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Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs Toyota Highlander

2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs 2026 Toyota Highlander — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Hyundai Ioniq 9

2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS2 – 3Toyota Highlander wins 3 of 5 categories
Toyota Highlander

2026 Toyota Highlander

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

That works out to about $1,050 a year less in fuel for the Hyundai Ioniq 9 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is the bigger car, about 4 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 has had fewer recall campaigns (3 vs 47).

The two cars

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 is a standard SUV powered by electricity and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 199 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 123-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,747 lb (Preferred AWD 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Toyota Highlander is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,123 lb (4dr SUV L FWD).

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
EV
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
EV
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

–
Best combined MPG
35 MPG
–
City / highway MPG (best)
35 city
335 mi
EV range
–
$850
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,900

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
265 hp
–
Seats (most)
7
199.2 in
Length
194.9 in
78 in
Width
76 in
70.5 in
Height
68.1 in
5,516 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,123 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
14
3
Recalls (2026)
0
3
Recalls, all years since 2005
47
37
Owner complaints (latest year)
4

Interest

3,912
Wikipedia views, 30 days
21,118

Buying used

–
Best used year
2024
–
Year to avoid
2021

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Hyundai Ioniq 9 if…

  • You want an EV with more range (335 miles)
  • You want more room (4 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (3 vs 47 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Toyota Highlander if…

  • You want something easier to park (4 in shorter)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9

  • Long EV rangeUp to 335 miles on a charge (EPA).
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Toyota Highlander

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 35 MPG combined — 75% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 specs →Full 2026 Toyota Highlander specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →