2024 Toyota Grand Highlander: The Ultimate SUV with Unmatched Interior Space

Discover the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander SUV, the newest addition to the Highlander SUV family. With Hybrid Max technology, this three-row SUV boasts impressive fuel efficiency and ample interior space. Get ready to experience the next level of comfort and convenience with the new Toyota Grand Highlander.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is available in three grades: the XLE grade, Limited, and Platinum. Each grade comes with a different powertrain option to suit your needs. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious ride or a more budget-friendly option, the Grand Highlander has you covered.

Keep reading, and I will share everything we know about the new 2024 Grand Highlander from Toyota, including my opinion on how the Grand Highlander and Sequoia fit into the Toyota vehicle lineup.

Note: Read all the way to the end to see a full photo gallery of
the New Toyota Grand Highlander.

Getting Familiar With The New Toyota Grand Highlander

Toyota has recently unveiled its latest addition to the Highlander family – the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. This SUV offers a range of options from entry-level to high-performance, all wrapped up in one impressive package.

With three different powertrains and three grades to choose from, drivers can enjoy the well-balanced 2.4L turbo gas engine, the fuel-efficient 2.5L hybrid with an estimated 34 MPG, or the high-performing 362 horsepower Hybrid MAX.

Toyota’s commitment to carbon neutrality is evident in the Grand Highlander Hybrid and Hybrid MAX models, which are part of a lineup aimed at moving “beyond zero” emissions. Stay tuned for the official release date and price announcement later this summer (2023).

Creature Comforts and Versatility: The Interior of the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The Grand Highlander, a midsize SUV built on the TNGA-K platform, offers an interior that combines comfort with versatility. I

t features ample interior space, providing storage areas throughout the cabin and a total cargo capacity of around 98 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The third row also offers spacious adult-sized seating.

The standard 12.3-inch multimedia display is at the center of the controls, and the configurable center console includes a wireless charger, two USB ports, and three cup holders, providing convenience for both driver and passenger.

The second row offers separate left/right USB ports, air conditioning control panel, and cup holders.

The third row features individual USB ports, smartphone/tablet storage, and cup and bottle holders, and is accessible with support grips and hand support spaces. The Grand Highlander also features 13 cup holders and seven USB-C charge ports to keep devices charged and ready.

Available features include a heated steering wheel, power folding mirrors, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and a hands-free power back door.

*Expert Tip: Toyota does it again! I owned a first-generation 2003 Toyota Sequoia, and one of the things that impressed me most with the interior was just how many cup holders were in the vehicle. The designers really optimized the interior for a family, and it made road trips a lot more enjoyable having so many cup holders!

Key Highlights:

• The Toyota Grand Highlander offers ample interior space and thoughtful storage areas throughout the cabin, including 13 cup holders and multiple USB ports.
• The configurable center console and sliding console cover provide added versatility and functionality for both the driver and passenger.
• Available convenience features like heated and ventilated seats, power outlets, and a hands-free power back door make the Grand Highlander a comfortable and convenient midsize SUV for families on the go.

Toyota’s Grand Highlander: Power and Performance for Every Driver

The all-new 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offers drivers a range of powertrain options to fit their driving needs.

The Grand Highlander has something for everyone with three powertrains available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD).

Choose from the well-balanced 2.4L turbo gas engine, the efficiency-leading 2.5L hybrid, or the ultimate performance-seeking 362-horsepower Hybrid MAX with 400-pound feet of torque and standard AWD.

All three powertrains come equipped with three Drive Modes (Sport, Eco, Normal) for a more engaging driving experience.

Multi-Terrain Select with Three Modes (Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt, Snow) is offered on the gas AWD and Hybrid MAX powertrains for even more on and off-road capability.

The Hybrid MAX powertrain is the most powerful mid-size SUV Toyota has ever built, providing impressive performance off the line with a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. It also boasts 5,000 lbs. of towing capacity, making it a versatile and capable choice for any adventure.

No matter which powertrain option you choose, the Grand Highlander offers a driving experience that is both powerful and efficient.

Key Highlights:

• The Grand Highlander is available in three powertrain options: the 2.4L turbo gas engine, the 2.5L hybrid, and the 362-horsepower Hybrid MAX.
• All three powertrain options come with three Drive Modes (Sport, Eco, Normal) to make driving more engaging.
• The Hybrid MAX powertrain makes the Grand Highlander the most powerful mid-size SUV Toyota has ever built, with a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds and 5,000 lbs. of towing capacity.

Advanced Technology for a Connected and Convenient Driving Experience

The Grand Highlander comes with the latest technology from Toyota, including the standard 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia system designed and engineered by Toyota’s Connected Technologies team.

The system is user-friendly, with intuitive touch and voice activation controls. The Connected Service Drive Connect offers Intelligent Assistant, Cloud Navigation, and Destination Assist, allowing drivers and passengers to access live agent assistance, traffic information, and POI search.

Dual Bluetooth phone connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility, and Wi-Fi Connect add to the convenience of the vehicle.

The Grand Highlander offers an available JBL Premium Audio system with 11 speakers and Clari-Fi technology, allowing for an enhanced audio experience from any music genre.

The vehicle also offers various Connected Services, such as Safety Connect and Service Connect, for the driver’s peace of mind.

With seven USB-C ports in the cabin, including a wireless charger and dedicated USB port for the front seat passenger, the Grand Highlander is ready to handle all device charging needs.

Convenience features such as Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking, and Panoramic View Monitor are also available on Limited and Platinum grades.

Key Highlights:

• The Grand Highlander is equipped with advanced technology features for a comfortable and convenient driving experience.
• The 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia system, designed by Toyota’s Connected Technologies team, is standard on all models.
• The vehicle offers a wide range of connectivity and convenience features, including over-the-air updates, dual Bluetooth phone connectivity, and Wi-Fi Connect with 4G connectivity for up to five devices.
• The JBL Premium Audio system with 11 speakers and Clari-Fi technology provides an enhanced audio experience.
• The Grand Highlander offers a host of additional available Connected Services, including Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Remote Connect.
• The vehicle is equipped with seven USB-C ports in the cabin and a wireless charger for the driver.
• Convenience features include Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking, and a Panoramic View Monitor.

Sophisticated Design and Thoughtful Interior: The Toyota Grand Highlander

The Toyota Grand Highlander boasts a distinctive and beautiful exterior design that is complemented by a spacious and comfortable interior.

The Highlander shape inspires the vehicle’s front design, but with a new twist. The trapezoidal, hammerhead front grille and available 20” wheels make it stand out on the road.

The rear bumper design is sharp and adds to the overall sophisticated look of the vehicle. The Hybrid Max powertrain variant takes it up a notch with an available dual exhaust.

The exterior is not just beautiful, but also functional. The body-colored rear pillars express robustness and third-row utility, while black rockers give it a raised SUV look.

The side surface flows seamlessly from the doors through the fenders to the front and rear tires, creating a simple yet dynamic-looking design.

An exclusive front/rear lower bumper for the Hybrid MAX grades is available for a premium result.

The interior of the Grand Highlander is thoughtfully designed and spacious. The soft-padded instrument panel floats above the available wood-effect ornamentation that continues into the door trim.

The functional tray shape seamlessly integrates between them, adding to the overall elegance of the cabin. The center console gives the impression of a finely crafted sofa, creating a comfortable living room-like space.

The instrument panel upper flows into the door trim to create a broad expanse, while the lower instrument panel features independent driver/passenger side armrests, allowing for use regardless of whether the console lid is open or closed.

The Grand Highlander’s interior is like a modern work of art, with ornamentation accents that make it feel like a solid piece of wood. The high-quality leather stitchwork adds to the modern and refined elegance of the cabin.

The available leather-trimmed seats with 10-way power driver and 8-way passenger adjustments (Limited and Platinum) provide maximum comfort for drivers. And exclusively for Hybrid MAX, drivers can enjoy Ultrasuede® and leather-trimmed seats with bronze-colored accents.

Overall, the Toyota Grand Highlander is a beautiful and sophisticated vehicle with a spacious and thoughtful interior that offers a comfortable and elegant ride for drivers and passengers alike.

Key Highlights:

• The Grand Highlander has a distinctive and beautiful exterior design with a spacious interior in all three rows.
• The front of the vehicle is inspired by the Highlander shape but with a trapezoidal, hammerhead front grille and available 20″ wheels for a unique look.
• The rear of the vehicle has a sharp rear bumper, and the Hybrid Max powertrain variant has an available dual exhaust.
• Body-colored rear pillars and black rockers give the vehicle a robust and raised SUV look.
• The side surface flows seamlessly from the doors through the fenders to the front and rear tires, creating a simple yet dynamic-looking design.
• The interior has a thoughtful and spacious design with a soft-padded instrument panel, wood-effect ornamentation, and a comfortable living room-like space.
• Drivers can enjoy available leather-trimmed seats with 10-way power driver and 8-way passenger adjustments.
• The Hybrid Max variant has Ultrasuede and leather-trimmed seats with bronze-colored accents for a premium experience.

Exploring the Three 2024 Grand Highlander Models (Trim Levels):

The 2024 Grand Highlander is a versatile SUV that caters to a variety of preferences and needs.

Toyota offers three trim levels for the Grand Highlander, with each grade offering unique features and capabilities. Let’s take a closer look at the three trim levels of the 2024 Grand Highlander:

XLE Grade The XLE grade is the base level of the Grand Highlander, offering impressive standard features for a comfortable and convenient ride. It comes with 18″ alloy wheels, a black painted grille, roof rails, heated outer mirrors, and softex-trimmed seating.

The XLE grade also features a 12.3″ touchscreen, 7″ MID, and TSS 3.0 safety features.

Limited Grade The Limited grade elevates the Grand Highlander’s luxury and style with 20″ alloy wheels, LED DRL, power fold outer mirrors, and LED fog lamps.

It also features leather seating, heated and ventilated front seats, memory seat function for the first row, and a heated steering wheel. The Limited grade also has an impressive multimedia system, including a 12.3″ premium multimedia display and 11 speaker JBL audio.

Platinum Grade The Platinum grade is the top-level of the Grand Highlander, providing the most luxurious and high-tech features. It comes with 20″ clad alloy wheels, heated and ventilated 2nd row seats, panoramic moonroof, and paddle shifters.

The Platinum grade also features advanced safety and convenience features, such as a head-up display, panoramic view monitor, digital rearview mirror, and traffic jam assist.

Interior Options The Grand Highlander’s spacious interior offers a variety of options based on customer needs. The XLE and Limited grades have the option of a bench seat and panoramic moonroof, while the Limited grade adds the option of a panoramic view monitor.

Toyota offers different interior color options depending on the trim level, such as softex-trim in light gray or black for the XLE grade, leather-trim in light gray or black for the Limited grade, and ultrasuede- and leather-trim in light gray or black for the Limited Hybrid Max.

In conclusion, the 2024 Grand Highlander offers three distinct trim levels to cater to a variety of preferences and needs. Each trim level has unique features and capabilities, ensuring that customers have ample options.

Key Highlights:

• The Grand Highlander is available in three trim levels: XLE, Limited, and Platinum.
• The XLE grade comes with 18″ alloy wheels, Softex-trimmed seating, a 12.3″ touchscreen, TSS 3.0, and more.
• The Limited grade adds features such as 20″ alloy wheels, leather seating, parking sensors with automatic braking, and a panoramic view monitor.
• The Platinum grade includes additional features such as 20″ clad alloy wheels, heated and ventilated 2nd-row seats, and a head-up display.
• Interior options vary based on the trim level, with the XLE and Limited offering a bench seat and Panoramic Moonroof, while the Limited also adds the option of a Panoramic View Monitor.
• Color options for the interior vary based on the trim level, with the XLE and Limited offering Softex-trim in Light Gray or Black, the Platinum offering leather-trim in Portobello, Light Gray, or Black, and the Hybrid MAX offering Ultrasuede- and leather-trim in Light Gray or Black.

Advanced Safety Features of the 2024 Grand Highlander

Toyota’s latest offering, the 2024 Grand Highlander, comes with the latest Toyota Safety Sense generation, TSS 3.0, as standard. This advanced suite of safety features includes several features that offer enhanced protection for drivers and passengers alike.

The tech suite includes the following features:

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection: This system has enhanced detection capabilities thanks to new system sensors. It can now detect a motorcyclist in addition to a bicyclist and pedestrian, and it receives enhanced intersection support with improved detection capability in certain circumstances.
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist: This system has enhanced lane recognition that includes the detection of certain 3D objects like guardrails that may be used to help define the lane.
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: This feature now adds a fourth following distance setting, and it can detect more than one preceding vehicle, as well as vehicles in adjacent lanes. This helps the system provide smoother, more natural speed adjustments, especially when the driver changes lanes.
• Lane Tracing Assist: This feature is designed to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane, even on curved roads. The system helps provide more space between vehicles being passed in adjacent lanes, offsetting the vehicles’ driving path with minor steering adjustments.
• Road Sign Assist: This feature gets expanded sign detection capabilities that now include certain intersection signs and warning signs like pedestrian crossings.

In addition to these features, TSS 3.0 also includes a new feature called Proactive Driving Assist. This system provides gentle braking into curves or gentle braking and/or steering to help support driving tasks such as distance control between a preceding vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist.

Moreover, an Emergency Driving Stop System has been added to Lane Tracing Assist. This feature monitors the driver’s inputs, such as steering operation, to determine if they’re inattentive or non-responsive, such as during a medical emergency.

If the driver doesn’t respond to alerts to take control, this feature can bring the vehicle to a stop.

The 2024 Grand Highlander’s safety features aim to provide drivers and passengers with a safer and more enjoyable driving experience, ensuring that everyone reaches their destination safely.

Key Highlights:

• The 2024 Grand Highlander comes with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard, offering a suite of advanced safety features.
• Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 includes features such as Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, Automatic High Beams, and Proactive Driving Assist.
• Proactive Driving Assist is a new feature that provides gentle braking and/or steering to help support driving tasks such as distance control between a preceding vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist.
• The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection has enhanced detection capabilities and can now detect a motorcyclist in addition to a bicyclist and pedestrian.
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist now includes detection of certain 3D objects, like guardrails, that may be used to help define the lane.
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control has enhanced vehicle detection and can detect more than one preceding vehicle as well as vehicles in adjacent lanes.
• Lane Tracing Assist now helps provide more space between vehicles being passed in adjacent lanes and includes an Emergency Driving Stop System that can bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver doesn’t respond to alerts.
• Road Sign Assist has expanded sign detection capabilities that include certain intersection signs and warning signs like pedestrian crossings.

Grand Highlander Exterior Photo Gallery

Grand Highlander Interior Gallery

The Grand Highlander and Sequoia: Are They Competing Against Each Other or Against Other Brands?

With the recent announcement and details about the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, I couldn’t help but wonder how it will fit in with the all-new 2023 Toyota Sequoia, which, ironically, I purchased as my daily driver.

Although there are many similarities between the Grand Highlander and Sequoia, there are also plenty of differences. Until we see the Grand Highlander on dealer lots, it will be hard to make a true side-by-side comparison.

However, here are a few of my thoughts on the subject so far:

My Prediction: Toyota Grand Highlander Takes The Cake For Most Families

The Grand Highlander will outsell the Toyota Sequoia: For families looking for a large vehicle to use as a daily driver to haul kids to soccer practice or load the dogs up to go to the park, the Grand Highlander will win.

The primary reason for this is the cargo area. The 3rd row of seats folds down flat into the cargo area floor, unlike the Sequoia, making for a seamless smooth cargo floor.

This is perfect for loading pets, soccer gear, luggage, or moving large furniture.

The Sequoia is only available as a hybrid, and the electric batteries combined with a solid rear axle prevent the 3rd-row seats from folding flat. (See my photo)

Having a solid rear axle offers many benefits for off-road capabilities and towing, which leads to my next thought:

Toyota will have to do a good job of messaging around who their ideal buyer is for each vehicle.

*Note: I am working on another article about my experience driving the Toyota Sequoia, especially since I loved my 2003 Gen 1 Sequoia (it’s still in the family 20 years later and going strong).

The Sequoia offers a TRD Sport and TRD Pro package on the Sequoia. There are vendors, as well as Toyota, designing aftermarket off-road parts for the Sequoia.

My view is that they will position the Sequoia similarly to the discontinued (in the US) Land Cruiser. It will be marketed to adventure seekers and overland travelers as their Toyota vehicle of choice.

Looking at both vehicles and comparing them to other vehicles my family has purchased, I believe Toyota is following a bit of the GM playbook.

When the Buick Enclave came out, it offered a plush cabin with tons of room. It actually had the same or slightly more cargo room than the Chevy Tahoe of that era. The Tahoe had a raised cargo area, kind of like the new Sequoia.

When my wife decided she was no longer a minivan driver, she informed me she was ready for real car doors and no more sliding doors. We searched all kinds of options, but she ultimately picked the 2013 Buick Enclave as her vehicle.

From a space and comfort perspective, it was the perfect fit for our family. Unfortunately, the 3.6L GM motors are pure junk, and with just 36k miles, we quickly traded in the vehicle due to it burning oil.

I suspect the Grand Highlander and the new Sequoia will coexist as the Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia vs. Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon do in the GM lineup.

However, I believe the new Grand Highlander will outsell the Toyota Sequoia, at least based on the preliminary release of information on the Grand Highlander.

Which one would you pick and why? I’d be interested in your feedback if you want to message me using our contact us page.