10 Biggest News Stories of the Week: Toyota Grand Highlander, Kia Sportage Hybrid Name Their Price
The good news is: If you love the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander but can’t buy a new car until 2026, the three-row mid-size SUV goes wholly unchanged for the new model year. The bad news is: You’re gonna pay $500 more for the same vehicle. (To avoid paying the new-model-year premium, keep an eye on Cars.com inventory for ’25s lingering on the dealer lot when it comes time to buy.) So, what’ll that extra cinco C-notes bring your Grand Highlander’s grand total to? We’ve got full pricing details in one of this week’s most popular news stories.
Related: 10 Biggest News Stories of the Month: Genesis GV80 Too Much for Cadillac Escalade
The regular, gas-powered Grand Highlander starts at $42,855 (all prices include destination charge) for the base trim, rising incrementally across three other trim levels to the range-topping Platinum, which starts at just over 56 grand. The electrically assisted Grand Highlander Hybrid, meanwhile, offers five trims, with the entry-level LE starting at $46,205 before topping out at a little under $61,000 for the Platinum.
For comprehensive info on pricing for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlanders — including powertrain specs, estimated fuel economy, a trim-by-trim breakdown of features and equipment, and dealership arrival date — follow the link below to the No. 3 news story on this week’s countdown of most read articles.
Like the sound of an electrified SUV but not so much the grandness of the Grand Highlander in both size and cost? Then you should check out the 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid — on which we also have a full pricing report (where you may find the 10-grand-lighter starting price more to your liking). You’ll pay $1,500 more than the 2025 model to start, but unlike the Grand Highlander, you’ll get something for the extra cash, including lightly revised exterior styling, an upgraded infotainment display, and two new trim levels to choose from (for a total of five). On sale now, the base LX starts at $31,685, with prices topping out at just under 42 grand for the SX-Prestige.
For the full scoop on the 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid — including trim prices, powertrain specs, gas-mileage figures and a trim-by-trim breakdown of features and equipment — follow the link below to the No. 9 news story of the week.
Beyond that, we’ve got headlines on the Genesis GV80 and GV80 Coupe, Acura TLX, the entire Hyundai lineup, cheap new cars and much more — so don’t stop reading till the digits double. Here are the top 10 news stories Cars.com readers couldn’t get enough of in the past week:
1. How Much Is the 2026 Genesis GV80?
2. Here’s What’s New at Hyundai for 2026
3. How Much Is the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander?
4. With the Acura TLX Being Discontinued, What Other Sports Sedans Should You Consider?
5. How Much Is the 2026 Genesis GV80 Coupe?
6. Acura Discontinues the TLX Compact Sports Sedan
7. Here Are the 10 Cheapest New Cars You Can Buy Right Now
8. Which Electric Cars Are Still Eligible for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit?
9. How Much Is the 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid?
10. Which 3-Row SUVs Offer Captain’s Chairs?
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