2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX Restricted
Class: Midsize Crossover
Colour: Ruby Flare Pearl
Seating capability: 7
CG Report Card
Room and ComfortA
Energy and PerformanceB+
Match and FinishB
Gas EconomyB+
ValueB+
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not replicate Client Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup.
Huge & Tall Consolation
Huge GuyA
Tall GuyA
Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specs362-horsepower 2.4-liter
Engine TypeTurbo hybrid 4-cylinder
Transmission 6-speed automated
Drive WheelsAWD
Miles pushed: 111
Noticed gasoline financial system: 25.8 mpg
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 26/27/27 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gas sort: Common gasoline
Base value: $54,040 (not together with $1335 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: Particular paint ($425), Panoramic sunroof ($1350),
Value as examined: $57,150
Fast Hits
The good: Roomy and cozy, loads of energy, simple on the gasoline
The great: Quiet cabin, makes use of regular-grade gasoline
The not so good: Cabin not as upscale as like-price opponents
Tom Appel:
What does it imply to be “grand?” In automotive parlance, the Grand prefix been utilized to mannequin names for a few causes. Within the case of the Grand Cherokee, the Grand modifier represented a car that was not solely bigger than the non-Grand Jeep Cherokee (which was lately discontinued) however considerably upmarket of that crossover as properly.
Now within the case of the retired Dodge Grand Caravan minivan, the Grand prefix meant solely that mentioned van was—for probably the most half—bigger than the usual Caravan, although not higher outfitted. As that is doubtless the one probability we’ll have to do that for some time, we’d wish to remind you of some well-liked “Grand” automobiles from our latest previous:
Mercury Grand Marquis (giant sedan)
Plymouth Grand Voyager (minivan)
Pontiac Grand Prix (most lately a midsize sedan)
Suzuki Grand Vitara (small SUV)
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For 2024, Toyota has borrowed the tried-and-true Grand moniker and utilized it to one of many model’s most-popular and well-regarded fashions, the Highlander. The midsize crossover, which was itself redesigned for the 2020 mannequin, now has a like-named showroom companion that’s barely wider and taller, and nearly seven inches longer than itself.
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Just like the aforementioned Grand Caravan, the Grand Highlander is a bigger, roomier model of the usual car of the identical title, providing further rear-seat-, Third-row-, and cargo area, together with its longer mannequin title. Additionally, just like the Grand Caravan, the Grand Highlander isn’t an upmarket variant of the usual car, certainly, it’s nearly no dearer.
Maybe to maintain issues easy on dealership tons, the new-for-2024 Grand Highlander is obtainable in solely six trim ranges, 5 fewer than the usual Highlander. The trim-level paring comes principally on the expense of entry-level LE and LE Nightshade variants, which aren’t supplied on the Grand.
For 2024, the Grand Highlander is obtainable in solely in midlevel XLE, Restricted, and Platinum trim ranges, all of which may with both a gasoline or gasoline/hybrid drivetrain.
Commonplace on all Highlanders, Grand or not, is a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine mated to an 8-speed automated transmission. This setup is rated at 265 horsepower and might be had with front- or all-wheel drive. Additionally supplied is a frugal 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain rated at 245 horsepower. This powertrain can also be obtainable with both front- or AWD.
Obtainable solely on the Grand Highlander Restricted and Platinum, is Toyota’s Hybrid Max powertrain. The one hybrid obtainable on these fashions, the hybrid turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cyinder engine is rated at 362 horsepower. The Hybrid Max drivetrain features a 6-speed automated transmission and is obtainable solely with AWD.
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Client Information lately spent every week with the 2024 Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX Restricted (Toyota prefers the mannequin title in that order), in extra-cost Ruby Flare Pearl. As famous earlier, all Hybrid MAX fashions come normal with AWD.
Step into the Grand Highlander and also you’ll discover a cabin which can feel and appear acquainted, however will not be similar to that of the usual Highlander. That mentioned, just like the common Highlander, in Restricted trim, the cabin is properly completed—although not maybe Hyundai Palisade good—and is outwardly assembled to a Toyota-typical excessive normal. Whereas lower-trim degree Highlanders make do with an 8-inch touchscreen, all Grand Highlanders include a 12.3-inch unit. And whereas most most-used capabilities are dealt with through the touchscreen, we are able to fortunately report that every one climate-control operations happen through a set of actual buttons and switches positioned beneath the touchscreen. Typically talking, touchscreen operation is intuitive and uncomplicated.
Per revealed numbers, the Grand Highlander cabin is barely wider than that of it’s non-Grand cousin, although the ahead cabin feels about the identical to us. The additional area exhibits up meaningfully within the 2nd and Third rows, each of that are grownup pleasant and simple to entry. Whereas Third-row seating in the usual Highlander is finest left to the younger and nimble, the Grand Highlander boasts adult-friendly back-row lodging are each long-haul roomy and comparatively simple to entry. Adults over, say, 6’2” could need to name dibs on one other seating row, nonetheless.
As a result of the Grand Highlander clocks in lower than 200 kilos heavier than the usual Highlander, gasoline financial system and efficiency are very comparable. In Client Information testing, we noticed 25.8 mph in principally metropolis driving. Given the dimensions and obtainable efficiency, we’d name that spectacular financial system.
And about that energy…although we lament the passing of Toyota’s ultra-smooth 3.5-liter V6—which used to energy the Highlander—the Hybrid MAX setup gives extra energy and better effectivity than the V6 did. The MAX engine can sound coarse when pushed, nonetheless, and the 6-speed automated does an excessive amount of shifting at low velocity.
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On the street, the longer wheelbase of the Grand Highlander appears to present the crossover a extra composed journey, particularly at freeway velocity. That mentioned, the usual Highlander already lead the midsize crossover class by way of freeway journey consolation in addition to cabin quietness. Dealing with has by no means been a Highlander sturdy level. And, like the usual Highlander, the Grand is nimble sufficient, however lacks the sporty related really feel of sophistication opponents such because the Honda Pilot of Nissan Pathfinder. One other thought: With 7 further inches of auto to contemplate, parking the Grand Highlander might be a mite extra work than docking the usual mannequin.
As for pricing, our check Restricted got here to only over $57,000. A equally outfitted normal Highlander Hybrid Restricted lists for about $54,000. A lot of that value distinction might be attributed to the Hybrid MAX engine, which is obtainable solely within the Grand. Examine comparably outfitted XLE fashions, and the Grand Highlander lists from simply $1000 greater than the usual Highlander—this seems like a discount to us.
Even should you’re on the lookout for roomy Third-row lodging, we suggest placing each the Highlander and Grand Highlander in your test-drive checklist. The Grand Highlander asks little of householders and drivers in alternate for its bigger cabin and extra composed journey. It’s doable that going “Grand” is the best strategy to go.
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2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX Restricted Gallery
(Click on beneath for enlarged photos)
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