By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(February 23, 2024) Ply urban and suburban America and if you pay any attention you'll immediately discover the roads are full of the ubiquitous Toyota Highlander. Thoughtful packaging, obligatory safety systems, non-offensive styling, and affordably priced, the Highlander is a quality built three-row family favorite that's easy to drive, comfortable with a sterling reputation for reliability and a decent resale value. While not flattering, I tend to classify the Highlander as an appliance, much like a refrigerator.

It looks decent, runs forever — usually without breaking, does what it is supposed to do, and the lights come on when you open the door. Few vehicles have such a clear-cut target audience like the Highlander.

But for those who wanted a vehicle just a bit bigger and are brand loyal to Toyota, the only choice was to bump up to the Sequoia, a truck-based SUV that is a heftier step up in both substantial towing capacity, and medium-duty off-road capability.

Now, with the introduction of the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, which as the name suggests, we have a bigger and arguably better version of the three-row Highlander SUV for moving mass numbers of people, pets, cargo and gear with its abundance of utility-bearing space inside. In fact, there's roughly 25 percent more cargo room behind the third row of seats.

Toyota stretched the overall length of the Highlander six-inches, and the wheelbase by four, with enough room to rival the Sienna minivan for interior volume. It's also two inches higher. Unlike the cramped third-row seats of the regular Highlander, the Grand Highlander can accommodate adults and is actually one of the largest SUVs on the market, although at 6'6" it doesn't fit my frame with my head rubbing the ceiling above. However, one nice feature is that the seats do fully recline. Still all the kiddos and most adults will find comfort for a few hours of travel back there.  

Visually while rather staid with its styling, designers did their best to minimize the bulky appearance with curvy and creasing exterior sheet metal and by squaring off the edges at each end. We see hints of styling from Lexus and the now-departed Land Cruiser. But overall the Grand Highlander is just as the name implies, grander, meaning larger, boxier and taller than the regular issue Highlander CUV.

Thoughtfully crafted and engineered, designers considered its family target market equipping the Grand Highlander with USB ports sufficient to accommodate each seat including the second row captains' seats, and third-row. Convenient storage spaces, thirteen cupholders and conveniences abound. Seats are leather trimmed and both cooled and heated up front with heated only in second and third rows. There's a standard 12.3-inch infotainment screen that supports the 11-speaker JLB multimedia audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Sirius XM radio a 1500W inverter with two 120V AC outlets.



Both the regular-length Highlander and the Grand Highlander Hybrid models (like the one I drove) are powered by the same, 2.5-Liter 4-cylinder with 245 horsepower and paired with a CVT automatic transmission. The gasoline turbocharged four-cylinder non-hybrid is good for 265 horsepower. Fuel mileage returned 29.8-mpg in warm 75 degree Arizona weather, short of its 34-mpg official EPA estimate. This is a heavy vehicle but we were satisfied with its acceleration and ample power to pass on two-lane highway traffic. The Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX gets 352 horsepower form those same 2.5-Liters and a 6-speed automatic transmission vs the CVT.

On the road I found the Grand Highlander comfortably traversed the highways and urban roadways with handling ease and confident maneuverability on winding backroads we tested. Any sense of sportiness driving or handling isn't part of the package, nor does it suggest it might be. Still it is responsive to sufficiently feel safe, with predictable handling and confidence.  

Indeed, the Grand Highlander is a smart and compelling choice for families wanting a do-it-all vehicle. While overall good, it isn't a standout among competition and while new for Toyota, it doesn't break any new automotive ground that isn't already available from the crowded field of similar-sized competitors in its class and doesn't threaten other three-row class competitors like the new Mazda CX-90, VW Atlas or Kia Telluride.

Toyota owners are loyal and pragmatic who value the well-earned reputation of the brand for reliability, functionality and resale and demonstrably resistant to varsity German brands and love their Toyota. And for those who love their Highlander but wished for one a bit larger, the Grand Highlander will be the perfect alternative.

Vital Stats

Base Price: $51,060
Price as Tested: $53,238
Engine/Transmission: 2.5-Liter 245-horsepower 4-cylinder Hybrid electric with a CVT automatic transmission.
EPA Fuel Economy: 36/32/34-mpg City/Highway/Combined
Seats: Up to 8

Where Built: Princeton, Indiana

Competes With:
Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Traverse
Hyundai Palisade
Kia Telluride
Mazda CX90
Nissan Armada
Volkswagen Atlas

Crash Test Safety Ratings: The Grand Highlander has not been crash tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as of this writing.

Likes:
Third-row roomy enough for adults
Gas-sipping hybrid powertrain
Thoughtfully designed with families (and their dog) in mind

Dislikes:
Apathetic styling
Uninspired driving character
Other competitors offer a more stylish — luxurious interior