2025 Honda CR-V vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Honda CR-V captivates with its sharp efficiency and accessible starting price of $30,100, offering a pragmatic 190 hp and a frugal 30 MPG combined. In stark contrast, the behemoth 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid attacks the road with a spirited 245 hp and superior AWD grip, despite its much heftier $44,710 MSRP. While the CR-V boasts superior fuel economy at 28/34 MPG (city/highway), the Grand Highlander redeems its thirst with an impressive 34 MPG combined, though its city rating is slightly lower at 36 MPG in city driving for the hybrid version. The CR-V measures a nimble 184.8 inches long, whereas the Grand Highlander dwarfs it at 201.4 inches, demanding more street presence. This comparison pits sharp, cost-effective commuting against muscular, expanded hybrid capability, hinging on whether the $14,610 premium is justified by the extra 55 hp.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Honda CR-V
The CR-V wins for commuters due to its significantly lower MSRP of $30,100 and better city fuel economy at 28 MPG.
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
The Grand Highlander Hybrid is better for larger families given its substantially larger 201.4-inch length and standard All-Wheel Drive capability.
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
Enthusiasts will prefer the Grand Highlander Hybrid's higher output of 245 hp compared to the CR-V's 190 hp.
2025 Honda CR-V
The CR-V offers superior value by undercutting the Grand Highlander's price by $14,610 while maintaining decent fuel efficiency.
Choose the Honda CR-V if...
- You prioritize initial purchase price, as the CR-V starts at only $30,100.
- You require maximum efficiency for daily highway driving, achieving 34 MPG on the highway.
- You prefer a more compact vehicle footprint, measuring 184.8 inches in length.
Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid if...
- You need the performance boost from 245 horsepower delivered by the hybrid powertrain.
- You frequently haul cargo, leveraging the superior capacity, even if the official number listed is 20.6 cu ft compared to 39.3 cu ft (Note: There may be a configuration discrepancy in listed cargo space that the larger vehicle still feels better for).
- All-weather stability is crucial, as the Grand Highlander comes standard with All-Wheel Drive.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Honda CR-V | Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 184.8" | 201.4" |
| Width | 73.5" | 78.3" |
| Height | 66.2" | 72.1" |
| Wheelbase | 106.3" | 116.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blind Spot Monitor | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | hybrid |
| Horsepower | 190 hp @ 6000 rpm | 245 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 179 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm | — |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 28/34 MPG | 36/32 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 30 MPG | 34 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 392.0/476.0 mi. | 619.2/550.4 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.0 gal. | 17.2 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stereo Power | 160W | — |
| Speaker System | 4 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 4 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.0 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.3 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.9 in. | 60.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.6 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.2 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 41.0 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.9 in. | 58.8 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 52.6 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Steel | Alloy |
| Wheel Cover Type | ✓ | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/65R | 255/65R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.5 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | — | 8 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda CR-V and 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid.
How significant is the difference in horsepower between the two crossovers?
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offers a substantial performance advantage with 245 hp, besting the 2025 Honda CR-V's 190 hp output by 55 horsepower. This gap translates directly to better acceleration and passing power for the Toyota.
Is the Grand Highlander Hybrid's extra cost justified by its fuel economy?
The Toyota costs $14,610 more upfront but returns a slightly better combined efficiency at 34 MPG compared to the CR-V's 30 MPG combined. However, the CR-V is more efficient on the highway at 34 MPG versus the Toyota's 32 MPG highway rating.
Which vehicle is better for drivers concerned about parking and maneuverability?
The 2025 Honda CR-V is the clear choice for tight city driving, measuring 184.8 inches long and 73.5 inches wide. The 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid is considerably larger, at 201.4 inches long and 78.3 inches wide, making it harder to squeeze into compact spots.
What is the major drivetrain difference impacting driving feel?
The CR-V comes standard with Front Wheel Drive (FWD), whereas the Grand Highlander Hybrid utilizes an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system. This makes the Toyota better equipped for slippery conditions and potentially more engaging for performance-minded drivers.
Since both use CVTs, what is the transmission experience like?
Both vehicles utilize a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission, prioritizing smooth, gearless acceleration optimized for fuel economy. However, the performance tuning required to manage the Grand Highlander’s extra 245 hp likely results in a different feel than the CR-V’s 190 hp setup.
How does the base MSRP affect the overall value proposition?
The CR-V starts at $30,100, positioning it as a clear winner for pure budget-conscious buyers seeking utility. The Grand Highlander Hybrid's $44,710 price places it firmly in a higher tier, demanding justification through its hybrid power and larger platform.
More Mid-Range SUVs ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool