Toyota announces hybrid-powered ‘Grand Highlander’ SUV

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Toyota feels drivers need bigger SUVs, and it’s catering to that sentiment via the just-announced Grand Highlander. The full reveal for the full-size sport-ute comes February 8 at the Chicago Auto Show, the automaker said in a release, offering precious few other details.

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Toyota announces hybrid-powered ‘Grand Highlander’ SUV Back to video

Following the tire tracks of the Grand Cherokee and Grand Wagoneer, the Grand Highlander will one-up the regular Highlander, with Toyota calling it “the ultimate road-trip vehicle.” To us, that says more leg-/shoulder-/hip-room, and an enlarged cargo compartment.

Car and Driver points out Toyota’s lone teaser image shows a Hybrid Max powertrain badge, which the resurrected Crown also wears. If we’re optimistic, that means it could offer the same 340-horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque that car does via its turbocharged 2.4 four-cylinder. Toyota gave no powertrain details, however, and it’s also a safe bet the regular Highlander’s base engine with 265 horsepower will be present. I, for one, welcome our Hybrid Max overlords—

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With only an image of the rear to go by, it certainly does look sharp, with its chiselled tailgate and C-shaped taillights, Now the question is, when it comes to rivals, will it give the three-row-twins, the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, a run for their money? There’s a refreshed Subaru Ascent on the market, too, to watch out for; Mazda’s CX-90 is coming in 2023; and a new Honda Passport is on the way.

The all-new Sequoia showed up a few weeks ago, so it’s interesting Toyota has chosen to make the Grand Highlander the middle child of its three-row offerings. But what do I know, right? I’d have called it the “Tri-Lander,” what with it’s likely boosted third row. Maybe I’ll stick to writing new-car news instead.