Table of Contents
2024 Toyota Highlander Redesign: Will the 202 Highlander be Redesigned? – Over in the real world, in the course of only a few hours, we had the worldwide introduction of the all-new, fifth-generation Toyota Prius, also known as a ‘Hybrid Reborn’ with a more streamlined exterior design, an improved interior, and revised HEV or PHEV engine choices. The Japanese carmaker then presented a new bZ small SUV concept at the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show as a statement that it may be poised to eventually extend the electric vehicle (EV) portfolio.
In the meanwhile, all throughout the digital playing grounds, the pixel masters are putting a lot of thought into their strategies. Some people are eager to provide us with a new perspective on the cool Sienna Hybrid, which is the company’s minivan aimed at soccer moms and hockey dads.
The CGI expert does not specify if we are dealing with a potential new generation or simply a simpler facelift, so one may take their choice. However, it is important to remember to take this information with a grain of salt since Toyota is now only interested in the three-row family adventurer version of the 2024 Highlander Grand Highlander. More than anything else, if someone requires our two cents on the topic, I will opt for a casual refresh dream rather than offering our opinion.
Before exposing all of the front and back three-quarters point of view goodies, the author always makes sure to appropriately tease the environment with some gloomy CGI as is his customary practice. Then, in accordance with custom, the unauthorized first look at this fictitious 2024 Toyota Highlander likewise shifts into a stylish color palette reel. 2024 Toyota Highlander Redesign
Redesign
The introduction of the bigger 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is the most noteworthy event pertaining to the 2024 Highlander. This preview will use it as its foundation until Toyota reveals revisions to the standard Highlander.
At the time of publication, the Grand Highlander has not yet revealed its specifications, but it is expected to be bigger and more spacious than its predecessor, with a third row that is able to accommodate adults and a larger cargo space. It does not seem to have the same packing concessions in the tight third row as the new Toyota Sequoia, which is a full-size SUV with a body-on-frame basis and a standard hybrid engine. This is because it has a third row that is far smaller. The Grand Highlander is positioned between the Sequoia and the Highlander, and it also competes with the Sienna as a substitute for the Sienna minivan.
The Grand Highlander, in contrast to the Highlander and the Sienna, eliminates the stylistic protrusion that grows from the rockers and extends over the rear fenders. Under the emblem, on all trim levels save the basic XLE, there is a large lower grille that is bordered by LED fog lights. This creates a vertical profile that does not attempt to look truck-like. The greenhouse continues on without interruption all the way to the rear, just as in Highlander; there are no floating roofs or peculiar quarter windows at the back. Overall, the sheet metal adorns a design that is more refined and less cluttered than the Highlander’s, more akin to that of the Toyota Venza than the Highlander.
Inside, the upmarket objectives suggested by the Grand moniker continue to be carried out. The dash is dominated by a typical touchscreen measuring 12.3 inches, but it is complemented with actual temperature control knobs. The optional leather trimmings have accent stitching that stands out, but the dashboard and console have been streamlined for storage space and other practical considerations. In the console that may be customized, there is a compact gear shifter located next to a row of three huge cupholders and a wireless charger. Drive mode buttons are located pushed pack to the deep storage bucket that is located below the center armrests. The passenger has a place to put their phone and other items in a nook that is located just over the glove box.
The normal configuration for both Highlanders includes a bench seat in the third row, which results in eight available seats; however, the Grand Highlander may be equipped with captain’s chairs in the second row to reduce the number of available seats to seven. In the Grand Highlander, Toyota has seven USB outlets and thirteen cupholders that may accommodate bigger water bottles. It is possible to stow suitcases behind the third seat, and when the second and third rows are folded down, the Grand Highlander has 98 cubic feet of storage capacity. This is an increase over the normal Highlander, which only has 84.3 cubic feet of storage space. In hybrid vehicles, the third row of seats is mounted on top of the battery pack.
We will not compromise on safety for the sake of speed. According to Toyota, its family cars are equipped with the most recent suite of driver-assist technologies as well as new sensors that can identify more things at junctions and stationary impediments such as guard rails. Included in the list of standard safety equipment is automated emergency braking equipped with pedestrian recognition, active lane control, adaptive cruise control, automatic high lights, and blind-spot monitors on all trim levels except for the basic L. The Highlander and the Grand Highlander, both of which have received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and are recurring winners of the Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, should once again do very well in crash testing once they have completed the new model and the new year.
Engine
The front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations of the 2024 Grand Highlander may be obtained with any one of three different powertrains. Two powertrains are carried over from the normal Highlander, including the 2.4-liter turbo-4 that replaced the V-6 as the standard engine in the Highlander last year. The base Highlander model gets 265 horsepower and 309 pound-feet of torque from it, and we’re going to presume that the Grand Highlander has the same 8-speed automatic gearbox, even if Toyota didn’t disclose any specifics about it.
The Grand Highlander also receives Toyota’s Highlander Hybrid powertrain, which delivers a combined output of 243 horsepower from a 2.5-liter inline-4 engine, a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack, and a front electric motor in front-wheel-drive vehicles. This output is only available on the Highlander Hybrid. According to Toyota’s projections, the Grand Highlander will get 34 mpg combined fuel economy, while the Highlander will achieve 36 mpg combined fuel economy. The rear axle of an all-wheel-drive vehicle is powered by a second motor that is mounted behind the vehicle and operates independently of the primary engine. The Highlander is capable of towing 3,500 pounds when configured in this manner.
It is possible that the Grand Highlander’s towing capability may shed some light on the decision by Toyota to include a third drivetrain option. The 2.4-liter turbo-4 engine is paired with a motor that is mounted on each axle in the Hybrid Max powertrain, which made its debut in the new Toyota Crown. Toyota did not divulge the system output, but they did label it the most powerful Highlander generation. They also mentioned a 0-60 mph speed of 6.3 seconds, in addition to a towing capability of 5,000 pounds.
All-wheel drive is standard on the Hybrid Max, and all AWD variants of the Grand Highlander have three more driving modes in addition to the basic Sport, Eco, and Normal settings. These additional modes are called Mud and Sand, Rock and Dirt, and Snow, respectively.
Price
Pricing information will be provided closer to the summer sale date, but you can anticipate that it will be more than the price tag of $37,635 that is attached to the 2023 Highlander L. The new 2024 Grand Highlander will be offered for sale in three distinct trim levels: XLE, Limited, and Platinum. The base price is anticipated to be about $45,000.
Standard features on the Grand Highlander include a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, synthetic leather upholstery, power front seats that are heated, at least six USB ports, a power tailgate, and it rolls on 18-inch alloy wheels. The Grand Highlander leans into the premium territory occupied by Lexus.
Alloy wheels measuring 20 inches, power-folding side mirrors, and a complete LED treatment are included with the Grand Highlander Limited trim level. The inside has heated and cooled front seats upholstered in synthetic leather, heated captain’s chairs in the second row, and a heated steering wheel. Additionally, the front seats and steering wheel are both heated. The infotainment system in the Toyota is equipped with 11 speakers from JBL, and the digital instrument cluster has a 12.3-inch display from Toyota.
The most expensive Platinum trim level has a head-up display and panoramic sunroof in addition to cooling for the second row of seats in the vehicle.