So, for over 20 years, the Highlander has been one of the most popular family SUVs on the market. Currently, it’s in its 4th generation, and it remains a very solid option for almost any kind of family, with one exception: if you need to use the third row all time. This is why Toyota is introducing the all-new Grand Highlander for 2024! Larger, more luxurious and higher tech than any Highlander to come before it, is this New Grand Highlander the best new family SUV to buy? Keep reading to find out!
Trims
XLE -> Limited -> Platinum
Exterior Design and Features
The exterior design for the Grand Highlander is a mix of a few different vehicles in the Toyota line-up. Honestly, it looks less like a Highlander and more like the product of a Sequoia and RAV4. That being said, it is a handsome look with great lines. The only variation we know of now is that the Hybrid MAX models will have a more aggressive lower front fascia. Full LED headlights should be standard on all trims, with LED Daytime running lights and fog lights on the Limited and up. The mirrors come standard with heating and Blind Spot Monitoring and the Limited will add power folding. For the wheels, the XLE has an 18-inch alloys and the top trims have 20-inch alloys.
The side design of the Grand Highlander continues to build on its “Grand” branding. The boxy Grand Highlander comes in at 201.4-inches, growing 6.5-inches from the regular Highlander and about 7-inches shorter than the larger Sequoia. The RAV4-like rear design includes LED taillights with a black connecting piece between the lights. The Hybrid MAX models will come equipped with dual exhaust outlets and a tow rating of 5,000lbs.
Safety and Warranty
Toyota continues to offer all of its standard safety systems with the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 Suite:
- Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Lane keeping assist
- Full-speed adaptive cruise control
- Auto high beam headlights
- Lane trace assist
- Road sign detection
The Platinum trim also adds in Traffic Jam Assist. Paired with these safety features will be a Basic Warranty of 3 years and 36,000 miles, a 5 year and 60,000 mile Powertrain warranty, and 2 years and 24,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.
Interior Design and Features
The luxurious features don’t stop once you get to the interior of this all-new Grand Highlander. As seen in many of the recent Toyota and Lexus products, there is a new and classy interior design. Smart entry, push button start, and digital entry will be standard on all of the trims. When it comes to interior materials, leatherette, leather, and a range-topping suede/leather combo will be offered. Memory seats will only be available on the Limited trim and above, but all seats will be 10-way power adjusting.
Heading away from the seats you will find a 7-inch multifunction display on the XLE and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster on the top models. In front of the gauges will be a leather wrapped steering wheel, with heating added on the Limited. All Grand Highlander buyers will be pleased to have a standard 12.3-inch display in the center of their cabin. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto will be standard as well as a backup camera with parking guidance. Wireless charging is standard on all trims.
Standard luxury features on the Grand Highlander include automatic climate control, heated seats, and an auto-dimming rear view mirror with HomeLink remotes. The Limited adds ventilated seats, ambient lighting, rain-sensing wipers, and 11-speaker JBL audio. Finally, the top Platinum will have a head-up display, 360 degree camera, a digital camera mirror, and a standard panoramic moon roof.
Rear spaces
When it comes to rear amenities, vents and multiple USBs will be standard on all trims. The Grand Highlander leg and head room specs have not been released yet, but we should expect it to be larger than the normal Highlander’s 41-inches of legroom. The seats can be configurated to have 7-seats with captain’s chairs and a removable center console on the Limited and Platinum, or 8-passenger with a bench seat. Additionally, the Limited will be standard with heated second row seats, and the Platinum with ventilation. Third row specs also aren’t released but expect much more than the regular Highlander.
We aren’t sure about the liftgate options but assume a power one should come as standard. When it comes to cargo space, Toyota says there is about 98 cubic feet maximum, which is about 14 cubic feet more than the regular Highlander. This updated figure would put the Grand Highlander at the top of its class.
Powertrain and Driving Impressions
The Grand Highlander has three different powertrain options, with the specs as follows:
- Traditional Gas:
- 2.4L Turbo I-4
- Should be 265 hp and 310 lb.ft
- FWD or AWD
- 4th Generation Hybrid system:
- 2.5L 4-cylinder w/ 2 electric motors
- Should be 236 hp total system
- FWD or AWD
- Hybrid MAX system:
- 2.4L Turbo-4 w/ front electric motor and rear e-axle
- 362 hp | 400 lb ft of torque
- Same design system as the Lexus RX 500h Performance
- Most powerful mid-size Toyota SUV -> 0-60: 6.3s
- AWD only
We are unsure of the official transmission and fuel economy figures on the Grand Highlander, but Toyota claims the 2.5L Hybrid can get up to 34 MPG combined.
As for a test drive, we have yet to have full access to an actual model to drive. But stay tuned to the Car Confections YouTube channel and website for our driving impressions!
New Grand Highlander Pricing
Toyota has not yet released the pricing of the Grand Highlander, but we expect it to be fairly reasonable compared to the regular Highlander and other Toyota models. Expect prices to start in the mid-forties and make their way to the upper sixties.
We were quite impressed to see just how much value Toyota was able to put into this bold, new Grand Highlander, and we can’t wait to get one back here at home to take it out for a drive! This Grand Highlander seems like a winner for us!
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
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