Toyota’s 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid three-row SUV is a bit longer than the carmakers top-selling smaller size Highlander. The extra length allows for a third row of seats making it an impressive family hauler.
Grand Highlander is offered in FWD and AWD and in LE, XLE, Limited, Nightshade Edition and Platinum. We tested the AWD Limited Hybrid and it was a beauty with impressive fuel economy for a large AWD SUV with Trail mode.
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, some voice recognition, navigation, apps and more.
Below the automatic transmission gear selector are five drive mode switches for Eco, Sport, Normal, Trail and EV modes. The EV mode 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 well 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, 48 wide and 31.5 high. Flip them and capacity increases to 57.9 cubic feet for 53 inches of loading depth. And when flipping the second-row captain’s chairs, capacity expands to 97.5 cubic feet for 64 inches of loading depth.
Grand Highlander Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that generates 245-combined horsepower and 310 combined lb/ft of torque. It couples to a CVT automatic transmission that provides EPA mileage estimate of 36 city, 32-highway mpg and offers a tow capacity of up to 3,500. For more power, the optional Hybrid Max engine puts out a whopping 362-hp and 400 lb/ft of torque with a 6-speed automatic transmission and 5,000-pound tow capacity.
Grand Highlander offers a heavenly, smooth, quiet ride on Continental 20-inch tires. Its gas to hybrid and back transition is virtually unnoticeable. And its parks easily with a tight 19.3-foot turn circle. The 2.5-liter easily moves Grand Highlander Hybrid’s 4,510-pound curb weigh with ease. Acceleration is linear in application. Sport mode slightly livens passing power.
The Grand Highlander Limited Hybrid 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, Star Safety System and more.
Price wise and with options that include panoramic view monitor ($500), panoramic sunroof ($1,350) and delivery ($1,495), took the base price of $52,210 to a bottom line of $55,655. This is a lot of SUV for the money. Plus, you get Toyota’s proven hybrid technology, build and quality materials.
If in the market for a stylish, family hauler with hybrid technology, check out Toyota’s 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid as it is really grand.
