Toyota Highlander vs Hyundai Ioniq 9

The 2022 Toyota Highlander presented a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design, with flared fender arches and a distinctive third-row window that gave it a compact appearance despite its spacious interior. Inside, the Highlander offered ample cabin space and clever storage solutions, making it ideal for families. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its bold red leather interior, navy blue exterior, unique exterior styling, ambient lighting, and sport-tuned suspension. The Highlander was available in several trims, each offering a range of features from standard all-wheel drive and an 8-inch touchscreen in the base LE to premium features like a panoramic moonroof and a JBL audio system in the Limited and Platinum trims.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9, on the other hand, showcased a distinctive design that divided opinions. Its aerodynamic shape, inspired by smooth pebbles and midcentury modern sofas, housed seven passengers comfortably. The Ioniq 9's dimensions, with a length of 5,060 mm and a wheelbase of 3,130 mm, provided excellent interior volume. Despite its size, it achieved a 0.27 drag coefficient, making it more aerodynamic than many larger SUVs. The Ioniq 9's design featured a swooping roofline and a stubby rear end, with LED taillights wrapping around the tail. It was available in various paint colours and wheel designs, with the interior offering a spacious and airy feel, thanks to flat floors and a sliding centre console. The Ioniq 9's interior was practical, with dual-zone climate control, a heat pump, and a panoramic sunroof in higher trims.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, offering drive modes like Sport, Normal, and Eco. The Highlander excelled in highway cruising and overtaking, with a throaty exhaust note. Its sport-tuned suspension in the XSE trim provided a balance of reduced body roll and comfort. The Highlander could tow up to 2,268 kilograms and had a max payload of 775 kilograms.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured a 110.3-kWh battery pack on Hyundai's e-GMP platform. The base Essential trim had a single rear-mounted motor producing 215 horsepower, while other trims offered dual-motor AWD systems with power outputs of 303 hp and 422 hp. The Ioniq 9 impressed with its energy efficiency, often exceeding its estimated 500-kilometre range. Its chassis provided a smooth ride, though it wasn't as agile in corners. The Ioniq 9 could tow up to 2,268 kilograms and offered various charging options, including fast charging capabilities.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander offered up to 2,387 litres of cargo space with the second and third rows folded. With all seats in use, it provided 453 litres behind the third row. The Highlander's interior featured deep cargo pockets, multiple storage compartments, and second-row captain's chairs for added convenience. While the second row was spacious, the third row was best suited for short trips.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 focused on family-friendly dimensions, seating seven with a middle-row bench or six with captain's chairs in the Ultimate Calligraphy Package. It offered 1,086 mm of legroom in the middle row and 813 mm in the third row. The Ioniq 9's interior was practical, with dual-zone climate control, a heat pump, and heated seats in higher trims. It provided 620 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,462 litres with seats folded.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came with an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth connectivity and five USB ports. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with hard buttons for easy navigation. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL audio system.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured dual curved 12.3-inch displays, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a wireless charging pad. It included six USB-C ports for device charging and a 14-speaker Bose audio system in higher trims, delivering impressive sound quality.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense, including forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and dynamic radar cruise control. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and eight airbags. The Highlander received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including collision avoidance, lane-guidance technologies, and Highway Driving Assist 2. It also featured a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor in higher trims. Crash-test ratings were not yet available.