Ford Bronco vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was a versatile SUV that offered a range of powertrains, including a turbocharged gas engine, a hybrid system achieving up to 36 mpg, and the robust Hybrid Max with 362 horsepower and full-time AWD. The Grand Highlander was available in several trims, from the base LE to the luxurious Platinum, with prices ranging from $43,855 to $61,770. The Platinum trim, which we reviewed, featured a Storm Cloud paint finish and a straightforward design reminiscent of the RAV4, providing ample seating for eight and significant cargo space. Inside, the Grand Highlander prioritized functionality, with logically arranged controls and decent material quality, though some hard plastics were evident. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had room for improvement, particularly with its small volume knob.

The 2026 Ford Bronco, with its upright stance and 8.4 inches of ground clearance, was designed as a formidable off-road competitor to the Jeep Wrangler. The four-door model we tested featured large windows and a lower beltline for excellent visibility, while the rear-mounted spare tire added both style and practicality. The Bronco's interior combined high-tech features like 12-inch digital screens with rugged, easy-to-clean materials. Build quality was impressive, though the optional sound-deadening material on the roof panels seemed ineffective. Our test vehicle, equipped with the 60th Anniversary package, boasted eye-catching off-white paint but required additional costly packages. Despite the price, the Bronco excelled in off-road capability and offered a unique blend of style and functionality.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max was engineered for performance, boasting a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with electronic full-time AWD and two electric motors, delivering a total of 362 horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate swiftly, aided by a traditional six-speed automatic transmission that 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 a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. During testing, the Hybrid Max averaged 23.3 mpg on a mountainous route and 26 mpg on a balanced city-highway drive. The powertrain provided confident 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 at moderate speeds, but the tires tended to scrub and squeal when pushed. Visibility was excellent, though the front camera's frequent screen takeover was a minor annoyance.

The 2026 Ford Bronco came standard with 4WD and a 300-horsepower, 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, but our test vehicle featured the 330-hp, 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6, which delivered smooth and powerful acceleration. The Bronco excelled in low-speed maneuvers, effortlessly handling a 22-degree ramp in our city garage. At lower speeds, the Bronco was relatively quiet, but highway driving introduced significant tire, wind, and road noise, affecting phone call clarity and audio enjoyment. Despite the noise, the Bronco offered a comfortable ride, handling road imperfections well, and providing supportive front seats. While we didn't test its off-road capabilities this time, previous experiences confirmed its prowess. The Bronco's visibility was superior to the Jeep Wrangler, and the side mirrors remained functional even with the doors removed. The Bronco also offered a manual transmission option, though limited to specific trims and the base engine.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provided ample interior space, with comfortable seating across three rows and nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity. However, unlined storage areas could contribute to cabin noise, and underfloor storage behind the third row was limited. Our Platinum-trim test vehicle featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, adding a touch of luxury. The front and second-row seats offered heating, ventilation, and support. The long rear doors posed challenges for parents with small children, and their sharp corners could potentially damage neighboring vehicles. The second-row captain's chairs, with a removable center console, allowed easy access to the third row. The rearmost seats were reasonably comfortable for adults and tall teens, with ample space from the head restraint to the rear liftgate. Cargo space behind the third row measured 20.6 cubic feet, expanding to 57.9 cubic feet with the third row folded and 97.5 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2026 Ford Bronco offered practical features for both off-road enthusiasts and daily drivers. Interior storage included armrest and glove box cubbies, with door netting for securing water bottles. Our test vehicle featured lockable center console storage for valuables. The four-door model provided up to 83 cubic feet of cargo space with the soft top, though the two-door model offered significantly less. Even with rear seats up, the four-door Bronco accommodated luggage or gear, though the high lift-in height could be challenging for shorter individuals. The load floor wasn't flat, posing a challenge for car camping. Running boards or side steps were optional, but hand grips in logical locations aided cabin access. Window and mirror controls were centrally located, allowing access even with doors removed.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a range of tech features, with LE and XLE trims featuring a 7-inch digital driver display and higher trims boasting a 12.3-inch digital panel. All models included a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music. Toyota Connected Services provided additional features like a Wi-Fi hotspot and a digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously and the low-contrast font were drawbacks. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, enhancing the user experience. Our Platinum test car included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and surround-view camera system, with the JBL audio system exceeding expectations.

The 2026 Ford Bronco came equipped with a 12-inch digital gauge cluster and infotainment screen, running on the Sync 4 operating system. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G modem, and a trial of SiriusXM satellite radio. Ford offered a seven-year connectivity plan for $745, providing an unlimited Wi-Fi hotspot and other entertainment features. The Bronco's off-road capabilities were supported by G.O.A.T. modes, with higher trims adding advanced off-road tech like Trail Control and Trail Turn Assist. Additional tech features on higher trims included dual-zone climate control, a Bang & Olufsen audio system, ambient lighting, and a keyless entry keypad. The Lux Package offered surround-view cameras and a 400-watt Pro Power Onboard for powering small equipment.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features and driver-assistance technologies. Standard features included lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and Proactive Driving Assist (PDA), though the latter was often found irritating. The safety tech operated with accuracy, though the lane-keep assist occasionally strayed too close to lane markers. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2026 Ford Bronco came standard with high-beam assist, hill-start assist, post-collision braking, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. While the base trim covered essential safety features, advanced options like blind-spot monitors and adaptive cruise control were unavailable. The NHTSA hadn't released crash-test ratings for the Bronco, and the IIHS gave it mixed ratings, with Good scores in some tests but Marginal and Acceptable ratings in others.