Genesis GV80 vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2025 Genesis GV80 was a testament to sophisticated design, offering two engine options and five trims, with the top Prestige trim featuring a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged engine. The redesign enhanced its already handsome appearance, with a more aggressive front bumper and a grille with added depth. The micro lens array in the traditional two horizontal bar headlights and the subtle tweaks to the Genesis logo added to its allure. The interior was equally stunning, with quilted Nappa leather seats and unique accents like basalt or recycled newspaper trim. The center console was thoughtfully designed, though the redundant infotainment dial seemed unnecessary given the ease of using the touchscreen.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, particularly in its top Platinum trim, embraced a conservative design reminiscent of the RAV4, offering a familiar yet grander aesthetic. The Storm Cloud paint added a unique touch, while the interior focused on function with a layer of luxury. The Platinum trim featured glossy hard plastics and logically laid-out controls, though some storage areas were unlined. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had a tiny volume knob and lacked a tuning knob, which could be frustrating for some users.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 retained its powertrain options, with a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The top Prestige trim boasted a twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine delivering 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. All trims featured all-wheel drive, with the ability to send up to 100% of torque to the rear wheels. The GV80 offered a satisfying acceleration experience, with a burly sound from the six cylinders at wide-open throttle. The adaptive suspension and drive modes provided a comfortable ride, though it leaned more towards cruising than sporty driving. The brakes were firm and linear, ensuring confident stops even on rough roads.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max focused on performance with its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 horsepower. The traditional six-speed automatic transmission avoided the droning common in CVTs, providing a smooth driving experience. 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 acceleration was rewarding, with electric motors eliminating turbo lag, and the ride quality was soft and isolating. However, handling was secure only up to a modest point, with early tire scrub and squeal during aggressive driving.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 came well-equipped with features like power-adjustable heated seats, power-folding mirrors, and the new Mood Curator for a spa-like experience. The top trim included heated armrests, three-zone climate control, and ventilated front seats. However, the seats were uncomfortably rigid, making long trips less enjoyable. The second row offered almost 39 inches of legroom, with power-adjustable reclining seats, while the optional third row was best suited for children due to limited legroom. Cargo space was expected to be similar to the 2024 model's 35 cubic feet, and the GV80 could tow up to 6,000 pounds.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provided comfortable seating across all three rows, with nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, offering a smart and upscale look. The second-row captain’s chairs allowed for easy access to the third row, which was reasonably comfortable for adults and tall teens. The Grand Highlander offered 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 97.5 cubic feet with the second row folded. However, the rear doors' design posed challenges for families with small children, and the lack of underfloor storage was a minor drawback.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 featured a 27-inch OLED screen for the digital gauge cluster and infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available later. While the infotainment system had clean graphics, navigating through menus could be cumbersome. Standard technology included wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and four USB-C ports. The top trim offered a 12-inch head-up display and a digital rearview mirror. The 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system provided an impressive surround sound experience, surpassing previous Lexicon setups.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel in higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Toyota Connected Services provided 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 minor drawbacks. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and a JBL premium audio system with better-than-expected sound quality.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 came equipped with advanced driver aids like lane keeping assist, forward collision avoidance, and blind-spot monitoring. Upper trims added features like remote smart parking and a 360-degree camera system. The Highway Drive Assist system included an attention monitor, though it struggled with certain sunglasses. The NHTSA had not yet rated the 2025 model, but the 2024 GV80 received high safety ratings. The IIHS rated the 2024 model as "Good" in crashworthiness and "Average" in crash avoidance and mitigation.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features and driver-assistance technologies. The Proactive Driving Assist system was standard, though it could be irritating in certain situations. 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 small overlap frontal-impact protection.