2024 Toyota Grand Highlander: Punchy hybrid power
More than a cursory glance at the teaser image reveals a Hybrid Max badge, as found on the aforementioned Crown rump. This means that the Grand Highlander will feature the same powertrain as the Hybrid Max variant of the Crown. The Hybrid Max powertrain combines a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor for a peak output of 340 horsepower. We’ve already driven the Crown in Hybrid Max guise, and while there’s another powertrain available, this more powerful version is definitely the one. It may also fix one of our criticisms of the current Highlander: its lack of engine options.
While a large seven-passenger, three-row SUV sounds like the work of the current Sequoia, some buyers may find a body-on-frame SUV a bit much. The unibody construction offered by the TNGA-K will likely meet most buyers’ needs and give the Grand Highlander a better shot at being the “ultimate road trip vehicle” Toyota claims it will be. Hopefully that claim also means more cargo and legroom, two key qualities we think the current Highlander is in short supply of.
Stay tuned for all the details about the upcoming Grand Highlander. All will be revealed on February 8, 2023.