2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum AWD: Longer, Wider And Roomier

Highlight: The Grand Highlander offers three powertrains.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $55,298 (Base Model – XLE): $44,715

Seating Capacity: 7 or 8, depending upon trim

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; traction control; a stability control system; a blind spot monitor; a pre-collision safety system; a lane departure warning system; a radar activated cruise control system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (XLE): 18-inch wheels; a black painted grille; roof rails; heated outside mirrors; pseudo leather seats; power front seats; second row captain seats or 8 passenger bench; second row manual sunshade; lock and unlock the vehicle, using a smartphone; a 12-inch infotainment screen; a wireless charger; a power liftgate; an automatic dimming rearview mirror; and a push button ignition starter

Standard Equipment (Platinum): 20-inch wheels; AWD; a JBL 11-speaker audio system; leather seats; heated and ventilated front seats and second row seats; power front seats; memory driver’s seat; third row 60/40 split folding flat seats; a panoramic roof; a three-zone automatic climate control system; a wireless charger; a 12-inch infotainment screen; a push button ignition starter system; a 360-degree camera; a hands free power lift gate; 1,500 watt power outlets; a heated steering wheel; paddle shiftes on the steering wheel (depending upon powertrain); power folding mirrors; LED fog lamps; a front and rear parking assist system; a heads up display; a digital rearview mirror; and a traffic jam radar cruise control steering system

Options: carpet floor mats

Other Trim Levels:

Limited

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 6-speaker audio system with AM/FM/HD with SiriusXM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty:  5 years or 60,000 miles

Hybrid Warranty: 8 years or 100,000 miles

Engine/Horsepower: a 2.4-liter turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine/265-horsepower

Towing Capacity: 5,000 lbs (with hybrid max powertrain)

Recommended Fuel: Regular

Standard Fuel Mileage: 21-city/27-hwy (front wheel drive)

What’s New:  The Grand Highlander is all-new for the 2024 model year. Its essentially a stretched Highlander, adding more room for third row occupants and cargo space.

Why:

Three trims available

Three powertrains available: a turbo, a hybrid and a hybrid max

Hybrid max powertrain offers 362-horsepower

A variety of driving modes (depending on terrain)

More rear leg room for third row occupants

AWD or front wheel drive configuration

20-inch optional wheels

Front seats offers individual armrests regardless if center console is open or close

Ventilated/Heated front and second  row seats available

Leather seats available

A panoramic sunroof available

A standard list of safety driving aids

Room for upwards of 7 suitcases in cargo area, when third row is in use

Additional storage for water bottles

A traffic jam assist radar cruise control steering assist system for stop-and-go traffic

Wireless charging available

A premium JBL 11-speaker audio system with SiriusXM on higher level trims

A 360-degree panoramic camera

But: 

The navigation system is subscription based

Must rely on a finicky voice activated system to control the infotainment system

Verdict: At a price point just under $45,000, the all-new Grand Highlander is essentially a stretch version of the popular Highlander. If we're comparing the pricing of the Highlander XLE to the Grand Highlander XLE, ironically the larger Grand Highlander is slightly less in terms of pricing.

Unlike the Highlander, the Grand Highlander is slightly longer and wider, which equates to more passenger volume and cargo space.

The all-new car-like handling Grand Highlander is available in three trims with a choice of three powertrains. Our vehicle was outfitted with the standard 2.4-liter gasoline powertrain, which spewed out 265-horsepower. We would have preferred the optional hybrid max powertrain, which pushes out 362-horsepower. Thus, the additional horsepower drives up the price by approximately $4,500. Also the spacious Grand Highlander can be configured as a front wheel drive or an AWD crossover.

Depending upon trim, the vehicle can be outfitted with a host of features. For those seeking the extra space and option max hybrid powertrain, the Highlander lacks, the Grand Highlander fits the bill.

Competition: Chevy Traverse; Ford Explorer; Honda Pilot; Hyundai Palisade; Kia Telluride; and Mazda CX-90