2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Is a Perfect Mid-Size for North America

The Toyota Grand Highlander is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating introduced to the North American market in February 2023. It shares the GA-K platform with the fourth-generation Highlander and is positioned between the smaller Highlander and the larger Sequoia. The Grand Highlander differentiates itself with an entirely distinct exterior and interior styling, with longer, taller, and wider interior and exterior dimensions. It's available in three trim levels, the XLE, Limited, and Platinum. There are also three different powertrains, the traditional inline-4 2.4L turbo gas engine, an inline-4 2.5L hybrid, and the 362 horsepower and 400 ft-lb torque Hybrid MAX giving buyers the ideal vehicle for their needs. My press loan for the week was the coastal cream-colored Grand Highlander Limited that was sitting on some sharp 20" alloy wheels. It had a 2.5-liter inline-4 four-cylinder engine that was combined with two electric (EV) motors that together produced 245 hp and 177 lb.-ft. of torque.

Grand Highlander will serve as the ultimate tool that can take our customers
anywhere from the school pick-up line to the ultimate long-weekend road trip.

Lisa Materazzo, Group Vice President of Toyota Marketing

Balanced Performance

The Grand Highlander hybrid is a Swiss Army Knife for the family with a gaggle of full-grown teenagers who are always on the go. One would think since the Grand Highlander is a heavier supersized version of the original Highlander, the extra weight would cause the GH to have the giddy up of a fat pig, but one would be wrong. Now the GH is not something you will want to run at the local drag strip, but for everyday use like entering busy highways and interstates, it will more than accomplish that task. Toyota's Electronic On-Demand system runs the AWD and EV DC motors. This allows the adult-sized Grand Highlander to provide quick and smooth acceleration, posting a zero-60 time of 7.8 seconds from its combined 245 horsepower. The EOD system also produces some of the best MPGs in the segment with 36 City, 32 Hwy, and 34mpgs combined.

Those WOWZA numbers for an SUV show how far hybrids have come. Those MPG numbers were typically only found on small uncomfortable CUVs and mid-size sedans. The EOD system will also control the enhanced traction, handling, and stability by delivering or limiting power to the wheels, allowing the driver to focus on their surroundings and not the road. But wait there's more? The Grand Highlander is just not another pretty face, if you are the type of adventurer that needs to tow a trailer of 3,500lbs the hybrid is your choice. But if you want to tow 5,500lbs of fun, you will want to purchase the Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX.

Adulting Is King Throughout

The all-new Toyota Grand Highlander is significantly larger in width, length, and height compared to the original Highlander cousin, which gives full-size adults plenty of leg and elbow space. No matter their seat location in the vehicle. The Grand Highlander has three-zone automatic climate control, allowing the driver, front passenger, and rear passengers to dial in their preferred comfort levels. The first and second-row leather-trimmed captain's seats also have heated and cool ventilation for providing an extra bit of temperature comfort which is important for the second row to offset the extra large third-row windows. The extra large third-row window, the double-sized moonroof, the third-row reclining seats, and third-row ventilation controls allow third-row passengers the same comfort level as the first two rows and not feel like they have been banished to the nether regions of the vehicle.

Contrasting materials are key to the interior of this Highlander. When the driver settles in, they will notice the soft-padded instrument panel that floats above the light wood-effect trim, showcasing the high-quality stitch for a modern and refined elegant look. The center stack is equipped with a wireless charger, two USB ports, and three cup holders, including one capable of holding a large water bottle or mega cup, ensuring convenience and functionality throughout the cabin. One last thing about the interior, the GH was built for adult comfort, but not at the expense of storage. Because of its size, it has the ability to haul six adults and six suitcases for any travel scenario in complete comfort and look good doing it.

Unmistakable Presence

The all-new Grand Highlander, designed by Calty Designs Studios, boasts a bold design with a larger silhouette and wider athletic stance that is defined by sharp lines and bold surfaces for an unmistakable presence, giving the GH a true look of its own. From the front, it appears to have a Highlander shape, but the GH adds a trapezoidal, hammerhead front grille and stylish standard LED headlights providing a crisp, clean light. The GH look is both distinctive and functional, with side surfaces flowing seamlessly from the doors through the fenders to the front and rear tires, creating a dynamic look. The 20" alloy wheels perfectly match its fender flares, while the sharp rear bumper continues the sophisticated design to the rear. The functional aspect of the design would be the rear doors are wider, providing excellent access to the third-row seats.

Audio Multimedia

When it comes to connectivity and sound quality, the Grand Highlander has again found the perfect balance. The GH will feature Toyota's latest Audio Multimedia system designed and engineered by Toyota's Texas-based software teams. It will be accessed through the perfectly sized 12.3-inch Audio Multimedia touchscreen display. Users can interact with the system through intuitive touch or voice-activated commands with a phrase like Hey, Toyota. The system includes Bluetooth® phone connectivity for standard wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto compatibility. There is also Wi-Fi Connect providing 4G connectivity for up to five devices, effectively turning the vehicle into a rolling Hotspot. The Grand Highlander Limited also includes the JBL® Premium Audio system with 11 speakers and a subwoofer, producing phenomenal sound for an immersive concert experience from any music genre.

Technology Power for Fun

When you buy the Grand Highlander with the hybrid powertrain, you get a little pixie dust of fun the pure gas GH buyer doesn't get. Available on Grand Highlander Hybrid you will get two power outlets that share 1500 watts of electricity. This means you can power up almost anything you'd plug into a standard household outlet. So now your nighttime off-grid camping experience doesn't have to be by kerosene or candlelight anymore. You can add some twinkle lights and soft music if you like. Or your Saturday afternoon tailgate parties now can have an electric blender for those adult beverages that require that sort of thing.

Toyota Safety

The 2024 Grand Highlander will come standard with the latest Toyota Safety Sense generation, TSS 3.0 and with the Grand Highlander the system adds the new Proactive Driving Assist system. When system operating conditions are met, using the vehicle's camera and radar, this system provides gentle braking into curves or gentle braking and/or steering to help support driving tasks such as distance control between a preceding vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist. Proactive Driving Assist is not a substitute for the Pre-Collision System and operates in different circumstances.

The all-new Toyota Grand Highlander is perfectly packaged for the road trip ahead, ensuring everyone can stretch out and feel a personal level of comfort. Its bold design and dynamic features are sure to turn heads wherever you go, making every journey not only comfortable but also stylish and enjoyable. The Grand Highlander truly embodies the ideal blend of functionality and elegance for any adventure.

Specifications

Engine: 245 combined horsepower 2.5L Inline-4 with 2 EV motors
Torque: 177 pound-feet
Drivetrain: Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT)
Wheels: 20" Alloy
Sound: JBL 11-speaker system with 1-subwoofer
Touchscreen: 12.5"
Color: Coastal Cream/Black
Fuel: 36/32/24 (mpg city/highway/combined)
MSRP (shown): $52,688

Learn More

For more information or to test drive this vehicle for yourself, stop by a local dealer or visit online at:
Toyota | Grand Highlander

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 39 million cars and trucks in North America, where we have 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold 2.8 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2019.