2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid vs 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was offered with a variety of powertrains, including a standard turbocharged gas engine, a hybrid system achieving up to 36 mpg in combined driving, and the robust Hybrid Max configuration with full-time AWD and 362 horsepower. Trim levels ranged from LE to Platinum, with prices spanning from $43,855 to $61,770. The top-tier Grand Highlander Hybrid Max Platinum, priced at $61,770, featured a Storm Cloud paint finish, reminiscent of a grayish-blue sky before a storm. Toyota's design approach for the Grand Highlander was conservative, drawing inspiration from the popular RAV4, resulting in a larger version 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 system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had a small volume knob and lacked a tuning knob.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee underwent subtle exterior updates, including new headlights, grille, and lower front fascia, maintaining its handsome and bold appearance. The thin grille and headlights, along with traditional Jeep design elements like trapezoidal wheel arches, contributed to its substantial look. The lineup was streamlined to three core trims: Laredo, Limited, and Summit, each with distinct features. The interior, while slightly plain due to design elements borrowed by the smaller Jeep Cherokee, still offered premium materials and equipment at higher trims. The Grand Cherokee's two-row models provided competitive headroom and legroom, though the three-row Grand Cherokee L had less legroom in the rear seats compared to rivals. Cargo space was adequate but not class-leading, and the interior featured practical storage solutions despite some design quirks.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max emphasized performance with its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 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 offered impressive towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, its fuel economy was lower at 27 mpg combined compared to the standard hybrid's 36 mpg. During testing, the Hybrid Max achieved 26 mpg on a balanced city and highway route and 23.3 mpg on a mountainous loop. The powertrain provided confident acceleration, and the ride quality was soft and isolating, though handling was secure only up to a modest point. Visibility was excellent, but the front camera's frequent takeover of the infotainment screen was a minor annoyance.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee introduced the Hurricane 4 Turbo engine, delivering 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, outperforming the Wrangler's turbo-four. This engine was standard on all trims except the base Laredo and Laredo X, which retained the Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 with 293 horsepower. Both engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions and offered RWD or optional 4WD. The Hurricane 4 provided strong performance, with a broad power range and a towing capacity of 6,200 pounds. The Grand Cherokee's driving experience remained largely unchanged, with truck-like steering and suspension, though the standard steel suspension offered comfort. Off-road capability varied by trim, with the Summit offering advanced 4WD systems but lacking some features of the discontinued Trailhawk model.

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 an upscale touch. The front and second-row seats were heated and ventilated, providing comfort. However, the long rear doors posed challenges for parents with small children, and the sharp corners could cause dents in neighboring vehicles. The second-row captain’s chairs allowed easy access to the third row, which was comfortable for adults and tall teens. Cargo space was generous, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.5 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered two-row and three-row configurations, with the latter providing competitive headroom but limited legroom in the rear seats. The interior featured practical storage solutions, though cargo space was less than some competitors, with 37.7 cubic feet behind the second row in two-row models and 84.6 cubic feet with all seats folded in the three-row Grand Cherokee L. The interior design was visually interesting but not always practical, with a deep center console storage bin and various places to stash a phone.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel available on higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Toyota Connected Services offered features like a Wi-Fi hotspot 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 Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and a JBL premium audio system.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen on higher trims, with a 10.2-inch screen on lower trims. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system provided wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Off-Road Pages for off-road enthusiasts. The system was easy to use, though the main menu was cluttered, and the digital instrument cluster was disorganized. The Grand Cherokee offered a surround-view camera system with night vision and a low-angle off-road camera, along with a digital rearview mirror and Fam Cam for monitoring rear passengers.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. Proactive Driving Assist was also standard, though it was found to be irritating in some situations. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee included standard driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Active Drive Assist, a hands-free highway driving system, was available on higher trims. While crash-test ratings for the 2026 model were unavailable, the 2025 model received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, though the criteria have since changed.