2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid vs 2025 Toyota Sequoia

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia 1794 Edition was a nod to the heritage of its assembly plant's location, offering a unique blend of ruggedness and luxury. It featured machined-finish 20-inch wheels, Saddle Tan leather upholstery, and American walnut wood trim, setting it apart from other trims like the SR5, Limited, and TRD Pro. Despite its hefty price tag, the interior quality was a mix of high-end materials and typical Toyota-grade plastic, which detracted from its premium feel. The exterior, with its Lunar Rock paint and TRD off-road wheels, turned heads, but the interior's mismatched elements and lack of cohesion left something to be desired.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max Platinum embraced a more conservative design, reminiscent of the popular RAV4 but on a larger scale. Its Storm Cloud paint and upscale interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery gave it a sophisticated look. The Grand Highlander prioritized function, offering ample cargo space and seating for up to eight, making it a practical choice for families. While the interior materials were decent, the unlined storage spaces could contribute to noise and vibration. Overall, the Grand Highlander presented a balanced blend of style and practicality, appealing to those seeking a spacious and efficient SUV.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia 1794 Edition was powered by an i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. It featured a part-time 4WD system and multiple driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Tow/Haul. Despite its muscular performance, the Sequoia's fuel economy was disappointing, averaging only 16.2 mpg in real-world testing, compared to the EPA's 20 mpg estimate. Its towing capacity of 9,010 pounds was impressive, but the solid rear axle and battery placement compromised interior space and ride quality.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max, on the other hand, offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with electronic full-time AWD and two electric motors, delivering 362 horsepower. It provided a satisfying balance of performance and efficiency, with a fuel economy rating of 27 mpg. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max excelled in acceleration and maneuverability, thanks to its electric motors and traditional six-speed automatic transmission. It also boasted a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though it exhibited some vertical bounding and lateral rocking on uneven surfaces. Overall, the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max offered a more refined and efficient driving experience.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia accommodated up to eight passengers, though the third row was best suited for shorter individuals. The 1794 Edition featured comfortable front seats with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the long rear doors posed challenges in tight parking spaces. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable but lacked sliding functionality and a center console. Cargo space was limited, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 86.9 cubic feet with all seats folded, falling short of competitors.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable seating in all three rows and nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim featured upscale Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery. The second-row captain's chairs provided a pass-through for easy access to the third row. The Grand Highlander excelled in cargo capacity, offering 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 97.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. Its spacious interior and thoughtful design made it a practical choice for families.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia 1794 Edition came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It offered various connected services plans, including cloud-based navigation and remote engine starting. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the lack of a tuning knob was frustrating. The Intelligent Assistant responded to voice commands but had limitations in executing certain tasks. The surround-view camera system and digital rearview mirror were valuable additions for parking in tight spaces.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, with a more sophisticated digital instrumentation panel in higher trims. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to music accounts. The system was user-friendly, though the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously was a drawback. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, enhancing the overall experience. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and surround-view camera system, providing a comprehensive suite of technology features.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. While the safety tech was comprehensive, the lane assist features were often intrusive, leading to false warnings. At the time of publication, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including Proactive Driving Assist and lane-keep assist. While the safety tech operated with accuracy, the Proactive Driving Assist was found to be irritating in certain situations. The Grand Highlander received 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.