2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

$39,730 · Crossover

$44,710 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between a compact PHEV like the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and a larger, three-row option like the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid presents a major crossroads for buyers. If your primary need is urban efficiency without sacrificing power, the Tucson fights hard. It offers a lower MSRP of $39,730 compared to the Highlander's $44,710 and boasts 268 hp, giving it a 23 hp advantage. The Tucson’s key benefit is its 32 miles of all-electric range, meaning many short commutes are gas-free. Conversely, the Grand Highlander, while less powerful, is significantly larger at 201.4 inches long versus the Tucson's 182.7 inches, making it better suited for hauling extra passengers. For daily driving, the Tucson returns 35 combined MPG, slightly edging out the Highlander’s 34 combined MPG, making it the smarter choice for budget-conscious daily drivers prioritizing punchy performance and electric commuting.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

The Tucson PHEV offers a superior 32 miles of electric range and higher overall efficiency for solo daily driving tasks.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota Grand Highlander is significantly larger, measuring 201.4 inches long, making it the clear winner for larger families needing more interior space.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

The Tucson PHEV provides more output with 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque compared to the Highlander's 245 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

The Tucson PHEV offers substantial power and electric capability at a $4,980 lower starting MSRP.

Choose the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid if...

Your budget is tighter, as the Tucson PHEV starts at $39,730, saving nearly $5,000 upfront.
You prioritize responsive acceleration, thanks to the Tucson's 268 hp output.
Most of your driving involves shorter trips where you can utilize the full 32 miles of all-electric range.

Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid if...

You need maximum passenger space, given the Grand Highlander’s notably larger exterior dimensions (201.4 inches long).
You prefer the established ride feel of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) over the Tucson's 6-speed automatic.
Having the extra height (72.1 inches) and overall bulk is necessary for your lifestyle, despite lower horsepower.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid	Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
Length	182.7"	201.4"
Width	73.4"	78.3"
Height	66.3"	72.1"
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	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	plug-in hybrid	hybrid
Horsepower	268 hp	245 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft	—
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	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all 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	36/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	35 MPG	34 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	388.5/388.5 mi.	619.2/550.4 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.	17.2 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	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
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.	8 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 Hybrid.

Does the 2025 Hyundai Tucson PHEV have better fuel economy than the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid?

Yes, the Tucson PHEV edges out the larger SUV slightly, achieving 35 combined MPG compared to the Grand Highlander Hybrid's 34 combined MPG, though the Tucson’s electric range of 32 miles is the bigger efficiency factor for daily use.

Which vehicle is better for hauling cargo?

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson PHEV offers superior pure cargo capacity at 31.9 cu ft behind the second row, while the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offers 20.6 cu ft in that space, although the Highlander is much longer overall (201.4 inches vs. 182.7 inches).

Is the $4,980 price difference between the two vehicles justified by the Toyota’s features?

That price gap ($44,710 vs. $39,730) primarily buys you size; the Grand Highlander is a significantly larger vehicle overall. If you do not need three rows or the extra exterior dimensions, the Tucson offers better horsepower per dollar.

How much more powerful is the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid?

The Tucson PHEV has a noticeable advantage in power output, generating 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, which is 23 hp more than the Grand Highlander Hybrid's 245 hp figure.

Are both hybrids capable in poor weather conditions?

Both vehicles come standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD), meaning both are equipped to handle snowy or slippery roads effectively.

What is the main difference in how they handle highway vs. city driving?

The Tucson has identical City and Highway MPG ratings (35/35), suggesting very consistent fuel economy, whereas the Grand Highlander sacrifices a little highway efficiency (36 City / 32 Highway) in favor of its larger size.