Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander stood out among Toyota’s line-up of crossovers and SUVs, offering a step up in size and versatility compared to its siblings. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its foundation with models like the regular Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry, diverging from the more rugged, truck-based Sequoia. Measuring an impressive 201.4 inches in length with a 116.1-inch wheelbase, the Grand Highlander was significantly larger than competitors like the Kia Telluride.

The Grand Highlander’s design was more conservative but maintained a rugged appeal with its blockier style. This gave it a visual connection to models like the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot. Its trapezoidal grille with an above horizontal slit and narrow headlights echoed the off-road-inclined 4Runner, adding a bit of adventurous flair to its otherwise street-oriented persona.

Inside, the Grand Highlander came in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum. Softex synthetic leather featured on the XLE, with real leather adorning the Limited and Platinum trims. The Platinum trim added a luxurious touch with available Portobello upholstery. The XLE boasted a standard 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 8-way adjustable passenger seat, both heated. The Limited and Platinum trims enhanced comfort with ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel.

The Grand Highlander excelled in back-row comfort and convenience. Standard second-row sunshades, removable center consoles, and built-in steps for easier third-row access were notable features. With an abundance of practical amenities like 13 cupholders and seven USB-C ports, it proved to be an excellent road-trip vehicle, renowned for its build quality and comfort.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson also showcased remarkable design, retaining the traits that made the fourth-generation model introduced in 2022 appealing. Its aggressive lines, integrated headlights, and distinctive grille created a sharp, contemporary look that stood out, even in less visually dynamic colors like white. While each Hyundai model exhibited unique styling, the Tucson’s athletic appearance was among the best.

Available in SE, SEL, XRT, and Limited trims, the Tucson’s exterior features varied from 17-inch alloy wheels on the SE to unique black 19-inch alloys and dark trim on the XRT. Meanwhile, the Limited trim sported a dark chrome grille and premium headlights. Inside, the Tucson’s modern cabin was packed with technology in an approachable layout. Despite some criticisms about the absence of a volume dial, the strategic placement of controls around the shifter area and cupholders boosted convenience.

Standard amenities on the base SE included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, manual driver’s seat adjustments, and keyless entry. The SEL trim added niceties like push-button start and a power-adjustable driver’s seat, with an SEL Convenience package further upgrading the interior. The top-tier Limited trim impressed with features such as ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, real leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and a premium Bose audio system.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine choices. The standard 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder generated 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. For those favoring fuel efficiency, a 2.5-liter hybrid option produced 245 combined horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The pinnacle of the lineup was the Hybrid Max powertrain, boasting 362 combined horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.

Both gas and hybrid powertrains were available with front-wheel and all-wheel drive, while the Hybrid Max came exclusively with AWD. Though not built for sprinting like sports cars, the Hybrid Max delivered a brisk 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds.

Handling the Grand Highlander’s substantial size proved challenging in tight spaces, and despite handling corners respectably, it lacked the precise feel of some rivals. Steering feedback was minimal, creating a somewhat disconnected driving experience, but the brakes provided reassuring performance. Acceleration from the 2.4-liter engine was acceptable, and Toyota’s three driving modes (Sport, Eco, and Normal) allowed for some adaptability, albeit modest. AWD models added Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt, and Snow modes for varied conditions.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Tucson featured a single 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Available in both front-wheel drive and AWD, the Tucson’s non-hybrid powertrain was serviceable for daily driving but lacked the zest for quick highway acceleration. More powerful options included a 226-hp hybrid and a 261-hp plug-in hybrid.

Handling prowess was a key strength for the Tucson. It balanced ride comfort with agile cornering, thanks to well-weighted steering and a smooth ride over rough surfaces. While not as sporty as the Mazda CX-5, the Tucson’s all-around capability made it a pleasant daily driver.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was notably larger compared to rivals. Its 201.4-inch length and 116.1-inch wheelbase provided substantial interior space. The cargo capacity was impressive with 97.5 cubic feet of total space, 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and 20.6 cubic feet with all rows in use. These figures positioned the Grand Highlander as a viable alternative to minivans for families needing ample storage without compromising passenger comfort. Every seat offered generous room, making even the third row comfortable for six-foot adults.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson, though smaller, provided commendable space for a compact SUV. With rear seats folded, it offered up to 74.8 cubic feet of cargo space and up to 38.7 cubes with the seats in use. Despite its smaller size compared to the Grand Highlander, these figures were strong within the compact segment, surpassed only by the Honda CR-V. The Tucson’s interior was designed with thoughtful conveniences, like deep cup holders and strategic storage spots, enhancing everyday usability.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander featured a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that enhanced its modern appeal. This system included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Optional features, available through subscriptions, added an intelligent voice assistant, cloud-based navigation, and live agent assistance. The high-quality 11-speaker JBL stereo standard on higher trims delivered impressive sound, though the cost of various subscriptions might deter some buyers.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson began with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto in its base trim. Higher trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch screen but interestingly dropped wireless smartphone integration. The digital instrument panel and added tech features required some adjustment, especially with the button-style shifter on hybrids. The Tucson’s system was intuitive and maintained functionality even with gloves on, proving its practical design.

Although the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review, it came well-equipped with standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. This suite included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings added to its safety credentials.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson boasted a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Limited trim enhanced safety with front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, and the innovative Smart Park feature. IIHS awarded the Tucson a Top Safety Pick+ rating, with excellent crash-prevention technology scores. NHTSA gave it favorable scores in frontal and rollover tests.