2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid vs 2026 Toyota Sienna

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was a blend of efficiency and power, offering 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. The Grand Highlander was available in several trims, from the base LE to the luxurious Platinum, with prices ranging from $43,855 to $61,770. The Platinum trim, which we reviewed, featured a Storm Cloud paint finish and a smart interior with a mix of leather and artificial suede upholstery. The design echoed the popular RAV4, providing a familiar yet grander aesthetic with seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior prioritized functionality, with logically arranged controls and decent material quality, though some hard plastics were evident. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had room for improvement, particularly with its small volume knob.

The 2026 Toyota Sienna, particularly in the Woodland Edition, was priced between $42,915 and $60,305. Our test vehicle, painted in a Cypress green, carried an MSRP of $53,790. Despite its name, the Woodland Edition didn't exude ruggedness, lacking substantial off-road features. The interior was dark with a Black color scheme, and while it offered practicality, it was marred by cheap plastics and a lack of refinement in touchpoints like the shifter and glove compartment. The Sienna's design aimed to disguise its minivan roots, offering a wide, low dashboard reminiscent of an SUV. However, the interior needed a refresh to match the expectations of modern buyers, especially in terms of material quality and aesthetic appeal.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max was built for performance, featuring a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with electronic full-time AWD and two electric motors, delivering a total of 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 36 mpg of the standard hybrid, it offered a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. During testing, the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max averaged 26 mpg on a balanced city and highway route and 23.3 mpg on a mountainous loop. The powertrain provided confident acceleration, with electric motors eliminating turbo lag. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though handling was secure only up to a point, with early tire squeal and understeer in curves. Visibility was excellent, though the front camera's frequent screen takeover was a minor annoyance.

The 2026 Toyota Sienna, equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a nickel-metal hydride battery, and an electric motor, produced 245 horsepower. This powertrain, standard across all Siennas, provided adequate performance for urban and suburban driving but lacked power for highway passing or mountain climbs. The AWD system, standard on the Woodland Edition, offered some versatility, but the Sienna's off-road capabilities were limited. The EPA rated the AWD Sienna at 35 mpg combined, but testing yielded 31.1 mpg on a fuel-efficiency loop and 26.8 mpg on a mountainous route. The Sienna's ride was smooth, with predictable handling, but the driving experience was uninspiring. The brake pedal feel was a notable issue, lacking modulation and requiring significant effort to stop the vehicle.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid 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, adding a touch of luxury. The second-row captain’s chairs provided flexibility, allowing easy access to the third row. However, the long rear doors could be cumbersome in tight spaces, and the sharp door corners posed a risk to nearby vehicles. The Grand Highlander offered 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 97.5 cubic feet with the second row folded, nearly matching the Sienna's capacity.

The 2026 Toyota Sienna excelled in practicality, with power sliding doors and optional super-long-slide second-row captain’s chairs enhancing accessibility. The Woodland Edition featured a four-zone climate control system, though the lack of ventilated seats was a drawback. The third-row seat offered decent space, but the small rear windows and dark interior could feel claustrophobic. The Sienna provided 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 75.2 cubic feet with the third row folded. However, the second-row seats were not removable, limiting maximum cargo volume to 101 cubic feet, slightly more than the Grand Highlander.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, with a 12.3-inch digital driver display available on higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various connected services. The infotainment interface was user-friendly, though the font and screen layout could be improved. The Platinum trim offered additional features like a head-up display and a JBL premium audio system, enhancing the overall tech experience.

The 2026 Toyota Sienna came standard with a 12.3-inch digital driver display and touchscreen on most trims, including the Woodland Edition. The infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and multiple connected service plans. Optional features included wireless charging and a JBL sound system. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system had visibility issues in daylight, but switching to night mode improved readability. The voice recognition system was generally effective, though it struggled with specific commands.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keep assist and Proactive Driving Assist. While the safety tech was generally accurate, the PDA system could be irritating. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but missed the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to headlight and frontal-impact ratings.

The 2026 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, providing essential safety features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The Sienna also included blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert. However, it lacked some predictive technologies found in newer Toyota models. The Sienna's safety ratings were mixed, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but lower scores in specific tests, preventing it from earning a Top Safety Pick award.