Compare the2025 Toyota Grand HighlanderVS 2025 Genesis GV80

With its standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the Toyota Grand Highlander is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Genesis GV80, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

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.

There are over 5 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 Grand Highlander’s reliability 34 points higher than the GV80.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 second in reliability, above the industry average. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Genesis is ranked 16th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Genesis vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Genesis is ranked 18th.

The Grand Highlander has more powerful engines than the GV80:

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:

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

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.

The Grand Highlander offers an available 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.

The Grand Highlander Platinum AWD handles at .80 G’s, while the GV80 Standard 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 200 pounds less than the Genesis GV80.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Grand Highlander Platinum AWD is quieter than the GV80 Advanced (31 vs. 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, .6 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.

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 them all 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.

The Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade has standard front air conditioned seats and the Grand Highlander Platinum also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The GV80 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Grand Highlander is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GV80 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Grand Highlander, 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 over two to one during 2023.