2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from Toyota's Tacoma, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia that gave it a rugged look. However, its side profile introduced a swooping character line that added unnecessary visual weight, making it appear somewhat bloated. The rear design echoed the front grille, but the overall aesthetic felt disjointed compared to more cohesive competitors like the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid's asymmetrical dash and metallic styling elements provided a unique yet functional design, though the fabric choices in the Bronze Edition were questionable in terms of durability and appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a "modernist" and "reductive" design, focusing on clean lines and simplicity. While not flashy, it offered subtle elegance with options like Eiger Gray paint and silver 23-inch wheels. The interior exuded luxury with a Deep Garnet over Ebony theme and Windsor leather upholstery. Despite its understated appearance, the Range Rover Sport's design included advanced features like premium LED headlights and flush-mounted door handles, enhancing its modern appeal.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine producing 243 horsepower, paired with a CVT and standard FWD, with optional AWD. It reached 60 mph in just over 8 seconds, offering a smooth ride with soft suspension and minimal wind noise. However, the engine's drone during acceleration and hill climbs was a downside. The braking system was seamless, transitioning smoothly from regenerative to physical brakes.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, delivering 395 horsepower in the SE Dynamic model. It accelerated to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with Intelligent AWD. The Range Rover Sport excelled in off-road capabilities, boasting a 35.4-inch wading depth and advanced suspension systems. However, its steering lacked involvement, and the adaptive cruise control was not as smooth as expected.

The 2022 Highlander Hybrid provided comfortable front seats with ample adjustments, though the driver's armrest was awkwardly positioned. Storage was plentiful, with various trays and bins. The second-row seats were spacious, offering sliding and reclining options, while the third row was less accommodating, suitable for children or short trips. Cargo space ranged from 16 to 84.3 cubic feet, depending on seat configuration.

The 2023 Range Rover Sport maintained a commanding driving position with a low dashboard and thin roof pillars. The front seats were luxurious, featuring Windsor leather and 20-way adjustments. However, the rear seats were less accommodating, with limited legroom and hard seatback panels. Cargo space was 31.9 cubic feet, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The vehicle included thoughtful storage solutions, though some areas were less practical.

The 2022 Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option on higher trims. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration, with available navigation and JBL audio on select trims. The system was user-friendly, with physical buttons for climate control.

The 2023 Range Rover Sport boasted a 13.7-inch digital display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen with haptic feedback. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. However, the Pivi Pro system was often confusing and frustrating to use. The Range Rover Sport included impressive Meridian audio systems and a wireless charging pad, though accessing the pad was challenging.

The 2022 Highlander Hybrid earned top safety ratings, with standard features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. However, some systems required fine-tuning, such as the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.

The 2023 Range Rover Sport included advanced safety features like forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist were less reliable, particularly on freeway curves, requiring driver intervention.