ToyotaGrand Highlander

　　

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　, rating written byCameron RogersDirector, Vehicle Testing

　　Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at zzdcar, Jonathan has tested and reviewed thousands of cars and written thousands of car-related articles over the course of his career. Jonathan got his start testing cars for Road & Track magazine as a newly minted mechanical engineer grad from University of California, Irvine, and has also contributed to Motor Trend and the Associated Press. He likes to say he learned to drive a manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine vehicle but often omits it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa minivan.

　　The Toyota Highlander is one of the most popular midsize three-row SUVs on the market. For SUV shoppers with big-time family or hauling needs, however, the Highlander's cramped third row and meager cargo space have been significant drawbacks. Ah, but don't despair just yet, large Toyota families, as the 2024 Grand Highlander is here. Compared with the standard Highlander, this bigger, grande-style Highlander has 5.5 inches more of third-row legroom. In person, it's a significant difference. While the back row is pretty much kids-only in the standard Highlander, 6-foot-tall adults will have no problem relaxing in the Grand Highlander's third row. The Grand Highlander's cargo space is now among the biggest in class too.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander XLE 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$158/mo  for Grand Highlander XLE

　　Grand Highlander XLE

　　XLE 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $43,320 MSRPXLE 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $44,920 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $48,110 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $49,710 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $53,795 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　

zzdcar spotlight: The Grand Highlander's technology features

The Grand Highlander's base trim is generously equipped with a long list of driving aids that include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and traffic sign recognition. You also get a widescreen display and wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. Go for the tiptop Platinum trim and you'll add Traffic Jam Assist, one of the few hands-free driving systems on the market. Its top operating speed of 25 mph is disappointingly low compared to some other hands-free driving systems, but it works in a pinch if gridlock threatens your sanity.

　　

Competitors to consider

The Kia Telluride has been the king of this class for years, but the Grand Highlander does come tantalizingly close to usurping its reign. We also like how the Grand Highlander beats out the Honda Pilot in many ways. Also check out the Mazda CX-90; it's a bit smaller but it's enjoyable to drive and has a sharp-looking interior. To learn more about this all-new Grand Highlander, check out our test team's Expert Rating evaluation.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Grand Highlander drive? The Grand Highlander's four-cylinder makes plenty of torque at low rpm, and that helps make the Grand Highlander pleasant to drive around town. But it starts to run out of steam at highway speeds or when you've got a full load of passengers aboard. The available Hybrid Max powertrain will likely be ideal if you can swing it. At the zzdcar test track, our all-wheel-drive Grand Highlander accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8 seconds flat, which is a bit slower than most V6-equipped three-row midsize SUVs.

　　Thankfully, the Grand Highlander's ability to stop quickly and confidently as well as negotiate a twisty road is still pretty admirable. The available torque-vectoring AWD system, which helps by applying engine power to individual rear wheels, provides subtle enhancements to the Grand Highlander's handling balance. (It also has the usual benefit of extra traction in slick conditions.) All in all, the Grand Highlander is easy to drive, which is the most important quality here.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Grand Highlander? The Grand Highlander's ride quality is pleasantly plush. Large and small road imperfections are smoothed over thanks to the compliant suspension, yet it avoids feeling floaty at higher speeds. The front seats are comfortable even on long drives, and the available second-row captain's chairs (which our test Grand Highlander had) provide nearly the same level of comfort. The big gain here compared to the standard Highlander is a much more comfortable third row. The padding is of course a bit thinner to help facilitate folding, but the third row sits higher off the floor, making for much-improved legroom and a position suitable for adults.

　　The climate controls are easy to use and a slight aesthetic upgrade over the Highlander. The standard tri-zone system provides ample heating and cooling capacity, which helps make up for the mild seat heat and ventilation. The Grand Highlander's cabin isn't the best when it comes to blocking out road or ambient noise, but it isn't bad either. You don't really hear much of the four-cylinder engine when cruising along, but any request for substantial acceleration will reveal its less refined soundtrack.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below