Lexus NX vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 Lexus NX, despite being a few years into its second generation, maintained a fresh appearance with its well-integrated styling elements. The design featured chunky fenders, headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights, and taillights connected by a thin strip, all centered around the distinctive Lexus spindle grille. While it wasn't as classically handsome as the Genesis GV70 or Volvo XC60, it avoided the awkwardness seen in the latest Audi Q5 or BMW X3. The design team at Lexus refined the existing recipe, ensuring that key elements like the big grille and LED DRLs appeared intentional rather than added for visual impact. The oversized grille, though still controversial, was balanced by the placement of the headlights and side air intakes.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid pursued a conservative and familiar design path, drawing inspiration from the previous-generation RAV4. This approach resulted in a vehicle that resembled a larger RAV4, offering seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior emphasized function over form, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. While glossy hard plastics and unlined storage surfaces were present, the controls were logically laid out, and the overall material quality was decent. The climate system was user-friendly, featuring large temperature-adjustment knobs, although the infotainment interface had room for improvement with its small volume knob and lack of a tuning knob.

The 2026 Lexus NX offered a range of powertrain options, but the standard setup in the NX 350 F Sport test car was underwhelming. It featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Despite a respectable 6.6-second zero to 60 mph time, the engine felt more suited to a pickup truck, and the automatic transmission hindered real-world performance. The NX 350h hybrid and NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid models appeared more promising on paper, with the latter boasting 304 horsepower and a 6-second zero to 60 mph time. However, the NX's chassis tuning left much to be desired, resulting in uncomfortable ride quality and an unengaging driving experience.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max, on the other hand, focused on performance with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, delivering 362 net horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate swiftly, aided by a traditional six-speed automatic transmission. While the Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel efficiency, achieving 27 mpg compared to the Grand Highlander 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, with an expected 24-25 mpg in typical driving conditions. The powertrain provided rewarding acceleration, and the ride quality was soft and isolating, although handling was secure only up to a modest point.

The 2026 Lexus NX offered competitive passenger space for a compact luxury SUV, though with some compromises. Rear-seat headroom was comparable to rivals like the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, but legroom was slightly less generous. Front-seat legroom was closer to the Audi and Mercedes, while first-row headroom matched the Audi but trailed the Acura and Mercedes. The front seats felt somewhat constrained, and outward visibility was hindered by the deep dashboard and large exterior mirrors. Cargo space measured 22.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded, trailing most competitors. The NX's 2,000-pound maximum towing capacity was also below class-leading figures.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable seating in all three rows, ample storage, and nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Platinum-trim test vehicle featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, providing a smart and upscale appearance. The front and second-row seats offered heating, ventilation, and supportive cushions. However, the long rear doors posed challenges for parents with small children, and the sharp corners of the rear doors could potentially cause dents in neighboring vehicles. The second-row captain’s chairs with a removable center console allowed for easy access to the third row. The Grand Highlander provided 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 97.5 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2026 Lexus NX came equipped with a 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen on base and Premium trims, with a 14-inch display available on higher trims. Standard features included a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, and six USB ports. Additional tech features required data connectivity packages, offering cloud-based navigation, digital key functionality, emergency assistance, and maintenance scheduling. The 14-inch touchscreen was well-placed, but fan speed adjustment via a touch slider was awkward. The voice recognition system responded to commands but had limitations, such as not being able to switch SiriusXM stations.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel available on 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, collision notification, and a digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, and the Platinum test car included features like a head-up display and a JBL premium audio system.

The 2026 Lexus NX was equipped with the standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and more. Additional driver-assist features were available, such as park assist and a 360-degree camera system. The NX received a 2025 Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with a lower "Acceptable" score in the moderate overlap front crash test. However, NHTSA safety ratings were not yet available.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive list of safety features and driver-assistance technologies. Proactive Driving Assist was standard, though it could be irritating in certain situations. The Grand Highlander's safety tech operated with accuracy, though the lane-keep assist system occasionally strayed too close to lane markers. The Grand Highlander earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating due to "Acceptable" ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.