Toyota Grand Highlander: The Toyota Grand Highlander is the definition of a modern family SUV done right. Whether you’re planning a cross country adventure or need a comfortable daily driver for your growing family, this three row SUV deliver practicality, comfort and technology in one handsome package.
Luxurious space for the contemporary family
The Grand Highlander exudes meticulous design in every way. Toyota enhanced the basic Highlander’s features, making it larger, more spacious and even more adaptable. There is plenty room for family, friends and all of their bags thanks to the three roomy row of seats and cozy seating for up to eight people.
The Grand Highlander’s larger cabin makes long travel much more enjoyable than those of the standard Highlander. This SUV can accommodate everything without feeling crowded, including children, dogs, and sporting goods.
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Additionally, this family-oriented vehicle is remarkably trouble-free even after 30,000 miles of driving which is evidence of Toyota’s dependability.
30,000 mile down and this family-focused SUV remain impressively trouble-free.
Senior editor Greg Fink took the Grand Highlander on a 3,600-mile family trip to Colorado and back. Another editor, Jacob Kurowicki, explored Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for tire testing, adding another 1,000 miles. From my own experience, the Grand Highlander proved ideal for long-haul comfort — with several 2,000-plus-mile family trips, including drives to Hilton Head Island, Hershey, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
No matter the journey, the Grand Highlander handles it all with quiet confidence.
Winter-Ready, Road-Tested
We switched to a pair of Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 all-weather tire when winter arrived. These turned out to be a fantastic fit providing strong traction in snow, rain, and ice without compromising performance in warmer region. These lasted nicely across several seasons in contrast to standard winter tires that deteriorate quickly in hot weather.
Sensor Annoyances and Small Gripes
Of course, no vehicle is perfect. The Grand Highlander’s advanced safety sensors tend to get over-zealous. When cameras or radars get blocked by dirt or snow, alerts pop up continuously — and unfortunately, you can’t turn them off completely. During a particularly messy Midwest storm, the flashing warnings were more irritating than helpful.
Still for a vehicle loaded with so much tech, this is a minor trade-off.
Driving Excellence with Minor Flaws
The Max Hybrid powertrain delivers 362 horsepower, making this large SUV surprisingly quick for its size. Editor Tony Quiroga called its performance “nothing short of stunning,” and we agree. Acceleration is smooth, highway cruising is stable, and handling feels composed even when loaded with passenger and cargo.
Inside the interior comfort and cabin quietness stand out — perfect for long drives. The only small gripes: the slippery wireless charging pad and thin body panels, which we accidentally dented while closing the tailgate. Thankfully, a $140 dent repair kit fixed the issue easily.
Fuel Range Surprise
At first the Grand Highlander’s highway range seemed low — barely 300 miles per tank. But after testing, we found that Toyota’s distance-to-empty estimate was overly cautious. Even when the gauge showed “0 miles” the SUV managed an extra 60 miles before empty.
By trusting the gauge less and the tank more, we now comfortably achieve around 400 miles per tank — much better for long-distance travel.
Service Costs: A Cautionary Tale
ToyotaCare, every last 25,000 miles of it, wasn’t rendered into distance. While a basic 20K service (oil change, tire rotation, inspection) would have cost $156 — if not covered — a later 30K service estimate shocked us at over $1400. After reviewing the fine print, we cut it down to the essentials (oil change, air filters, tire rotation) and paid a much more reasonable $325. The lesson: always double-check what a dealer recommends versus what the owner’s manual requires.
Looking Ahead
With warmer weather arriving road-trip season is just beginning. Now that we’ve solved the fuel-range mystery and managed minor repair the final 10,000 miles should fly by.
Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Grade
- Prices: $55435 base, $58178 test
- Powertrain: 2.4L turbocharge I-4 + 2 AC motors 362 hp combine
- Transmission: 6 speed automatic transmission + direct drive
- Fuel Economy: 23 mpg observed
- Fuel Range: roughly around 390 miles
- 36,000 bumper to bumper mile with a 3 year warranty for defect in material and workmanship followed by five-year powertrain coverage for 60,000 mile again followed by hybrid battery coverage for ten year or 150,000 mile.
- Curb weight: 4957 lbs
- Acceleration of 14.3 seconds from zero to sixty on a quarter-mile.
Final Thought
The Toyota Grand Highlander is still impressive after more than 30000 mile. It is roomy, powerful and packed with innovation that improve the comfort of every trip. It is the perfect SUV for large families or anyone who loves comfort and room without sacrificing dependability thank to its hybrid economy, powerful performance and elegant design.
FAQs
Q1. Is the Toyota Grand worth the extra cost over the standard Highlander?
A: Yes The Grand Highlander offer significantly more interior space especially in the third row and adds premium comfort and hybrid performance option. For larger families or frequent traveler the upgrade is absolutely worth it.
Q2. How many passenger can the Toyota Grand Highlander seat?
A: The Grand Highlander comfortable seat up to eight passenger depending on trim and seating configuration.
Q3. How reliable is the Toyota Highlander?
A: After 30,000 mile of ownership the SUV has remained nearly trouble free. Toyota’s reputation for durability holds true with the Grand Highlander as well.
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