If you like the Grand Highlander SUV but think it’s not quite big enough for your family, the 2024 Grand Highlander might be the answer you’re looking for. It’s called Grand because it’s a longer version of the current Highlander, not because of its style, features, or luxury features.
With its longer body, the Grand Highlander has more room for people and things. Most of the length goes to a roomy third row. There are three different engines available, starting with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder. There are also two different hybrid powertrains, one of which is called Hybrid Max and has 362 horsepower.
The Grand Highlander comes with a lot of driver-assistance features that are standard, and it’s only available in the high-end XLE, Limited, and Platinum trims. So maybe it is a bit bigger in that way after all.
What is the grand highlander for 2024?
In Toyota’s SUV range, the new 2024 Grand Highlander fills the space between the midsize Highlander crossover and the full-size Sequoia SUV. It comes in three trim levels: XLE, Limited, and Platinum.
Toyota makes the Grand Highlander on the same platform as the regular Highlander. The bigger SUV can have front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (AWD). There are three powertrains, including two hybrid gas-electric versions that you can choose from.
Toyota, on the other hand, does not have a plug-in hybrid or an electric version. When fully equipped, the Grand Highlander can pull up to 5,000 pounds behind it.
Extra Space
The grand highlander point is the extra space inside. Like the Highlander, the SUV has three rows of seats that can hold seven or eight people. There are two front bucket seats, a second-row split bench seat for three people or separate captain’s chairs, and a third-row split bench seat for three people.
But Toyota says that the third-row seat is comfortable enough for people. The bigger size of Toyota’s newest SUV also means that it has up to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo room.
That’s a lot more than you can put in a Sequoia, which can only hold up to 86.9 cu-ft of stuff. Toyota also says that you can fit up to seven airport roller bags behind the third-row seat, which is a good thing, even if the car is full of people.
What’s Different in 2024?
Even though it has the Highlander name, Toyota’s Grand Highlander will be a new model when it comes out in late 2023.
The Grand Highlander only comes in three trims, so if you want a cheap L or LE trim, you won’t find it on the list. The base model is the XLE, which is a name usually given to mid-range Toyotas.
We think it’s the best choice because it’s well-equipped with things like power-adjustable heated front seats, a 12.3-inch infotainment tablet, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a power-operated lift gate, and a suite of driver-assistance features.
The engine, the transmission, and how it works
The best grand highlander, has three different powertrains, two of which are shared with the standard Highlander. The basic setup is a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 265 hp, front- or all-wheel drive, and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The base Grand Highlander Hybrid has the same hybrid powertrain as the Highlander Hybrid. This pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to make a total of 243 horsepower. The top model will have the Hybrid Max drivetrain, which combines the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with an electric motor to make a total of 362 horsepower.
Toyota says the Grand Highlander can go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and can tow up to 5000 pounds with the Hybrid Max package. Here is the best features of 2023 Toyota highlander configurations you can check now.
Cost of petrol and MPG in the Real World
Even though the EPA hasn’t posted fuel economy estimates for the grand highlander 2024, yet, Toyota says the 2.5-liter hybrid will be the most fuel-efficient and expects a 34-mpg combined rating.
When we get a chance, we’ll drive the Grand Highlander on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route to see how much petrol it uses. Visit the EPA’s website to learn more about the Grand Highlander’s gas mileage.
Cargo, Interior, and Comfort
The Grand Highlander really lives up to the “grand” part of its name because its cabin is bigger than that of the regular Highlander. Most of the Grand Highlander’s extra room is in the third row, which is big enough for full-grown adults. The inside of the Grand Highlander looks different, too. For example, the panel is more symmetrical.
The grand highlander base model, the XLE, has a lot of convenience features that families will like, like a power-operated liftgate, heated front seats, window shades for the second row, and a lot of power outlets and USB ports all over the car.
With a second-row bench seat, there’s room for eight people, but if you’d rather only have seven seats, you can switch out the bench for captain’s chairs.
Entertainment and staying in touch
All models come with a 12.3-inch touchscreen that runs Toyota’s latest software system. All models also come with a 7.0-inch digital display in the gauge cluster, but Limited and Platinum models get a 12.3-inch display instead.
On every model, buyers will also find a place to charge their phones wirelessly. On the Limited and Platinum versions, you can add an 11-speaker JBL stereo.
Features for Safety and Helping the Driver
All grand highlander models come with a set of tools called TSS 3.0 that help the driver. In addition to basic features like blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking, the package includes adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and a road-sign recognition system.
Visit the websites of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to learn more about how the Grand Highlander did in crash tests.
Coverage for Warranty and Maintenance
Toyota’s guarantee coverage is standard for the market, but buyers get two years of free scheduled maintenance, which is a nice bonus that most competitors don’t offer. Electrified highlander grand models have a different warranty for the hybrid parts that covers them for eight years or 100,000 miles.
