2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid vs 2026 Toyota Sequoia

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia had a robust and imposing design, reminiscent of its Tundra pickup sibling, sharing the same ladder-frame platform. Its tall and wide stance, coupled with blocky features, gave it a commanding presence. The front showcased a large black grille, more contained than the Tundra's, with blacked-out elements confined within the grille itself. The side profile featured a stepped shoulder line from the hood to the front doors, with pronounced haunches over the wheels, adding to its chunky aesthetic. Black wheel flares were standard across all models except the top Capstone trim, which opted for body-colored flares. The blacked-out front pillars and forward-tilting rear side window line added a hint of motion, while a standard rear spoiler and tailgate Sequoia lettering marked the rear. Wheel options ranged from 18 to 22 inches, with the TRD Pro's all-terrain tires signaling its off-road capabilities.

Inside, the Sequoia's cabin continued the chunky theme with large dials suitable for gloved hands, emphasizing its utilitarian nature. The TRD Pro variant featured black synthetic leather upholstery with a unique camouflage pattern, TRD Pro embroidery on the headrests, and red contrast stitching. While soft-touch surfaces adorned parts of the interior, hard plastics were prevalent on the center console, dash, and doors, reinforcing its work-focused design. The base SR5 trim offered cloth upholstery, while higher trims boasted real leather, with the Platinum and Capstone trims adding contrast stitching for a touch of luxury.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, offered a more conservative and familiar design, drawing inspiration from the popular RAV4. This approach resulted in a vehicle that resembled a larger RAV4, providing seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior prioritized function over form, with the Platinum trim adding a layer of luxury. Despite the presence of glossy hard plastics and unlined storage surfaces, the controls were logically arranged, featuring matte black surfaces with white iconography. The climate system was straightforward, with large knobs for temperature adjustments, though the infotainment interface's small volume knob and lack of a tuning knob were less user-friendly.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia transitioned from a V8 to a hybrid powertrain, known as i-Force Max, without sacrificing performance. It featured a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine producing 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. An electric motor added 48 hp and 184 lb-ft, drawing power from a 1.87-kWh battery pack. This setup delivered a V8-like experience, with strong acceleration and a 0-60 mph time of about six seconds. The Sequoia could tow up to 9,520 pounds, aided by a haul mode and an optional Tow Tech package. However, the large towing mirrors, while helpful for towing, obstructed views of pedestrians. Handling was typical for a body-on-frame SUV, with noticeable body lean in corners and a slow steering response. The TRD Pro variant featured an off-road-tuned suspension with Fox coil-overs and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max prioritized performance with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 horsepower. This setup provided brisk acceleration, with 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 5,000 pounds. During testing, it averaged 26 mpg on a balanced city-highway route and 23.3 mpg on a mountainous evaluation loop. The Hybrid Max's acceleration was smooth, with electric motors eliminating turbo lag. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though undulations in the road could cause vertical bounding. Handling was secure at moderate speeds, with early tire scrub and nose push in corners. The surround-view camera system aided visibility, though the front camera's frequent screen takeover was a minor annoyance.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia, a full-size SUV, accommodated seven or eight passengers. The first row featured eight-way power seat adjustments and two-way power lumbar adjustments, with ample headroom and legroom. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilation available on most trims. The Platinum and Capstone trims also offered ventilated second-row seats. Second-row comfort was commendable, especially with available captain's chairs, and the Sequoia's width allowed for three passengers across the second and third rows. The third row provided adequate space for adults up to six feet tall, though low seat bottoms compromised thigh support. Cargo space was both a strength and a weakness, with 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 22.5 cubic feet with seats moved forward. Folding the third row provided 49 cubic feet, and with the second row folded, it offered 86.9 cubic feet. However, the third row sat above floor level, unlike rivals with flat load floors.

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 a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, adding an upscale touch. The front and second-row seats were heated and ventilated, with supportive cushions. However, the long rear doors posed challenges for parents with small children, and their sharp corners risked dents in neighboring vehicles. The second-row captain's chairs, with a removable center console, allowed easy access to the third row. The rearmost seats were comfortable for adults and tall teens, with ample crush space for safety. Cargo space included 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 57.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.5 cubic feet with the second row down, nearly matching the Sienna minivan's capacity.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with an optional 14-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. The instrument cluster displayed trip information, fuel economy, trailer gain, audio, and navigation details. The 14-inch touchscreen was user-friendly, offering shortcuts to wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and vehicle settings. Standard tech features included a three-month satellite radio trial, an eight-speaker audio system, Wi-Fi Connect, Remote Connect, and Safety Connect. Optional features included a head-up display, a 120-volt outlet, a wireless phone charger, and a 14-speaker JBL audio system. The climate controls and drive mode selector were conveniently located on the center console.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 7-inch digital driver display with traditional analog gauges in LE and XLE trims, while higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel. All models had a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, seamlessly integrated with the climate control panel. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Toyota Connected Services provided features like a Wi-Fi hotspot, collision notification, SOS emergency response, and a digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously and the low-contrast font were minor drawbacks. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, enhancing the user experience. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, a digital rear-view mirror, and a JBL premium audio system.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5 suite, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, and traffic-sign recognition. Additional standard features included blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The Sequoia received mixed crash-test results, with a top Good rating in small overlap and updated side crash tests, but a Marginal score in the moderate front overlap test. Its headlights varied in performance, and its front crash prevention system was rated Good for pedestrian detection but Marginal for vehicle-to-vehicle scenarios. The safety systems performed well during testing, though the large tow mirrors posed visibility challenges. The Sequoia lacked a hands-free highway driving system, lagging behind competitors.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features and driver-assistance technologies. It included lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and Proactive Driving Assist (PDA), which automatically braked and steered to maintain safe distances. While the PDA system was occasionally irritating, the overall safety tech operated with accuracy and refinement. The Grand Highlander received 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. The camera system's frequent screen takeover was a minor annoyance, but the safety features provided a high level of automation.