Toyota kicked off the 2023 Chicago Auto Present with the world premiere of the 2024 Grand Highlander. It marks the Japanese automaker’s first midsize-class SUV to supply what they name an “adult-sized third row” with “ample cargo house.”
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Grand Highlander runs on a stretched model of the present Highlander’s platform. Customary seating is for seven with captain’s chairs comprising the twond-row. An non-compulsory 2nd-row bench will increase passenger capability to eight. Whereas the usual Highlander presents related seating choices, the Grand model presents almost 6 inches of further 3rd-row legroom, 2.5 inches extra shoulder room, and an inch of additional headroom. Cargo house additionally will increase to 97.5 cubic toes with all seating rows folded, a 15 % enhance over the smaller Highlander. This additional passenger and cargo quantity now means Toyota could be extra aggressive towards different three-row “large-midsize” SUVs such because the Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Hyundai Palisade/Kia Telluride, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Mazda CX-9, Nissan Pathfinder, and Volkswagen Atlas.
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Powertrain choices embody the selection of front- or all-wheel drive. The lone typical gasoline engine is the two.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that made its debut on the 2023 Highlander, which produces 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It can use an 8-speed automated transmission.
A pair of gasoline/electrical hybrid choices can even be accessible. The primary makes use of Toyota’s tried-and-tested 2.5-liter gasoline engine. When mixed with the electrical motor, complete output is 243 horsepower with an EPA-estimated 34 mpg mixed fuel-economy ranking. Prime-end fashions, dubbed Hybrid MAX, will get an much more potent drivetrain that produces 362 horsepower and a most towing capability of 5,000 kilos.
Inside facilities are what you’d anticipate from a car on this class. The usual infotainment interface makes use of a big 12.3-inch display with assist for over-the-air software program updates. The accessible built-in navigation system is related to the cloud to supply a extra seamless replace expertise. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are additionally normal. Toyota is constant its partnership with JBL to supply the non-compulsory top-end audio resolution that additionally consists of its intelligent Clari-Fi system to boost the standard of compressed songs performed from streaming companies.
Different objects normal on the bottom XLE grade are Toyota Security Sense (TSS) 3.0, blind-spot alert with rear cross-traffic detection, heated entrance seats, 2nd-row sunshades, seven USB-C energy ports, energy rear liftgate, and Digital Key, which lets you use your smartphone to lock/unlock and begin the car through the use of your smartphone. TSS 3.0 is a set of driver-assistance options that features pre-collision braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, radar cruise management, road-sign detection, and a brand new system that the automaker calls “Proactive Driving Help,” which incorporates restricted autonomous functionality much like Nissan’s ProPILOT Help.
Shifting as much as the mid-level Grand Highlander Restricted nets you 20-inch wheels (up from normal 18s), hands-free energy liftgate, leather-based upholstery, ventilated entrance seats, heated 2nd-row seats, driver-seat reminiscence, heated steering wheel, JBL audio, impediment detection, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
The flagship Platinum mannequin comes normal with ventilated 2nd-row seating, a panoramic sunroof, head-up instrument show, surround-view digital camera, entrance cross-traffic alert, and Site visitors Jam Help.
The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is slated to on sale in late summer season. Pricing will probably be introduced nearer to that point, however we might estimate the front-drive gasoline XLE to return in at round $43,000-$44,000 plus vacation spot charge with a loaded AWD Platinum MAX Hybrid topping out at across the $55,000 mark.
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CG Says:
The Grand Highlander fills a long-standing hole in Toyota’s product portfolio. It appears the half and will carry out fairly nicely, particularly with the MAX Hybrid drivetrain. At the very least for now, the one factor Toyota needs to be involved about is how this car may doubtlessly damage common Highlander gross sales because it’s considerably of a redundant product. These needing three rows will flock to the Grand Highlander or the full-size Sequoia whereas of us who can get by with a five-seat SUV can flip to the cheaper Venza. It will likely be very fascinating to see how Toyota navigates this doubtlessly tough advertising and marketing state of affairs.
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2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Gallery
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