Say Hello to the All-New Toyota Grand Highlander

Do you love the style, elegance, and power of the Toyota Highlander but wish it was larger? You’re not the only one, and Toyota has heard your pleas for a bigger vehicle; the stunning, new Grand Highlander is here and ready to deliver everything you’ve been looking for. This entirely new model offers everything we love about the Highlander SUV and makes it bigger, with a longer wheelbase and more room inside—and what has Toyota done with that space? They’ve added to the third row that’s perfect for growing families.

Whether you’re already considering a Toyota Grand Highlander for sale or this is the first you’ve heard of this exciting new model, it’s important to know what to look for. You have a number of exciting options available with the Grand Highlander, including three different powertrains, several trim levels, and a medley of other options. No matter how you configure it, you’ll get a terrific vehicle that's fun to drive and marvelously roomy—so let's review those features and options to determine which would be ideal for you.

Three Powertrains for Robust Performance

There’s a lot to like about the incredible new Grand Highlander, but high on that list are the three different powertrain options. These make it easy to tailor the power and performance you need in your large SUV. It’s worth noting that there are some restrictions on which engines are available with each trim, but we’ll get into that a bit further down. For now, let’s see these three powertrains...

Gas Engine

To start things off, you have a standard gas option that delivers great power and performance without the need to worry about anything else. This 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine provides 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, giving you plenty of power to tackle anything you need. Toyota has paired this engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard with this engine, though you can choose all-wheel drive (AWD) for boosted traction that’s perfect for dealing with New York winters. If you have a boat or something else you like to haul behind you, then you get up to 5,000 lbs of towing capacity with this one.

Hybrid Engine

For terrific power and performance, not to mention exceptional fuel efficiency, there’s a hybrid powertrain available—two actually, but this is the first of them. This is a 2.5L four-cylinder engine with a pair of electric motors to deliver 245 hp, and they're paired with a continuously variable transmission. The greatest perk of this engine is the remarkable fuel economy it delivers: an estimated 36 MPG in the city, 32 MPG on the highway, and 34 MPG combined. This is perfect for getting around the city or heading out on long road trips, letting you go further between stops for gas so you can focus on enjoying yourself longer.

Hybrid MAX Engine

If you want to experience the ultimate level of power in your Toyota Grand Highlander, then you need to check out the Hybrid MAX engine: a 2.4L i-FORCE MAX Turbo four-cylinder that delivers 362 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. This is an absolute beast that feels incredible to drive while still giving you surprising fuel efficiency for such a large SUV; it comes paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and AWD is standard with this engine. With the power from this engine, you get up to 5,000 lbs of towing capacity, which makes it our favorite pick of the three.

Three Trim Levels With Everything You Need

One of the things we love most about the Grand Highlander is that Toyota has kept things pretty simple; you’re not overwhelmed by options or more choices than are necessary. You won’t find the typical starting trims here from Toyota (the L and LE) since Toyota has skipped them and gone straight to the XLE as the starting option for the Grand Highlander. They understand that the kind of drivers interested in such a large and powerful SUV is looking for a sophisticated driving experience that surrounds you with innovative technology and advanced safety features designed to keep you and your loved ones safe—and that’s just what you’ll find here.

One thing to note is that you don’t have total freedom to pair the trim you want with any of the three powertrains. The standard gas engine is available with all three trim levels, but beyond that, you can only get the hybrid engine with the XLE or Limited, while the hybrid MAX is only offered with the Limited or Platinum trims. Keep that in mind while considering your options at your local Toyota dealer.

Grand Highlander XLE

With the XLE trim, you get an adjustable power liftgate, 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and taillights, heated power side mirrors, and more gorgeous exterior details. Inside the starting trim for the Grand Highlander, Toyota provides a 12.3-inch infotainment display with support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker sound system, and wireless smartphone charging.

You’ll find numerous USB ports inside the Grand Highlander XLE, with soft-touch materials throughout, plus three-zone automatic climate control and SofTex-trimmed seating with heated front seats, including a ten-way power driver’s seat. Every Grand Highlander comes with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, and Automatic High Beams.

Grand Highlander Limited

Moving up to the Limited trim provides numerous upgrades inside and out, such as a foot-activated height-adjustable power liftgate, 20-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, and power-folding side mirrors. You’ll find an eleven-speaker JBL Premium sound system inside the Limited, along with a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, ambient interior lighting, and heated second-row seats.

The Limited comes with leather-trimmed seating, heated and ventilated front seats, and a customizable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. All of this creates a gorgeous and comfortable interior. Standard safety features are upgraded with Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking to make parking much easier.

Grand Highlander Platinum

As you might expect, the Platinum is the ultimate expression of what the Grand Highlander has to offer, starting with a power tilt/slide panoramic roof that provides you with a stunning view of the sky overhead. Inside the Platinum, you’ll find a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel with paddle shifters, LED rear hatch cargo illumination that makes it easy to find what you’re looking for in the rear cargo area, and a digital rearview mirror.

You also get a 10.0-inch color head-up display—which projects relevant drive data onto your windshield—along with heated and ventilated second-row seats and a Panoramic View Monitor with a 360-degree Overhead View to give you a better look around your vehicle while you’re maneuvering at low speeds.

An Amazing New Entry in the Toyota Lineup

With so many stunning features and options, you can’t go wrong with any Toyota Grand Highlander trim; it all comes down to getting what you need. Your choice of engine is crucial for your driving experience—as is your trim—so consider all options carefully and choose the right one. If you’re not sure which setup has everything you’re looking for, we’re here to help with knowledgeable salespeople ready to guarantee you find the perfect fit.

Contact us or come in for a visit at Toyota of Manhattan today to learn more about the Grand Highlander and the rest of Toyota’s lineup; we’ll ensure you drive away in a vehicle you love that will treat you well for many miles ahead.