2021 Jeep Renegade vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015, drew inspiration from the iconic Wrangler SUV, featuring a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. By 2021, it had undergone a subtle refresh, maintaining its rugged aesthetic with some previously optional features becoming standard. Inside, the Renegade offered a modern, functional cabin design with an upright center stack reminiscent of the Wrangler, ensuring controls were easily accessible. The Renegade came in various trims, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, each offering unique features and equipment.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid pursued a conservative design, reminiscent of the popular RAV4, but on a larger scale. This resulted in a vehicle that felt like a gigantic RAV4, offering seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior emphasized function over form, with the Platinum trim adding a layer of luxury. Despite some glossy hard plastics and unlined storage surfaces, the controls were logically laid out, and the overall material quality was decent. The climate system was simple to use, though the infotainment interface had some drawbacks, such as a small volume knob and the absence of a tuning knob.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and an upgraded turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). While neither engine was particularly spirited, the turbocharged option provided better torque and refinement. The Renegade's ride quality was solid, with impressive maneuverability in tight spaces and a terrain management system for off-road capability, especially in the Trailhawk trim.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a range of powertrains, including a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with electronic full-time AWD and two electric motors, producing 362 net horsepower in the Hybrid Max configuration. This setup provided satisfying acceleration and a traditional six-speed automatic transmission, avoiding the droning common in 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. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though handling was secure only up to a modest point.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade provided 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with them in use, offering above-average space for a subcompact SUV. Its tall, boxy design allowed for ample headroom in both rows, with great legroom in the front seats. The Renegade featured numerous storage solutions, including small cubbies and trays, and the front passenger seat could fold forward for additional space.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable seating in all three rows, with nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. However, many storage locations were unlined, potentially contributing to noise and vibration. 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 provided a pass-through to the third row, which was reasonably comfortable for adults and tall teens. Cargo space behind the third row was 20.6 cubic feet, expanding to 97.5 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on mid-tier trims and standard on higher trims. Both screens featured the intuitive Uconnect system, with a logical menu layout, easy-to-read graphics, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Kenwood premium audio system was available.

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 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 and a digital voice assistant. While the system was easy to use, it lacked the ability to display two main-menu screens simultaneously, and the font was sometimes hard to read.

For 2021, the Jeep Renegade made several previously optional safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. However, the Trailhawk trim did not include emergency braking. Despite these additions, the Renegade received a four-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features and driver-assistance technologies. While the Proactive Driving Assist system was found to be irritating, the overall safety tech operated with accuracy and refinement. The Grand Highlander earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to "Acceptable" ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.