Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid vs Acura ADX

The 2025 Acura ADX, despite sharing its platform with the Honda HR-V, distinguished itself with unique Acura styling. Its striking pentagonal grille with diamond-patterned mesh, standard LED lighting, and sporty rear design elements like vent-like creases and dual exhaust outlets gave it a distinct presence. The ADX offered a range of exterior colors, with A-Spec models unlocking vibrant options like Adriatic Sea Blue and Milano Red. Inside, the ADX maintained Acura's premium feel with genuine leather in the A-Spec Advance trim, featuring a Red & Ebony color scheme that extended throughout the cabin. The interior design cleverly minimized the use of piano black plastic, opting for textured components that reduced glare and fingerprints.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid adopted a conservative design reminiscent of the RAV4, scaled up to accommodate three rows of seating and ample cargo space. The Platinum trim featured a Storm Cloud paint, a flat grayish-blue hue, and a mix of leather and artificial suede upholstery in the Portobello interior. The Grand Highlander's interior prioritized function, with logically laid-out controls and decent material quality. However, the use of glossy hard plastic and unlined storage surfaces detracted from its luxury appeal. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had some drawbacks, such as a small volume knob and the absence of a tuning knob.

The 2025 Acura ADX came standard with a front-wheel-drive setup, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,000. It was powered by a 1.5-liter VTEC turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While not the most powerful in its class, the ADX's power output was sufficient for everyday driving, and its price undercut rivals like the Infiniti QX50 and BMW X1. The ADX offered four drive modes—Sport, Normal, Comfort, and Snow—allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. Visibility was excellent, and noise cancellation measures were effective, providing a quiet ride.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max emphasized performance with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, delivering 362 horsepower. Its six-speed automatic transmission avoided the droning typical of CVTs. While the Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel efficiency, achieving 27 mpg compared to the standard hybrid's 36 mpg, it offered impressive towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. The Hybrid Max excelled in acceleration, with electric motors eliminating turbo lag. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though handling was secure only up to a modest point. Visibility was excellent, aided by front, rear, and top-down cameras.

The 2025 Acura ADX featured leatherette seating surfaces in the base trim, with A-Spec models adding microsuede accents and the Advance Package offering genuine leather. The interior provided ample headroom and legroom, surpassing competitors like the Lexus NX and BMW X1. Cargo space measured 24.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 55.1 cubic feet with them folded. Standard features included a power tailgate, dual-zone climate control, and rear-seat vents.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable seating in all three rows, with nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim featured leather and artificial suede upholstery, with heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row. Cargo space measured 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.5 cubic feet with the second row folded. However, unlined storage locations contributed to noise and vibration in the cabin.

The 2025 Acura ADX came equipped with a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless phone charging pad. The A-Spec models added rear USB-C ports, while the Advance Package included Alexa Built-In, Google Built-In, and a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. The system's user-friendly interface and physical volume knob were appreciated.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system offered Toyota Connected Services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot and a digital voice assistant. However, the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously and the low-contrast font were drawbacks. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and JBL premium audio system.

The 2025 Acura ADX came with the standard AcuraWatch suite, offering features like adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and lane-keeping assist. It earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star Overall Safety Rating from the NHTSA.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including lane-keep assist and Proactive Driving Assist. While the safety tech operated accurately, the PDA system was 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 "Acceptable" ratings for headlight performance and frontal-impact protection.