2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid vs 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
$44,210 · Crossover
$40,075 · Crossover
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid brings massive, efficient presence, boasting an impressive 36 MPG combined rating while still delivering 245 hp across its expansive 201.4-inch frame. Conversely, the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid thrills with a more potent 268 hp output and the silent advantage of 32 miles of pure electric range, though its overall length is significantly shorter at 182.7 inches. While the Toyota offers more sheer volume, managing 37 MPG in the city, the Hyundai edges it out on outright power and offers superior city driving fuel economy if drivers utilize the PHEV capabilities. The Grand Highlander’s MSRP starts at $44,210, contrasting with the Tucson's more accessible $40,075 entry point, making the size and fuel economy gains of the Toyota a $4,135 question for buyers.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid's superior 36 MPG combined rating makes it the long-term winner for routine, non-plugging daily driving.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
The Grand Highlander offers substantially more interior space, evidenced by its 20.6 cu ft of cargo room compared to the Tucson's smaller footprint.
2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
The Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid provides a snappier driving experience with 268 hp compared to the Toyota's 245 hp.
2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
The Hyundai Tucson starts $4,135 lower and offers an electric range advantage for optimized fuel savings.
Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid if...
- Maximum passenger and cargo capacity (201.4 inches long) is essential for your lifestyle.
- You prioritize high standard fuel economy (36 MPG combined) without needing to plug in regularly.
- All-wheel drive reliability paired with Toyota's hybrid reputation is a deciding factor.
Choose the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid if...
- You want the thrill of higher peak power, leveraging 268 hp on the road.
- Your daily routine is under 32 miles, allowing for frequent electric-only commuting.
- You seek a lower entry price point, saving $4,135 at the dealership for the base MSRP.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid | Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 201.4" | 182.7" |
| Width | 78.3" | 73.4" |
| Height | 72.1" | 66.3" |
| Wheelbase | 116.1" | 108.5" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 1.6 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | hybrid | plug-in hybrid |
| Horsepower | 245 hp @ 6000 rpm | 268 hp |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Torque | — | 271 lb-ft |
Drive Train
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Center Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
Fuel
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 37/34 MPG | 35/35 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 36 MPG | 35 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 636.4/584.8 mi. | 388.5/388.5 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.2 gal. | 11.1 gal. |
| 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. |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | — | SAE J1772 |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Cooling | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.5 in. | 40.1 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.7 in. | 41.1 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 60.2 in. | 57.6 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.5 in. | 54.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.5 in. | 41.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.8 in. | 56.0 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.0 in. | 53.9 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 255/65R18 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.5 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | 8 yr./ 100000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid and 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid.
Which crossover is generally more powerful on paper?
The 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid holds the edge in raw output, delivering 268 horsepower. This surpasses the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid's 245 hp, suggesting a more lively performance feel from the Hyundai.
How does the charging capability affect the MPG ratings?
The Tucson PHEV boasts a 32-mile electric range, meaning city driving could approach 100+ MPGe if utilized daily, whereas the Grand Highlander is locked into its 36 MPG combined rating using only regular unleaded fuel.
What is the practical difference in size between these two models?
The Grand Highlander is substantially larger, measuring 201.4 inches long and 72.1 inches high, whereas the Tucson is more compact at 182.7 inches long and 66.3 inches high, affecting maneuverability and garage fit.
Which vehicle offers more cargo room behind the third row?
Despite its smaller exterior dimensions, the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid lists a greater stated cargo capacity at 31.9 cu ft, compared to the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid's 20.6 cu ft in that same area.
Is the higher starting price of the Toyota justified by its fuel economy?
The Toyota starts $4,135 higher, but offers 37 MPG city / 34 MPG highway dedicated hybrid performance, which could mitigate that initial price gap over several years for drivers who never charge the Hyundai.
Do both models use the same type of fuel?
Both the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid and the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel when the batteries require replenishment.
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