The Toyota Highlander is a great SUV. But as a 3-row SUV, it’s uncomfortable to sit in those far back seats. Toyota listened to their customers and made a new Highlander, a Grand Highlander with a proper 3rd row.
Performance
Engine – The 2024 Toyota grand Highlander is available with one of three powertrains. A gasoline-only 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder with 265 hp & 310 lb-ft of torque (198 kW & 420 Nm). A hybrid powertrain with a 2.5L 4-cylinder with a total output of 243 hp (181 kW). And a 2.4L turbo hybrid with 362 hp & 400 lb-ft of torque (270 kW & 542 Nm) of total output. This Platinum trim is the latter of the three with a 0-100 km/h sprint time of just under 6 seconds. That is quick for something that tips the scales at 2,225 kg (4,905 lbs).
With the instant torque of the electric motor, the Grand Highlander doesn’t hesitate when a burst of power is required. Unlike other 3-row SUVs, you actually do get that “pinned to the back of the seat” feeling. Kids will enjoy the acceleration of this big SUV.
However, this hybrid system is not like others. It was not designed with maximum fuel efficiency in mind but rather power output. As a result, there are only 3 or 4 scenarios in which you can drive this big SUV on just electricity. When you’re maneuvering around a parking lot, when you’re driving around your local neighborhood streets, and when you’re in stop/go rush hour traffic. Essentially, any speed below 60-ish km/h will allow you to drive it on electricity only. But as the speeds reach closer to this 60 km/h threshold, the hybrid system will have a harder time accelerating the SUV on electricity alone. At closer to 60 km/h, anytime you need to speed up, the engine immediately fires up to provide more power. At speeds above this threshold, I did not see the little green EV icon appear once on the dashboard.
Fuel Economy – But while this hybrid powertrain was designed for power, it doesn’t mean that it’s hopelessly inefficient. The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX is rated for 9 L/100km (26.1 MPG) in a city and 8.6 L/100km (27.4 MPG) on a highway. I wasn’t able to achieve these numbers but I came pretty close at 9.3 L/100km (25.3 MPG) which is still not too bad for such a big SUV with the power of a V8. Additionally, the engine does not require premium fuel and the Grand Highlander can tow up to 5,000 lbs.
Transmission – Paired with this MAX Hybrid engine is not a CVT automatic like the regular Grand Highlander hybrid powertrain. Instead, it has a traditional 6-speed automatic with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. The transmission shifts are smooth whether the SUV is driving around town or booting it up a steep mountain road. Although, the shifts and the response of the transmission is hidden by the instant response of the electric motor.
Braking – The Toyota Grand Highlander has run-of-the-mill brakes to slow it down with 13.4” rotors up front and 13.3” rotors in the back. Brake pedal actuation is firm with a moderate amount of pedal travel under spirited drives. Regen braking recuperates some energy for the battery with the engine turning on to provide engine braking when the battery is fully charged.
Handling – There’s nothing too spectacular about the way the Grand Highlander drives around twisting and winding roads. It’s a big family SUV afterall. It doesn’t have the poise and dynamics of the Mazda CX-90 and is instead an easy 3-row SUV to drive. That’s the main purpose of family SUVs, right? It is a large SUV but the turning circle is not as wide as Arizona and the steering effort at slow speeds is as easy as a Chevy Spark. On highways, it feels as stable as a German SUV while driving down the autobahn. Again, a very easy to drive 3-row SUV.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – Being a family SUV, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is supposed to be comfortable. I’m happy to say that it is. The suspension easily absorbs big potholes and uneven manhole covers. The shunt of the tire hitting the edge of a big bump is rounded off and not much gets transferred into the cabin. Additionally, the big seats are plush. I did not feel any pressure points but I did feel my bum feeling numb after long commutes to work.
Interior Space – With the 2024 Grand Highlander being a bigger vehicle, it has a lot of passenger space. Front occupants are treated to the most of all three rows with taller individuals having no issues whatsoever with leg or headroom. Additionally, with the seat in its lowest position, I found myself still having excellent visibility over the hood, to the side and even out the back with the 3rd row headrests in their upright position. But if you want an unobstructed view out the back, the Grand Highlander is available with a rear camera mirror.
The second row seats are also spacious for taller individuals though the legroom is not quite the same as the front seats. But behind my 6’4” driving position, I did not feel squished like as though my knees were up to my chest. Headroom is also good with the panoramic sunroof. This large SUV is available with bench seats on the XLE and XLE Hybrid trims with captain’s chairs replacing the bench on the higher trim models. These captain’s chairs recline, fold flat, and slide forwards & backwards. There are also cupholders in between the seats which can be removed to make space for a passthrough. Additionally, the doors in the back do not open at almost 90 degrees like how they do in something like the Mazda CX-90 but the opening is still large enough for ingress or egress or to load items from the side.
The 2nd row seats move fairly far forward when accessing the 3rd row. The 3rd row can accommodate 3 individuals though that will be a tight affair. For 2 individuals, however, it’s actually not a bad place to be. Obviously for someone that is 6’4” like myself, lag and headroom in that row is tight. But it is a lot better than the standard Toyota Highlander. I’d be ok to sit back there for a short drive across the city. The 3rd row seats have plenty of cupholders, you can fit child seats there (in addition to the 2nd row), and there are USB-C ports to either side.
Behind the seats, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander MAX Hybrid has 586 L (20.7 cu-ft) of space. With the 3rd row seats folded, the cargo capacity increases to 1,640 L (57.9 cu-ft). Behind the front row of seats, the Grand Highlander can swallow up to 2,761 L (97.5 cu-ft) of cargo. That’s just over 2 meters from the back of the front seats to the power liftgate.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – On highways, the most unwanted noise that intrudes into the cabin is that of tire noise. However, it’s not any worse than in some other 3-row SUVs like the Kia Telluride. The engine is quiet when you’re driving normally around town with a more noticeable deep tone whenever you push your foot harder on the throttle pedal. Additionally, the transition from electric propulsion to the gasoline engine turning on is seamless.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander starts at $50,490 CAD ($43,070 USD) for the gasoline XLE trim. To get into a Grand Highlander Hybrid, it starts at $53,790 CAD ($44,670 USD). This Hybrid MAX Platinum trim will set you back $65,450 CAD ($58,125 USD). If you’re in the United States, you have more options for trim levels and available powertrains. For example, the MAX Hybrid engine is also available on the less expensive Limited trim, not just the Platinum trim.
Gadgets – For the almost luxury price that you’re paying, the Grand Highlander is very well equipped. It has a massive 12.3” infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay & wireless Android Auto connectivity, the front and 2nd row seats are heated & ventilated with leather and suede accents, the panoramic sunroof is massive, there’s a head-up display that can display a lot of information, the rear camera mirror that I mentioned earlier displays a sharp image even at night, there are sun shades for the 2nd row occupants, there’s an 11 speaker JBL audio system, and a wireless phone charging pad. Those are some of the highlights of this big 3-row SUV.
Interior Design – Toyota has given the Grand Highlander a simple and straightforward to use interior design. There are a lot of areas for small items to be stored. The climate controls are all physical buttons & knobs. But the dashboard and door panels are not just big slabs of boring black plastics like how they are in some other Toyota models. The use of leather and suede materials throughout the cabin is a nice touch.
Exterior Design – If there was a standardized definition for an SUV, this would be it. The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander looks big but even with its enormous size, I don’t think that it has much road presence. It looks like a generic SUV. Take away the Toyota badge and it could be a Honda, a Hyundai, a Kia, a Ford, or whatever else.
Safety – Whether you opt for this Platinum or the base XLE, the Grand Highlander is equipped with standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 along with multiple airbags to keep all occupants safe across all three rows of seats and rear cross traffic alert. Moving up in the trim levels will add surround view cameras, rear cross traffic alert with braking, front cross traffic alert, lane change assist, and traffic jam assist. One cool thing about the surround view cameras is that by moving forwards or backwards a bit while the cameras are activated will show an invisible car so that you can see what’s underneath it.
Warranty – The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander MAX Hybrid is covered by a 3 year / 60,000 km basic and 5 year / 100,000 km powertrain warranty. The hybrid components are covered by an 8 year / 160,000 km warranty with the battery being covered for 10 years / 240,000 km. For more information on Canadian warranty, click here. For information on USA warranty, click here.
Conclusion – While the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander MAX Hybrid is more expensive than its competitors, I don’t think that it’s over the top. A fully loaded Honda Pilot or Mazda CX-90 are $3,000 or $4,000 shy of the price of this demo vehicle. But this Grand Highlander is more spacious, has the fuel economy of a smaller SUV, and has the power of a V8. It’s not a particularly good looking SUV to look at nor is it a whole lot of fun to drive, but as a family vehicle, it’s one of the best.
Thank you to Toyota Canada for providing the vehicle. www.Toyota.ca
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX Gallery
