2024 Toyota Grand Highlander – toyota.com | Shop 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander on Carsforsale.com
As we previewed here, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is an all-new 3-row SUV that slots above the 2-row Highlander and has its sights set on the likes of Kia’s Telluride. Longer than its Highlander stablemate by 6 inches, the new Grand Highlander is also 4 inches longer than a Telluride. It boasts 3 powertrains to choose from, including a high-performance hybrid configuration. The list of standard technology is impressive as is the interior space, which it needs to be if Toyota hopes to successfully win back customers that have flocked to the wildly popular 3-row options from Kia and Hyundai.
Brawny good looks
A hot rod hybrid
Big-time cargo space
Lack of a cheap entry-level model
No semi-autonomous driving tech
Hard to find faults here
Looks like a 3-row winner
The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander comes standard with a turbocharged 2.4L inline-4 making 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Shared with the latest Highlander, which we review here, this motor pairs with an 8-speed automatic to spin the front wheels with the option for AWD. XLE and Limited Hybrid variants are powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5L 4-cylinder hybrid configuration with 245 hp and 175 torques that mates to a CVT.
Finally, there are the Hybrid MAX models. Only offered in Limited or Platinum trims with AWD and dual electric motors, the MAX models come in at a stout 362 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of twist that work with a 6-speed automatic. The base gas-powered FWD Grand Highlander earns 24 mpg combined, while the standard hybrids come in as high as 36 mpg combined, and the high-performance hybrids earn 27 mpg combined.
As for towing, both the base engine and upgraded hybrid engine can handle 5,000 pounds, while the traditional hybrid is rated for 3,500 pounds. This is right in line with a Kia Telluride, but it’s worth noting that the best a FWD Telluride can manage in the fuel economy game is 22 mpg combined.
If you’re a Toyota fan who needs a lot of cabin space without the price tag and thirstiness of a Sequoia, the Grand Highlander is for you. Three rows of seating are standard and that wayback seat is adult-sized per Toyota. It offers 33 inches of legroom, which is 5 inches more than a regular Highlander, and has noticeably large windows. Second-row captain’s chairs and seating for 7 is standard, though a middle bench is a $0 option that bumps capacity to 8.
Along with ample legroom comes a versatile cargo hold. With all seats folded, there are 97 cubic feet on tap. That’s not quite Ford Expedition Max territory, but it is 3 more cubes than the latest Jeep Grand Wagoneer can manage and 10 more than the Telluride.
As for quality and creature comfort, you’ll notice the new Grand Highlander trim hierarchy starts with an XLE, not the usual L or LE found on other Toyota models. That means these big SUVs are aimed at the premium segment and as such come standard with heated front seats, SofTex synthetic leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, and second-row sunshades.
Every 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto managed via a 12.3-inch central touchscreen. Trial subscriptions for a Wi-Fi hotspot and all of Toyota’s connected services are included as are a wireless charging pad, and 7 USB ports. Features like a fully digital gauge cluster, head-up display, and an 11-speaker JBL audio system are unlocked as you move up the trim ladder.
Though neither the NHTSA nor IIHS has tested the new Grand Highlander, Toyota is clearly aiming for top marks with the 8 standard airbags and version 3.0 of its Safety Sense advanced driver aids. It includes forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a lane-keeping system, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and Proactive Driving Assist.
The XLE comes with 18-inch wheels, full LED exterior lighting, a power-operated liftgate, and heated side mirrors. Cabin amenities consist of leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, triple zone automatic climate control with vents for all 3 rows, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. A 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment duty and wireless smartphone mirroring are also included.
Adding the standard hybrid powertrain to an XLE gets you the XLE Hybrid model. It matches the XLE on content including a wiper deicer, Smart Key for all doors, a wireless charging pad, a 6-speaker stereo system, and power-adjustable front seats.
Limited Grand Highlanders ride on 20-inch wheels, have a hands-free liftgate, and rain-sensing wipers. Cabin improvements include a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, ventilated front seats, heated second-row outboard seats, and a fully digital gauge cluster.
As it sounds, these models pair the base hybrid powertrain with the Limited list of features. That means LED fog lights, leather upholstery, ambient cabin lighting, and front and rear parking sonar are all on tap.
Sitting atop the gas-powered Grand Highlander pyramid is the Platinum trim. It sports a panoramic moonroof, a digital rearview mirror, ventilated second-row seats, available brown leather upholstery, a HUD, and a surround-view monitor.
Blending the Limited trim with the high-output hybrid motor, these Grand Highlanders also have bronze-colored dash trim that lends an upscale vibe, dual 120-volt outlets in the cargo bay, and upholstery that combines leather and synthetic suede with a decidedly premium effect.
Check out the latest new car incentives before shopping this top-dog 2024 Grand Highlander. It has the big motor, AWD, facial recognition capability for loading driver profiles, Traffic Jam Assist, and then some.
With so many models to choose from, it’s hard to pick an ideal 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. But the XLE Hybrid strikes as pretty close to ideal thanks to tremendous fuel efficiency, a reasonable price tag, and ample standard features.
For the money, you could find a new Kia Telluride SX that just edges the Toyota on standard tech and amenities but doesn’t come close on fuel economy or cargo space. Kia’s 100,000-mile powertrain warranty is far better than the 60,000-mile coverage offered by Toyota, but Toyota includes 2 years of complimentary maintenance – Kia provides none.
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander – toyota.com | Shop 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander on Carsforsale.com
There is a whole lot to like about the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. It has a cavernous cabin, keeps up with the competition in the screen size wars, is nicely equipped in base trim, and looks good doing it. The fact that it seats up to 8 and delivers 36 mpg combined in hybrid form doing it is just icing on the cake.
Then Toyota goes even further by offering a high-performance hybrid configuration, which should be an oxymoron, but is actually just an excellent option if you have the budget. It’d be nice if Toyota offered a low-cost model in its typical L or LE format, but that’s nitpicking. In truth, it’s tough finding much wrong with the all-new Grand Highlander.
The 2024 Grand Highlander is currently for sale.
The Grand Highlander starts at $44,465; hybrid models start at $46,065, and the top-spec Platinum Hybrid Max stickers for $59,520.
Yes, every Toyota Grand Highlander has 3 rows of seating.