9.6 highway, and 10.8 combined for the Platinum, and slightly higher for the Rock Creek. The Rock Creek trim, tested during a media evaluation, was not recommended due to its loud all-terrain tires and lack of off-road enhancements. The Pathfinder's suspension was soft, allowing more body lean and wheel motion than competitors, making it best suited for straight-line driving.

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, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and second-row captain’s chairs with a removable centre console. The third row was comfortable for adults and tall teens, with ample crush space behind the seats. Cargo space was generous, with 586 litres behind the third row, 1,640 litres with the third row folded, and 2,761 litres with both rear rows down.

The Nissan Pathfinder's "Latch and Glide" second-row seats were family-friendly, allowing easy access even with a car seat installed. It seated eight by default, or seven with captain’s chairs in the Platinum trim. The interior featured a 10-way power driver's seat, heated outboard rear seats, and a removable console. Cargo space was 470 litres behind the third row, 1,274 litres behind the second, and 2,279 litres with both rows folded. The Pathfinder included a power liftgate, a roof rack, and good visibility, with large mirrors and easy-to-use analog controls.

The 2026 Grand Highlander featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The system was user-friendly, though the font was sometimes hard to read. The digital voice assistant responded well to commands, and the Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and JBL audio system.

The 2026 Pathfinder came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM. It introduced Qi2 wireless charging, requiring a magnetic phone case or accessory. The Platinum trim featured a head-up display and a 13-speaker Bose audio system. The Pathfinder also included new camera views for enhanced visibility.

The Grand Highlander was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane keep assist and Proactive Driving Assist. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but missed the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to headlight and frontal-impact ratings.

The Pathfinder included a full array of airbags and standard driver aids like forward-collision warning and blind-spot monitors. The ProPilot Assist was standard, though without hands-free capability. It earned five stars from the NHTSA, with a four-star frontal crash test rating, and "Good" ratings in IIHS side impact and small overlap front tests.