2024 Toyota Grand Highlander 4WD Limited Hybrid – Review by David Colman +VIDEO
Think of it as the family bus
![]() David Colman |
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL
Remember when Levi's introduced loose fit jeans with "a skosh more room" for the (ahem) mature set? Well, Toyota remembers, because they've just started selling a loose fit version of their Highlander SUV called the Grand Highlander. Here's how you inflate the former to become the latter: Add 1.8 inches to the wheelbase, 6.4 inches to the length, 2.3 inches to the width, and 2 inches to the height. Unfortunately, the upsizing adds a whopping 551 pounds to the curb weight. But fear not, because Toyota has compensated for that extra quarter ton by offering three new engine packages that provide more than enough power to get your upsized show on the road.
Getting a look at our Limited's Hybrid motor required more effort than it should have because Toyota doesn't fit pneumatic struts to the very heavy hood. So pump some iron when you need to check the oil, because you'll have to pop that hood more than 6 feet 7 inches high with one hand while slipping a wobbly prop rod home with the other hand. Warning: Do not try this if you are shorter than 5 feet 9 inches tall. But in compensation, there are other Grand dimensions of the Highlander you will greatly appreciate such as its cavernous interior space. Fold the third-row bench seats flat and tilt and lock down the second-row captain's chairs and this Toyota presents you with a loading platform as big as the deck of an aircraft carrier.
At first we fretted about the fact that row two's captain's chairs did not fold flat, but in the end, there was more than enough interior space to load our bicycle with room to spare in all directions. In fact, with a little planning, you could pop two bikes through the huge rear door and stack them either vertically or horizontally inside. In our cargo-biased interior configuration, the Grand Highlander offered 98 cubic feet of storage space. 58 cubic feet are available behind row two and 21 cubic feet are on offer behind row three. If you need more volume than that, get a pickup or rent a storage unit.
Toyota offers three engine options for the new Grand Highlander. The base engine (A25-FXS) is a non-Hybrid, turbocharged, inline-4 displacing 2.4 liters, making 265hp, and driving either the front wheels or all four wheels. This base range starts at a price point of $44,465, and carries a tow rating of 3,500 lbs. If you want to tow, you should upgrade to the XLE Hybrid, which costs $46,065 and produces 265hp and 310lb.-ft. of torque from its 2.4-liter Hybrid boosted turbo motor. The Grand Highlander Limited Hybrid we tested is the one to select if you want the best combination of power, mileage (34 MPG Overall), and speed. With a base price of $51,060, and a $425 surcharge for Ruby Flare Pearl metallic paint, its bottom line came to $55,238. This sum brings you Limited level trim plus the A25A-FTS 2.5 liter Hybrid motor good for 265hp and 310lb.-ft. of torque. This intermediate Hybrid supplements the gas engine with a pair of electric motors. Up front, a 134kW unit makes 199lb.-ft. of torque. A 40kW rear motor adds another 89lb.-ft. of torque to the mix. All wheel drive is standard, as is an ECVT transmission.
The third engine option is the Max Hybrid which produces 362 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque thanks to a compliment of more powerful electric motors and bigger storage batteries. But our test rig seemed quite adequate for tow chores thanks to the immediate infusion of peak torque (210lb.-ft.) at just 1700 rpm. Toyota also equipped our test Grand Highlander with standard trailer sway control.
As you might expect from a two-and-a-half-ton vehicle, handling on twisty back roads was compromised by weight and size. It tracked through turns predictably, thanks to good grip afforded by a set of 255/55R20 Continental Cross-Contact LX20 radials mounted on Limited style 20 x 8J alloy rims.
Although it's virtually impossible to see your front corners from the driver's seat, vision to the rear is actually quite good if you fold the third bench seat flat. We found the front row seats to be too hard and flat to qualify as truly comfortable, but we did appreciate the fact that both were leather trimmed, and fitted with heating and ventilation. We also enjoyed the simplicity of the HVAC control panel and discovered fixed knobs for a large variety of functions that didn't require screen fiddling. The dashboard and the door panels incorporated a pleasing Formica-like material that complemented the purist look of the cabin. Storage space is intelligently contrived and abundant throughout. Three zone climate control keeps everyone happy inside your family bus.
The upsized Grand Highlander makes a useful addition to the Toyota line. It increases your rolling real estate holdings without significantly inflating your initial investment.
2024 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER AWD LIMITED HV
-
• ENGINE: 2.5 liter inline 4, turbocharged and intercooled, DOHC 24-valve plus 2 electric motors
• HORSEPOWER: 265hp@6000rpm
• TORQUE: 310lb.-ft.@1700rpm
• FUEL CONSUMPTION: 36MPG City/32MPG Highway
• PRICE AS TESTED: $53,238
HYPES: Living Room on Wheels
GRIPES: Hood Needs Pneumatic Struts
STAR RATING: 9 Stars out of 10
©2023 David E Colman
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Specs
Hybrid
Engine Type -Hybrid
Transmission - 6-speed automatic
Drive Type - All wheel drive
Cylinders - Inline 4
Total Seating - 7
Basic Warranty - 3 yr./ 36,000 mi.
Fuel Fuel type - Regular unleaded
MPG EPA city/highway MPG - 26/27 MPG
EPA combined MPG - 27 MPG
Fuel tank capacity - 17.2 gal.
Engine | |
---|---|
Base engine size | 2.4 L |
Cylinders | Inline 4 |
Base engine type | Hybrid |
Horsepower | 362 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
Torque | 400 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm |
Valves | 16 |
Cam type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
Valve timing | Variable |
Dual fuel injection | Standard |
Towing & Hauling | |
---|---|
Max Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs. |
Max Payload Capacity | 1,420 lbs. |
Drivetrain | |
---|---|
Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
Drive type | All wheel drive |
Descent control | Standard |
Suspension | |
---|---|
Four-wheel independent suspension | Standard |
Front and rear stabilizer bar | Standard |
Dimensions | |
---|---|
Length | 201.4 in. |
Overall width without mirrors | 78.3 in. |
Height | 70.1 in. |
Wheelbase | 116.1 in. |
EPA interior volume | 173.9 cu.ft. |
Cargo capacity, all seats in place | 20.6 cu.ft. |
Maximum cargo capacity | 97.5 cu.ft. |
Manufacturer 0-60 mph acceleration time | 6.3 seconds |
Turning circle | 38.1 ft. |
Ground clearance | 8.0 in. |
Angle of approach | 16.9 degrees |
Angle of departure | 22.3 degrees |
Curb weight | 4,920 lbs. |
Maximum towing capacity | 5,000 lbs. |
Maximum payload | 1,420 lbs. |
Gross weight | 6,340 lbs. |
Country of final assembly | United States |
Colors | |
---|---|
Exterior Colors |
|
Interior Colors |
|
Front Seat Dimensions | |
---|---|
Front head room | 41.5 in. |
Front leg room | 41.7 in. |
Front shoulder room | 60.2 in. |
Front hip room | 56.5 in. |
Leather/sueded microfiber | Standard |
Bucket front seats | Standard |
8-way power driver seat | Standard |
Height adjustable driver seat | Standard |
Driver seat with power adjustable lumbar support | Standard |
2 memorized driver seat settings | Standard |
8-way power passenger seat | Standard |
Height adjustable passenger seat | Standard |
Multi-level heated driver seat | Standard |
Multi-level heated passenger seat | Standard |
Ventilated driver seat | Standard |
Ventilated passenger seat | Standard |
Rear Seat Dimensions | |
---|---|
Rear head room | 40.2 in. |
Rear leg room | 39.5 in. |
Rear shoulder room | 58.8 in. |
Rear hip room | 57.0 in. |
Folding rear seatback | Standard |
Reclining rear seats | Standard |
Multi-level heated | Standard |
Manual folding split-bench third row seats | Standard |
Safety | |
---|---|
Blind spot and lane departure warnings accident avoidance system | Standard |
Lane keep assist | Standard |
Rear cross traffic alert | Standard |
Pre-collision safety system | Standard |
Post-collision safety system | Standard |
Dual front side-mounted airbags | Standard |
Front, rear and third row head airbags | Standard |
Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation | Standard |
Stability control | Standard |
Traction control | Standard |
Child seat anchors | Standard |
Rear door child safety locks | Standard |
4-wheel ABS | Standard |
Front and rear ventilated disc brakes | Standard |
Emergency braking assist | Standard |
Tire pressure monitoring | Standard |
Dusk sensing headlamps | Standard |
LED headlamp | Standard |
Daytime running lights | Standard |
Front fog/driving lights | Standard |
Turn signal mirrors | Standard |
2 front headrests | Standard |
Front height adjustable headrests | Standard |
2 rear headrests | Standard |
Rear height adjustable headrests | Standard |
Remote anti-theft alarm system | Standard |
Engine immobilizer | Standard |
In-Car Entertainment | |
---|---|
12.3" infotainment display size | Standard |
AM/FM stereo | Standard |
JBL premium brand speakers | Standard |
11 total speakers | Standard |
1 subwoofer(s) | Standard |
Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay | Standard |
USB connection | Standard |
USB with external media control | Standard |
Satellite radio satellite radio | Standard |
3 months of provided satellite radio service | Standard |
Power Feature | |
---|---|
4 one-touch power windows | Standard |
Hands-free entry | Standard |
Heated mirrors | Standard |
Comfort & Convenience | |
---|---|
Keyless ignition | Standard |
Tilt and telescopic steering wheel | Standard |
Transmission, cruise and audio controls on steering wheel | Standard |
Electric power steering | Standard |
Rear view camera | Standard |
Front and rear parking sensors | Standard |
Wireless charging | Standard |
Adaptive cruise control | Standard |
Universal remote transmitter (for garage door, security system, etc.) | Standard |
Front, rear and 3rd row cupholders | Standard |
Front and rear door pockets | Standard |
Overhead console with storage | Standard |
Front seatback storage | Standard |
Leather steering wheel | Standard |
Heated steering wheel | Standard |
Three zone climate control | Standard |
Rear ventilation ducts with fan control | Standard |
Interior air filtration | Standard |
Dual illuminating vanity mirrors | Standard |
Electrochromatic inside rearview mirror | Standard |
Turn signal in mirrors | Standard |
Instrumentation | |
---|---|
Trip computer | Standard |
Compass | Standard |
External temperature display | Standard |
Clock | Standard |
Tires & Wheels | |
---|---|
Painted alloy wheels | Standard |
20 in. wheels | Standard |
All season tires | Standard |
255/55R20 tires | Standard |
Temporary spare tire | Standard |
Telematics | |
---|---|
Emergency Service | Standard |
Airbag Deployment Notification | Standard |
Stolen Vehicle Tracking/Assistance | Standard |
Roadside Assistance | Standard |
Warranty | |
---|---|
Basic | 3 yr./ 36,000 mi. |
Drivetrain | 5 yr./ 60,000 mi. |
Hybrid component | 8 yr./ 100,000 mi. |
Rust | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Roadside assistance | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Free maintenance | 2 yr./ 25,000 mi. |
Packages | |
---|---|
Quick Charge Cable Package | +$70 |
All-Weather Floor Liner Package | +$358 |
Safety & Security Options | |
---|---|
Emergency Assistance Kit | +$75 |
First Aid Kit w/PPE | +$25 |
Interior Options | |
---|---|
Integrated Dashcam | +$499 |
Illuminated Cargo Sills | +$345 |
Illuminated Door Sills | +$345 |
Carpet Mat Package | +$358 |
Carpet Floor Mats | +$228 |
Rear Hatch Cargo Lamps | +$350 |
Cargo Net - Envelope | +$75 |
Cargo Tote | +$60 |
Coin Holder/Ashtray Cup | +$29 |
All-Weather Floor Liners | +$228 |
Universal Tablet Holder | +$99 |
Consider these recommendations
Exterior Options | |
---|---|
Roof Rack Cross Bars | +$325 |
Special Color | +$425 |
Logo Side Puddle Lamps | +$175 |
Panoramic View Monitor | +$600 |
Key Gloves | +$20 |
Mudguards | +$149 |
Paint Protection Film | +$439 |
Door Edge Guards | +$155 |
Activity Mount | +$399 |
Alloy Wheel Locks - Chrome | +$105 |
Panoramic Moonroof | +$1,350 |
Blackout Emblem Overlays | +$139 |
Body Side Moldings | +$225 |
Alloy Wheel Locks - Black | +$105 |
Tow Hitch Receiver w/Wire Harness | +$849 |
DAVID E COLMAN
Dad jumpstarted my automotive career by taking me to the Indy 500 ten years in a row. During that decade he generously bought me a trio of new cars to drive: a C1 Corvette followed by two XKE roadsters. By 1970, I purchased my first new Porsche, a 911S Targa. The Porsche immersion has continued with a succession of newer models: 1970 914-6GT, 1983 944, 1987 944T, 2003 911 Turbo X50 Aerokit, 2011 911 GT3 RS and 2016 Cayman GT4. This "buy your own press fleet" exposure helped launch my literary career when I co-founded Excellence Magazine in 1987. I have written hundreds of reviews and profiles for Excellence over the past three decades.
|