Porsche Cayenne vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne was available in both a standard SUV form with a squared-off rear end and a sporty Cayenne Coupe. The trim levels ranged from the base Cayenne to the high-performance Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, each with unique exterior features. The GTS trim, which was the focus of this review, featured high gloss black trim, a distinctive front fascia with larger air intakes, and tinted headlights. Red brake calipers were visible through 21-inch anthracite gray wheels, and the Cayenne Coupe included an adaptive rear spoiler. Inside, the Cayenne offered extensive customization options, from interior colours like Carmine Red to various trim and seat belt choices. The cabin was well-organized, with mechanical controls for essential features and a dashboard-mounted shifter toggle for added storage space.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was offered with a standard turbocharged gas engine, a fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain, and a powerful Hybrid Max configuration with full-time AWD and 362 horsepower. The top trim level, Platinum Hybrid Max, was reviewed, featuring Storm Cloud paint and a price of $69,060, including destination. The Grand Highlander's design was conservative, resembling a larger RAV4, with seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior prioritized function, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim, though some materials like glossy hard plastic detracted from the overall quality. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had a small volume knob and lacked a tuning knob.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of engines, all capable of impressive performance. The base 3.0-litre V6 produced 348 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque, while the Cayenne S featured a V8 with 468 hp. The Turbo GT, available only as a coupe, boasted 650 hp. Plug-in hybrid options provided up to 729 hp. The GTS trim, with a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, delivered 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed transmission and AWD. It accelerated to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and reached a top speed of 275 km/h. The GTS offered a balance of sporty and comfortable driving, with precise steering and agile handling. Optional carbon ceramic brakes provided strong stopping power, and the GTS transformed into a comfortable commuter in Normal mode.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max emphasized performance with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, electronic full-time AWD, and two electric motors, producing 362 net horsepower. It featured a traditional six-speed automatic transmission, avoiding the droning of CVTs. The Hybrid Max traded some fuel efficiency for power, achieving 8.8 L/100 km combined, compared to the standard hybrid's 7.0 L/100 km. It could tow up to 2,268 kg. During testing, it averaged 9.1 L/100 km on a mixed driving route and 10.1 L/100 km on a mountainous loop. The Hybrid Max offered confident acceleration and a soft, isolating ride, though handling was secure only up to a point. Visibility was excellent, aided by cameras, though the front camera's frequent screen takeover was a drawback.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered limited standard features, with eight-way power-adjustable seats and two-zone climate control. Higher trims added features like a GT Sport steering wheel and Race-Tex headliner. The options list was extensive, allowing for customization of interior materials and features. The Cayenne accommodated five passengers, with ample second-row headroom. It could tow 3,500 kg and had a payload capacity of over 635 kg. Cargo space was smaller than competitors, with 772 litres behind the second row and 1,708 litres with seats folded. The coupe version offered less space, and plug-in hybrids further reduced cargo capacity.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provided comfortable seating in all three rows, with over 2,700 litres of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery. The front and second-row seats were heated and ventilated. The rear doors were long, making child seat installation challenging, and the sharp door corners posed a risk to neighbouring vehicles. The test vehicle had second-row captain’s chairs with a removable centre console, allowing easy access to the third row. The Grand Highlander offered 586 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,640 litres with the third row folded and 2,761 litres with the second row folded.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne featured a 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control. The system was user-friendly, with quick response times and voice control options. A head-up display provided driver information, though it appeared dim with polarized sunglasses. The Cayenne included four USB-C charging ports and a cooled wireless charging area.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, in XLE trim, had a 7-inch digital driver display with analog gauges, while Limited and Platinum trims featured a 12.3-inch digital panel. All models had a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various music services. Toyota Connected Services offered features like collision notification and a digital voice assistant. The system was easy to use, though the font was hard to read, and it lacked dual main-menu screen visibility. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and JBL premium audio system.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne included standard parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning were optional. Porsche's InnoDrive adaptive cruise control system was not tested. The Cayenne had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. Proactive Driving Assist was standard but could be irritating. The safety tech operated accurately, though lane keep assist occasionally strayed. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA but did not achieve IIHS's Top Safety Pick due to headlight and frontal-impact ratings.