Kia Seltos 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 a robust Hybrid Max configuration with 362 horsepower and full-time AWD. The trim levels ranged from LE to Platinum, with prices spanning from $43,855 to $61,770. The top-tier Hybrid Max Platinum model, priced at $61,770, featured a Storm Cloud paint finish, resembling a grander version of the popular RAV4. Its interior, while functional, emphasized practicality over luxury, with logical control layouts and decent material quality. However, the infotainment system's small volume knob and lack of a tuning knob were notable drawbacks.

In contrast, the 2027 Kia Seltos presented a compact yet stylish SUV option, available in trims from LX to X-Line SX, with prices between $26,485 and $34,285. The X-Line SX, equipped with a turbocharged engine, offered a premium experience with the Prestige Package, which included advanced features like a Harman Kardon sound system and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos' design drew inspiration from the Kia EV9 and Telluride, resulting in a technical and tough appearance. Inside, the Seltos boasted quality materials and intuitive controls, though the dark interior could benefit from lighter color options. Despite its compact size, the Seltos provided a spacious and practical interior, making it a compelling choice for urban environments.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max was built for performance, featuring 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. However, this power came at the cost of fuel efficiency, with the Hybrid Max achieving only 27 mpg compared to the standard hybrid's 36 mpg. During testing, the Hybrid Max averaged 23.3 mpg on mountainous routes and 26 mpg on a balanced city-highway route. The SUV's ride quality was soft and isolating, though handling was secure only up to a point, with early tire squeal and understeer in curves. Visibility was excellent, but the front camera's frequent screen takeovers were a nuisance.

The 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line SX, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a torque-vectoring AWD system. This powertrain offered a satisfying driving experience, though it could feel sluggish in Normal mode, with Sport mode providing a more responsive performance. The Seltos achieved an EPA rating of 26 mpg combined, matching its performance on a flat evaluation route. While the Seltos handled well on smooth roads, it exhibited significant body motion on uneven surfaces. Its compact size and excellent visibility made it ideal for urban driving, though it wasn't suited for off-road adventures.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid excelled in interior space, offering comfortable seating for 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, adding a touch of luxury. However, the unlined storage areas could contribute to cabin noise, and the rear doors' design posed challenges for families with small children. The second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, which offered reasonable comfort for adults and tall teens. Cargo space was generous, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 97.5 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2027 Kia Seltos impressed with its spacious interior, accommodating four large adults comfortably. The test vehicle featured heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and ample power adjustments. The rear seat was spacious and comfortable, with rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. Storage was practical, with door panel trays, a center armrest bin, and a wireless smartphone charger. The smart hands-free power liftgate was convenient, revealing up to 27.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The dual-level load floor added versatility, making the Seltos a practical choice for families.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, with higher trims featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various connected services. While the infotainment system was user-friendly, it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously, and the low-contrast font was difficult to read. The Platinum trim included advanced features like a head-up display and a JBL premium audio system, which exceeded expectations in sound quality.

The 2027 Kia Seltos boasted a panoramic display with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a 5-inch climate control panel, and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system featured wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia Connect services, with a three-year subscription to the Ultimate plan. While the voice recognition was accurate, it was slow, leading to a preference for Apple CarPlay. The Seltos also included Leading Vehicle Departure Alert, a useful feature in traffic, though it didn't prevent honking when first in line.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keep assist and Proactive Driving Assist. While the safety tech operated accurately, the PDA system was often irritating. The Grand Highlander earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to headlight performance and frontal-impact protection ratings.

The 2027 Kia Seltos offered a robust list of standard driver assistance features, though the base LX trim lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Seltos included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping aids. The Prestige Package added a camera-based blind-spot monitor and a surround-view camera system. While the rear automatic braking was effective, it could be jarring. At the time of writing, safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS were not available.