2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid vs 2025 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport was a compact SUV that embraced rugged styling, setting itself apart from its sibling, the Ford Escape. It featured a rectangular grille with inset round headlights and "Bronco" lettering, reminiscent of the larger Bronco model. The Bronco Sport maintained a square silhouette with a long, flat hood and upright greenhouse, giving it a cute yet rugged appearance. For 2025, the styling remained largely unchanged, except for the introduction of off-road packages like the Black Diamond and Sasquatch, which added modular steel bumpers and underbody protection. The interior, while less distinctive, was functional, with new center-console grab handles and auxiliary switches for off-road accessories.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, pursued a conservative design, drawing inspiration from the popular RAV4. It resembled a larger RAV4 with 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 the glossy hard plastic and unlined storage surfaces detracted slightly from the overall quality, the controls were logically laid out. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had a tiny volume knob and lacked a tuning knob, which could be frustrating for some users.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport offered two powertrain options: a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Bronco Sport excelled in off-road capabilities, featuring a dual-clutch rear-drive unit for torque vectoring, Trail Control for low-speed off-roading, and multiple drive modes, including Rally and Rock Crawl. The Sasquatch Package added off-road suspension, all-terrain tires, and steel underbody protection, enhancing its off-road prowess while maintaining comfortable on-road driving dynamics.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a choice between a fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain and the performance-oriented Hybrid Max. The Hybrid Max combined a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with electronic full-time AWD and two electric motors, delivering 362 horsepower. While the Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel efficiency, achieving 27 mpg compared to the standard hybrid's 36 mpg, it offered impressive towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. The Hybrid Max provided rewarding acceleration and a smooth ride, although handling was secure only up to a modest point. The Grand Highlander's outward visibility was excellent, aided by front, rear, and top-down cameras.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport offered practicality without compromising its off-road focus. It provided more headroom in both rows compared to competitors like the Jeep Compass Trailhawk and Subaru Forester Wilderness. Cargo space was competitive, with 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 65.2 cubic feet with them folded. The Bronco Sport featured convenient storage solutions, including a device tray with USB ports and mounting points for recording off-road adventures. It could tow up to 2,700 pounds with the turbo-four engine, surpassing the Jeep Compass Trailhawk but falling short of the Subaru Forester Wilderness.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid excelled in interior space, offering comfortable seating in all three rows and nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim featured upscale materials, including leather and artificial suede upholstery. While the rear doors were long and could pose challenges for parents with small children, the second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row. 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, making it ideal for family road trips.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport upgraded to the Ford Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring a 13.2-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, enhancing the vehicle's premium feel. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with detailed animations and easy-to-read text. An available 360-degree camera system provided safety and off-road assistance, with split-screen functionality for obstacle detection.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to various Toyota Connected Services. While the infotainment system was generally easy to use, it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, and the Platinum trim offered additional features like a head-up display and a premium JBL audio system.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in several tests, with an "Acceptable" rating in the updated side-impact test. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included reverse automatic emergency braking and traffic sign recognition.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. While the Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, it fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to "Acceptable" ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection. The safety tech operated accurately, although the lane-keep assist system occasionally strayed too close to lane markers.