Compare the2026 Toyota Grand Highlander VS 2027 Genesis GV80

The Toyota Grand Highlander’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Genesis GV80 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Compared to metal, the Grand Highlander’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Genesis GV80 has a metal gas tank.

Both the Grand Highlander and the GV80 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 Toyota Grand Highlander is safer than the Genesis GV80:

	Grand Highlander	GV80
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	218	328
Neck Compression	12 lbs.	25 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	33%	34%
Neck Stress	199 lbs.	228 lbs.
Neck Compression	60 lbs.	65 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	384/277 lbs.	388/497 lbs.

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

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, results indicate that the Toyota Grand Highlander is safer than the Genesis GV80:

	Grand Highlander	GV80
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.3 inches	.6 inches
Abdominal Force	64 lbs.	119 lbs.
Hip Force	199 lbs.	335 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	63	68
Hip Force	55 lbs.	341 lbs.

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

There are over 6 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Genesis dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Grand Highlander’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Toyota Grand Highlander’s reliability 33 points higher than the GV80 and the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is rated 44 points higher than the GV80.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Genesis vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Genesis is ranked 22nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Genesis vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Genesis is ranked 21st.

The Grand Highlander has more powerful engines than the GV80:

	Torque
Grand Highlander Hybrid Max 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	400 lbs.-ft.
GV80 2.5T 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder	311 lbs.-ft.
GV80 3.5T 3.5 turbo V6	391 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the GV80 3.5T 3.5 turbo V6:

	Grand Highlander	GV80
Zero to 60 MPH	5.6 sec	5.7 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.1 sec	6.4 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.9 sec	3.3 sec

On the EPA test cycle the Grand Highlander gets better mileage than the GV80:

			MPG
Grand Highlander
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	37 city/34 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
	AWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	36 city/32 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	26 city/27 hwy
		LE/XLE 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy
		Limited/Platinum 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
GV80
	RWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/24 hwy
		3.5 turbo V6	17 city/22 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Grand Highlander Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GV80 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Grand Highlander higher (6 out of 10) than the Genesis GV80 (5 to 6). This means the Grand Highlander produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GV80 every 15,000 miles.

The Grand Highlander Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The GV80 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Grand Highlander is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GV80.

The Grand Highlander Platinum handles at .80 G’s, while the GV80 AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Grand Highlander’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the GV80’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

The Toyota Grand Highlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 400 pounds less than the Genesis GV80.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Grand Highlander Platinum is quieter than the GV80 Advanced AWD:

	Grand Highlander	GV80
At idle	26 dB	36 dB

The Grand Highlander offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the GV80 can only carry up to 7.

The Grand Highlander has 13.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GV80 (153.3 vs. 140).

The Grand Highlander has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more rear headroom, .8 inches more rear legroom, .5 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.9 inches more third row headroom, 3.2 inches more third row legroom and 4.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the GV80.

The Grand Highlander’s cargo area provides more volume than the GV80.

	Grand Highlander	GV80
Behind Third Seat	20.6 cubic feet	11.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	57.9 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	38.7 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	97.5 cubic feet	71.7 cubic feet

Standard Trailer Sway Control (TSC) on the Grand Highlander uses the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The GV80 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

If the windows are left open on the Grand Highlander the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the GV80 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Grand Highlander Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The GV80 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander retains 64.27% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 45.07% resale value of the 2026 Genesis GV80 after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner up to $17371 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Grand Highlander as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Genesis GV80 isn't recommended.

The Grand Highlander was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The GV80 hasn’t been picked since 2021.

The Toyota Grand Highlander outsold the Genesis GV80 by almost five to one during 2025.