What is a Grand Highlander? The Grand Highlander is a midsize SUV built in the Princeton, Indiana assembly plant and sold in North America by Toyota. The Grand Highlander is a family SUV that is essentially a larger and more spacious version of the standard Toyota Highlander with a more rugged exterior design.
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander is a midsize 3 row SUV, although it’s on the larger end of the segment, bordering on full size in terms of interior and cargo space. It is designed to accommodate adults comfortably in the third row, and provides more cargo room than its smaller sibling, the Toyota Highlander. Here is a quick size comparison.
Size and Class: It’s a midsize SUV with a length of 201.4 inches, a width of 78.3 inches, and a wheelbase of 116.1 inches.
Interior Space: The Grand Highlander offers a more spacious interior than the standard Highlander, with more legroom and headroom, making it more suitable for adults.
Cargo: It has 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down, which is significantly more than the standard Highlander.
Positioning: Toyota positions the Grand Highlander as a larger, more practical option for families who need to use the third row regularly, sitting between the Highlander and the larger and full size Toyota Sequoia SUV.
For the 2026 model year, it will have minimal changes from the 2025 model and includes several new features. It’s now available with a turbocharged 2.4 liter gasoline engine and two different hybrid power trains, offering a choice of 7 or 8 seats.
Engine and performance:
Gasoline: A 2.4 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder engine with 265 horsepower (HP) and 310 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8 speed automatic transmission is standard.
Hybrid: The hybrid system uses a 2.5 liter 4 cylinder gas engine and 2 electric motors for a combined output of 245 horsepower.
Hybrid MAX: A more powerful hybrid system combines the 2.4 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder engine with electric motors for a total of 362 HP and 400 lb-ft of torque.
Drive: Both front wheel drive (FWD) and all wheel drive (AWD) options are available.
Key features:
Interior: Offers a spacious interior with room for adults in the third row, and comes standard with heated seats and a wireless charging pad on most trims.
Technology: Equipped with a 12.3″ infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 7.0″ driver information screen.
Safety: Comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes a variety of active safety features, as well as available features like Traffic Jam Assist.
Towing: The gas powered models have a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
Trim levels: Includes a variety of 10 gas and hybrid trim levels, such as the new Hybrid Nightshade model with black accents.
Pricing and availability for gas models:
LE: Starting at $41,360
XLE: Starting at $44,130
Limited: Starting at $48,860
Platinum: Starting at $54,545
Hybrid models:
Hybrid LE: Starting at $44,710
Hybrid XLE: Starting at $45,880
Hybrid Limited: Starting at $52,210
Hybrid Nightshade: Starting at $53,190
Hybrid MAX Limited: Starting at $55,190
Hybrid MAX Platinum: Starting at $59,275
Note: These are starting window sticker prices, and do not include options, destination charges, dealer installed accessories, state and local sales taxes, plus the DMV and dealer fees. You can also add AWD to many trims for an additional cost too.
OK, then what is the difference between the Limited Edition and the Platinum Edition? The main differences are that the Platinum trim of the Grand Highlander includes standard AWD, a panoramic view monitor, a 10″ head up display, a digital rearview mirror, and heated and ventilated second row seats. The Limited trim does come with a similar level of premium interior features, including ventilated front seats and heated second row seats, but lacks the advanced driver aids and other premium amenities found on the top of the line Platinum Edition Grand Highlander.
To promote the new 2026 model lineup, this week Toyota sent me a Grand Highland SUV to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this Platinum Hybrid MAX edition is $59,275. The option on the test SUV are: none. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) , including the $1,495 delivery charge is: $60,770.
After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the out the door and in your driveway total purchase price came to $68,366. At just 366 bucks over $68 Grand, you get a fully optioned, luxury level SUV, that gets 26 MPG city, 27 MPG highway, and 27 MPG in combined driving. It also has the Hybrid MAX drive train.
And what does Hybrid MAX mean? The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander with the Hybrid MAX option means it uses a more powerful hybrid drive train, designed for quicker acceleration, higher performance, and better fuel economy.
Here are the Hybrid MAX powertrain specs:
Engine: A 2.4L turbocharged 4 cylinder gasoline engine paired with 2 electric motors.
Horsepower: 362 net combined horsepower.
Torque: 400 lb-ft of torque.
Transmission: A 6 speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.
Drivetrain: Has AWD for enhanced traction in various conditions.
Increased power: Delivers a significant boost in acceleration, making it feel more powerful than many other hybrid models.
Drive modes: Has Sport, Eco, and Normal to adjust performance and efficiency.
Towing: The Hybrid MAX powertrain is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.
You should consider buying a 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum Edition for its upscale interior, advanced features, and premium styling, which include a gloss black grille, chrome accents, leather seats, and a panoramic sunroof. It also offers a spacious cabin with comfortable seating, with a lot of cargo space, positioning it as a strong choice for families who need a large and feature rich SUV.
Five key reasons to buy a Toyota Grand Highland Platinum Edition Hybrid MAX SUV:
Premium interior and features: The Platinum trim provides a luxury feel with real leather seats, including exclusive quilted stitching, a heated steering wheel, a 12.3″ digital gauge cluster, a head up display, and a digital camera rearview mirror.
Spaciousness: The Grand Highlander is one of the roomiest SUVs in its class, with up to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space when the rear seats are folded down. The third row is more accommodating for adults than many competitors.
Advanced technology: This model includes a 360 degree camera system and a standard panoramic sunroof, as well as advanced safety features like Toyota Safety Sense 3.0.
Upscale exterior styling: It features a distinct and bold design with a prominent gloss black grille, chrome accents, and unique 20″ alloy wheels with a special finish.
Comfort and ride: The Grand Highlander offers a comfortable ride over bumps and ruts, and the Platinum trim includes convenience features like memory seats and rain sensing wipers.
So, call, click or visit your local Toyota dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the new 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum Edition MAX Hybrid SUV. And remember that the base price for a new Grand Highlander starts at only $41,360.
Toyota’s main tagline is Let’s Go Places. This slogan was introduced in 2012 to reflect the company’s commitment to exciting products, innovation, and enriching customers lives. It’s an open invitation for customers to embark on new adventures, and help shape the future of all Toyota vehicles.
The key to life is to learn something new every day, and by reading my Bottom Line review, I hope you did just that, learned about something new and exciting. So, be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, You Are What You Drive, and maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should Drive one, Buy one, Today. Drive safely, have a great day, and enjoy the ride, as the future looks nice and bright – Tony the Car Guy.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. Tony the Car Guy is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net