News: 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

News: 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

A New, Larger SUV

If the Toyota Highlander isn’t large enough for your family, then the all-new 2024 Grand Highlander may be what you are looking for. Like the Highlander, the Grand Highlander has three rows but the third row now is more accommodating. Toyota pulled the sheet off the Grand Highlander at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show, showing not only a stretched version of their popular SUV, but also some premium touches that make it “grand” in more ways than length.

Propulsion Options

The 2024 Grand Highlander has three propulsion options. The base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine drives either the front or all four wheels, as does the 2.5-liter non-turbo hybrid setup that has a rear electric motor that adds an additional 100 horsepower and bumps fuel economy to an estimated 34 miles per gallon (one mpg less than the Highlander Hybrid). Lastly, the Hybrid Max is the most powerful of the three, producing 362 horsepower and 400 foot-pounds of torque, with all-wheel drive standard and front-wheel drive optional. The Hybrid Max has an estimated 0-60 mph time in the low six-second range, and it can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

All three engine options use an 8-speed automatic with drive modes–Eco, Normal and Sport. The all-wheel drive models have Multi-Terrain Select that offers three drive modes–Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt and Snow.

Refined Exterior and Interior

There are three Grand Highlander trim levels—XLE, Limited and Platinum, with Platinum getting the most features and content. Though it shares much of its exterior design with the Highlander, there are a few distinctions. The roof is longer and more formal, the rear side windows are longer, the sides and rear are more upright, the grille has been lowered, and overall it looks more upscale and finished. The Hybrid Max gets bespoke front and rear lower bumpers; 18-inch wheels are standard, 20-inchers are an option. The power lift gate is kick operated on the Limited and Platinum grades.

Climbing inside, the remodeled soft-touch dash layout has a 12.3-inch multimedia display. On the two upper grades there’s an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, and a head-up display (HUD) on the Platinum.

The touchscreen houses the panoramic view monitor, navigation and SiriusXM/AM/FM radio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. USB A and C ports and wireless phone charging are standard. The Grand Highlander has voice activation by just staying “Hey, Toyota!” and then asking it to find a channel, adjust the volume, make a telephone call, get directions, and many others. Clean Fleet Report has used this voice recognition system on other Toyota models with good success on its accuracy.

The seats on the XLE are covered in Softex synthetic fabric, and leather-trimmed on the Limited and Platinum. The fronts are heated and ventilated, as are the second row seats on the Limited and Platinum grades. The side window sunshades, reading lamps, rear charge ports and ventilation vents are a plus.

Safety and Convenience

The 2024 Grand Highlander comes with active and passive advanced driver assist systems (ADAS), including multiple airbags, and through the Toyota Safety Sense technology. This package includes range detection through sensors for a pre-collision system that includes low-light cyclist, daytime motorcyclist and guardrail detection, pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, adaptive cruise control.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing has not been released for the 2024 Grand Highlander that is scheduled to be in dealers in late-2023.

Observations: 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

Toyota says the 2024 Grand Highlander is “the ultimate family SUV,” made possible by the added length for rear passengers and cargo, the three engine options including two hybrid options, and the choice of front- or all-wheel drive.

Clean Fleet Report will write a more in-depth review after we have had the opportunity to drive the Grand Highlander sometime later in 2023.

Make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all new stories and vehicle reviews.

Story by John Faulkner. Photos by Toyota.

Our Time with the “little” Highlander:

Road Test: 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum

Road Test: 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited

Road Test: 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Road Test: 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD