Toyota Expands Crossover Lineup With 2024 Grand Highlander

It’s 2023 which means that apparently no automaker can have too many crossovers and SUVs in its lineup. With that product strategy in mind, it should come as no surprise that Toyota is debuting the new Grand Highlander at this year’s Chicago Auto Show.

Given the naming of the new model, you might expect that the Grand Highlander is a simply a longer or more luxurious version of the existing ever-popular Highlander, but you’d be wrong. In fact, while the Grand Highlander shares its TNGA-K architecture, it actually looks nothing like its less-grand sibling. It is an upper-midsize, three-row crossover, but the styling actually looks a lot more like the smaller Rav4 than the curvaceous shape of the current Highlander.

In place of the Highlander’s sweeping curves and fender bulges, the Grand Highlander features similarly crisp, squared-off lines to the Rav4 with a prominent trapezoidal grille. Toyota hasn’t yet released any dimensions aside from the 98 cubic foot cargo space with the second and third rows of seats folded. However, looking at the new model side by side with the standard Highlander, the wheelbase appears to be roughly the same.

The rear overhang appears to be a bit longer, perhaps by about six-inches and views of the cargo area behind the third row seem to show a bit more space there for luggage and the assorted detritus that comes along with small children. According to Toyota, with all seats folded the Grand Highlander can swallow 98 cubic feet of stuff compared to 84.3 cubic feet in the Highlander. With all seats in use, 7 standard carryon suitcases will apparently fit in the back. The other difference is what appears to be a slightly taller roofline. While there doesn’t seem to be much if any extra legroom in the third row, headroom does appear to be improved which should make it easier for at least a couple of adults to get comfortable back there.

The visible parts of the dashboard are all new and don’t appear to share much with the standard Highlander. There is a standard digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch center touchscreen with the current generation Toyota infotainment system. The base XLE trim level features 1 USB port for data and 6 more for power to charge devices. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also included. The overall look and feel appears to be a bit more premium than the non-grand version.

Like the standard Highlander, the Grand is standard with Toyota’s new 265-hp, 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2.5-liter naturally aspirated hybrid is also available, and both of these are offered with front or all-wheel-drive. The Grand Highlander also offers a third option in the 2.4-liter turbocharged Hybrid Max that provides 362-hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. This all-wheel-drive only configuration launched last year on the Crown and new Lexus RX450h.

Regardless of which engine setup is installed, drivers can select the from sport, normal and eco drive modes. The Hybrid Max is also capable of towing up to 5,000-lbs. The latest Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 driver assist suite is also standard on all trim levels including XLE, Limited and Platinum. TSS 3.0 includes 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.

Toyota has announced any pricing or on-sale date information except to say that the information will be announced later in summer 2023 so a fourth quarter launch seems likely at a price point likely to be at closer to $40,000 than the $36,420 price of the 2023 Highlander.