Toyota has finally introduced a genuine three-row SUV, after years of hesitating. Don’t get us wrong, we always liked the Highlander but that model simply needed a few more inches of legroom to be competitive. And that’s why the Grand Highlander is a model we appreciate so much. And, the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander is about to carry on in the same way, as the second production year of this very fresh model.
Of course, there is always room for minor updates, especially when it comes to standard and available features. But, most things will definitely remain the same, especially when it comes to base design characteristics, including engine lineup. Some sources speculate about a dedicated off-road version, but that’s still on a long stick.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Design
Design-wise, things definitely won’t change. Simply, this is a very fresh model, introduced a few months ago. In essence, this is a stretched Highlander, but things actually go way beyond the longer wheelbase, which is good for over 116 inches. The Grand Highlander also features an upgraded suspension setup and offers even better ride quality than the “standard” Highlander. We like its smooth ride very much. It’s not the most exciting SUV to drive, but the level of comfort is excellent.
Styling-wise, the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander will continue in the same way, with aesthetics that complement the brand’s latest design language. This model looks both rugged and elegant and we won’t exclude the possibility of seeing some new color options or even a special appearance package for the next year. After all, we already mentioned that there are speculations about the off-road version. Besides a couple of mechanical upgrades, this model would also bring a couple of exclusive styling details, to accentuate its rugged nature.
Interior
The same thing is with the interior design. The Grand Highlander looks modern but despite the size, the cabin feels very car-like, and that’s actually very good. It starts with an elegant dashboard design, which is rather simple, with a clean design that’s complemented by nice materials and a couple of pretty attractive tech features, including a massive 12.3-inch infotainment screen.
Of course, the key thing about the Grand Highlander is the cabin space. With 116.1 in the wheelbase and 201.4 inches in total length, it’s clear that this mid-size SUV comes pretty close to the full-size territory. The front and second-row seats are as spacious and comfortable as they can be, while the qualitative difference compared to the standard Highlander is in the third row, which accommodates adults quite easily. Finally, there is the cargo area, which offers 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind its third-row seats. You can fold down those seats to get 57.9 cubic feet, and there’s a total of 97.5 cubes with the second and third rows folded. Those are pretty impressive numbers for the segment.
Features
As mentioned, this will be the second production year of a brand-new model, so we don’t believe we see anything more than a couple of minor tweaks regarding standard and available equipment. The current model already stands pretty well in this aspect. All models come standard with goodies like a 12.3-inch touch screen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, a six-speaker stereo, a Wi-Fi hot spot, wireless device charging and seven USB ports. The list of standard equipment also includes goodies like a 7-inch digital instrument cluster display, proximity keyless entry, tri-zone automatic climate control, a universal garage door opener and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
As for the options, you can currently get things like an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, two household-style power outlets, a panoramic moonroof and ambient interior lighting.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Engines
As for the powertrain, we definitely don’t expect to see changes, so there should be one gasoline and two hybrid options on offer. Base models will carry on with the 2.4-liter turbo-four that recently replaced the good-old 3.5-liter V6, which puts out around 265 horsepower. It’s not the most exciting powertrain around, but it gets the job done. Its 8-speed automatic feels quite refined, while the fuel efficiency is pretty decent too.
Speaking of fuel efficiency, the best choice is definitely the well-known system based on a 2.5-liter inline-four with two electric motors and 245 horsepower. It’s practically the same system as in the standard Highlander, so it doesn’t surprise it returns around 37 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.
Finally, there is the Hybrid Max powertrain, based on the turbo-four engine, with a conventional 6-speed automatic, and with a combined output of quite impressive 362 horsepower.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Release Date and Price
We expect that the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander will hit the market sometime in the last quarter of the next year, with a starting price of around 44.000 dollars.