Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson, a continuation of its fourth generation, maintained its striking design from previous years. Its sharp angles and unique headlight integration into the grille gave it a contemporary and aggressive look, even in the typically unflattering color of white. Hyundai's approach to design ensured each model had its own distinct style, unlike some luxury brands that merely scale designs. The Tucson's interior was modern and refined, with technology that felt approachable. However, the absence of a volume dial in favor of touch-capacitive buttons was a minor inconvenience. The Tucson offered a range of trims, each with distinct features, from the base SE with 17-inch alloy wheels to the well-equipped Limited trim with leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid took a more conservative design approach, reminiscent of the popular RAV4 but on a larger scale. This resulted in a spacious SUV with seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior of the Grand Highlander, especially in the Platinum trim, offered a layer of luxury with leather and artificial suede upholstery. However, the use of glossy hard plastics and unlined storage areas detracted slightly from its upscale feel. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had a small volume knob and lacked a tuning knob, which could be frustrating for some users.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offered front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. While adequate for city driving, the Tucson's engine struggled with highway acceleration and produced noticeable noise. For those seeking more power, Hyundai offered a 226-hp Tucson Hybrid and a 261-hp Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, though these came with a unique button-style shifter. The Tucson excelled in handling and ride quality, providing a comfortable and well-rounded driving experience.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max, on the other hand, focused on performance with its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD. This setup, combined with two electric motors, delivered an impressive 362 horsepower. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max offered quick acceleration and a traditional six-speed automatic transmission, avoiding the droning common in CVTs. However, this power came at the cost of fuel efficiency, with the Hybrid Max achieving 27 mpg compared to the standard hybrid's 36 mpg. The Grand Highlander also boasted a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. Its ride quality was soft and isolating, though handling was secure only up to a point, with early tire squeal and understeer in curves.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson provided up to 74.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 38.7 cubic feet with them in use, making it one of the roomiest in its class. The hands-free power liftgate, available on SEL trims and above, was intuitive and convenient. The Tucson comfortably seated five passengers, with ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The cabin featured numerous storage options, including deep cup holders and a center tray with a wireless charging pad.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a spacious interior with comfortable seating across three rows and nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. However, unlined storage areas could contribute to cabin noise. The Platinum trim featured upscale materials, including leather and artificial suede upholstery. The second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, which was comfortable for adults and tall teens. Cargo space behind the third row was 20.6 cubic feet, expanding to 97.5 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson's standard infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a fully digital instrument panel, though wireless connectivity was lost. The system was intuitive, with home buttons for easy navigation. Hyundai's remote start system was also user-friendly, allowing drivers to start the vehicle remotely and drive off without pressing the start button.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to various music services. The system was easy to use, though the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously and the low-contrast font were drawbacks. The Platinum trim included advanced features like a head-up display and a JBL premium audio system, which delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Limited trim added front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, and Hyundai's Smart Park feature. The Tucson received high safety ratings, with the IIHS awarding it a Top Safety Pick+ and the NHTSA giving it five stars in frontal crash tests.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a range of standard safety features and driver-assistance technologies. While the safety tech operated accurately, some features, like Proactive Driving Assist, could be irritating. 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 frontal-impact protection.