Land Rover Range Rover Sport 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 Grand Highlander was available in several trims, from the base LE to the luxurious Platinum, with prices spanning from $43,855 to $61,770. The top-tier Hybrid Max Platinum model, which we reviewed, featured a Storm Cloud paint finish and a straightforward MSRP of $61,770. Toyota's design approach for the Grand Highlander was conservative, drawing inspiration from the popular RAV4, resulting in a larger vehicle with seating for eight and ample cargo space. Inside, the emphasis was on functionality, with a touch of luxury in the Platinum trim, though some materials like glossy hard plastics were evident. The climate controls were user-friendly, but the infotainment system's volume knob was less so.

In contrast, the 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained its distinctive and elegant design, characterized by a steeply angled windshield, a gently sloping roofline, and minimal creases. The SV Carbon trim stood out with its two-tone hood, exposed carbon fiber elements, and massive 23-inch carbon wheels, which were both a visual and performance statement. The interior evolved from previous generations, featuring a minimalist aesthetic that some found too sparse, with many physical controls replaced by touchscreen interfaces. Despite this, the materials used, such as Ultrafabrics and various headliner options, were of high quality. The Range Rover Sport offered a range of paint colors and customization options through the SV Bespoke program, allowing buyers to personalize their vehicles extensively.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max was designed for performance with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 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. While the Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel efficiency, achieving 27 mpg compared to the standard hybrid's 36 mpg, it offered a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. During testing, the Hybrid Max averaged 23.3 mpg on a mountainous route and 26 mpg on a mixed city and highway route. The powertrain provided confident acceleration, and the ride quality was soft and isolating, though handling was secure only up to a modest point.

The 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered three powertrains, each with two states of tune, including a mild hybrid system and a plug-in hybrid option with up to 53 miles of gas-free driving. The standard engine was a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 355 horsepower, while the plug-in hybrid produced 454 horsepower. A BMW-built V8 was available, delivering 523 horsepower, and the SV trims featured a 626-horsepower version of this engine. The Range Rover Sport's adaptive dampers and air springs provided excellent off-road capability and a smooth ride. The SV Carbon trim, with its advanced suspension system and Michelin Pilot Sport tires, offered exceptional handling, rivaling high-performance SUVs from Porsche and Aston Martin.

The Toyota Grand Highlander offered spacious seating for up to eight passengers, with comfortable seats 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, adding a touch of luxury. The second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, which was 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.

The Range Rover Sport provided ample legroom and headroom for five passengers, with heated and electrically reclining seats in all outboard positions. The front seats offered 20-way power adjustment, ventilation, and memory. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, with a cargo divider and buttons to adjust the vehicle's height for easier loading. However, the 53 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded was smaller than many midsize SUVs. The lack of physical controls for many functions was a drawback, as most were hidden in the touchscreen interface.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various Toyota Connected Services. The system was easy to use, though the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously was a minor frustration. The Platinum trim included a color head-up display, a digital rear-view mirror, and a JBL premium audio system.

The Range Rover Sport's 13.1-inch display offered advanced features like the Wade Sensing app and 4x4i app, but basic functionality was challenging due to the reliance on touchscreen controls. Apple CarPlay and the factory navigation worked well, and the instrument panel was configurable without being overwhelming. The Meridian Signature stereo provided good sound quality, though not as impressive as the full-size Range Rover's system.

The 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 Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, it fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The Range Rover Sport included standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. However, it lacked front knee airbags and a front central airbag. No U.S. crash-test ratings were available, but the Euro NCAP awarded it a five-star rating.