2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

Test Drive Notes Library

Pros
Finally. The only people happier than Toyota families with more than two kids, when Toyota introduced the Grand Highlander, were Toyota dealers. The regular, two-row Highlander has long been a family favorite, with Toyota comfort and reliability, and an efficient hybrid option. But with the onslaught of three-row SUVs, Toyota fell behind. They had no direct competitor to the Kia Telluride, Chevy Traverse, Ford Explorer, and Honda Pilot. Now they do, with the Grand Highlander, and it’s a family oriented winner, with efficient hybrid options. We suspect Toyota will sell plenty of these.
Comfortable ride. Most buyers of three row SUVs are looking for comfort. They've already got three bickering kids and a barking dog in the car. The last thing they want is to have their teeth slam together when they hit a pothole. The Grand Highlander delivers, with a soft, Toyota-like ride, and a well isolated interior.
Room. The other thing you want, if you have a crooked number of kids, is room. A three row SUV will never match the interior room of a minivan, but Toyota has maxed out the space inside the Grand Highlander. There’s plenty of room for people, and good room for cargo, with improved access to the rearmost seats, which are surprisingly not terrible for adults. There are lots of storage options and thoughtful touches. I’m guessing they did a lot of observing of how families actually use these things, and made design choices accordingly.
Engine choices. We tested the most powerful option, the Hybrid MAX, which uses a 2.4L four-cylinder turbo-charged engine, and combines it with Toyota’s well developed hybrid system. The result is 362 hp, and an EPA estimated 27 mpg. We saw a few mpg less than that in real world driving. Power was plentiful and delivered smoothly. There are less powerful options, including a 2.5L hybrid that promises in the neighborhood of 35 mpg. Even if you don’t quite hit that bar, that's still muy impressivo for a three-row rig.
Ergonomics. We’re pleased to see a traditional shifter in the Grand Highlander. No need to reinvent a good design. The screen is large, and up to date, although a home screen would be a helpful addition. There are physical switches for the heating and ventilation system — a welcome feature — and the switchgear feels like it’s of good quality.

Cons
Doesn’t love turns. Comfort is the Grand Highlander’s priority. Cornering, not so much. We noticed a good amount of body lean on turns once we got up any speed. Handling is competent, but not anywhere in the neighborhood of sporty or agile. Think of it as the natural, updated successor to the big, family station wagons of days gone by.
Not exactly upscale. A Kia Telluride we drove not too long ago seemed a bit more elegant to us. The Grand Highlander is all about functionality. If that’s what you’re looking for, the Grand Highlander’s a good choice.