Toyota has revealed a considerably bigger, extra passenger-friendly model of its three-row Highlander, known as Grand Highlander.
Merely put, the Grand Highlander presents the same look and packaging to the Highlander, and the identical eight-passenger capability, however with a extra upright design in again—plus what seems to be just a little added wheelbase and size.
The sacrifice? Hybrid variations of the Grand Highlander are anticipated to test in at 34 mpg—versus 36 mpg for Highlander fashions. You may additionally be hauling round just a little extra weight, and it is likely to be just a little more durable to park. However in comparison with the Ford Explorer Hybrid or Kia Sorento Hybrid, the Grand Highlander seems like more room per mpg.
That’s all forward of the anticipated arrival of a Highlander Prime plug-in hybrid, to observe on the success of the standout RAV4 Prime.
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
Hybrid choices to the Max
For now, Toyota says that the Grand Highlander will probably be provided with a alternative of three totally different powertrains, all with an inner combustion engine underneath the hood: a 2.4-liter turbo-4 with front- or all-wheel drive; a 2.5-liter inline-4 with front- or all-wheel drive, as a part of Toyota’s well-established planetary hybrid system (and the decide for that 34-mpg effectivity); and Toyota’s new Hybrid Max system, provided solely with all-wheel drive.
The second hybrid possibility Toyota describes as “performance-seeking,” with 362 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. Toyota says that with this powertrain, which we interpret just like the Toyota Crown Max to make use of a motor-equipped computerized transmission in entrance and a separate motor for the rear wheels, the Grand Highlander can speed up to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, and it presents a towing capability of as much as 5,000 kilos.
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
The Grand Highlander was designed on the firm’s Calty Design Studios, that are break up between California and Michigan, and it’s because of be made alongside the Highlander in Princeton, Indiana.
It’s constructed on the identical underpinnings because the Highlander, and the designs of the 2 fashions are shut companions, though it seems to be stretched barely in wheelbase in addition to total size. Surprisingly—and maybe underscoring how trivial dimensional variations is likely to be—Toyota didn’t reveal how a lot.
No hurry to level out what makes it Grand
To supply clues, Toyota lists a complete of about 98 cubic toes of cargo area with each rear rows folded down, versus 84.3 cubic toes with the usual Highlander. It additionally describes the mannequin as having “a spacious adult-sized third row. Toyota hasn’t but mentioned whether or not second-row seating has been redesigned to accommodate simpler entry to the third row, however it seems that the door reduce is totally different and that would definitely assist.
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
The Grand Highlander will probably be provided in XLE, Restricted, and Platinum grades. XLE variations embrace roof rails, heated mirrors, an influence driver’s seat, an influence liftgate, heated entrance seats, a wi-fi machine charger, and a digital key system. Restricted fashions step as much as leather-based upholstery, LED fog lamps, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, parking sensors, ambient lighting, 20-inch alloys, and a 1500-watt (in hybrids) energy outlet, plus the digital gauge cluster. High Platinum grades get heated and ventilated second-row seats, a panoramic moonroof, a head-up show, digital rearview mirror, and a multi-terrain selector in some variations.
Toyota can be wrapping in cloud-based navigation, agent-assisted vacation spot companies, and different related options by subscription. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is included, as is HD Radio, a three-month SiriusXM satellite tv for pc radio trial, and a one-month trial of the system’s 4G wi-fi hotspot functionality. Restricted and Platinum fashions embrace 11-speaker JBL audio.
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
Leather-based-trimmed seats can be found on the Restricted and Platinum Grand Highlander, and Hybrid Max variations particularly will get bronze-accented seats trimmed in leather-based and faux-suede.
The Hybrid Max model additionally, in keeping with Toyota, has “an available dual exhaust.”
Little distinction, however a refresh all through
You must just about maintain the 2 fashions up subsequent to one another in photographs to see the distinction. Versus the Highlander, the Grand Highlander has an prolonged, extra formal roofline, in addition to smoother, much less curvaceous rear flanks which will end in considerably extra third-row area.
Inside, the Grand Highlander exhibits off a refresh that’s not radically totally different however each functionally and aesthetically higher. The middle console seems reshaped and redesigned, with a unique vent design, new door trim, and that new gauge show. Passengers within the third row might even see essentially the most distinction, in fact.
Toyota says that the Grand Highlander—and, we might assume, the 2024 Highlander—adopts Toyota’s full Security System 3.0 suite, which incorporates full-speed adaptive cruise management, bicyclist and pedestrian recognition for its computerized emergency braking, road-sign recognition, and a lane-keep system that research automobiles in adjoining lanes.
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
Pricing and an on-sale date will probably be introduced for the Grand Highlander later this summer time; so to invest, count on it this fall. And by then, count on extra particulars about precisely how a lot larger the Grand is and why it’s best to need it.
