INFINITI QX60 vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 was available in four trim levels: Pure, Luxe, Sport, and Autograph, with prices ranging from $53,035 to $68,185, including the destination charge. The Autograph trim, which we tested, featured a striking Deep Emerald color with a Black Obsidian roof and a Technology Package that added ProPilot Assist 2.1 and other advanced features, bringing the MSRP to $73,030. The QX60's design was updated to align with the larger QX80, featuring a new grille inspired by a bamboo forest and standard 20-inch wheels on the Pure trim. Inside, the QX60 offered a luxurious cabin with options like semi-aniline leather in the Autograph trim and a new Stone Gray interior color. The Luxe trim was considered the sweet spot, offering a balance of features and color options.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was offered with a choice of powertrains, including a hybrid system that achieved up to 36 mpg and a powerful Hybrid Max configuration with 362 horsepower. Trim levels included LE, XLE, Limited, Nightshade, and Platinum, with prices ranging from $43,855 to $61,770. Our test vehicle, the Hybrid Max Platinum, featured Storm Cloud paint and no additional options, with an MSRP of $61,770. The Grand Highlander's design was conservative, resembling a larger RAV4, and offered seating for up to eight with ample cargo space. The interior emphasized function, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim, and controls were logically laid out. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had a small volume knob and lacked a tuning knob.

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four VC-Turbo engine, producing 268 horsepower and 286 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. This engine offered a balance of power and fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg for both FWD and AWD models. The QX60 featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds. During testing, the QX60 averaged 20.2 mpg in Auto mode, showcasing a slight fuel economy advantage over the Nissan Pathfinder. The QX60 offered multiple driving modes, but Auto mode was preferred for its smoothness and efficiency. The ride was quiet in urban settings, but the suspension felt too soft at higher speeds, leading to unwanted body motion. The QX60 was not suited for enthusiastic driving on mountain roads, feeling heavy and uncommunicative.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max combined a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with electronic full-time AWD and two electric motors, delivering 362 net horsepower. This setup provided impressive acceleration and a traditional six-speed automatic transmission, avoiding the droning common in CVTs. The Hybrid Max traded some fuel efficiency for power, achieving 27 mpg combined, compared to the standard hybrid's 36 mpg. It also offered a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. During testing, the Hybrid Max averaged 23.3 mpg on a mountainous route. The powertrain provided confident acceleration, and the ride quality was soft and isolating, though it could produce vertical bounding on uneven surfaces. Handling was secure at moderate speeds, but the tires squealed early when pushed hard.

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 offered seven-passenger seating in the Pure and Luxe trims, while the Sport and Autograph trims featured second-row captain's chairs, reducing capacity to six. Standard features included heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated front and heated second-row seats available on higher trims. The Autograph trim added front-seat massage and Plasmacluster air purification. The driving position in the Autograph trim was challenging to adjust, but the second-row captain's chairs were comfortable and provided easy access to the third row. The third-row seats were tight for adults, with limited foot space and thigh support. Cargo space was 14.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 41.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 75.4 cubic feet with all seats down.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable seating in all three rows and nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and supportive cushions. The second-row captain's chairs with a removable center console allowed for easy access to the third row. The third-row seats were reasonably comfortable for adults and tall teens, with ample space from the head restraint to the rear liftgate. Cargo space was 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 97.5 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 featured a new Google Built-in infotainment system with a 12.3-inch center touchscreen, offering Google Assistant, Google Maps, and access to apps through the Google Play Store. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with SiriusXM 360L satellite radio and Infiniti InTouch connected services. The system was user-friendly, though Google Maps occasionally failed to load properly. The QX60 Luxe and Sport trims had a 16-speaker Klipsch audio system, while the Autograph featured a 20-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere setup, which was loud but lacked fidelity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.8-inch head-up display were available, along with a camera-based digital rearview mirror and MyQ Connected Garage technology.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, with a 7-inch digital driver display in LE and XLE trims and a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel in higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Toyota Connected Services offered features like a Wi-Fi hotspot, automatic collision notification, and a digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was easy to use, though the font was low-contrast and hard to read. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a JBL premium audio system, which delivered better sound quality than expected.

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 came equipped with standard driver-assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Luxe trim added ProPilot Assist 1.1 with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist, as well as a surround-view camera system. The Autograph trim offered ProPilot Assist 2.1 with hands-free driving capability. However, the driver-assist tech needed improvement, as it cycled on and off without clear indications and had issues with hands-free operation. The NHTSA gave the QX60 a five-star overall rating, but IIHS ratings were not available.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included a comprehensive suite of safety features and driver-assistance technologies. Proactive Driving Assist was standard, but it was found to be irritating and often turned off. The safety tech operated with accuracy, though the lane-keep assist system occasionally strayed too close to lane markers. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS due to "Acceptable" ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.