The midsize three-row SUV market has been hot for the better part of two decades now, but in the last five years, the segment has hit its stride with several new models that offer attractive pricing, real-world pragmaticism for larger families, a laundry list of desirable features, and generally upscale appointments. Models like the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, upcoming Mazda CX-90, and Jeep Grand Cherokee L have all been introduced in the past five years and have significantly ramped up buyers’ expectations of a higher-riding family hauler. These models join stalwarts like the Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder, and others to provide plenty of options for those seeking a midsize SUV that can still haul up to eight passengers.
Another mainstay in the segment is Toyota’s Highlander, and like the smaller RAV4, it’s a serious sales success. But for those who want more interior space without opting for a full-size SUV like the Toyota Sequoia, there’s now another option — the Grand Highlander. The 2024 Grand Highlander offers more space than the standard Highlander thanks to its larger proportions, and the “grand” in the equation can be attributed to its more upscale amenities. Unveiled in February, the Grand Highlander will debut for the 2024 model year, and here’s why you should consider it over the midsized three-row SUV competition.
10 The Grand Highlander Is More Spacious Than The Standard Highlander
Unless you show up at a dealership with a tape measure, you’d be hard-pressed to spot the size difference between the Grand Highlander and its smaller sibling. The Grand Highlander’s stretched outward proportions aren’t massive as it's 6.5 inches longer and just two inches taller and wider than the standard model. But in a segment in which size truly matters, the Grand Highlander’s added interior dimensions are easily among its strongest selling suits.
The Grand Highlander has 5.5 inches of additional legroom in the rear row, offering up to 33.5 inches. That puts the Toyota’s third-row legroom ahead of the Pilot (31.9 inches), and Telluride (31.4 inches), and just behind the luxury Buick Enclave or full-sized SUVs like the Sequoia or GMC Yukon XL. The Grand Highlander also offers 21 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear row, five more cubes than the standard Highlander. Behind the front seats, the Grand Highlander offers a whopping 98 cubic feet of cargo room.
9 The Grand Highlander Is Available With Toyota’s Hybrid MAX Engine
The Grand Highlander will be available with three engines options, either a 2.4-liter turbocharged ICE engine, a 2.5-liter hybrid offering a Toyota-claimed 34 combined mpg, or the most notable of the group, Toyota’s Hybrid MAX. The Hybrid MAX engine will offer a notable 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, making it Toyota’s most powerful mid-size SUV engine available and able to scoot from 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds and the ability to tow up to 5,000 pounds.
So far, that’s all Toyota has revealed about the engine which is also available in its U.S.-spec Toyota Crown. While we await to see the final figures for the engine that has been altered for use in the much larger Grand Highlander, the Crown pairs a 2.4-liter turbo hybrid engine with dual electric motors and Toyota’s eAxle (a combination of an electric motor, inverter, and transaxle) for all-wheel drive.
8 It Comes With Plenty Of Connectivity
One way to stand apart in the crowded three-row midsized SUV market is to feature the latest and greatest tech and connectivity, and the Grand Highlander has a sizeable list of both. A 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard with a seven-inch digital display in the gauge cluster with a fully digital unit available as well. It will feature standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and an Integrated Streaming feature to link separate Apple Music and Amazon Music subscriptions through the SUV.
The Grand Highlander will also support over-the-air updates to “…access a wide range of enhanced available connectivity and convenient features.” The SUV is available with Connected Service Drive Connect, which uses a “Hey Toyota” feature like that of Mercedes’ MBUX system for voice controls and to search for directions, and points of interest, or to adjust things like climate control.
7 Synthetic Leather Seats Are Standard, Captain’s Chairs Available
To help differentiate the Grand Highlander from the standard model, the larger Highlander will be available with synthetic leather seats as standard. For reference, the two base Highlander trims come with fabric seats. The Softex-trimmed seating will up the “grandness” of the new three-row SUV, and it will be available to either accommodate seven passengers with second-row captain’s chairs like you find in a Sienna or eight passengers with bench seating in the middle and rear row.
While the base, XLE model gets synthetic leather, the mid-range Limited and top-spec Platinum trims are fitted with genuine leather. In all models, the front seats will be heated and will feature a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat and an eight-way adjustable front passenger seat.
6 Toyota’s Second Biggest SUV Offers A Digital Key
Toyota’s Digital Key feature allows owners to unlock/lock or remote start/stop the Grand Highlander through an encrypted smartphone app. This allows for the Toyota’s key fob to be left at home when packing light is a necessity for the day, or when your toddler decides to throw the fob into a wooded area and it can’t be located (something that has happened to this author).
It’s important to note the Digital Key will be standard for the Grand Highlander, but only on models with Remote Connect. The subscription service starts at $15 a month with three choices for connectivity. The Music Lover subscription includes Remote Connect and allows Apple Music/Amazon Music account connectivity on the go, or the “Go Anywhere” subscription features up-to-date navigation and assistance.
5 It Features Toyota Safety System 3.0
The Grand Highlander will be fitted as standard with Toyota Safety System 3.0, a suite of safety features and driver’s aids. The system includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, full-speed dynamic cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, automatic high beams, and the new Proactive Driving assist.
The latter feature uses the onboard camera and radar system to “gently” brake into curves or to apply “gentle braking and/or steering” for distance control between cars, pedestrians, or bicycles. Adding to the system, the Grand Highlander will come standard with blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims will feature parking systems with automatic braking, a head-up display, a panoramic view monitor, a front cross-traffic alert, and a digital rearview mirror.
4 It Features A Configurable Center Console, Available Second-Row Console
Configurable center consoles are nothing new to the world of trucks, but Toyota has included a unique feature on its latest SUV. The Grand Highlander’s front console can be configured to allow it to accommodate a tablet with the internal tray removed. The front console includes a sliding console covered so it can be accessed with the armrests in use.
The console also features an air conditioning control panel for middle-row passengers with dual USB ports. In its top trim, the Grand Highlander sports a removable second-row center console storage that features a smartphone storage “slit,” and a multi-purpose tray for those in the captain’s chairs.
3 It Features Plenty Of Creature Comforts And Convenience Features
In addition to the aforementioned features, all Grand Highlander models will come standard with a power liftgate, garage door opener, and auto-dimming mirror. Limited trim models add ventilated front seats, a first-row seat memory function, a heated steering wheel, a power outlet (in Hybrid Max models) ambient lighting, a “kick power” liftgate, puddle exterior lamps, and rain-sensing wipers.
Platinum-grade models include a panoramic moonroof, heated and ventilated second-row seats, and paddle shifters. Pricing has yet to be released for the 2024 Grand Highlander, so we will have to wait and see how much the mid-range and top-spec models cost versus the base model. Of course, engine choice will also come into play for pricing.
2 Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select Is Available
With the loss of the Land Cruiser from the U.S. market, the Toyota faithful can no longer opt for the full-size, off-road, and luxurious hero of the brand’s lineup. For those who still need a third row and legit off-road capability, the Toyota 4Runner is available, but the Grand Highlander Platinum offers Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select for those who don’t quite need as ability off the beaten path. The system, which will be available on all-wheel-drive Grand Highlander models and those fitted with the Hybrid MAX powertrain, offers driving modes for mud/sand, rock/dirt, and snow for when the going gets tough.
1 It Features 13 Cup Holders And Seven USB Ports
It can be shocking just how much seemingly insignificant stuff must be accommodated by an SUV when a road trip is on tap, and lately, just how much juice is needed by kids in the backseat powering cell phones or tablets. As such, seven charging USB ports split up over all three rows to keep devices energized, and there are 13 total cupholders, which could lead to plenty of additional stops on road trips if they are filled with drinks.
When that happens, the Grand Highlander is fitted with a support grip for getting in and out of the third row, and cupholders are also provided on the armrests of the second-row captain’s chairs. For more on the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, check out our in-depth Buyers Guide.