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2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid: Price, MPG & Interior -In the event that you find yourself attracted to the Toyota Highlander SUV but believe that it isn’t quite large enough for your family, the Toyota Grand Highlander 2024 may be the solution you’ve been hunting for all along. It is a stretched version of the present Highlander, which is the reason it has been given such a big naming convention. Not its style, features, or luxury fittings have anything to do with it.
The Grand Highlander has an extended body that provides more capacity for passengers as well as freight inside the vehicle, with the majority of the extra length going to a large third row. There are three different powerplant options available, the first of which is a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder. There are also two distinct hybrid powertrains available, one of which is referred to as the Hybrid Max and produces 362 horsepower. A number of driver-aid systems are included as standard equipment, and the Grand Highlander is only available in the pricey XLE, Limited, and Platinum trim levels; thus, it is possible that it is somewhat more luxurious in this regard as well.
Design
The Grand Highlander is available in just three trim levels, so buyers who were looking for a more affordable L or LE trim won’t find those alternatives on the list of available choices. The XLE trim, which is normally reserved for Toyota vehicles in the middle of the lineup, serves as the entry-level option. It comes well-equipped with amenities such as power-adjustable heated front seats, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a power-operated liftgate, and a suite of driver-assistance functions, so we believe it’s the one you should go for.
Visually, the Grand Highlander may be distinguished from its non-grand sister in a rather straightforward manner. The length has increased by 4 inches, the height is increased by 2 inches, and the width is increased by 2.3 inches. The algae-sucker fascia that was previously present on the Highlander has been replaced with a dual-grille layout that is more traditional. Instead of having accentuated door-to-fender character lines like the Highlander has, the Grand Highlander has a beltline that is virtually parallel to the ground, and it has a thicker D-pillar than the Highlander does. This can be seen when looking at the vehicle from the side. The Grand Highlander’s appearance is unmistakably that of a large people carrier due to its blocky and robust design. In the same manner that a Clydesdale is an attractive horse, this automobile is an attractive vehicle.
The cabin is not identical to that of the Highlander in every respect; for example, the 12.3-inch central screen that sits above the temperature controls, which has the appropriate buttons and dials, is not present in the Highlander. There is a large amount of storage space available, including a deep center console, similar to that of the Highlander. The front chairs provide enough support and are really comfy. Both the leather seats in the Platinum model and the Ultrasuede and the leather seats that are exclusive to the Hybrid Max were comfortable enough for us to say that any configuration would be worthy of a Lexus.
The Grand Highlander may be equipped with either individual bucket seats or a three-row bench, bringing the total number of available seats in the second row up to either seven or eight. The inside is outfitted with seven USB-C connections and thirteen (!) cupholders in various locations.
Toyota is making a big fuss about the third row, claiming that it is spacious enough to accommodate two people of average size. In point of fact, we discovered that a person who is nearly 6 feet tall may sit in the rear seat with sufficient headroom and also enjoy a respectable amount of legroom, providing that the passengers in the second row are ready to give up some of their own space.
Nevertheless, just being able to fit does not guarantee that you will be able to do so comfortably: The low-mounted bottom cushion creates a seated posture that brings the knees up, and the seat itself feels rigid and has just a little layer of padding. The conveniences are there; for example, each passenger in the third row has their own USB-C connector and dual cupholder that serves as tablet storage, and an appropriately placed grab handle makes it simple to get in and out of the vehicle. Unfortuitously, as soon as you are in the third row, you may very easily decide that you want to leave.
The capacity to transport freight while having all seats full is one of the primary benefits offered by an SUV of this size. When all three rows are occupied, the Grand Highlander’s cargo area has a volume of 20.6 cubic feet, making it suitable for transporting large baggage despite its hatchback design. The Grand Highlander has a maximum cargo capacity of 97.5 cubic feet when all of the seats are folded down.
Both the front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations are available with either the 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine or the 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain. Both powertrains are modeled after those used in the Highlander SUV. (The exact horsepower ratings are still a closely guarded secret, although these powertrains produce a total of 265 and 243 horsepower in the Highlander, respectively.)
In addition, the Grand Highlander is available with a Hybrid Max drivetrain, which is quite similar to the one found in the 2023 Crown. This drivetrain is comprised of a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine that is augmented by an electric motor, in addition to a second motor that drives the rear axle. The total amount of horsepower that may be expected from this powerplant was revealed to us by Toyota at 362. Tow capacity is rated at 5,000 pounds, and Toyota estimates that the Hybrid Max can reach 60 miles per hour in 6.3 seconds.
You can anticipate an abundance of safety, driver assistance, and infotainment technologies in all of Toyota’s most recent models. This is something you can look forward to. For the former, Toyota includes its Safety Sense 3.0 package on the Grand Highlander. This includes dynamic cruise control, collision detection with automated braking, road sign recognition, and lane-keeping assistance. The audio is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allows for the pairing of two Bluetooth phones at once, and provides access to a 4G Internet service by subscription via an integrated Wi-Fi hotspot.
No modest LE or sporty SE model will be available for the Grand Highlander; instead, Toyota will offer the XLE, Limited, and Platinum trim levels. Base-level basic equipment is outstanding. It comes standard with alloy wheels that are 18 inches in diameter, faux-leather seats that are power-adjustable and heated up front, and a motorized tailgate. Higher trim levels add more finery, such as real leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof. Price has not been disclosed; however, rivals begin in the middle to upper 30s, and we anticipate that the Grand Highlander will be priced on the higher end of that range. We should hear more information about pricing this spring.
We understand Toyota’s choice, despite the fact that the name issue is a little bit perplexing. Launching a new nameplate is a costly endeavor, and it takes prospective purchasers some time to develop a relationship with the brand. (One needs only consider the modest increase in sales of Toyota’s capable SUV, the Venza.) The Highlander brand is already linked with safe and enjoyable driving for families and based on our first walk-around of the Grand Highlander, we can tell that it is about as family-friendly as it is possible for a Toyota SUV to be. There is plenty of space for a growing family in addition to their guests, despite the fact that Toyota suggests the third-row seat is not as useful an addition as it really is. The 2024 Grand Highlander should be available at dealerships sometime throughout the summer, and we anticipate that it will get off to a solid start as a formidable rival.
Engine
There are three distinct engine options available for the Grand Highlander, including two that are also available for the standard Highlander model. The base model is equipped with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, a front- or all-wheel drive configuration, and a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower.
The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid employs the same hybrid powertrain as the Highlander Hybrid, which consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors to provide a total of 243 horsepower. This powertrain is used in the basic model of the Grand Highlander Hybrid. The highest trim level will come standard with the Hybrid Max powertrain, which produces a combined 362 horsepower thanks to its combination of a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine and an electric motor. According to Toyota, the Grand Highlander can reach 60 miles per hour in 6.3 seconds and has the potential to tow up to 5000 pounds when equipped with the Hybrid Max system.
Even though the EPA has not yet published figures for the Grand Highlander’s fuel economy, Toyota predicts that the 2.5-liter hybrid will be the most fuel-efficient model and anticipates a combined rating of 34 miles per gallon for it. When we get the opportunity, we will put the Grand Highlander through its paces on our highway fuel efficiency route, which is set at a speed of 75 miles per hour.
Interior
The Grand Highlander has a more spacious interior compared to the ordinary Highlander model, which is where it gets the “grand” portion of its name from. The Grand Highlander’s increased size allows for more room in the third row, which can comfortably accommodate people of average height and weight. The interior design of the Grand Highlander has also been updated, and now has a dashboard layout that is more symmetrical.
The Grand Highlander’s base model, the XLE, comes standard with a variety of comfort and convenience features that buyers looking for a vehicle for their families will find appealing. These features include a power-operated liftgate, heated front seats, window shades for the second row, and a variety of USB and power outlets located throughout the cabin. There is room for up to eight passengers when the second row is configured with a bench seat; however, individuals looking for a configuration with just seven seats will have the option to replace the bench with two captain’s chairs.
Standard on all models is an infotainment touchscreen measuring 12.3 inches and equipped with Toyota’s most recent user interface software. The gauge cluster features a digital display measuring 7.0 inches; however, the Limited and Platinum models come equipped with a larger all-digital 12.3-inch gauge display. In addition, each model comes equipped with a wireless charging station for customers’ mobile devices. In the Limited and Platinum variants, an upgrade to an 11-speaker JBL sound system is available.
The Grand Highlander comes standard with Toyota’s Traffic Safety System (TSS) 3.0, which is a set of driver assistance functions. In addition to standard features such as monitoring for blind spots and automatic emergency braking, the package also includes adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and a road-sign recognition system. All of these features are included as standard equipment. Visit the websites of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for further details on the outcomes of the crash tests performed on the Grand Highlander.
Date of Publication
In spite of the fact that it is a 2024 model, information on price and sales is anticipated to emerge this summer. As a result, there is a significant probability that the new Toyota Grand Highlander will be available for purchase before the end of the year.