Buyers can choose from three Grand Highlander Hybrid trims (XLE, Limited, and Platinum) and two powerplants. The XLE and Limited get the 245-horsepower base powertrain, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor. Standard with the Platinum and optional in the Limited is the 362-hp Hybrid MAX powertrain. The XLE comes with front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is optional. The Limited and Platinum, regardless of their powertrain, are all-wheel drive.
The EPA-estimated fuel economy for the 2.5-liter powertrain is 36-37 mpg around town and 32-34 on the highway, based on the trim and drivetrain. Grand Highlanders with the Hybrid MAX system are estimated to return 26 city/27 highway.
Behind the front row, the Grand Highlander Hybrid has 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space, more than the Highlander and the full-sized Sequoia SUV. The cargo capacity changes to 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 20.6 cubic feet in the cargo area when all seats are in use. The maximum towing limit for the Grand Highlander Hybrid is 5,000 pounds, regardless of the powertrain.
XLE buyers can select between seven-passenger seating with captain’s chairs in the middle row or eight-passenger capacity with a second-row bench seat. This nicely equipped base trim comes with tri-zone automatic climate control, a cabin air filter, heated front seats, wireless device charging, seven USB-C ports (one media and six charging), a power liftgate, SofTex upholstery, a ten-way power driver’s seat, an eight-way power front passenger seat, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, LED exterior lighting, rear privacy glass, heated power side mirrors, second-row sunshades, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, roof rails, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
The Limited adds leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row outboard seats, a hands-free liftgate, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, a driver’s memory system, LED fog lights, heated side mirrors with power-folding functionality, a 12.3-inch digital driver display, rain-sensing windshield wipers, ambient cabin lighting, and 20-inch alloy wheels. The top-of-the-line Platinum is configured with heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs (for a seven-passenger limit) and gets a panoramic moonroof, a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and trim-specific 20-inch alloy wheels.
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is installed in every 2024 Grand Highlander Hybrid. This driver-assist suite includes adaptive cruise control, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, proactive driving assist (for enhanced braking support and distance control), and automatic high beams. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking are standard with the Limited and Platinum. The Platinum also gets a surround-view monitor, a digital rearview mirror, front cross-traffic alert, and access to traffic jam assist services. All trims get a set of airbags, anti-lock brakes, vehicle stability control, traction control, and hill start assist.
The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system found in every Grand Highlander Hybrid unites wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A six-speaker audio system is part of the XLE’s array, while the Limited and Platinum get an 11-speaker JBL upgrade. All three trims also have Cloud Navigation, access to a Wi-Fi hotspot and Toyota Connected Services (for emergency help and remote features), and a digital key (a smartphone app for vehicle access and operation).