“Yeah, It Is That Good” 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max

The Grand Highlander is the dedicated 3-row crossover Toyota fans have long waited for. Contrary to the name, it is not a Highlander with an extended wheelbase but an entirely new model with its own exterior, interior, and drivetrain options. For those not into minivans, this has been designed as the ultimate Toyota family vehicle. Automotive website “The Truth About Cars” dispatched admitted minivan fan Chris Tonn to review the Grand Highlander. Valley Hi Toyota summarizes his review.

Turbo + Hybrid = More than Enough

Tonn tips off his feelings about the Grand Highlander in the headline, which says: “Yeah, it Is That Good.” He spent time with the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max Platinum, which is as much Grand Highlander as one can get. The Hybrid Max part of the name makes a big impression. It consists of a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 hybrid. Combining a turbocharger with hybrid systems is a thing Toyota does now, but it is still not common elsewhere. It amounts to 362 total system horsepower @ 6,000 rpm with a massive 400 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm. A decade or two ago, these were numbers you would only find on high-performance models. 

Tonn also celebrates that the Hybrid Max controls its power with a six-speed automatic instead of the usual CVT. That may sound like a paltry amount of gear ratios, but with both a turbocharger and an electric motor churning out torque during acceleration, you don’t need more. That combination also gives the Grand Highlander a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds compared to 3,500 in non-Hybrid Max models. Of course, fuel economy is the main reason for a hybrid, and Tonn states that his testing perfectly matched the 27 combined EPA estimations. 

The Top Model is Great But Not Necessary

The Platinum model was quite fancy inside, and Tonn points out that while his as-tested model was almost $62K, the Grand Highlander hybrid model line starts at about $45K, which is about the average price of a new car. That model will be front-wheel drive and without the hybrid max engine, but you will get superb packaging that can place adults in any of 3 rows of seats without complaints. You will get the 12.3-inch center screen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging with a USB-C charging point for everyone else (1 media port, six charge ports), tri-zone climate control, and plenty of other niceties. The non-turbocharged hybrid has a 36 combined MPG rating compared to the Hybrid Max’s 27. Tonn also points out that the Hybrid Max comes standard with a combination of leather and Ultrasuede seats for the front and 2nd-row seats, which are lovely but may not be as family-resilient as the Softex^® seats of the hybrid and other models. 

Tonn concludes that while the Grand Highlander still won’t swallow as much as the Sienna minivan –  he refers to a dishwasher as an example –  “…this 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max will fit just about every other need nicely.” 
The crossover that will handle all of your family car needs with aplomb and give you the Toyota quality and reliability you crave can be found in the Valley Hi Toyota inventory, with one ready for you to test drive. Check out the Grand Highlander soon.

Tags: 2024, features, Grand Highlander, New Vehicle, Toyota
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