The Toyota Highlander has long been a trusted companion for families, but it’s always been a bit cramped in the third row. The Toyota Grand Highlander solves this problem by providing extra interior space for passengers and cargo, giving it more minivan-like practicality in the body of an SUV. It’s on the bigger side of the midsize 3-row SUV class, up there with the Chevrolet Traverse and Volkswagen Atlas as a midsize SUV with third-row seating that’s actually comfortable and easy to access. The Toyota Grand Highlander is for families who need a lot of room for passengers and cargo, but don’t want a minivan or a bulkier full-size SUV.
Still in its first generation, the Toyota Grand Highlander was introduced in 2024, slotted between the smaller Highlander and the full-size Sequoia. It retains the Highlander’s agreeable, car-like driving dynamics but with a boxier look and extra interior space. It also has more powertrain options. The base engine is a perfectly adequate turbocharged 4-cylinder, upgradable to the Grand Highlander Hybrid, which returns 27 combined mpg. The optional Hybrid Max powertrain available to Limited and Platinum trims makes an impressive 362 horsepower while getting up to 36 combined mpg, far better than the other powertrains produce.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
- Vehicle segment: Midsize SUV
- Passenger capacity: Up to 8
- Available trim levels: LE, XLE, Limited, Platinum
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety rating: 5-Star
- Combined MPG: 24 mpg
- Top Competitors: Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot, Volkswagen Atlas, Kia Telluride
Learn more about the 2025 Toyota Highlander in our Expert Review
