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- The Toyota Grand Highlander boasts roughly 14 more cubic feet of total cargo space behind the driver’s seat than the standard Highlander.
- Toyota’s Grand Highlander is based on the same TNGA-K underpinnings as the standard Highlander, but adds all that extra cargo room and the Hybrid Max powertrain.
- Toyota notes on-sale date and price will be available later this year.
A third row of seating isn’t exactly new for Toyota or its popular Highlander crossover. In fact, you can waltz into your local Toyota store and place an order for a three-row Highlander at your leisure. When it comes time to stuff a few above-average adults in the way-back, though, you might have some struggles. Looking to make that space more palatable—and to add more room for cargo—the folks at Toyota opted to make an extra spacious version in the form of the Grand Highlander.
Where the Grand Highlander is getting that added space—whether from a stretched wheelbase or just a lengthened body—Toyota, strangely, won’t yet say.
It does divulge powertrain info, however. Powering the Grand Highlander is a similar engine array to what you’ll find moving the not-so-grand Highlander. That means you’ll see the 2.4-liter turbocharged I4 engine in base-model Grand Highlanders and the 2.5-liter I4 hybrid in standard hybrid models.
Adding to that list of available engines is the 2.4-liter Hybrid Max powertrain from the Toyota Crown. This Hybrid Max powertrain gives the Grand Highlander significantly more grunt than the 265 hp 2.4-liter turbo or the 243 hp 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain. In Grand Highlander trim, the Hybrid Max powertrain advertises a solid 362 hp. Toyota also notes that the Hybrid Max-equipped Grand Highlander can pull up to 5000 pounds and sprint to 60 mph in 6.3-seconds.
Of course, no one is buying a three-row crossover just because it has nearly 400 hp. The real star of the show for Toyota’s latest large crossover is the extra space. Toyota hasn’t yet released the entire spec sheet but notes it boasts 98 cubic feet of space behind the two front seats. That’s up nearly 14 cubic feet than the standard Highlander. We’ll share all the specs when Toyota releases the details.
Like any good family truckster, the Grand Highlander has a hefty dose of consumer-facing technology. Unlike the base-model 7-inch media screen found in the Highlander, Toyota is going with a 12.3-inch touchscreen as standard for its Grand models, and equipping them with a virtual assistant to help keep you more focused on driving while trying to crank the volume on your favorite podcast without taking your eyes off the road.
Joining the consumer-facing tech, this Grand Highlander also has some extra creature comforts to keep everyone happier on the road. The center console is large enough to stash a tablet, second-row air conditioning controls, and USB ports in each row. There are also 13(!) cup holders and an available 11-speaker premium audio option if you want to listen to the Frozen soundtrack on repeat in high fidelity.
If you’re wondering how much this will set you back, join the club. Toyota hasn’t released the details on how much this Princeton, Indiana-built crossover will set you back, or when you’ll be able to buy one. The company notes both of these details will come to light this summer. Still, considering the most price-friendly Highlander costs $37,755 before any market adjustment, you can almost expect the Grand Highlander will start in the mid $40,000 range.
Do you think this Grand Highlander solves a problem? Tell us your thoughts below.
