Stretching its popular Highlander SUV, Toyota creates the 2024 Grand Highlander, a 3-row SUV with more room for passengers and cargo space behind the third-row seat. The growth spurt means the Grand Highlander can better compete with heavyweights like the Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, and Volkswagen Atlas.
We should note that during testing, our editors were less than impressed with Toyota’s choice of plastics inside the Grand Highlander’s cabin, meaning those seeking a more elegant interior might be happier in a Mazda CX-90 or Hyundai Palisade.
Toyota offers the Grand Highlander in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum. All come to market with a 265-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission sending power to the front wheels. All-wheel drive (AWD) is optional on the XLE and Limited and standard on the Platinum. The Grand Highlander is tow rated to 5,000 pounds.
Toyota also makes two Grand Highlander hybrid versions, both reviewed separately.
Prices provided are current at the time of publishing.
What’s New:
The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is all-new, stretched 6.5 inches to help make travel for up to eight passengers a bit less cramped. The Grand Highlander is also wider and taller than the Highlander.
Our Recommendation:
We think the Toyota Grand Highlander Limited trim strikes a nice balance of price, features, and appearance. You can add the Platinum’s AWD, panoramic moonroof, and 360-degree monitor, making the Limited nearly as plush.
Grand Highlander XLE
Starting at $43,070 | See listings
- Adaptive cruise control
- Three-zone automatic climate control
- 10-way power driver’s seat
- 8-way power passenger seat
- Heated side mirrors
- Power liftgate
- Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Smart Key proximity key fob
- See more
Grand Highlander Limited
Starting at $47,860 | See listings
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated second-row seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Perforated leather upholstery
- JBL audio
- Foot-activated power liftgate
- Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking
- See more
Grand Highlander Platinum
Starting at $53,545 | See listings
- Panoramic moonroof
- Digital rearview mirror
- Panoramic 360-degree monitor
- Heated and ventilated second-row seats
- Head-up display
- Front cross-traffic alert
- Traffic Jam Assist
- See more
2024 Toyota Highlander XLE: $43,070 (FWD), $44,670 (AWD)
The entry-level XLE trim comes nicely equipped and makes a fine choice for families who place safety, value, and versatility over fancy upgrades and flashy appearance.
Beginning with the exterior, we find 18-inch silver-painted alloy wheels, deep-tinted rear privacy glass, auto on/off LED headlights, heated side mirrors, and a height-adjustable power liftgate. Acoustic glass on the front windows and windshield helps quiet the cabin, while windshield wiper de-icers prevent ice buildup.
Silver-painted roof rails, a rear backup camera washer, and Toyota’s Smart Key keyless entry are all standard. Smart Key uses a proximity sensor key fob, allowing you to unlock the doors without removing the fob from your purse or pocket. Once inside, a push-button starter brings the engine to life.
The XLE’s cabin features 3-row seating comprised of second-row captain’s chairs and a 60/40-split folding third-row seat. The driver enjoys a 10-way power seat with power lumbar support, while the front passenger gets an 8-way power seat. Both driver and passenger seats include heat.
SofTex simulated leather upholstery covers all three rows, and buyers can add a 60/40-split folding, sliding, and reclining second row, which increases capacity to eight passengers.
Interior amenities include second-row retractable sunshades, auto up/down power windows, 3-zone automatic climate controls with a second-row control panel, a wireless charging pad, a 7-inch color multi-information display, and tilt/telescoping steering wheel with cruise, Bluetooth, and audio controls.
On the infotainment front, the XLE features a 12.3-inch color touchscreen granting access to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Bluetooth, and Toyota Connected Services and apps. It all flows through a 6-speaker audio system.
The Connected Services packages include services like cloud-based navigation, a voice-activated assistant, a vehicle locater function, remote start, vehicle service reminders, and Digital Key that turns your phone into a key.
With Digital Key, you can share the code with another person’s phone, an ideal situation if you’re away from home but a friend or family member needs to use the car. Digital Key can also help when reserving a Toyota or Lexus vehicle at the airport. Book the car via any app powered by Toyota Connected Services, and you can walk right up, touch the phone to the door, and drive away.
Little details like sliding sun visors with lighted vanity mirrors, 13 cup holders, and USB-C charge ports in all three rows make life on the road less stressful.
We appreciate Toyota’s commitment to safety, evidenced by the robust driver-assist features in the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite. The package includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and traffic sign recognition.
Hill Start Assist Control, a blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert are standard.
The XLE’s only options are a panoramic moonroof and a second-row bench seat.
With the $1,335 delivery charge (in most states), the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander XLE costs $44,405. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to $838. See 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander XLE models for sale near you
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander XLE includes:
- Adaptive cruise control – This advanced system maintains a safe distance between the Grand Highlander and the traffic ahead, slowing and even stopping without driver input.
- 10-way power driver’s seat – The XLE’s 10-way power driver’s seat includes 2-way power lumbar adjustment for improved lower back support.
- Three-zone climate control – The Grand Highlander’s air conditioning covers all three rows, with second-row passenger individual controls.
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Limited: $47,860 (FWD), $49,460 (AWD)
The Limited brings a touch of luxury to the Grand Highlander, adding more features and options for only a little more out of pocket.
Building off the XLE, the Limited adds LED daytime running lights, 20-inch alloy wheels, power-folding side mirrors, puddle lights, LED fog lights, a foot-activated power liftgate, and rain-sensing wipers.
The Limited’s cabin gains leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with memory, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, ambient interior lighting, and a removable second-row center console.
The Limited adds two 120-volt outlets, a 12.3-inch configurable digital instrument cluster, an 11-speaker JBL audio upgrade, and front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking.
Options for the Limited beyond a panoramic moonroof and second-row bench seat include a panoramic 360-degree monitor and 20-inch satin black wheels.
With the $1,335 delivery charge, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Limited costs $49,195. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to $928. See 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Limited models for sale near you
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Limited includes:
- Foot-activated liftgate – Accessing the Grand Highlander’s cargo bay with full arms is no longer difficult. Just kick your foot under the bumper, and the liftgate automatically opens.
- Heated and ventilated front seats – The Limited’s multitalented front seats keep you comfortable regardless of the temperature outside.
- JBL audio – Music lovers will appreciate the excellent JBL audio system with a powerful amp driving 11 speakers and a subwoofer.
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum: $53,545
The Platinum trim puts the grand in Grand Highlander. It comes standard with AWD, the panoramic moonroof, and 20-inch multi-spoke silver wheels.
Building off the Limited, the Platinum gains steering wheel paddle shifters, heated and ventilated second-row seats, a head-up display, a panoramic 360-degree monitor, a digital rearview mirror, front cross-traffic alert (watches for traffic crossing in front of the vehicle), and Traffic Jam Assist semiautonomous driver aid.
With Traffic Jam Assist, the Grand Highlander can accelerate, brake, and steer in bumper-to-bumper traffic at 25 mph and slower speeds. The system does require drivers to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the steering wheel.
The 8-passenger second-row bench seat is not offered.
With the $1,335 delivery charge, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum costs $54,880. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to $1,036. See 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum models for sale near you
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum includes:
- Heated and ventilated second-row seats – Gives second-row passengers the same climate-controlled seating as those sitting in the front seats.
- Panoramic moonroof – The big glass panoramic moonroof makes the cabin feel more open and includes a power sunshade.
- Digital rearview mirror – Using a rear-facing camera, the digital rearview mirror projects an image directly behind the vehicle, giving you an obstructed view behind the vehicle you may not be able to get with a car full of passengers.
