Overview The Toyota Grand Highlander has what road-tripping families want: seating for up to eight people in three rows, lots of cargo space, comfy seats, above-average fuel economy, sufficient passing power, and a smooth ride. Toyota also packs the thing with all the important driver-assistance tech, an easy-to-use infotainment system with wireless smartphone-mirroring integration, and a plethora of convenience features (like proximity keyless entry and a power liftgate). Sure, some rivals undercut the Grand Highlander in price and sport cooler looks, but few are as well-rounded and well-equipped for family service as this.
Expert Tip: When it comes to mixing motors and engines, Toyota knows what it’s doing, as evidenced by the excellent Grand Highlander Hybrid, which we review separately. If you want your GH with surprisingly zippy performance, you’ll want to take it for a drive before you lay your money down for this nonhybrid version. What’s New for 2026?Nothing notable changes in the Grand Highlander lineup for 2026.Pricing and Which One to BuyThe Grand Highlander XLE keeps the outlay under $50,000 while improving on the base model with heated, leatherette-wrapped front seats, smartphone-as-key tech, and a wireless smartphone-charging pad. We also appreciate the fact that buyers can choose between the seven- and eight-seat setup with this trim.Engine, Transmission, and Performance
- Engine: 265-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrains: front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
The standard setup for the Grand Highlander is a 265-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and front-drive. All-wheel drive is available on all trims; it’s standard on the lineup-topping Platinum.This is a pleasant enough SUV to drive, with more-than-adequate pep in its step for a family hauler. Shoppers will likely appreciate its settled ride and light steering, and while the turbo four emits a hoarse growl when pushed, it quiets down to a nearly imperceptible hum at steady speeds. The Grand Highlander won’t raise a driver’s pulse on a twisty road, but it doesn’t really need to. It serves its purpose well and is nicely set up for errand running, kid toting, and road tripping.0–60-MPH Times
- C/D 60-mph Test: 7.0 seconds
In Comparison: In our testing, the Grand posted a reasonable mid-pack time when compared to other mid-size three-row SUVs.Additional ResearchTowing and Payload Capacity
- Max Towing: 5000 pounds
In Comparison: The maximum hauling power matches the max towing capacity of similar three-row SUVs, such as the Honda Pilot, the Kia Telluride, and some Mazda CX-90 models—but it doesn’t come close to the Dodge Durango’s 8700-pound limit.Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
- C/D 75-mph Highway Fuel-Economy Test: 29 mpg (XLE AWD)
- EPA City Ratings: 20-21 mpg
- EPA Highway Ratings: 26-28 mpg
The EPA hasn’t released fuel-economy information for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander yet, but the ratings shouldn’t change. The 2025 front-drive model earns estimates of 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Top-trim, all-wheel-drive Grand Highlanders are slightly less frugal, seeing 20 and 26 mpg, respectively. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, an all-wheel-drive XLE model delivered an impressive 29 mpg, about 10 percent better than its EPA highway estimate. For more information about the Grand Highlander’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.In Comparison: The Grand Highlander’s fuel economy is good for the class, besting or matching most rivals. Interior, Comfort, and CargoFirst Row: The well-shaped driver’s seat should keep you comfortable for hours, and the dash and center console—while a little busy—feature useful storage areas and put all controls in easy reach.Second Row: The total seat count depends on whether buyers select a trim with a second-row bench or captain’s chairs, but all Grand Highlanders can fit at least seven people comfortably. There’s enough leg- and headroom in back for six-footers. Third Row: The wayback is usable by full-grown adults. We can’t say the same of the smaller Highlander’s third row.Cargo Capacity: With all rear seats down, the Grand Highlander offers almost as much cargo room as the Sienna minivan (98 versus 101 cubic feet). Keep the third row up and you’ll still have a more-than-respectable 21 cubes of space in which to stash your belongings. Infotainment and Connectivity
- Infotainment: 12.3-inch touchscreen
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Audio Systems: 6-speaker stereo (standard), 11-speaker JBL stereo (optional)
All nonhybrid Grand Highlanders come with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen running Toyota’s latest software. A 7.0-inch display in the gauge cluster and a six-speaker sound system are also standard, but Limited and Platinum models get an all-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster and an 11-speaker JBL stereo. Toyota fits all but the base model with a wireless smartphone-charging pad, too.Safety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesAll Grand Highlanders come with the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of driver-assistance features. In addition to basics such as blind-spot monitoring and automated emergency braking, the package also includes adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlamps, and a road-sign-recognition system.
- Standard Safety Features: adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring
- Optional Safety Features: front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree camera system
For information about the Grand Highlander’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.Warranty and Maintenance CoverageThe Grand Highlander’s warranty coverage is typical for the segment. Buyers also get two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, which is a nice perk that most rivals don’t offer.
- Limited Warranty: three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: five years or 60,000 miles
- Complimentary Maintenance: two years or 25,000 miles
C/D Test Results and Specs We test hundreds of vehicles each year. If the data in the chart below is for a different model year, that’s because the current model hasn’t changed from when we last tested it.SpecificationsSpecifications
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander XLE AWD
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 8-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $46,065/$47,415
Options: panoramic roof, $1350
ENGINE
Turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-4, aluminum block and heads, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement: 146 in3, 2393 cm3
Power: 265 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.4-in vented disc/13.3-in vented disc
Tires: Michelin Primacy All Season
255/65R-18 111H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 116.1 in
Length: 201.4 in
Width: 78.3 in
Height: 70.1 in
Passenger Volume, F/M/R: 58/52/39 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/M/R: 98/58/21 ft3
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.3 sec @ 92 mph
100 mph: 18.2 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.5 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.7 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.9 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 113 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 184 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.80 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 21 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 29 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 510 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 23/21/27 mpgMore Features and Specs
Source: caranddriver.com
