Toyota should forgive people who suppose the newly launched Grand Highlander is solely an XL model of the common Highlander. The brand new entry goes past simply being larger, however size-based assumptions are certain to occur when an adjective like grand is plopped into a well-liked nameplate—and the Highlander has proved fairly widespread.
Making the Highlander Extra Widespread
Over the previous two years, Toyota has offered practically 487,000 Highlanders, making the three-row mid-sizer its second-best-selling SUV within the U.S. behind solely the compact RAV4. Nonetheless, the model believes there’s extra meat on the bone, so it is introducing the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander to satiate prospects who crave a giant inside with out an excessively cumbersome physique.
Mainly, Toyota expects the Grand Highlander to fill the area between the full-size Sequoia and the common Highlander. Dimensionally, it does simply that. At 201.4 inches entrance to again, the Grand Highlander is 6.5 inches longer than its smaller sibling and roughly 7 inches shorter than the Sequoia. The Grand additionally stands 2 inches taller and spans 2.3 inches wider than the common Highlander. With about 116 inches between its axles, the larger Highlander’s wheelbase is roughly 4 inches longer than its counterpart.
Clearly, the Grand Highlander’s elevated exterior proportions translate to a roomier inside, significantly within the cargo space and third row. In contrast with the common Highlander, the Grand’s rearmost row positive aspects 5.5 inches of legroom (33.5 versus 28 inches). There’s additionally an additional inch of headroom and over 2 inches of extra shoulder area.
This 5’10” writer sat within the enlarged third row and located it to be genuinely comfy, even with the second-row captain’s chairs slid all the way in which again. It is also good that Toyota features a USB-C port and twin cupholders for outboard passengers again there. In contrast to the common Highlander, the Grand presents ventilated second-row captain’s chairs, however solely on the top-spec Platinum trim. The XLE and Restricted are the one different fashions; each can be found with a second-row bench seat that unlocks an additional spot for an eighth passenger.
With both seven or eight individuals onboard, the Grand Highlander boasts 21 cubic ft of cargo quantity behind its third row (5 greater than the smaller model). Stowing the seats within the again two rows opens up 98 cubes of cupboard space, which is 14 greater than the common Highlander.
Grand Will get Greater than a Larger Physique
The Grand Highlander is constructed on the identical TNGA-Okay platform that underpins the common Highlander. After all, Toyota did extra than simply stretch its proportions. We’re instructed the Grand’s construction is extra inflexible total attributable to additional spot welds and extra adhesives, that are additionally anticipated to assist cut back noise, vibration, and harshness ranges.
Together with improved NVH, the Grand Highlander’s inside packaging and trip consolation are stated to profit from a redesigned rear suspension. Toyota says structural modifications to the multilink setup on the larger Highlander had been designed to maximise the area within the third row and cargo space in addition to make the trip extra comfy.
Arguably the largest distinction between the 2 Highlanders is the Grand’s unique hybrid powertrain (dubbed “Hybrid Max”) that is cribbed from Toyota’s quasi-sedan, the high-riding Crown. Whereas it is retuned to be used within the Grand Highlander—specifically to assist its 5000-pound max towing capability—the hybrid setup is in any other case stated to be related.
Toyota hasn’t launched many technical specs concerning the Grand Highlander’s Hybrid Max powertrain, besides that it makes 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. Nonetheless, the SUV ought to proceed to pair a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder with two electrical motors. One in every of them solely powers the rear axle (leading to all-wheel drive), and the opposite goes between the fuel engine and six-speed automated transmission.
A number of Powertrains and Mature Seems
As with the common Highlander, the Grand is offered with a gas-only turbo 4 and a much less highly effective hybrid choice, giving prospects a complete of three selections. Toyota hasn’t launched outputs for both powertrain, however we’re instructed each are basically the identical—moreover the compulsory tuning modifications, after all. Within the smaller Highlander, which means a 265-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter four-pot with an eight-speed automated and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with a CVT and two electrical motors that mix for 243 hp. Toyota estimates the latter will earn as much as 34 mpg mixed. Each powertrains can be found with front- or all-wheel drive on the Grand.
Whereas the common Highlander has a fairly distinctive look with outstanding aspect surfacing, we expect the Grand seems extra mature. It has a boxier profile that is spearheaded by an assertive mug—and other people say BMW’s grilles are outsized? The remainder of the design is requisite of most trendy SUVs: a excessive beltline, decrease physique cladding, and obtainable 20-inch wheels.
Inside, the Grand Highlander Platinum we noticed first-hand gave off Lexus vibes with its enticing supplies and soft-touch surfaces. Whereas solely the top-of-the-line trim has a digital rearview mirror and a head-up show, it shares a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with the rung-below Restricted. Each trims even have normal leather-trimmed upholstery, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated entrance seats, and heated rear seats.
All three of the Grand Highlander’s trims have a crisp 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All of them have a giant middle console with a wi-fi charging pad beneath the bodily controls for the HVAC unit. We additionally respect the sliding cowl for the massive center-console bin, which Toyota says is large enough to carry a pill.
As is the case with all Toyotas, each Grand Highlander has a bunch of normal driver-assistance know-how that features adaptive cruise management, automated emergency braking, lane-keeping help, and even blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Platinum alone has a 360-degree digicam system.
Toyota has but to say how a lot the 2023 Grand Highlander will value or when it should go on sale. These particulars are anticipated to be introduced someday the approaching months. If we needed to guess, we might count on the brand new XL model to vary someplace between $43K and $56K. That might make it slightly pricier than the common Highlander, however do not forget the Grand is greater than only a dimension up.
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