Toyota Grand Highlander vs Hyundai IONIQ 9

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a standout in Toyota's lineup of crossovers and SUVs, offering a range of options from all-gas to hybrid-powered models. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with the regular Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. With a length of 201.4 inches and a 116.1-inch wheelbase, it was larger than competitors like the Kia Telluride, providing a spacious interior. Its design, inspired by rugged vehicles, featured a conservative yet blocky style, reminiscent of the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot. The Grand Highlander was available in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with interior options ranging from Softex synthetic leather to real leather in higher trims. It boasted features like a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, and a large center console, making it a comfortable and well-built road-trip vehicle.

The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9, on the other hand, presented a distinctive design that divided opinions. Its aerodynamic shape, inspired by smooth pebbles and midcentury modern sofas, housed seven passengers comfortably. Measuring 199.2 inches in length with a 123.2-inch wheelbase, it offered impressive interior volume. Despite its size, it achieved a 0.27 drag coefficient, enhancing its aerodynamic efficiency. The IONIQ 9's design featured a swooping roofline and a stubby rear end, with LED taillights wrapping around the tail's circumference. Available in nine paint colors, it offered unique wheel designs for different trims. Inside, the IONIQ 9 provided a spacious and airy environment, with flat floors and a panoramic sunroof in higher trims. The interior featured high-quality plastic and a dashboard with a hammered aluminum look, though the seats lacked thigh support.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options, starting with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain, a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid, generated 362 combined net horsepower and 400 combined net lb-ft of torque. Both gas and hybrid engines were available with front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), while the Hybrid Max was AWD only. The Hybrid Max offered impressive acceleration with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander was known for its solid brakes and adequate acceleration, though its steering feel was somewhat numb. It featured three drive modes: Sport, Eco, and Normal, with additional modes for AWD-equipped models.

The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 came equipped with a 110.3-kWh battery pack on the e-GMP platform. The base S trim featured rear-wheel drive (RWD) with a single 160-kW electric motor producing 215 horsepower. Other trims had a dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, with power output varying by trim. The SE and SEL trims generated 303 hp, while the Limited and Calligraphy trims produced 422 hp. The IONIQ 9 demonstrated impressive energy efficiency, with a driving range estimate of 335 miles for the S trim and 311 miles for the Calligraphy Design. Its chassis provided a smooth and quiet ride, though it lacked cornering sophistication. The IONIQ 9 had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds for RWD and 5,000 pounds for AWD models. Charging options included Tesla-style NACS superchargers and CCS-port Level 2 chargers, with fast charging capabilities.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its primary rivals, measuring 201.4 inches in length with a 116.1-inch wheelbase. It offered a total cargo capacity of 97.5 cubic feet, with 57.9 cubic feet behind the second-row seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all three rows up. The Grand Highlander provided ample head, leg, and shoulder room in every row, making it comfortable for adults, even in the third row.

The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 focused on family-SUV practicality, with seating for seven in S, SE, and SEL trims, and six in Limited and Calligraphy trims. It featured Hyundai's Universal Island 2.0, enhancing access for middle-row passengers. The IONIQ 9 offered 42.8 inches of legroom in the middle row and 32 inches in the third row. Its rear doors provided easy access, and dual-zone climate control with air vents in all rows ensured comfort. The IONIQ 9 had 21.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 46.7 and 86.9 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An intelligent assistant and cloud-based navigation were available via a connected-services subscription. The Limited and Platinum trims came with an 11-speaker JBL stereo, providing a balanced sound experience. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were also available.

The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 boasted dual, curved 12.3-inch displays, offering wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It included SiriusXM Satellite Radio, over-the-air updates, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The IONIQ 9 featured a wireless charging pad and six USB-C ports for device charging. The Limited and Calligraphy trims came with a 14-speaker Bose audio system, delivering a crisp soundstage.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) as standard, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings was also standard.

The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including collision avoidance, lane-guidance technologies, driver attention warning, safe-exit assist, and Highway Driving Assist 2. The SEL trim and above featured a surround-view monitor, parking aids, and a blind-spot view monitor.