The 2024 Grand Highlander Hybrid has the same appealing qualities as the regular Grand Highlander along with improved fuel economy. There are two versions: Choose the standard Hybrid if you want to maximize fuel efficiency, or opt for the Hybrid Max if you want the most powerful version of the Grand Highlander.Read full review
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid has made its mark as one of the few hybrid three-row SUVs available. However, the compromise has always been its cramped third row and smallish cargo area. In essence: Baby doesn't have back. But there is a solution: the new 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The Grand Highlander Hybrid is, as you might discern from its name, bigger and more upscale. It has adult-sized space in its third row and more cargo space. For people needing a big three-row SUV, the Grand Highlander is an intriguing option.
Edmunds spotlight: The Grand Highlander Hybrid's fuel economy
The Grand Highlander offers a pair of hybrid powertrains that are divided by trim levels. One prioritizes efficiency and the other, called the Hybrid Max, goes big on performance. The base hybrid powertrain gets up to an EPA-estimated 36 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is excellent for a three-row SUV. The Max setup drops to a still respectable 27 mpg combined but in return cranks out an impressive 362 horsepower.
Competitors to consider
The Mazda CX-90 is worth checking out. Its available plug-in hybrid model offers about 26 miles of all-electric driving. Other options include the smaller Kia Sorento, which is offered in hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, and the new Hyundai Santa Fe, which will be offered as a hybrid as well.
We drove the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.
Performance
8/10
How does the Grand Highlander Hybrid drive? The Grand Highlander Hybrid comes with one of two available powertrains. We tested the more powerful (and more expensive) Max version. With 362 hp on tap, the Max is appreciably more powerful than a regular Grand Highlander. At our test track, it accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, a full 2 seconds quicker than the base-engine Grand Highlander. This makes it quicker than most V6-equipped three-row midsize SUVs, not to mention more efficient. The Max powertrain is also responsive and helps to make the Grand Highlander more enjoyable to drive every day.
The Grand Highlander Hybrid's ability to stop quickly and confidently as well as negotiate a twisty road is pretty admirable. The all-wheel-drive system has a torque-vectoring feature that can subtly enhance the Grand Highlander's handling balance in addition to the usual benefit of enhancing available traction in slick conditions.
Comfort
8.5/10
How comfortable is the Grand Highlander Hybrid? The Grand Highlander Hybrid has a pleasantly plush ride quality. Large and small road imperfections are smoothed over thanks to the compliant suspension. This is a big SUV but it doesn't feel overly floaty when going over bumps. 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 (non-Grand) Highlander is a much more comfortable third-row seat. 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. The standard tri-zone system provides ample heating and cooling capacity. 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. Of the two available powertrains, the Max is the quieter of the two; the base hybrid powertrain can sound strained and noisy during maximum acceleration.
Interior
8.5/10
How’s the interior? If an accommodating third row is important to you, then consider the Grand Highlander Hybrid one of the top options. The first and second rows of seating provide ample space, and the third row is comfortable for adults. Up front, it's easy to find your preferred driving position, but taller drivers might wish for a bit more extension range from the telescoping steering wheel and thigh cushion adjustment.
We give the Grand Highlander high marks for outward visibility. The front roof pillars are thin, helping you see around turns. Some of the Grand Highlander's available technology features help too, such as the camera-based rearview mirror that allows you to see out of the back even if you've fully loaded up the cargo area. The available surround-view camera system is sharp and can be rotated to look around the vehicle, and there's a cool "see-through" feature that leverages the cameras to see any ground markings that you've driven over.
How’s the tech? The 12.3-inch touchscreen has sharp-looking graphics and responds quickly to inputs. But we noticed that it can catch a lot of distracting reflections from the cabin, making it less easy of use. Some of the menus can be confusing too.
All Grand Highlanders come standard with Toyota's latest comprehensive suite of advanced driver aids. Among other things, we think the adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance features are well tuned and helpful in daily driving. To top it all off, Toyota's voice recognition system is one of the best. The system is connected to the web so you can ask for things like jokes and the weather and even make general Google-like queries.
Storage
9/10
How’s the storage? The Grand Highlander Hybrid loses no cargo space to the non-hybrid Grand Highlander. Behind the third row, there's 20.6 cubic feet of space. That's comparable to Volkswagen Atlas and Kia Telluride. Behind the second row, it expands to an even more impressive 57.9 cubic feet, maxing out at an outstanding 97.5 cubic feet with all rows folded. You shouldn't have any trouble loading up luggage for a family road trip.
As for cabin storage for small items, the Grand Highlander makes praiseworthy improvements over the regular Highlander. There's better storage ahead of the gear selector, plus more generous cupholders. The underarm storage is also deeper and larger than what's in the regular Highlander. The second row gets useful door cubbies as well as a removable center storage area that has space for phones plus a couple of secure cupholders. Even the third row has two cupholders per side and phone storage space.
Got small children? A large rear-facing car seat will easily be accommodated in the second row thanks to the generous amount of fore/aft sliding movement of the available captain's chairs. The car seat anchors are also easy to locate and access for all types of child safety seats, including two sets of anchors if you are putting littles in the third row.
How’s the fuel economy? The upside of the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max, which is what we tested, is that it's pretty fuel-efficient despite the added horsepower and torque. The EPA estimates it gets 27 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is 5 mpg better than the base Grand Highlander with all-wheel drive. The base Grand Highlander Hybrid isn't as powerful but it can get up to an estimated 36 mpg combined.
We are pretty confident that the EPA's estimates should be achievable with a conservative driving style. We mention this because we also noticed that frequently dipping into the Hybrid Max's throttle will reduce mpg to the lower 20s.
Value
8/10
Is the Grand Highlander Hybrid a good value? Small touches in the Grand Highlander go a long way to make it feel more premium than the Highlander. The interior is solidly put together with soft, padded surfaces where they matter most. Thankfully the laughably fake-looking wood trim that comes standard on the base-engine models is swapped out for a more premium-looking trim. Even though we don't quite get the same semi-luxury vibes we do in Mazda's CX-90, the Grand Highlander is a pleasant place to spend time. The Hybrid Max powertrain does carry a bit of a price premium, but given the fundamental upgrades, we think it's still a good value.
Toyota's warranty coverage is pretty common for the class with three years/36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and five years/60,000 miles for the powertrain. The first two years of scheduled maintenance are also free.
Wildcard
8/10
Alas, among all the thoughtful touches and improvements Toyota made with the Grand Highlander, it's odd that the designers decided to wrap it all up in rather anonymous style. Even the exterior styling of the Highlander pushed a few boundaries and gave it some character, allowing it to stand out in the sea of suburbia. Not so with the Grand Highlander. It's not offensive, but the slab-sided flanks and all-too-textbook front and rear end are absent any real personality. The saving grace is that the Hybrix Max version is one of the quicker three-row SUVs around.
Which Grand Highlander Hybrid does Edmunds recommend?
The base XLE will satisfy buyers on a budget, but those with a little extra dough will find the step up to the Limited worth it. Ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, leather upholstery, and an upgraded JBL sound system are meaningful comfort upgrades, and parking sensors with automatic braking front and rear help protect your investment. We also think opting for the more powerful Hybrid Max powertrain is worth the money.
The overall sentiment for the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is positive. Owners love the spacious interior, comfortable seating, and great gas mileage. They appreciate its smooth and quiet ride and find the safety features and powerful performance impressive. However, some owners pointed out issues with the electronics and long wait times for extra keys, which can be frustrating.
This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
I have the Hybrid Limited version. Not only is it a beautiful car but drives like a dream. The 3rd row is so much better, even I am comfortable sitting back there if needed. Better cargo room then most SUVs I have driven. I was getting about 32-33 mpg average during the summer and fall but with the colder winter I am averaging about 30mpg. It is a new model so of course you are going to … have some kinks that need to get worked out(like some of the gas models having the transmission light up thing, although I heard Toyota has since fixed it) But overall just a fantastic vehicle. I don’t love driving, but I actually enjoy getting to drive this car.
Our Top-Rated Hybrids | Best Hybrid Cars, SUVs, Trucks and Minivans
Even with fully electric vehicles stealing the spotlight, gas/electric hybrids are continuing to become more prevalent in the car market. These vehicles provide stellar efficiency without having to worry about plugging in. In this video, Edmunds’ Casey Goode gives you an overview of our top-rated hybrid vehicles, including cars, SUVs, trucks and even minivans.
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Features & Specs
Our experts’ favorite Grand Highlander Hybrid safety features:
Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
Warns of an approaching vehicle or pedestrian, providing additional braking force or applying the brakes automatically if necessary.
Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
Maintains a driver-set distance between the Toyota and the car in front.
Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
Alerts the driver of possible unintended lane departures and can apply small corrective steering inputs to keep the vehicle in its lane.
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
Not Rated
Driver
Not Rated
Passenger
Not Rated
Side Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
Not Rated
Side Barrier Rating
Rating
Overall
Not Rated
Driver
Not Rated
Passenger
Not Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Rating
Front Seat
Not Rated
Back Seat
Not Rated
Rollover
Rating
Rollover
4 / 5
Dynamic Test Result
No Tip
Risk Of Rollover
16.9%
FAQ
Is the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 Grand Highlander Hybrid both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.4 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2024 Grand Highlander Hybrid gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 20 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Grand Highlander Hybrid has 20.6 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid. Learn more
What's new in the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid:
All-new model that's a more spacious version of the current Highlander
Increased third-row space and cargo capacity
Two hybrid powertrains offered, with a big gap in efficiency
2024 model kicks off the first Grand Highlander Hybrid generation
To determine whether the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Grand Highlander Hybrid. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Grand Highlander Hybrid's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2024 Grand Highlander Hybrid and gave it a 8.4 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2024 Grand Highlander Hybrid gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 20 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 Grand Highlander Hybrid is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid?
The least-expensive 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid XLE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $45,020.
Other versions include:
XLE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $45,020
XLE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $46,620
Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $51,410
MAX Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A) which starts at $54,390
MAX Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A) which starts at $58,475
What are the different models of Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid?
If you're interested in the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, the next question is, which Grand Highlander Hybrid model is right for you? Grand Highlander Hybrid variants include XLE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), XLE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), and MAX Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A). For a full list of Grand Highlander Hybrid models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more