Volvo XC60 vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 Volvo XC60 B5, available in Core, Plus, and Ultra trims, offered a luxurious experience, especially in the Ultra trim with its Black Edition. Priced between $60,370 and $72,820, the XC60 B5 Ultra we tested exceeded $80,000 with its upgrades. The Forest Lake paint, a new colour for 2026, added a striking visual appeal with its blue flecks. The 22-inch wheels and active air suspension enhanced its presence and ride quality. Inside, the XC60 boasted a minimalist Scandinavian design with plush Nappa leather, premium wood trim, and metal speaker grilles, creating a serene and pampered environment. However, the minimalist controls required some acclimatization during a family road trip.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, particularly in the Platinum Hybrid Max trim, emphasized practicality and space. Priced from $57,465 to $69,060, the Grand Highlander featured a conservative design reminiscent of the RAV4, offering seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior prioritized function over form, with a mix of leather and artificial suede upholstery in the Platinum trim. While the glossy hard plastics detracted from the luxury feel, the controls were logically laid out. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had room for improvement, particularly with its small volume knob and lack of a tuning knob.

The 2026 Volvo XC60 B5 housed a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 247 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 48-volt mild-hybrid system contributed to a claimed 6.9-second sprint to 100 km/h. However, turbo lag and transmission reluctance affected power delivery, requiring careful throttle management. Fuel efficiency fell short of expectations, with observed consumption of 9.5 L/100 km on a sunny day and 10.8 L/100 km on mountainous routes. The 22-inch wheels impacted ride quality, but the air suspension in Comfort mode mitigated most discomfort. The XC60 excelled on highways, offering a smooth ride, though its steering lacked feedback, and brakes faded under hard use.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max combined a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with electronic full-time AWD and two electric motors, delivering 362 horsepower. This setup provided brisk acceleration, aided by a traditional six-speed automatic transmission. While the Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel efficiency, with a rating of 8.8 L/100 km combined, it offered impressive towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms. During testing, it achieved 9.1 L/100 km on a balanced city-highway route and 10.1 L/100 km on mountainous roads. The Hybrid Max excelled in acceleration, with electric motors eliminating turbo lag. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though road undulations could cause some vertical and lateral movement. Handling was secure but limited by early tire scrub and squeal.

The 2026 Volvo XC60 excelled in long-distance comfort, thanks to its top-shelf front seats with heating, cooling, massage, and extending leg supports. Rear seats, however, were less comfortable, with firm cushions and potential shin contact with front seatback storage nets. The four-zone automatic climate control and panoramic sunroof enhanced the cabin experience. Storage was adequate, with tamboured covers for cupholders and large door bins. The XC60 offered 613 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 1,410 litres with the 40:20:40-split folding back seat.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provided comfortable seating across all 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, adding an upscale touch. The second-row captain’s chairs with a removable centre console allowed easy access to the third row. The Grand Highlander offered 586 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 1,640 litres with the third-row seats folded. Folding the second row increased capacity to 2,761 litres, nearly matching the Sienna minivan.

The 2026 Volvo XC60 introduced an updated infotainment system with an 11.2-inch touchscreen display and Volvo Car UX software. It included a four-year subscription to Digital Services, offering Google built-in apps and Remote App Services. While the system functioned well, navigating saved favourite stations was cumbersome. The voice recognition system and Google Assistant provided alternative control options. The infotainment system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though Apple CarPlay required a wired connection. The optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

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 was user-friendly, though it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, though it required specific phrasing for certain requests. The Platinum trim included a colour head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and surround-view camera system. The JBL premium audio system exceeded expectations in sound quality.

The 2026 Volvo XC60 did not receive a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS due to an Acceptable rating in the side-impact crash test. Despite this, it offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning with large animal detection, oncoming collision mitigation, and intersection braking assist. However, the real-world performance of driver assistance tech was lacking, with issues in lane centring and braking response. The XC60 earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a range of standard safety features and driver assistance technologies. While the lane keep assist system occasionally strayed too close to lane markers, overall safety tech performance was accurate and refined. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS due to headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.