Toyota has revealed a considerably bigger, extra passenger-friendly model of its three-row Highlander, referred to as Grand Highlander.
Merely put, the Grand Highlander affords an analogous 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 a little bit added wheelbase and size.
The sacrifice? Hybrid variations of the Grand Highlander are anticipated to examine in at 34 mpg—versus 36 mpg for Highlander fashions. You may additionally be hauling round a little bit extra weight, and it is likely to be a little bit more durable to park. However in comparison with the Ford Explorer Hybrid or Kia Sorento Hybrid, the Grand Highlander seems to be like extra space per mpg.
That’s all forward of the anticipated arrival of a Highlander Prime plug-in hybrid, to comply with 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 can be supplied with a selection of three completely different powertrains, all with an internal-combustion engine beneath 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, supplied 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 affords 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 cut up between California and Michigan, and it’s attributable to 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 general size. Unusually—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 offer clues, Toyota lists a complete of about 98 cubic ft of cargo house with each rear rows folded down, versus 84.3 cubic ft with the usual Highlander. It additionally describes the model as having “a spacious adult-sized third row.” Toyota hasn’t but stated whether or not second-row seating has been redesigned to accommodate simpler entry to the third row, however it seems that the door minimize is completely different and that will surely assist.
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
The Grand Highlander can be supplied in XLE, Restricted, and Platinum grades. XLE variations embody roof rails, heated mirrors, an influence driver’s seat, an influence tailgate, heated entrance seats, a wi-fi gadget 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 1,500-watt (in hybrids) energy outlet, plus the digital gauge cluster. High Platinum grades get heated and cooled second-row seats, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up show, digital rearview mirror, and a multi-terrain selector in some variations.
Toyota can also be wrapping in cloud-based navigation, agent-assisted vacation spot providers, and different linked 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 wifi hotspot functionality. Restricted and Platinum fashions embody 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 pretend suede.
The Hybrid Max model additionally, in accordance with Toyota, has “an accessible twin exhaust.”
Little distinction, however a refresh all through
You need to just about maintain the 2 fashions up subsequent to one another in images 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 lead to considerably extra third-row house.
Inside, the Grand Highlander reveals off a refresh that’s not radically completely different however each functionally and aesthetically higher. The middle console seems reshaped and redesigned, with a distinct vent design, new door trim, and that new gauge show. Passengers within the third row may even see probably 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 an lively lane management system that research automobiles in adjoining lanes.
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
Pricing and an on-sale date can be introduced for the Grand Highlander later this summer time, so to take a position, count on it this fall. By then, count on extra particulars about precisely how a lot larger the Grand is and why you need to need it.
