2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.