Compare the2026 Toyota Grand Highlander VS 2027 Hyundai Ioniq 9

The Grand Highlander has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Ioniq 9 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Toyota Grand Highlander’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system is only offered on some models of the Hyundai Ioniq 9.

Both the Grand Highlander and the Ioniq 9 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 side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Grand Highlander is safer than the Hyundai Ioniq 9:

	Grand Highlander	Ioniq 9
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars

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

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Grand Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Hyundai doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Ioniq 9.

There are over 43 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it 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 35 points higher than the Ioniq 9 and the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is rated 46 points higher than the Ioniq 9.

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 Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 60 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 12th.

As tested in Motor Trend the Grand Highlander Hybrid 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Ioniq 9 S electric motor:

	Grand Highlander	Ioniq 9
Zero to 60 MPH	7.5 sec	7.8 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88.8 MPH	86.3 MPH

The Grand Highlander stops shorter than the Ioniq 9:

	Grand Highlander	Ioniq 9
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend

The Grand Highlander has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Ioniq 9; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Grand Highlander Platinum handles at .80 G’s, while the Ioniq 9 S pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Grand Highlander’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the Ioniq 9’s (38.1 feet vs. 41 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Grand Highlander has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Ioniq 9 (8 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Grand Highlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Toyota Grand Highlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1100 to 1200 pounds less than the Hyundai Ioniq 9.

The Grand Highlander offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Ioniq 9 can only carry 7.

The Grand Highlander has .3 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more third row legroom, 4 inches more third row hip room and 2.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the Ioniq 9.

The Grand Highlander’s cargo area provides more volume than the Ioniq 9.

	Grand Highlander	Ioniq 9
Third Seat Folded	57.9 cubic feet	46.7 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	97.5 cubic feet	86.9 cubic feet

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Grand Highlander. The Ioniq 9 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Grand Highlander’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Ioniq 9’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

The Grand Highlander’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ioniq 9’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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 Ioniq 9 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Grand Highlander’s standard Smart Key System allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Proximity Key standard on the Ioniq 9 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear doors.

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 Ioniq 9 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 Hyundai Ioniq 9 isn't recommended.

The Grand Highlander was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The Ioniq 9 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Toyota Grand Highlander outsold the Hyundai Ioniq 9 by over 26 to one during 2025.