Text by Tom Appel
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX Limited
Specs
Class: Midsize Crossover
Color: Ruby Flare Pearl
Seating capacity: 7
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | B+ |
| Fit and Finish | B |
| Fuel Economy | B+ |
| Value | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 362-horsepower 2.4-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbo hybrid 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Miles driven: 111
Observed fuel economy: 25.8 mpg
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 26/27/27 (mpg city/highway/combined)
Fuel type: Regular gas
Base price: $54,040 (not including $1335 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($425), Panoramic sunroof ($1350),
Price as tested: $57,150
Pros and Cons
The great: Roomy and comfortable, plenty of power, easy on the gas
The good: Quiet cabin, uses regular-grade fuel
The not so good: Cabin not as upscale as like-price competitors
Overview
What does it mean to be “grand?” In automotive parlance, the Grand prefix been applied to model names for a couple of reasons. In the case of the Grand Cherokee, the Grand modifier represented a vehicle that was not only larger than the non-Grand Jeep Cherokee (which was recently discontinued) but significantly upmarket of that crossover as well.
Now in the case of the retired Dodge Grand Caravan minivan, the Grand prefix meant only that said van was—for the most part—larger than the standard Caravan, though not better equipped. As this is likely the only chance we’ll have to do this for a while, we’d like to remind you of a few popular “Grand” vehicles from our recent past:
- Mercury Grand Marquis (large sedan)
- Plymouth Grand Voyager (minivan)
- Pontiac Grand Prix (most recently a midsize sedan)
- Suzuki Grand Vitara (small SUV)
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For 2024, Toyota has borrowed the tried-and-true Grand moniker and applied it to one of the brand’s most-popular and well-regarded models, the Highlander. The midsize crossover, which was itself redesigned for the 2020 model, now has a like-named showroom companion that is slightly wider and taller, and almost seven inches longer than itself.
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Like the aforementioned Grand Caravan, the Grand Highlander is a larger, roomier version of the standard vehicle of the same name, offering additional rear-seat-, 3rd-row-, and cargo space, along with its longer model name. Also, like the Grand Caravan, the Grand Highlander isn’t an upmarket variant of the standard vehicle, indeed, it is almost no more expensive.
Trim Levels
Perhaps to keep things simple on dealership lots, the new-for-2024 Grand Highlander is offered in only six trim levels, five fewer than the standard Highlander. The trim-level paring comes mostly at the expense of entry-level LE and LE Nightshade variants, which are not offered on the Grand.
For 2024, the Grand Highlander is offered in only in midlevel XLE, Limited, and Platinum trim levels, all of which can with either a gasoline or gasoline/hybrid drivetrain.
Engines
Standard on all Highlanders, Grand or not, is a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup is rated at 265 horsepower and can be had with front- or all-wheel drive. Also offered is a frugal 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain rated at 245 horsepower. This powertrain is also available with either front- or AWD.
Available only on the Grand Highlander Limited and Platinum, is Toyota’s Hybrid Max powertrain. The only hybrid available on these models, the hybrid turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cyinder engine is rated at 362 horsepower. The Hybrid Max drivetrain includes a 6-speed automatic transmission and is offered only with AWD.
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Consumer Guide recently spent a week with the 2024 Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX Limited (Toyota prefers the model name in that order), in extra-cost Ruby Flare Pearl. As noted earlier, all Hybrid MAX models come standard with AWD.
Room and Comfort
Step into the Grand Highlander and you’ll find a cabin which may look and feel familiar, but is not identical to that of the standard Highlander. That said, like the regular Highlander, in Limited trim, the cabin is nicely finished—though not perhaps Hyundai Palisade nice—and is apparently assembled to a Toyota-typical high standard. While lower-trim level Highlanders make do with an 8-inch touchscreen, all Grand Highlanders come with a 12.3-inch unit. And while most most-used functions are handled via the touchscreen, we can happily report that all climate-control operations take place via a set of real buttons and switches located below the touchscreen. Generally speaking, touchscreen operation is intuitive and uncomplicated.
Per published numbers, the Grand Highlander cabin is slightly wider than that of it’s non-Grand cousin, though the forward cabin feels about the same to us. The extra space shows up meaningfully in the 2nd and 3rd rows, both of which are adult friendly and easy to access. While 3rd-row seating in the standard Highlander is best left to the young and nimble, the Grand Highlander boasts adult-friendly back-row accommodations are both long-haul roomy and relatively easy to access. Adults over, say, 6’2” may want to call dibs on another seating row, however.
Power and Performance
Because the Grand Highlander clocks in less than 200 pounds heavier than the standard Highlander, fuel economy and performance are very similar. In Consumer Guide testing, we saw 25.8 mph in mostly city driving. Given the size and available performance, we’d call that impressive economy.
And about that power…though we lament the passing of Toyota’s ultra-smooth 3.5-liter V6—which used to power the Highlander—the Hybrid MAX setup provides more power and greater efficiency than the V6 did. The MAX engine can sound coarse when pushed, however, and the 6-speed automatic does too much shifting at low speed.
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Ride and Handling
On the road, the longer wheelbase of the Grand Highlander seems to give the crossover a more composed ride, especially at highway speed. That said, the standard Highlander already lead the midsize crossover class in terms of highway ride comfort as well as cabin quietness. Handling has never been a Highlander strong point. And, like the standard Highlander, the Grand is nimble enough, but lacks the sporty connected feel of class competitors such as the Honda Pilot of Nissan Pathfinder. Another thought: With 7 additional inches of vehicle to consider, parking the Grand Highlander will be a mite more work than docking the standard model.
Prices
As for pricing, our test Limited came to just over $57,000. A similarly equipped standard Highlander Hybrid Limited lists for about $54,000. Much of that price difference can be attributed to the Hybrid MAX engine, which is offered only in the Grand. Compare comparably equipped XLE models, and the Grand Highlander lists from just $1000 more than the standard Highlander—this feels like a bargain to us.
Review
Even if you’re looking for roomy 3rd-row accommodations, we recommend putting both the Highlander and Grand Highlander on your test-drive list. The Grand Highlander asks little of owners and drivers in exchange for its larger cabin and more composed ride. It’s possible that going “Grand” is the right way to go.
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2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX Limited Pictures
(Click below for enlarged images)
