“There can only be one,” says the 80s cult film, Highlanders. But according to Toyota, there may actually be two. With the new one last month, Toyota introduced a larger companion for its popular family SUV. While the two share attributes like styling cues and seating capabilities, the Highlander and Grand Highlander have differences that go far beyond size.
That’s how these Toyota family SUVs are different from each other.
Sitting on a truck chassis, the Highlander’s car-based architecture has endeared it to drivers who prioritize a smooth ride.
But now the Highlander isn’t just as a three-row crossover offering from Toyota. The OEM has upped the ante with the new 2024 Grand Highlander, an even larger crossover between the Highlander and Sequoia in Toyota’s SUV lineup.
Both models offer three rows of seats. But the Grand Highlander offers extra weight. According to , it is six inches longer and two inches taller than the Highlander. These dimensions produce extra cargo capacity, with the Grand Highlander offering 13.2 more cubic feet of total capacity than its counterpart. The family hauler will have 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded.
Style differentiates Toyota’s SUVs
Rather than simply lengthening an existing model, Toyota took the opportunity to give the Grand Highlander its own style. The Grand Highlander has a sharper and more aggressive overall look than the Highlander. As Autoblog points out, the front of the larger model even has styling links to the beefy Toyota 4Runner. The more familiar Highlander has curvier, softer features for contrast.
While these stylistic differences are numerous, their merit lies in the eye of the beholder.
More power available in Grand Highlander than in Highlander
The 2024 Grand Highlander offers more available horsepower than the smallest SUV. The Highlander offers a choice between a standard 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and a 2.5-litre hybrid system. Autoblog reports that the Grand Highlander will achieve even more, inheriting an available from the Lexus RX500h. This powertrain adds two electric motors to the 2.4-liter hybrid unit to produce 362 horsepower and a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
Autoblog indicates that the Grand Highlander may offer the same two basic engines as the Highlander, but Toyota hasn’t confirmed those details.
When will the 2024 Grand Highlander be available?
Autoblog’s report says the 2024 Grand Highlander will be available for purchase in 2024, with more details announced this summer. Toyota has not released any information on fuel efficiency, torque numbers, pricing, etc. In the meantime, we can look forward to the release of the 2024 Highlander and whether drivers can expect it to draw inspiration from its big brother.
