Compare the2026 Genesis GV80VS 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The GV80’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Grand Highlander doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the GV80 and Grand Highlander have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The GV80 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Grand Highlander’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The GV80 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Grand Highlander doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Genesis GV80 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Toyota Grand Highlander has not been tested.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GV80 has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist with automatic braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade offers Parking Support Brake.

Both the GV80 and the Grand Highlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Genesis GV80 is safer than the Toyota Grand Highlander:

	GV80	Grand Highlander
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	24.1%	39.3%
Neck Stress	157 lbs.	355 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	254/334 lbs.	331/316 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	263	356
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Genesis GV80 is safer than the Grand Highlander:

	GV80	Grand Highlander
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Restraints	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	0 cm	5 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	1.1/1 kN	3.5/1.3 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	1%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Genesis GV80 is safer than the Toyota Grand Highlander:

	GV80	Grand Highlander
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	30	42
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	20 G’s	39 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	17 inches
HIC	290	344
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	48 G’s
Hip Force	640 lbs.	823 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Genesis GV80 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Grand Highlander is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The GV80 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The Grand Highlander’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Genesis’ powertrain warranty covers the GV80 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Grand Highlander. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Grand Highlander ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The GV80’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Grand Highlander’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Genesis pays for scheduled maintenance on the GV80 for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the Grand Highlander (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GV80 second among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Grand Highlander isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis above average in initial quality. With 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

Engine

The GV80 has more powerful engines than the Grand Highlander:

	Horsepower	Torque
GV80 2.5T 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder	300 HP	311 lbs.-ft.
GV80 3.5T 3.5 turbo V6	375 HP	391 lbs.-ft.
Grand Highlander Hybrid 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	245 HP
Grand Highlander 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder	265 HP	310 lbs.-ft.
Grand Highlander Hybrid Max 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	362 HP	400 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the Genesis GV80 is faster than the Toyota Grand Highlander:

	GV80 2.5T	GV80 3.5T	Grand Highlander Hybrid	Grand Highlander turbo 4 cyl.
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	5.2 sec	7.5 sec	8.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	13.8 sec	15.7 sec	16.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.3 MPH	101.1 MPH	88.8 MPH	86.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Both the GV80 and the Grand Highlander have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All GV80s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The Grand Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The GV80 has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Grand Highlander Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The GV80 has 3.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Grand Highlander’s standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 17.8 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GV80’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Grand Highlander:

	GV80 2.5T	GV80 3.5T	Grand Highlander
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	14.9 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	14.2 inches	14.2 inches	13.3 inches

The GV80’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Grand Highlander are solid, not vented.

The GV80 stops much shorter than the Grand Highlander:

	GV80	Grand Highlander
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	187 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GV80 has larger tires than the Grand Highlander (265/40R22 vs. 255/65R18).

The GV80’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Grand Highlander LE/XLE’s standard 65 series tires. The GV80 PRESTIGE’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GV80 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Grand Highlander LE/XLE. The GV80 PRESTIGE’s 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade.

Suspension and Handling

The GV80 offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Grand Highlander’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GV80 PRESTIGE/3.5T has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Grand Highlander doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The GV80 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Grand Highlander doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The GV80’s optional drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Grand Highlander doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The GV80 PRESTIGE AWD handles at .86 G’s, while the Grand Highlander Platinum pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GV80 PRESTIGE AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Grand Highlander XLE AWD (26.9 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GV80 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Grand Highlander (8.1 vs. 8 inches), allowing the GV80 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The GV80 is 6.9 inches shorter than the Grand Highlander, making the GV80 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the GV80 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Grand Highlander doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The GV80 PRESTIGE uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Grand Highlander doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the GV80 PRESTIGE AWD is quieter than the Grand Highlander Platinum (64 vs. 67 dB).

Cargo Capacity

Pressing a button automatically lowers the GV80’s second row seats and pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the GV80 ADVANCED/PRESTIGE’s third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Grand Highlander doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The GV80’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Grand Highlander’s (6000 vs. 5000 pounds).

While the Grand Highlander Hybrid can only tow 3500, any GV80 can tow a minimum of 6000 pounds.

Servicing Ease

The GV80 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Grand Highlander uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the GV80 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Grand Highlander. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The GV80’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Grand Highlander doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The GV80’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Grand Highlander’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The GV80’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Grand Highlander offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Genesis GV80 has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade.

The GV80 PRESTIGE/3.5T has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Grand Highlander.

The Genesis GV80 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the Grand Highlander XLE/Limited/Nightshade/Platinum.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Genesis GV80 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Grand Highlander XLE/Limited/Nightshade/Platinum offers wireless charging.

The GV80 Advanced/Prestige’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Grand Highlander doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Genesis GV80 and the Toyota Grand Highlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GV80 third among upper midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Grand Highlander isn’t in the top three.

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