The Toyota Highlander is one of the most popular models in the three-row crossover SUV segment. Debuting in 2001, the Highlander has come to represent the best in family-friendly vehicles with plenty of room and car-like handling. For 2024, the Highlander adds a Grand Highlander model to the lineup. Is this simply a larger model or are there other differences? Let’s find out.
Standard Engine
This is one of the areas where the two models are the same. The Highlander recently switched from a V6 to a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and this is the same engine in the Grand Highlander. The output is 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, but you can expect the fuel efficiency to go down in the Grand Highlander given its larger size.
Hybrid Powertrain
Despite sharing a gas engine, the two Highlander models have different hybrid powertrains. Two electric motors help the regular Highlander and features a CVT automatic. FWD is standard and AWD is optional. However, the Grand Highlander has a choice of two hybrid powertrains. Along with the one in the regular Highlander, the Grand Highlander also has the option of a Hybrid Max powertrain similar to what’s in the Toyota Crown.
Technology
Even though the regular Toyota Highlander offers plenty of modern tech, the Grand Highlander has even more. The regular Highlander has an eight-inch infotainment screen and a seven-inch digital gauge cluster. Higher trims move up to a 12.3-inch touchscreen, but the Grand Highlander gets this standard on every model. A wireless charging pad is optional in the regular Highlander, but it’s standard in the Grand Highlander.
Safety Features
Both models come with plenty of active safety features with the Toyota Safety Sense suite. Some of these systems include adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, automatic high beams, and automatic emergency braking. However, the Grand Highlander gets TSS 3.0, which is the newer version of TSS 2.5+ on the regular Highlander. The newer version includes cross-traffic alert and blind spot monitoring. The Grand Highlander also gets Proactive Driving Assist.
Interior Space
Both Highlander models can be configured to seat seven or eight passengers. The main difference here is that the Grand Highlander is larger, so it offers more passenger space in each row. The Grand Highlander also has more cargo capacity. Behind the third row in the regular Highlander, you’ll get 16 cubic feet of cargo space, while the Grand Highlander boasts 20.6 cubic feet. With both rows folded, the Grand Highlander has 97.5 cubic feet compared to the regular Highlander’s 84.3 cubic feet.
Trim Levels
Overall, the Grand Highlander has many additional features that the regular Highlander doesn’t have. However, it has fewer trim levels available. The base XLE is only accompanied by the Limited and Platinum trims in the lineup. The regular Highlander is available in a total of six trims. Unsurprisingly, the Grand Highlander is also more expensive than the regular Highlander.
Ultimately, the key differences between the Grand Highlander and the regular Highlander include more room and more modern tech in the Grand Highlander.
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