Sequels are tough to pull off. Especially when the original is a hit. The current Highlander is a solid effort and one of the best selling three-row SUVs on the market, but it has some flaws, most noticeably inadequate third row legroom and a compromised cargo area. As was the case with Godfather Part 2 and The Empire Strikes Back, however, Toyota has managed accomplish a rare feat and create a sequel that’s actually more enjoyable than the original because the Grand Highlander is not just larger than the Highlander, it’s better in every way.
A Third Row For Adults
Let’s start with the obvious. The Grand Highlander fixes the lackluster third row legroom by taking the space afforded by its 4 additional inches of wheel base and giving it to those who are relegated to automotive purgatory. They’ve also added a few other things to make riding in steerage less of a punishment. First, there are two cupholders in the outboard armrests along with a slot for tablets or phones. There is one USB port on each side to keep those tablets and phones charged on long road trips. In addition, the seat backs recline allowing for extra comfort and if you opt for the platinum trim the panoramic moonroof extends far enough that even claustrophobes will breath easier.
Grand Highlander’s interior improvements aren’t limited to the back. In the fully loaded Platinum version I was testing, second row passengers get heated seats, two USB C ports and a 110v outlet, and control over their climate. There’s a removable storage bin between the seats, and the second row seats slide back and forth allowing you to negotiate the amount of legroom you want to share with those in the way back. Materials are near premium in this trim with leather seating surfaces, soft-touch arm rests, and shades for the rear windows.
Up front it gets even better with heated and ventilated leather-trimmed power seats. The steering wheel and shift knob are also trimmed in tan leather with a very cool copper accent piece. I took a 240-mile, 5-hour, road trip in the Grand Highlander and the seats were both fully supportive and comfortable. Visibility is excellent as you would expect for a vehicle of this size and the driver assist systems all work as advertised. The traffic jam assist was a welcome addition when I hit Chicago traffic at rush hour and did a good job of keeping the right distance to the vehicle ahead. I never felt like I had to intervene either to keep from crowing the car in front of me or close up the space to keep people from cutting in.
Tech Gets An Upgrade Too
Grand Highlander gets Toyota’s new user interface for the entertainment and information system which is a huge upgrade from the previous set up. This was designed by Toyota’s US tech team in Plano and you can tell they spent a lot of time talking to customers when designing this system. The large screen is easy to read and has plenty of processing power to switch between apps quickly and seamlessly. There’s also a nice mix of hard buttons and knobs to go along with the touchscreen. I still found myself longing for a tuning knob to move quickly between stations, but once you set your favorites, they’re pretty easy to find on the main screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay worked without a hitch as you would expect. The one disappointment with the system, is there’s no split screen option. I usually like to have the map screen up in the main portion of the screen with the radio on the side in case a Journey song comes on so I can change the station immediately.
Pick Your Power
Grand Highlander is available with three powertrain options and with front- or all-wheel drive. The base model comes with a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine that makes 265 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission, which is very reasonable for a vehicle that weighs between 4,300 and 4,575 pounds. If you’re looking to squeeze as much as you can out of each gallon of gas, you can opt for a 2.5-liter 4 cylinder engine with a hybrid electric setup and a CVT. This is the same system that’s in the Sienna. You’ll give up 20 horsepower but efficiency climbs from 24 to 36 MPG combined with a front-wheel drive and 23 to 33 with all-wheel drive.
My test SUV was equipped with the top of the line Hybrid Max system. This pairs the 2.4-liter turbo with two synchronous permanent magnet electric motors that get their juice from a 288-volt battery pack. Total system power peaks at 362 horses and toque climbs to a beefy 332 lb.-ft. Power goes to all 4-wheels with a 6-speed automatic transmission up front and one of the electric motors driving the rear wheels. This is a hybrid that’s tuned for performance, not efficiency. Acceleration is surprisingly swift, getting the 4,920 pound family hauler from 0-60 in under 6 seconds. Do that often enough and you won’t come close to the EPA’s estimated 26 miles per gallon around town as I found out averaging just 25 miles per gallon in my week with the Grand Highlander. My lead foot also hurt on the highway, where the EPA said I should be getting 27 miles per gallon. As they say, your mileage may vary…
Confident And Sophisticated Styling
Not to be overlooked is Grand Highlanders exterior styling which I find a huge improvement over its smaller sibling. Gone are the overwrought fender flares on the rear quarter and soft, rounded surfaces. In its place you’ll find a confident, chiseled look with a higher waistline. The darkened rocker panel makes the Grand Highlander look as if it has more than its eight inches of ground clearance. Come around to the front and the fascia has been completely redesigned with the LED headlights nicely integrated into the trapezoid grill, which while large is not overbearing.
A Family Hauler For The Minivan Averse
For large families who aren’t interested in a minivan, but don’t need off-road capability or towing capacity, Grand Highlander fits the bill as well or better than anything on the road today. It has room for up to eight passengers, enough luggage capacity for seven carryon size roller bags behind the third row, and a number of configurations to adapt it to your lifestyle. You want mileage? The hybrid powertrain can give it to you. You want power, the Hybrid Max is a kick in the pants. Even the base 2.4L turbo does a very credible job of scooting this thing around. Though we think it’s one of the best vehicles in the category, it’s also one of the most expensive. Grand Highlander starts at $44,670 for a front-wheel drive XLE model. Option it all the way up like our Hybrid Max test vehicle and the sticker says you’ll pay a breathtaking $61,705. It’s up to you to decide whether the extra power and two inches of third row legroom are worth $6,000 more than the priciest Kia Telluride. If it is, then you’ll be getting a three row SUV that delivers an unrivaled combination of comfort, room, performance, and efficiency.
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum
Full-size, 7- or 8-passenger SUV with front- or all-wheel drive
Base price: $44,670
Price as tested: $61,705
Engine: 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gas engine with two permanent magnet, synchronous electric motors
Transmission: 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters and 4 drive modes
Power: 362 total system horsepower
Torque: 332 pound-feet
Towing capacity: 5,000 pounds
EPA Fuel Economy: 26 city/27 highway/27 combined
