Pros: The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offers lots of space for passengers and cargo. It provides a refined and quiet ride. It also offers two hybrid powertrain options, giving customers a choice based on their preferences and needs.
Cons: The lesser hybrid powertrain can be noisy and slow. The starting price of the Grand Highlander is somewhat expensive.
The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is a larger and more spacious version of the popular Highlander model. It offers more room for people and cargo, including a third row that can comfortably accommodate adults. In addition to its increased size, the Grand Highlander features bolder and more stylish design elements compared to the regular Highlander. It also comes with more standard tech features and the option to choose a performance-oriented hybrid powertrain.
If you’re in the market for a three-row family SUV, the Grand Highlander is definitely worth considering. It competes with other popular models like the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Honda Pilot. One of the advantages the Grand Highlander has over its competitors is the availability of different powertrains. This includes a base hybrid powertrain with exceptional fuel economy. However, it should be noted that this base hybrid powertrain can be a bit slow and noisy. If you’re willing to spend more, the Hybrid Max powertrain provides better performance and efficiency.
The interior of the Grand Highlander is fairly conventional, with Toyota’s trademark features like shelves in the dash and a modern touchscreen infotainment system. The quality of the materials used in the cabin is good, but higher trims offer more luxurious options like leather upholstery. The centerpiece of the interior is the 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is standard across all trims. It’s responsive and looks modern, although some may miss the physical menu buttons that were present in previous Toyota infotainment systems.
In terms of space, the Grand Highlander offers a roomy third row that can comfortably accommodate adults. The second row can be configured with either a bench seat or captain’s chairs, allowing for seven or eight-seat configurations. Regardless of the seating arrangement, there is ample head and legroom throughout the cabin. In terms of cargo space, the Grand Highlander offers more volume than the regular Highlander, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row. Fold the rear seats down, and you get 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 97.5 cubic feet with both rows folded.
The Grand Highlander is available with three powertrain options. The base powertrain is a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which provides 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base front-wheel drive configuration offers fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The all-wheel drive configurations have slightly lower fuel economy ratings.
The Grand Highlander Hybrid utilizes a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine paired with an electric motor and battery. It has a system horsepower of 245 and offers better fuel economy than the base powertrain. The front-wheel drive configuration achieves 37 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined. The all-wheel drive configurations have slightly lower fuel economy ratings.
The Hybrid Max powertrain combines the hybrid system with the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, resulting in a combined system horsepower of 362 and 400 lb-ft of torque. It features a six-speed automatic transmission and is only available with all-wheel drive. It offers fuel economy ratings of 26 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.
In terms of driving experience, the Grand Highlander provides a more refined and enjoyable experience compared to the regular Highlander. The base powertrain is smooth and responsive, while the hybrid powertrain offers impressive fuel economy but lacks some performance. The Hybrid Max powertrain provides the best performance and a more engaging driving experience.
Overall, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is a spacious and well-equipped three-row SUV. It offers a range of powertrain options to suit different preferences and needs. However, it should be noted that the starting price of the Grand Highlander is somewhat expensive compared to its competitors.