2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

From comfortable seating for up to 8 passengers, to the convenience of an available foot-activated power rear liftgate ^*,  2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is filled with thoughtful features that make the drive easier. The Grand Highlander offers more space for people and cargo inside its elongated body, with most of the stretch going to a roomy third row. A turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder is standard, but the Grand Highlander Hybrid (reviewed separately) offers two different hybrid powertrains, including a 362-hp variant called Hybrid Max. A host of driver-assistance features is standard, and the Grand Highlander is offered only in upscale XLE, Limited, and Platinum trims—so perhaps it is a bit grander in that way after all. Given its roomy interior and value-packed features list, the Grand Highlander was a natural addition to our 2024 10Best Trucks and SUVs list, as well as a recipient of a 2024 Editors’ Choice award.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The standard setup in the nonhybrid Grand Highlander is a 265-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder with front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive is optional. If you want more power, the Grand Highlander Hybrid (reviewed separately) offers two different powertrain choices, the most powerful of which is the Hybrid Max which makes 362 ponies. In our testing, the nonhybrid Grand Highlander hit 60 mph in 7.0 seconds, but the Hybrid Max proved much quicker, completing the same test in 5.6 seconds. Both powertrains make the Grand Highlander a quicker mountain to move than the V-6-powered Honda Pilot. While the Grand Highlander won’t raise a driver’s pulse on a twisty road, it does serve its purpose well, and other than a steering wheel with a too-light feel, it’s nicely set up for errand running, kid-toting, and road-tripping.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The nonhybrid 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is rated as high as 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway by the EPA. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, it delivered an impressive 29 mpg. The Hybrid Max model we tested underperformed its EPA estimate and delivered only 24 mpg. For more information about the Grand Highlander’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander comes by the grand part of its name honestly, with a roomier cabin than the standard Highlander model. The third row of seats benefits most from the Grand Highlander’s larger size and boasts enough space for fully grown adults. The Grand Highlander’s interior styling is different too, including a more symmetrical dashboard design. The XLE is the Grand Highlander’s entry-level model, and it comes with plenty of convenience features that family buyers will appreciate, including a power-operated liftgate, heated front seats, second-row window shades, and a host of USB and power outlets throughout the cabin. When equipped with a second-row bench seat, there’s space for eight passengers, but those seeking a seven-seat arrangement will be able to swap that bench out for captain’s chairs.

Infotainment and Connectivity

All models come with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen running Toyota’s latest software interface; a 7.0-inch digital display in the gauge cluster is also standard, but Limited and Platinum models get a larger, all-digital 12.3-inch gauge display. Buyers will also find a wireless smartphone charging pad on every model. An 11-speaker JBL stereo upgrade is offered on Limited and Platinum models.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

All 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander  come with a suite of driver-assistance features that Toyota calls Safety Sense 3.0. In addition to basics such as blind-spot monitoring and automated emergency braking, the package also includes adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlamps, and a road sign recognition system. For more information about the Grand Highlander’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Standard adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature

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Specifications