Toyota is one of the leading brands in the SUV market, offering a variety of models to suit different needs and preferences. One of its most popular SUVs is the Highlander, a midsize three-row SUV that combines reliability, practicality, and comfort. However, for some customers, the Highlander may need to be bigger or more luxurious for their taste. That's why Toyota has introduced a new model for 2024: the Toyota Grand Highlander.
The Grand Highlander is a larger and more premium version of the Highlander, with more space, features, and style. It's designed for families wanting a spacious, refined three-row SUV that can handle any road trip or adventure. In this article, we'll review everything you need to know about the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, including its dimensions, interior, performance, safety, price, and competitors.
How big is the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander?
The Toyota Grand Highlander is based on the same platform as the Highlander, but it has a longer wheelbase and overall length. The wheelbase is 2.36 inches longer, while the overall length is 6.5 inches longer. This results in more legroom and cargo space for passengers and luggage.
The Grand Highlander can seat up to eight passengers, or seven, with captain's chairs in the second row. The third row is also more spacious and comfortable than in the Highlander, making it suitable for adults as well as children. The cargo space behind the third row is 16.3 cubic feet, which is 4.1 cubic feet more than in the Highlander. With the third row folded down, the cargo space expands to 47.4 cubic feet, which is 7.5 cubic feet more than in the Highlander.
The Grand Highlander also has a higher ground clearance than the Highlander, which improves its off-road capability and visibility. The ground clearance is 8.1 inches for the gas models and 8.3 inches for the hybrid models.
What does the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander look like inside?
The Grand Highlander also boasts a more upscale interior design and materials than the Highlander, with soft-touch surfaces, ambient lighting, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Grand Highlander comes with a long list of standard and available features, such as:
- Wireless charging
- Head-up display
- Panoramic sunroof
- JBL premium sound system
- Digital rearview mirror
- 360-degree camera system
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated second-row seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Power Liftgate
The Toyota Grand Highlander also offers a range of advanced safety and driver-assist technologies, such as:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-keeping assist
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Forward collision warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Pedestrian detection
- Road sign recognition
The Grand Highlander also features Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of systems, which includes:
- Lane tracing assist: This system helps keep the vehicle centered in its lane by following the path of the vehicle ahead or by using lane markings.
- Pre-collision system with intersection support: This system helps prevent or mitigate collisions at intersections by detecting oncoming vehicles or pedestrians when turning left.
- Automatic high beams: This system automatically switches between high and low beams depending on the traffic conditions.
- Road sign assist: This system recognizes certain road signs and displays them on the instrument cluster or head-up display.
How does the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander perform?
The Grand Highlander is available with two powertrain options: a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission or a hybrid system that combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, delivering a total output of 243 horsepower and an estimated fuel economy of 34 mpg combined.
Both powertrains come with standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The gas models have three driving modes: Normal, Eco, and Sport. The hybrid models have four driving modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, and EV. The EV mode allows the hybrid models to run on electric power only for short distances at low speeds.
The Grand Highlander also has a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds for the gas models and up to 3,500 pounds for the hybrid models.
How much does the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander cost?
The Toyota Grand Highlander is expected to go on sale in the summer of 2024, with prices starting from $40,000 for the base L trim level and going up to $55,000 for the top-of-the-line Platinum trim level. The hybrid models will cost about $2,000 more than their equivalent gas-only counterparts.
The Grand Highlander is available in six trim levels: L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. Each trim level offers different features and options, such as:
- L: The base trim level comes with standard features such as LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, cloth seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, a 4.2-inch multi-information display, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a six-speaker sound system, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+.
- LE: The LE trim level adds features such as a power liftgate, roof rails, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
- XLE: The XLE trim level adds features such as LED fog lights, 20-inch alloy wheels, synthetic leather seats, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat, a 7-inch multi-information display, a wireless charging pad, and a smart key system with push-button start.
- XSE: The XSE trim level adds features such as a sport-tuned suspension, black exterior accents, a panoramic sunroof, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, a JBL premium sound system, and ambient lighting.
- Limited: The Limited trim level adds features such as chrome exterior accents, leather seats, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, and a 360-degree camera system.
- Platinum: The Platinum trim level adds features such as adaptive headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a hands-free power liftgate, a heated steering wheel, and a rear-seat entertainment system with two 11.6-inch screens.
How does the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander compare to its competitors?
The Grand Highlander is Toyota's answer to the growing demand for larger and more luxurious three-row SUVs in the US market. The Grand Highlander competes with other models, such as the Ford Explorer, the Honda Pilot, the Hyundai Palisade, the Kia EV9, and the Subaru Ascent. The Grand Highlander aims to stand out from the crowd with its spacious and refined interior, its hybrid option, and its reputation for reliability and durability.
The Grand Highlander is also part of Toyota's strategy to expand its electrified vehicle portfolio in the US market. Toyota plans to introduce 15 new battery-electric vehicles by 2025, including seven models under the new bZ (Beyond Zero) sub-brand. The Grand Highlander hybrid is one of the steps towards achieving this goal.
Conclusion
The Toyota Grand Highlander is a welcome addition to Toyota's SUV lineup, offering more choice and versatility for consumers who need a three-row SUV. The Grand Highlander is a bigger and better version of the Highlander, delivering more space, comfort, features, efficiency, and performance. The Grand Highlander is a great option for families who want a reliable, practical, and luxurious three-row SUV.
