Toyota’s Highlander AWD SUV has been the carmakers top selling midsize SUV with their RAV4 being their top compact SUV. For 2025, Highlander has been lengthened four inches to accommodate a third-row seat making it an impressive family hauler. And we were privileged to test the Grand Highlander Hybrid version that for its slightly larger size, garnered impressive fuel economy.
Grand Highlander is offered in FWD and AWD and in LE, XLE, Limited, Nightshade Edition and Platinum. We tested the AWD Limited and it was a beauty.
Grand Highlander has clean, classical styling lines with a grille that has a family look that can be found on the RAV4 and 4Runner in Toyota’s AWD class. And it follows through to the rear. And with 8.0 inches of ground clearance, Grand Highlander can handle modest snow depths and light off-roads.
This classy styling follows through to the interior where a vivid 12.3-inch infotainment display combines HVAC controls that display on the screen along with rearview, front view and revolving view cameras, 4G connect, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity, navigation, apps and more.
Below the automatic transmission gear selector are five drive mode switches for Eco, Sport, Normal, Trail and EV modes. The latter allows short trips on electric power only. And below this, the nifty console box lid slides rearward instead of flipping upward like on many other vehicles. Of course there’s a wireless phone charger included at the base of the vertical stack.
Over on the vivid 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, it offers a driver information display between the main gauges for alerts, features and functions.
Heated/ventilated sumptuously padded front seats have perforated inserts with extended under thigh support. A heated steering wheel fills out the cold weather driving requirements.
With a low 20-inch step-in, second row passengers are treated to good leg and head room. The heated captain’s chairs slide forward to allow accessing the third row where short-statured adults can actually be seated. So arranged, Grand Highlander can seat seven. Replace the captain’s chairs with a bench seat and seating increases to eight total passengers. And between the second-row captain’s chair seats there’s a center console with drink holders and bin for small item storage, and it can be removed for added space.
Back in the spacious cargo area, that has a low 32-inch lift-over onto the cargo floor, and with the third-row seats upright, there’s 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space that measures 24 inches deep, 47.5 wide and 32 high. Flip them and capacity increases to 57.9 cubic feet for 52 inches of loading depth. And when flipping the second-row captains chairs, capacity expands to 97.5 cubic feet.
Grand Highlander AWD is offered with three powertrain choices. A 2.4L turbo gas engine, 2.4L Hybrid, and 2.4L Turbo Hybrid Max that couples to a conventional 6-speed automatic transmission while the others come with a CVT transmission.
Our test car was powered by the 2.4L Hybrid 4-cylinder that with two electric motors, had a combined 245-hp. Otherwise it generates 187-hp and 177 lb/ft of torque. Paired with the CVT, it rates EPA mileage estimates of 35 city, 33-highway mpg. So equipped, the hybrid system carries a 3,500-pound tow rating. If you need more power and 5,000-pound tow capacity, upgrade to the 2.4L Hybrid Max Turbo that puts out a combined 363-hp and 400 lb/ft of torque for EPA mileage estimates of 26 city, 27-highway mpg.
The Grand Highlander Limited came with Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 that includes pre-collision, front/rear parking assist w/auto brake, blind spot monitor w/rear cross traffic alert and Star Safety System.
Options included panoramic view monitor ($500), panoramic sunroof ($1,350) plus delivery ($1,450) that took the price to $53,205. This is a lot of SUV for the money. Plus, you get Toyota’s proven hybrid technology, build with quality materials.
If in the market for a stylish, family hauler with hybrid technology, check out Toyota’s Grand Highlander as it is really grand.
