2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the sleek efficiency of the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and the expansive size of the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander is a classic dilemma: do you prioritize electric flexibility or sheer passenger/cargo volume? The Tucson steps in with a sharp MSRP of $39,730 and delivers fantastic efficiency, netting 35 combined MPG, bolstered by a 32-mile electric range. Conversely, the larger Grand Highlander starts at $41,360 but is substantially bigger at 201.4 inches long, accommodating more people comfortably. While the Tucson offers 268 hp, the Grand Highlander boasts higher torque at 310 lb-ft, though its standard fuel economy settles at 24 combined MPG. For daily driving where fuel cost matters, the Tucson’s efficiency advantage is a massive draw, whereas the Grand Highlander’s size makes it better suited for larger family hauling needs.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid's 32 miles of electric range and 35 combined MPG make it significantly cheaper and easier for daily commuting tasks.
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander is considerably larger overall, offering superior passenger space and 201.4 inches of length compared to the Tucson's 182.7 inches.
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
The Grand Highlander edges out the competition with greater torque output, delivering 310 lb-ft compared to the Tucson's 258 lb-ft.
2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
The Tucson offers a lower entry price of $39,730 and dramatically better fuel economy, leading to lower long-term running costs.
Choose the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid if...
- You want to save significantly on gas thanks to its 35 combined MPG rating.
- Your daily driving needs are easily covered by the 32 miles of pure electric range.
- You prefer a more compact vehicle, with a length of 182.7 inches, which aids in city parking.
Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if...
- You regularly need maximum utility, as it has greater width (78.3 inches) and height (70.1 inches).
- You prioritize low-end pulling power, evidenced by its superior 310 lb-ft of torque.
- You require more usable space, as the Grand Highlander offers superior overall dimensions for passengers and capability.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 182.7" | 201.4" |
| Width | 73.4" | 78.3" |
| Height | 66.3" | 70.1" |
| Wheelbase | 108.5" | 116.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.6 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | plug-in hybrid | gas |
| Horsepower | 268 hp | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | 310 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 | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | Limited Slip | — |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 35/35 MPG | 21/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 35 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 388.5/388.5 mi. | 373.8/498.4 mi. |
| EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe) | 80/73 MPGe | — |
| EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe) | 77 MPGe | — |
| EPA Electric Driving Range | 32 mi. | — |
| EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi) | 44 | — |
| Charging Time (240V) | 2.0 hr. | — |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 11.1 gal. | 17.8 gal. |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | SAE J1772 | — |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Cooling | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.1 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.1 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.6 in. | 60.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.5 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 4-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
Rearseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.5 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 41.3 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.0 in. | 58.8 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.9 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/60R18 | 255/65R18 |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | — |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander.
How much more fuel-efficient is the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid compared to the Grand Highlander?
The difference is substantial: the 2025 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid achieves 35 combined MPG, whereas the 2026 Grand Highlander manages only 24 combined MPG. This 11 MPG advantage means fewer stops at the pump for Tucson owners.
Is the Grand Highlander significantly bigger inside and out?
Yes, the Grand Highlander is a much larger vehicle, measuring 201.4 inches long compared to the Tucson’s 182.7 inches. This size difference likely translates to better room for larger families or more cargo room than the Tucson’s 31.9 cu ft capacity.
Does the Grand Highlander offer more power, even though the Tucson is a hybrid?
The two vehicles produce similar horsepower (265 hp for Toyota vs. 268 hp for Hyundai), but the Grand Highlander wins on twist, delivering 310 lb-ft of torque against the Tucson's 258 lb-ft.
What is the main advantage of the Tucson being a Plug-In Hybrid?
The primary benefit is the 32 miles of pure electric range, which allows many daily errands to be completed without using any gasoline at all. The Tucson also undercuts the Grand Highlander’s starting MSRP by over $1,500.
Which vehicle provides more cargo space?
Based on the provided figures, the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a listed cargo capacity of 31.9 cubic feet. The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander lists 20.6 cubic feet, suggesting the Tucson is better for cargo when seating configurations are compared.
Are there notable differences in transmission types?
The Tucson utilizes a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, which is often associated with hybrid systems designed for EV efficiency. The Grand Highlander employs a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission.
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