2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid vs 2026 Hyundai Venue

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was a versatile SUV that offered a range of powertrains, including a turbocharged gas engine, a hybrid system achieving up to 36 mpg, and the robust Hybrid Max with 362 horsepower and full-time AWD. Trim levels ranged from LE to Platinum, with prices spanning $43,855 to $61,770. The top-tier Hybrid Max Platinum, priced at $61,770, featured a Storm Cloud paint finish, resembling a large RAV4 with seating for eight and ample cargo space. The interior prioritized functionality, with a touch of luxury in the Platinum trim, though some materials like glossy hard plastics were evident. The climate controls were user-friendly, but the infotainment system's volume knob was less so.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue, classified as a crossover SUV, resembled a tall hatchback with its compact dimensions and 6.7 inches of ground clearance. Its design leaned more towards a crossover, with an upright windshield, bluff nose, and standard roof rails. The Venue's exterior featured SUV-like elements, such as black wheel flares and a two-tone roof option. Inside, the Venue's interior was simple and functional, with a digital instrument cluster and a small touchscreen that appeared like an iPad on the dash. The body-color trim added a touch of flair, but the overall design was straightforward.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max was built for performance, boasting a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with electronic full-time AWD and two electric motors, delivering 362 horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate swiftly, aided by a traditional six-speed automatic transmission that avoided the droning typical of CVTs. While the Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel efficiency, achieving 27 mpg compared to the Hybrid's 36 mpg, it offered a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. During testing, it averaged 26 mpg on a balanced city-highway route and 23.3 mpg on a mountainous loop. The Hybrid Max's acceleration was smooth, with electric motors eliminating turbo lag, and the ride quality was soft and isolating. Handling was secure, though the tires squealed early, and the front camera's frequent screen takeover was a minor annoyance.

In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Venue was one of the least powerful vehicles on the market, with a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 lb-ft of torque. Power was delivered to the front wheels via a CVT, with no AWD option. The Venue's acceleration was modest, with a 0-60 mph time of 8.5–8.8 seconds, aided by its lightweight 2,738-pound frame. While peppy in city traffic, the Venue struggled at highway speeds, with the transmission slow to downshift. The Venue's handling benefited from its small size and low weight, making it agile in traffic and easy to park. However, the ride was jiggly on rough surfaces due to the solid rear axle.

The Toyota Grand Highlander offered spacious seating across three rows, with nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and a removable center console for easy third-row access. The rear doors were long, posing challenges for child seat installation, and the sharp door corners could cause dents. The Grand Highlander provided 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 97.5 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The Hyundai Venue's interior featured cloth and H-Tex seats with manual adjustments and seat heating in the SEL models. While headroom was ample, legroom was limited for taller occupants. The rear seat accommodated two adults comfortably, but three would be cramped. The Venue offered 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 18.7 cubic feet with them up. The rear cargo floor lifted to access the spare tire, but cost-cutting was evident in the lack of sound deadening. The interior was dominated by hard black plastic, with limited soft-touch surfaces.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music. Toyota Connected Services provided features like a Wi-Fi hotspot and a digital voice assistant. The system was user-friendly, though the font was low-contrast, and the inability to view multiple screens simultaneously was a drawback. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and a JBL premium audio system.

The Hyundai Venue featured an 8-inch touchscreen for basic infotainment, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While lacking navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM, the system was responsive and easy to use. The Venue's audio system was a simple six-speaker unit, with no premium option available. The digital instrument cluster displayed limited information and was not programmable.

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering features like lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and Proactive Driving Assist. While the safety tech operated accurately, the PDA system was often irritating. 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.

The Hyundai Venue offered standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert were available on all but the base SE. The Venue received a four-star rating from the NHTSA, with the IIHS yet to release full safety ratings. Its headlights received "Acceptable" or "Marginal" ratings, depending on the trim.