“Great 3rd row and nice to drive on long trips. Hard to park and has a poor design with the plastic door overhead that stores sunglasses.”
Toyota Grand Highlander: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 4, 2026
The Toyota Grand Highlander is a large three-row family SUV known for its adult-friendly third row, generous cargo room, and choice of gas, efficiency-focused hybrid, or stronger Hybrid MAX power.
Introduced for 2024, the Grand Highlander applies Toyota’s practical family-SUV formula to a roomier package without moving into a full-size SUV. Its defining idea is usable space across all three rows, backed by flexible power choices for simplicity, fuel savings, or stronger performance. The first generation has stayed focused on that same formula rather than changing direction.
Strengths
- The third row is designed to be genuinely useful for adults, not just small children.
- There is plenty of room for bulky family gear, with up to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space in 2026.
- The cabin seats seven or eight people, depending on the 2026 version.
- Its powertrain range covers different priorities, from straightforward gas power to a fuel-saving hybrid and a 362-horsepower Hybrid MAX system.
- Every model year has used a large 12.3-inch touchscreen and Toyota’s modern safety suite as standard equipment.
Who it's for
It fits families who regularly carry older kids or adults in the third row and still need useful space for luggage, groceries, or sports gear. It also suits shoppers who find a typical three-row SUV too tight but do not want the bulk of a full-size model.
Toyota Grand Highlander lineup
Since 2025, LE has served as the lower entry point for gas and regular-hybrid models. XLE, Limited, and Platinum form the main trim progression, while the powertrain matters just as much as the trim: gas favors simplicity, the regular hybrid emphasizes fuel savings, and Hybrid MAX models trade some efficiency for stronger performance. Pick Nightshade if the hybrid’s darker, style-focused look is the priority. MAX Limited and MAX Platinum pair the stronger Hybrid MAX system with the upper trim levels, with Platinum sitting at the top of that branch.
Toyota Grand Highlander generations
From 2024 to 2026, the Grand Highlander spans 1 generation. The current 1st Generation arrived for 2024.
1st Generation (2024–Present)
The Grand Highlander debuted as a roomy three-row SUV with an adult-friendly third row and a large cargo area. This generation has gas, hybrid, and more powerful Hybrid MAX versions, plus a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 safety suite.
55 In Stock
2026
The lineup carries over with minor appearance updates, including black badges for Hybrid Nightshade and a gunmetal gray grille treatment for Hybrid MAX models.
2025Trim changes
The LE base trim joins the gas and regular-hybrid lineups, and the Hybrid Nightshade edition makes its first appearance.
2024New generation
The all-new Grand Highlander debuts with a larger three-row body, an adult-friendly third row, and gas, hybrid, and Hybrid MAX powertrains.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Toyota Grand Highlander.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Toyota Grand Highlander just a larger Highlander?
It is a separate, roomier three-row Toyota SUV built around family space. Its main advantages are an adult-friendly third row and up to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo room, without moving into a full-size SUV.
How many people does the Grand Highlander seat?
It seats seven or eight people, depending on the seating layout. An eight-seat version uses a second-row bench, while seven-seat layouts provide separate second-row seats and a clearer path to the third row.
Is the Grand Highlander’s third row usable for adults?
Yes. Toyota designed the third row to be adult-friendly, and it provides 33.5 inches of legroom. That makes the Grand Highlander a practical fit for families that regularly carry more than five people.
Does the Grand Highlander come as a hybrid?
Yes. The lineup has included a regular hybrid focused on fuel savings and a stronger Hybrid MAX system. Gas models have also been sold, so used shoppers will see three distinct powertrain families.
What’s the difference between the gas, hybrid, and Hybrid MAX Grand Highlander?
The gas version keeps things straightforward, the regular hybrid emphasizes lower fuel use, and Hybrid MAX emphasizes power. In the latest lineup, output ranges from 245 horsepower for the regular hybrid to 265 for gas and 362 for Hybrid MAX.
How much cargo space does the Grand Highlander have?
It provides up to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seats folded. Its large cargo area and usable third row are central to its role as a family SUV for passengers, groceries, luggage, and everyday gear.
How many generations of the Grand Highlander are there?
There is one generation so far. The Grand Highlander debuted for 2024, and no redesign or mid-generation refresh has been announced through 2026.
Toyota Grand Highlander Reviews
What owners are saying about the Toyota Grand Highlander.
4.2
Toyota Grand Highlander
(208 reviews)
“This car is a people and things mover. It is spacious and comfortable on the inside and it drives very well given the size. That said, Toyota technology is behind the times and I do wish it had more features for the cost.”
“This vehicle drives phenomenally and is easy to use, and comfortable plus gets great gas mileage.”
“If you want a roomy, stylish, fuel efficient, safe vehicle, this is it! Extra bonus is the brand name and history.”
“Best Mid sized SUV out there that can fit people in the 3rd row comfortably and allows you to reconfigure space easily to maximize storage space.”
“I love the grand highlander except one thing: driving in below freezing conditions, the wipers have ice buildup issues. The wipers sit below the front window defrost, and you can't leave the wipers extended when you exit the car to ease window clearing in winter weather. I would appreciate any feedback in dealing with this issue because I purchased this car for trips to go skiing.”
Sources
- pressroom.toyota.com — Comfort And Style Mile After Mile In The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
- pressroom.toyota.com — Toyota Grand Highlander Adds Hybrid Nightshade Edition And Le Grade For 2025
- pressroom.toyota.com — The Ultimate Family Suv Toyota Grand Highlander Makes World Premiere
- toyota.com — Grandhighlander / 2025
- toyota.com — 2025 / Section / Features
- toyota.com — Toyota Fleet Vehicles / Pdf / 2025 Fleet Guide
- toyota.com — Pdf / 2024 / Grandhighlander Ebrochure
- pressroom.toyota.com — Vehicle / 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander