2024 Toyota Highlander

The Grand Highlander’s fenders are boxier, and aside from a sculpted out rocker panel it’s a smooth plane down to the rear, with a beltline uptick into the rear quarter winders that gives rear-seat occupants plenty of outward vision. Both versions have integrated rear roof spoilers, and the Grand Highlander’s Hybrid Max models sport dual exhaust tips and roll on black 20-inch wheels. 

The two SUVs appear more related inside by incorporating all kinds of smart storage areas such as a tiered dash with a passenger shelf for smartphones above the glove box. Bronze accents on the dash and console pop on either model, but the Grand Highlander benefits from newness with an open bridge console for more storage space, a deep storage area with a door built between the armrests so the driver doesn’t have to move her arm if the passenger needs something, and an electronic gear shifter that takes up a lot less space than the mechanical shifter in the Highlander. The available 12.3-inch touchscreen is better integrated with the dash and console of the Grand Highlander, but sticks out less like an aftermarket add-on than in the Highlander. One nod to the Highlander over the Grand Highlander is how the wireless smartphone charging pad sits neatly below the vents and touchscreen, whereas in the Grand Highlander it’s wedged where the console meets the stack.

How fast is the Toyota Highlander?

The Highlander Hybrid gets its own powertrain and its own available all-wheel-drive setup. A 2.5-liter inline-4 and two front motor generators team up to make 243 hp and 175 lb-ft, while a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack allows the system to juggle energy for more efficiency and power. Hybrid AWD models add a third motor at the rear to provide power all on its own, for through-the-road all-wheel drive. It’s a popular choice because it can return up to 36 mpg combined, but it’s also the pokiest option: The Grand Highlander hybrid goes from 0-60 mph in 7.9 seconds. It allows for engine stop at idle, and low speed EV driving up to about 15 mph with a light foot, but this combination can let the engine strain uphill and it can get loud. It’s limited to Sport, Eco, and Normal modes, and a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. 

All-wheel drive gas and Grand Highlander Hybrid Max models add three more modes with Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt, and Snow, and the towing capacity reaches 5,000 pounds. 

Base turbo-4 impressions

Base versions of both Highlanders share a 2.4-liter turbo-4 also used in the base 2024 Toyota Tacoma. In the Highlander it makes 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an 8-speed automatic, it runs louder and the shifts can be coarse in lower gears, especially in Sport mode, when compared to the hybrid options. The additional noise can be forgiven for all that torque. It comes on as early as 1,700 rpm, giving it plenty of grunt off the line and for passing moves. Acceleration to 60 mph checks in at 7.5 seconds in the larger Grand Highlander. 

Grand Highlander Hybrid Max review

Exclusive to the Grand Highlander, the Hybrid Max powertrain pairs the 2.4-liter turbo-4 with two motors supplementing power to the front and rear axle via a 6-speed automatic transmission and a mechanical driveshaft. Adopted from the Toyota Crown, this application of the Hybrid Max makes 362 hp and 400 lb-ft. It prioritizes power as well as efficiency, and has been paired with other engines in the Toyota Tundra full-size pickup and Lexus RX 500h. 

It gives the Grand Highlander muscle lacking in other Highlanders, and most other other three-row SUVs. Brisk and ready acceleration leads to a 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds, and Sport mode adds a dual personality to the otherwise calm cabin. The full-time electronic all-wheel-drive system shifts the torque from a 70:30 split to 20:80 that in Sport mode lends it a rear-wheel-drive personality. The engine note announces its presence for the first time, pretending to be a V-6, and it shoves off the vehicle’s 4,920-pound weight with ease. 

The independent suspension limits the shock motion so there’s not too many ups and down over bounding roads. That should be a relief for families with members prone to motion sickness. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max still leans in and out of curves but it’s nothing too sloppy, just a reflection of its tall and wide stance. It’s most pronounced on available 20-inch wheels.

The steering feels a little loose initially, but firms up fine going into a turn like the Sienna minivan. On the highway, it can wander a bit from center but corrections are mostly kept to a minimum.   

On other models, the XLE’s 18-inch wheels feel more resilient than the bigger 20-inch wheels and sport-tuned suspension on the XSE. Hybrids have more ground-hugging weight to begin with, which calms down body motions with pure mass. It hits a sweet spot for responsiveness that’s different from the past versions of the three-row SUV.

The wide door openings make for easy access, and a step that’s about four inches lower than the seat bottoms aids getting in and out. The second-row seats sit atop the battery pack in hybrid models, but it’s also part of the design for non-hybrids. There are 41 inches of legroom in the second row in Highlander models, but 39.5 inches in the Grand Highlander. It’s an unnoticeable margin. 

The difference between the two models is most pronounced in the wayback. A raised floor in the third row is not high enough to be cramped or to feel like you’re eating your knees in the Grand Highlander. The 33.5 inches of third-row legroom is above-average for the class, and with enough cooperation from second-row passengers to slide up for more toeroom, it’s easy enough to fit two average-sized adults. With only 27.7 inches of third-row legroom, the standard Highlander functions in a carpool cram but not on a road trip for a family of five or more. 

Cargo space behind the third row also favors the Grand Highlander, at 20.6 cubic feet compared to 16.0 cubic feet in the standard Highlander; in the Grand Highlander, a run to Costco doesn’t mean you have to fold the third-row seats down, but if you do, the headrests automatically collapse with the pull strap. With the third row collapsed, the Grand Highlander’s advantage expands with volume increasing to 57.9 cubes compared to 48.4 in the standard Highlander.

Every Highlander has automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, and active lane control. A new feature for 2024 includes a driver monitor system that can bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver is unresponsive. 

XLE and above models get blind-spot monitors, and most versions can be upgraded with parking sensors, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. A limited hands-free driving system for stop-and-go traffic at speeds under 25 mph will be offered via subscription on the Grand Highlander, but Toyota didn’t have the pricing structure at press time.

The $37,955 Highlander L (including destination fee) or $41,955 Hybrid carries an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a power driver seat, cloth upholstery, and 18-inch wheels. All-wheel drive adds $1,600. 

Which Toyota Highlander should I buy?

We like the Grand Highlander Hybrid. The entry point is the XLE for $44,405. AWD costs $1,600 here as well, and the Hybrid adds only $1,600 more, adding up to $47,605. Riding on 18-inch wheels, it comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone connectivity and a wireless smartphone charger, power front seats that are heated and covered in synthetic leather, blind-spot monitors, and a power tailgate.

How much is a fully loaded Toyota Highlander?

For less than $50,000 with the turbo-4, the Grand Highlander Limited upgrades to 20-inch alloys, power-fold side mirrors, and the full LED treatment. Inside, the second-row captain’s chairs are heated, and it has a heated steering wheel. Toyota showcases its 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and the infotainment system comes with 11-speaker JBL audio.

The Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid Max with standard AWD costs $59,460. It has a panoramic sunroof, heated and cooled front and second-row seats, a surround-view camera system, and a head-up display.

The Grand Highlander hybrid checks in at 36/32/34 mpg, regardless of FWD or AWD. 

Balancing power and efficiency, the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max with standard AWD checks in at 26/27/27 mpg, but in our testing it fell far short of that, less than even the Grand Highlander turbo-4 with AWD.