WHERE WILL THE 2024 GRAND HIGHLANDER FIT INTO TOYOTA’S LINEUP?
Consider the Toyota Grand Highlander, which makes its debut for the 2024 model year, the larger and more upscale iteration of the three-row, midsize Highlander — as the term “grand” in its name suggests. The Grand Highlander will add to Toyota’s already sizeable lineup of crossover and SUVs, but where will it land within that lineup, and what buyers are the new model aiming to court?
The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is a bigger, but not quite full-sized, three-row
Buyers at a Toyota dealership are not left wanting for SUV options, with the automaker offering models plenty of models ranging from the economically focused Corolla Cross, the compact RAV4, two midsize options in the 4Runner and Highlander, and the full-size Sequoia. The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander will slot between the midsize Highlander and beefy Sequoia. The Grand Highlander will be more pragmatic than the smaller Highlander without the added bulk (and price) of the $60,000-to-start Sequoia.
One knock against the Highlander is its limited passenger and cargo space against many of its rivals, and the Grand Highlander aims to provide an option for buyers who need more pragmaticism in a midsize SUV. The Grand Highlander delivers 5.5 inches of more legroom in the rear row than its smaller sibling and 20.6 cubic feet of storage space behind those seats versus the Highlander’s 16 cu. ft. The Grand Highlander offers two inches more rear legroom and more than 10 cubic feet of additional cargo space behind the front seats than the venerable Kia Telluride (97.5 cubic feet in the Toyota versus 87 cu. ft. in the Kia).
The Grand Highlander offers a more upmarket cabin and features
The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander will be the more upscale option compared to the Toyota Highlander. The base model has a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 7.0-inch digital driver’s display, second-row sunshades, and other desirable features. Comparatively, the standard Highlander comes equipped with cloth seats, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, and an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat.
With more upmarket amenities, the 2024 Grand Highlander seemingly aims to attract buyers who want a more refined interior and creature comforts over the more entry-level Highlander. This suggests Toyota was perhaps benchmarking the upper trims of the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, which practically infringe into luxury territory despite their non-luxury pricing.
The Grand Highlander starts at $44,670, a reasonable but notable hike from the standard Highlander’s $37,755 base price.
More engine options to take a look at
The 2024 Grand Highlander will offer buyers far more pick-and-choose for power and efficiency than the standard Highlander, which is available with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine developing 265 hp or the 243-hp Highlander Hybrid.
Both of these engines are available in the Grand Highlander, but those wanting more oomph can opt for the Hybrid Max model. Toyota says the Hybrid Max powertrain delivers 362 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque and will scoot the midsize three-row SUV from 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds.
The Grand Highlander will likely enjoy appeal among buyers
The Toyota Grand Highlander appears aimed at buyers who felt the Highlander’s pragmaticism was lacking against its midsize three-row competition and those who want a higher-class experience from their non-luxury SUV. That puts the Grand Highlander closely against the upper trims of the Palisade and Telluride and the upcoming 2024 Mazda CX-90. Effectively then, the Grand Highlander has some stiff competition.
The post Where Will the 2024 Grand Highlander Fit Into Toyota’s Lineup? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.
Read the original article from MotorBiscuit 2023-06-05T23:15:25Z dg43tfdfdgfd