Holy moly, other family SUVs should be nervous. The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid makes a solid case as a well-rounded three-row SUV. It’s comfortable, efficient, and spacious. You only have to get past one potential issue. 

Only 1 thing holds the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander hybrid back 

Just in case the trolls are out, put the pitchforks down. If I don’t complain enough about a vehicle, y’all assume the automaker paid me to be nice. But I review vehicles on a volunteer basis because it’s fun. I like to drive all the things. 

As a result, I put the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander through the gauntlet with road trips over two hours long, running errands, and a little off-roading. 

Here’s the potential Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid problem 

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander could benefit from having more sound-damping materials. Perhaps thicker windows might help. 

It’s noticeably loud at highway speeds, making it difficult to carry on conversations with passengers in the rear. Then, in the rain, it’s nearly impossible to hear anyone. 

Plus, a sporadic hybrid engine wheeze adds to the noise. Instead of having a deep, attractive growl, the engine has a bit of a high-pitched whine. It might take away from peaceful driving vibes. 

Other than that, it’s extremely comfortable with supportive seats, a smooth ride quality, and a fast-acting AC system. 

Also, other critics note that it doesn’t have the most attractive style. But looks are too subjective to be a real con. Some people love the Tesla Cybertruck for looking different, and others call it a trashcan. 

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is efficient and athletic 

Now here’s what I like about the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain delivered 245 HP. It’s noted for being a little underwhelming. 

Upgrade to the 2.4-liter Hybrid Max engine for 362 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. With this engine, the Grand Highlander Hybrid can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.1 seconds. That’s plenty of speed for merging into traffic and passing others. 

The Grand Highlander has responsive handling and plenty of stability to handle curvy roads. Plus, the brakes are confident. While visibility is limited, there are plenty of camera views to easily navigate around obstacles. 

This bad boy gets an EPA-estimated 36 mpg in the city and up to 32 mpg on the highway. I averaged about 34.8 mpg. 

The Grand Highlander has plenty of space 

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander is prepared to carry your entire family and all of their stuff. The front seats are massive with plenty of adjustment controls. Adults won’t complain about relaxing in the second row captain’s chairs either. 

Two kids or shorter adults will enjoy the third row without any complaints. At 5’1” I could spend hours back there. But It might feel cramps for those around 5’4” or taller. 

You can access up to 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. Fold those down to access 57.9 cubes. Then there’s 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space overall. 

Extra gear can be placed on top thanks to the roof rails, and the Grand Highlander Hybrid can tow up to 5,000 lbs. 

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander is easy 

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid has intuitive and straight forward tech. You can easily connect your phone and forget it. The camera views are crystal clear and charging ports are everywhere. 

Adjusting your settings only takes a few seconds. For example, you can set the 360-camera view to automatically turn on at speeds under five mph. Plus, the voice recognition system is outstanding. 

The Grand Highlander has a nimble turning radius. It’s easy to maneuver in tight city areas and on narrow trails in the woods. It gives you plenty of space without being too large to commandeer. 

Plus, the intelligent AWD system is there for you. It provides extra traction as needed to feel safe and confident in the woods and during inclement weather situations. 

The doors have wide openings, and the liftover height isn’t too tall. Loading heavy or bulky items is a breeze. Plus, the power tailgate is a nice touch. 

There’s plenty of advanced tech, such as a digital key, wireless phone charging pad, digital rearview mirror, and head-up display. However, the Grand Highlander is relaxed and low maintenance for those who just want to focus on driving.