2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Review - Toyota's Best People Mover
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Date: 2026-03-07
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Comments and reviews: 14
Noah_E
A spare tire, normal handles, real buttons and dials, impressive mpg for the size. I really like it, and lacking power adjustment for the steering wheel isn't a negative. I've had vehicles with both manual and power adjustment and prefer the one and done manual adjustment. KISS. The console wouldn't bother me one bit. I foster larger pups (currently five with the smallest being 50 lbs) and they like to stand on the console so I always have mine covered. I would prefer a bit more power, but the 0-60 and towing is more than sufficient. Note: I like Subuarus and have bought half a dozen new over the years. I would never buy an Ascent because the real world mpg is awful. Check them out at fuelly. They don't even break 20
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A spare tire, normal handles, real buttons and dials, impressive mpg for the size. I really like it, and lacking power adjustment for the steering wheel isn't a negative. I've had vehicles with both manual and power adjustment and prefer the one and done manual adjustment. KISS. The console wouldn't bother me one bit. I foster larger pups (currently five with the smallest being 50 lbs) and they like to stand on the console so I always have mine covered. I would prefer a bit more power, but the 0-60 and towing is more than sufficient. Note: I like Subuarus and have bought half a dozen new over the years. I would never buy an Ascent because the real world mpg is awful. Check them out at fuelly. They don't even break 20
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payrocoin
I feel like the Grand Highlander HybridMax needs a 10-speed automatic. The 6-speed is a bottleneck for it. A 10-speed auto would also improve fuel economy. I know Toyota can do it. They claimed that the 8-speed couldn't fit but I call BS. If the LC500 has an incredible 10-speed, and is much smaller than this then, Toyota could have made the effort.
The regular hybrid needs more power. Toyota could boost the power to at least 270 HP with tweaking the electric motors, battery pack or exhaust system. I wouldn't mind losing 1 mpg for a bit more power although I doubt that this would be the case.
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I feel like the Grand Highlander HybridMax needs a 10-speed automatic. The 6-speed is a bottleneck for it. A 10-speed auto would also improve fuel economy. I know Toyota can do it. They claimed that the 8-speed couldn't fit but I call BS. If the LC500 has an incredible 10-speed, and is much smaller than this then, Toyota could have made the effort.
The regular hybrid needs more power. Toyota could boost the power to at least 270 HP with tweaking the electric motors, battery pack or exhaust system. I wouldn't mind losing 1 mpg for a bit more power although I doubt that this would be the case.
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FoCoBuzz
I like the Grand Highlander but I’ve only had my Highlander for two and a half years and love it. By the time I’m ready for a new one, hopefully the GH will be redesigned. I’d like to see the platinum look a little more premium on the exterior. Also, I’d like the see the gauge cluster be more like the current infotainment screen and not buried in a hood like an old school dash. The Palisade interior definitely looks more upscale from videos. But I can’t see switching to Kia or Hyundai over Toyota quality.
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I like the Grand Highlander but I’ve only had my Highlander for two and a half years and love it. By the time I’m ready for a new one, hopefully the GH will be redesigned. I’d like to see the platinum look a little more premium on the exterior. Also, I’d like the see the gauge cluster be more like the current infotainment screen and not buried in a hood like an old school dash. The Palisade interior definitely looks more upscale from videos. But I can’t see switching to Kia or Hyundai over Toyota quality.
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mahcohs
I think you can tell Toyota rushed this design after they saw the Telluride's outselling the regular Highlander. Unfortunately, it already looks outdated compared to the new design language Toyota has launched with their new RAV4, Highlander EV, CH-R, etc.
Not to mention this model is still using TSS 3. 0 instead of the newer TSS 4. 0 safety tech (don't even get me started on Toyota's Sienna minivan still using TSS 2. 0)
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I think you can tell Toyota rushed this design after they saw the Telluride's outselling the regular Highlander. Unfortunately, it already looks outdated compared to the new design language Toyota has launched with their new RAV4, Highlander EV, CH-R, etc.
Not to mention this model is still using TSS 3. 0 instead of the newer TSS 4. 0 safety tech (don't even get me started on Toyota's Sienna minivan still using TSS 2. 0)
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james2042
The thing I don't like about the hybrid max, is the phev v6 exist and its all around a better powertrain. I would love to see a detuned version of that in here, even if it meant just the 4 cylinder and the same phev. The turbo hybrid being fwd with eawd just ruins it for me, I'd rather have more capability in the rear electric motor than endless torque steer up front from a power limited turbo
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The thing I don't like about the hybrid max, is the phev v6 exist and its all around a better powertrain. I would love to see a detuned version of that in here, even if it meant just the 4 cylinder and the same phev. The turbo hybrid being fwd with eawd just ruins it for me, I'd rather have more capability in the rear electric motor than endless torque steer up front from a power limited turbo
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sprague49
I'm wondering why Comfort & Size are combined on your evaluation chart since they're entirely different criteria. What do cozy seats and a plush ride have to do with how many roller bags it will hold Even the largest vehicles can have a hard seats and a stiff ride.
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I'm wondering why Comfort & Size are combined on your evaluation chart since they're entirely different criteria. What do cozy seats and a plush ride have to do with how many roller bags it will hold Even the largest vehicles can have a hard seats and a stiff ride.
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georgeballow7028
Can't help looking at those headrests. Looks like they are pushing your head between your legs. Aren't we supposed to keep a good straight posture Same problem on my wife's Corsair. When I drive it, I take off the headrest and leave it in the garage.
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Can't help looking at those headrests. Looks like they are pushing your head between your legs. Aren't we supposed to keep a good straight posture Same problem on my wife's Corsair. When I drive it, I take off the headrest and leave it in the garage.
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jaywho476
Toyota's Mazda subsidiary has been rubbing off a bit too much on Toyota. They can't figure out packaging dimensions anymore with far too low rooflines not allowing for sufficient headroom Silly geese.
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Toyota's Mazda subsidiary has been rubbing off a bit too much on Toyota. They can't figure out packaging dimensions anymore with far too low rooflines not allowing for sufficient headroom Silly geese.
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Camls306
3: 11 For the size comparison chart, would it be possible to get a reference to size That way we can see how big the Santa Fe is on the small side, and how big the G Cherokee L is on the big size.
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3: 11 For the size comparison chart, would it be possible to get a reference to size That way we can see how big the Santa Fe is on the small side, and how big the G Cherokee L is on the big size.
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mistamerman
Contacted a salesman at a local dealer and asked what the current wait time for Grand Highlander Hybrid factory orders is - 12 to 15 months.
Yeah, no thanks.
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Contacted a salesman at a local dealer and asked what the current wait time for Grand Highlander Hybrid factory orders is - 12 to 15 months.
Yeah, no thanks.
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EthanGansMorse
Love the sections of your videos where you talk about the larger industry stuff, automotive news and trends, and especially the science/engineering stuff.
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Love the sections of your videos where you talk about the larger industry stuff, automotive news and trends, and especially the science/engineering stuff.
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normanli7085
Hey Alex, the legroom figures in the grand highlander are not right in your dimensions chart. It is actually 114. 7 inches total not 118. 8.
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Hey Alex, the legroom figures in the grand highlander are not right in your dimensions chart. It is actually 114. 7 inches total not 118. 8.
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adstix
AutoBuyersGuide Is there any possibility of Toyota's cousin, Subaru, introducing a similar 3-row SUV anytime soon Either Hybrid, PHEV or full-on EV
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AutoBuyersGuide Is there any possibility of Toyota's cousin, Subaru, introducing a similar 3-row SUV anytime soon Either Hybrid, PHEV or full-on EV
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naveenthemachine
Isn’t the GH hybrid max as fast as an MDX type S or Q7 3. 0T The 0-60 time is very similar to those but a lot roomier too
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Isn’t the GH hybrid max as fast as an MDX type S or Q7 3. 0T The 0-60 time is very similar to those but a lot roomier too
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