Toyota has been a dominant force in the three-row SUV segment for years, thanks to its popular Highlander model. The Highlander offers a spacious and comfortable cabin, a reliable and efficient hybrid powertrain, and a host of advanced safety and technology features. But as the competition gets fiercer, Toyota is not resting on its laurels. Instead, it is introducing a new model for 2024: the Grand Highlander.
The Grand Highlander is not just a bigger version of the Highlander. It is a completely new vehicle that aims to redefine the segment with its impressive size, performance, and luxury. In this article, we will compare the Grand Highlander with the Highlander and see how it stacks up against some of its rivals, such as the Kia Telluride, the Hyundai Palisade, and the Honda Pilot.
Size Matters
One of the main selling points of the Grand Highlander is its generous dimensions. The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is 204.9 inches long, 76.6 inches wide, and 70.3 inches tall, making it 6.5 inches longer, 0.8 inches wider, and 0.4 inches taller than the Highlander. The wheelbase is also stretched by 5.9 inches, from 112.2 to 118.1 inches.
The extra size translates into more interior space for passengers and cargo. The Grand Highlander can seat up to eight people in three rows, with an adult-friendly third row that offers 33.5 inches of legroom, 3.3 inches more than the Highlander. The cargo capacity behind the third row is also increased by two cubic feet, from 16 to 18 cubic feet.
The Grand Highlander also offers more versatility with its seating configurations. The second row can be either a bench seat for three or captain's chairs for two, while the third row can be split 60/40 or folded flat to create more cargo space. The maximum cargo volume with all seats folded is 97.5 cubic feet, which is ten cubic feet more than the Highlander and comparable to some of its competitors.
Power and Efficiency
The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offers three different powertrain options, starting with a standard turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive. According to Toyota, this engine can deliver up to 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive, or 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with all-wheel drive.
The second option is a hybrid powertrain that combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors for a total output of 243 horsepower. This powertrain uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and comes standard with all-wheel drive. Toyota claims that this powertrain can achieve up to 36 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.
The third option is a new hybrid powertrain called Hybrid Max, which pairs the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with an electric motor for a net output of 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain also uses an eight-speed automatic transmission and comes standard with all-wheel drive. Toyota estimates that this powertrain can deliver up to 28 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
The Grand Highlander also has impressive towing capabilities, especially with the Hybrid Max powertrain, which can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The turbocharged engine can tow up to 3,500 pounds, while the regular hybrid can tow up to 3,000 pounds.
Luxury and Technology
The new Toyota Grand Highlander is not only bigger and more powerful than the Highlander but also more luxurious and technologically advanced. The Grand Highlander is only available in three trim levels: XLE, Limited, and Platinum. All of them come with leather-trimmed seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic moonroof, a power liftgate, a wireless charging pad, and a host of driver-assist features.
The Grand Highlander also features a digital instrument cluster and a large touchscreen infotainment system that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The screen size varies depending on the trim level: XLE models get a standard 12.3-inch screen, while Limited and Platinum models get an optional 14-inch screen that spans across the dashboard.
Other available features include heated second-row seats, heated steering wheel, head-up display, surround-view camera system, JBL premium sound system, rear-seat entertainment system with dual screens, ambient lighting, hands-free liftgate activation, adaptive air suspension, and more.