The Toyota Grand Highlander was introduced in 2024 as a larger, more spacious alternative to the standard Highlander, catering to families who needed extra room without stepping into full-size SUV territory. The Grand Highlander seats up to eight passengers in its base configuration, with available seven-passenger models featuring second-row captain's chairs. Competing with midsize three-row crossovers like the Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Ascent and Volkswagen Atlas, the Grand Highlander offers both gas-only and hybrid powertrains.
The Grand Highlander is available LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum trims. Buyers can choose from three powertrain options: a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower, a 2.5-liter hybrid with 245 horsepower, and a Hybrid Max variant delivering 362 horsepower. The standard engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while hybrid models use an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT). The base gas-only powertrain is offered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Hybrid is similar in offering both front- and all-wheel drive. Hybrid Max is offered only with all-wheel drive. Depending on the configuration, the Grand Highlander offers a towing capacity ranging from 3,500 to 5,000 pounds.
Pricing for the 2025 Grand Highlander starts at $42,310 for the base LE trim, with the top-tier Platinum model reaching $60,225. Standard safety features include Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which incorporates a Pre-Collision System, Proactive Driving Assist, and other advanced driver-assistance technologies. Available options include a panoramic view monitor, a 10-inch head-up display, and premium audio systems. The Nightshade package adds black 20-inch alloy wheels, black door handles, badges, mirror caps, and a black rear spoiler. It is available in three exterior colors: Midnight Black Metallic, Wind Chill Pearl, and Cement.
The 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in the Grand Highlander provides responsive acceleration and smooth performance on the highway. Despite its size, the Grand Highlander feels agile in city driving, thanks to the turbo engine's strong mid-range torque. In terms of acceleration, the Grand Highlander Turbo races from 0-60 mph in approximately 8.3 seconds. Overall, the 2.4-liter turbo engine provides a balance of efficiency and performance, making it a solid choice for families seeking a capable three-row SUV.
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid with the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is designed for efficiency rather than outright performance. It features two electric motors and a 1.3-kWh battery, producing a combined 243 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. This setup prioritizes fuel economy while delivering a smooth and composed driving experience. Acceleration in the base hybrid model is adequate for daily driving, though not particularly quick. While the Hybrid Max variant offers significantly more power, the standard hybrid remains a solid choice for those wanting fuel efficiency and performance. Regardless, the transition between the gasoline engine and electric motors is seamless, ensuring a refined ride.
Despite offering two unique all-wheel-drive systems, Grand Highlander is not designed for extreme off-road use. The all-wheel-drive system paired with the base 2.4-liter engine is a traditional system with a direct connection between the front and rear wheels. It offers dynamic torque vectoring and provides good traction on slippery roads and trails. The all-wheel-drive system in hybrid models is a through-the-road system that utilizes an electric motor to drive the rear wheels. While mostly adequate, systems like this generally don't perform as well as traditional all-wheel drive systems in extremely slippery terrain. They are more fuel-efficient, however.
Speaking of fuel efficiency, the 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder achieves 24 MPG combined (20 city / 26 highway). The 2.5-liter hybrid is the most fuel-efficient, with an EPA-estimated 36 MPG combined (37 city / 34 highway). The Hybrid Max variant, which prioritizes performance, delivers 27 MPG combined (26 city / 28 highway). In real-world driving, the base turbo engine averages 23 MPG combined, with highway mileage reaching 26 MPG. The standard hybrid is likely to average 30-33 MPG, depending on driving conditions. The Hybrid Max, while more powerful, tends to return around 27-28 MPG in mixed driving. All Grand Highlander models come with a 17.8-gallon fuel tank, providing a range of approximately 428 miles for the turbo engine, 619 miles for the hybrid, and 480 miles for the Hybrid Max.
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander delivers a smooth and composed ride, prioritizing comfort over sportiness. Its fully independent suspension, featuring MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link setup in the rear, helps absorb road imperfections effectively. The ride quality is plush, with minimal harshness over bumps, making it ideal for long-distance cruising. Body lean is well-controlled, thanks to a stiff chassis and well-tuned dampers, though it remains noticeable in sharper corners due to the crossover's size. Brake dive is moderate, with the front end dipping slightly under hard braking.
In terms of handling, the Grand Highlander offers overly light but precise steering, making it easy to maneuver despite its larger footprint. The electric power-assisted steering system provides a balanced feel, though some drivers may find it lacks road feedback. Braking performance is solid, with a firm pedal feel and strong stopping power, aided by ventilated disc brakes on all four wheels. Road holding is respectable, with all-wheel-drive models offering enhanced grip in wet or slippery conditions. While not a performance-oriented crossover, the Grand Highlander delivers stable and secure handling, making it a comfortable and confident choice for family travel.
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander offers a quiet and refined cabin, thanks to acoustic glass on the windshield and front windows, as well as additional sound-dampening materials throughout the interior. At highway speeds, the Grand Highlander maintains a low noise level, with minimal wind and road noise intrusion. However, top trims come with larger wheels and tires, and they seem to create more road noise on the highway. Overall, Grand Highlander is slightly noisier than competition from Kia and Hyundai, but quieter overall than the Honda Pilot.
Grand Highlander features a spacious and well-appointed interior, designed with practicality and comfort in mind. The dashboard layout is clean and functional, incorporating soft-touch materials in key areas to enhance the premium feel. While the higher trims offer leather upholstery and upholstered dash panels, some painted plastics and faux wood trim are less upscale compared to competitors. The build quality is solid, with tight panel gaps and durable materials.
The Grand Highlander offers two seating configurations: a seven-passenger setup with second-row captain's chairs or an eight-passenger layout with a second-row bench seat. The XLE trim comes standard with captain's chairs, but buyers can opt for a bench seat at no extra cost. The Limited trim follows the same pattern, while the Platinum trim is exclusively available with captain's chairs. The front seats offer great head and leg room. Second-row bench seats are flat, but roomy, while the buckets offer great comfort and good room. The third row is spacious enough to accommodate adults on short trips, but forces second-row occupants to move their seats forward.
The dashboard layout is the new norm, meaning a digital instrument cluster and a large center touch screen. Both are readable and configurable. There are separate climate controls and a volume nob, but there's no radio tuning knob, which is very frustrating. The gear selector is on the console. The window, mirror, and door switches are all clearly marked and easy to operate.
Like most vehicles in the class, the Grand Highlander is packed with advanced technology. At the center of the dashboard is a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A wireless charging pad and multiple USB-C ports ensure that all passengers can keep their devices powered. The Grand Highlander also offers Toyota's latest Audio Multimedia system, which includes cloud-based navigation, voice recognition, and over-the-air updates. Higher trims come equipped with a premium JBL sound system with 11 speakers. Additionally, a 10-inch head-up display is available, projecting key driving information onto the windshield for easy visibility. Toyota's Safety Sense 3.0 is standard across all trims. This includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Road Sign Assist, and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Higher trims offer a panoramic view monitor, providing a 360-degree camera system for enhanced visibility when parking or maneuvering in tight spaces.
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander offers 97.5 cubic feet of maximum cargo space with all rows folded, 57.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row. This makes it one of the more spacious options in the midsize three-row crossover segment. In addition, Grand Highlander also features thoughtful interior storage solutions, including multiple cup holders (13 in total), deep door pockets, a large center console, and dashboard shelves.
Botton Line -- Grand Highlander is a solid three-row crossover. In a way it is a Jack-of-all-trades. It's roomy, comfortable, efficient and has all the tech and safety features you would expect. It isn't the sportiest, nor is it the most affordable, but it's a great blend of virtues that is sure to please most buyers. The biggest problem might just be availability.
