2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Review - Hybrid MPG, 3-Row Space, Price & Trims

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander - The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander is Toyota’s roomiest family SUV this side of a Sequoia. It stretches the popular Highlander formula with a truly adult-friendly third row, a calmer ride, and three powertrains, including two hybrids, to cover everything from daily commuting to summer road trips with a full crew. If you’ve outgrown a two-row crossover or found the regular Highlander a bit tight in row three, this is the one to test first.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Three powertrains: 2.4-liter turbo gas, 2.5-liter hybrid for top mpg, and Hybrid MAX for the strongest acceleration

• Seating for seven or eight, with a genuinely usable third row for adults

• Family-first interior: quiet ride, clever storage, and plenty of charging ports across all three rows

• Standard Toyota Safety Sense with adaptive cruise and lane centering; available 360º camera and parking aids

• Towing up to 5,000 lb when properly equipped, enough for small boats and campers

• Typical U.S. pricing spans from the low-$40Ks to the low-$60Ks depending on trim, drivetrain, and options

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2026

Toyota leans into the Grand Highlander’s strengths—space, comfort, and efficiency. Expect minor package reshuffles, color updates, and software enhancements to infotainment and driver assistance rather than a ground-up redesign. That’s good news for shoppers who want mature hardware and predictable ownership costs.

POWERTRAINS, PERFORMANCE & MPG

2.4-Liter Turbo (FWD or AWD)

• Best if you prioritize straightforward power and lower upfront cost

• Smooth highway passing and confident merges

• Real-world economy typically in the mid-20s mpg combined with AWD and family duty

2.5-Liter Hybrid (FWD or AWD)

• The fuel-sipper of the lineup; great for commuters and rideshare families

• Easy, quiet acceleration with the e-CVT keeping revs calm

• Expect mid-30s mpg combined when driven reasonably

Hybrid MAX (Standard AWD)

• The performance pick, strongest torque for a fully loaded SUV or mountain grades

• Real-world fuel economy is generally in the high-20s mpg combined

• Confident towing and clean, quick passing power without V6 thirst

On the road, the Grand Highlander favors comfort over corner-carving. Steering is light at parking speeds and settled on the freeway; brake feel is natural thanks to smooth regenerative blending on hybrid models. Noise suppression is excellent for long drives—kids nap, podcasts play, everyone’s happy.

RIDE, HANDLING & BRAKING

• Suspension tuning soaks up broken pavement without float

• Predictable body control with family-friendly composure on ramps and in crosswinds

• Hybrid regen is well integrated, making stop-and-go traffic easy to modulate

INTERIOR, SEATING & CARGO

Space & access

• True three-row comfort: adults can ride in row three without contortionist tricks

• Available 7-passenger (captain’s chairs) or 8-passenger (bench) second row

• Wide rear doors, low step-in height, and simple child-seat LATCH access

Family storage & usability

• Deep center console, multi-level dash shelves, and big door bins

• Cupholders and device cubbies everywhere, including the third row

• A broad cargo area that handles strollers with row three up; fold rows two and three for warehouse runs

INFOTAINMENT & CONNECTIVITY

• Large center touchscreen with a modern, straightforward UI

• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus natural-language voice control

• Multiple USB-C ports across all three rows; available wireless charging pad

• Optional premium audio for fuller sound on road trips

• Over-the-air update capability for features and maps

SAFETY & DRIVER ASSISTANCE

Standard Toyota Safety Sense typically includes:

• Pre-collision braking with pedestrian/cyclist detection

• Full-speed adaptive cruise control with lane centering

• Lane-departure alert with steering assist and road sign assist

• Automatic high beams

Available tech (trim-dependent) adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, parking sonar, rear automatic braking, and a 360º panoramic camera that makes tight garages painless.

TRIMS (U.S.) & WHO THEY FIT

• XLE - The value play: everything families need-big screens, core safety, and comfortable seating-at the best price point

• Limited - The sweet spot: heated/ventilated seats, premium audio, more driver assistance, and nicer cabin finishes

• Platinum - Top shelf: the richest safety and convenience tech, plus luxury touches for long-haul serenity

• Hybrid & Hybrid MAX - Available on select trims for either maximum efficiency or maximum punch

PRICING & OWNERSHIP VALUE

Expect MSRPs that begin in the low-$40,000s for well-equipped XLE models and climb into the low-$60,000s for a Platinum with Hybrid MAX and options. Hybrids help offset higher purchase prices with fuel savings, and Toyota’s reliability reputation plus strong resale values keep total cost of ownership competitive.

Smart buy tips

• Choose the 2.5-liter hybrid if fuel economy is your priority and you spend lots of time in city traffic

• Step into Hybrid MAX if you frequently tow, carry seven or eight people, or live at altitude

• XLE covers family basics; Limited adds comfort you’ll appreciate by year two; Platinum is best if you want every driver aid

PROS & CONS

Pros

• Adult-friendly third row with real cargo space behind it

• Two hybrid options: one for best mpg, one for best power

• Standard safety suite and available 360º parking tech

• Calm highway manners and low cabin noise

Cons

• Larger footprint than a regular Highlander—tight city parking requires the camera suite

• Hybrid MAX costs more and returns lower mpg than the base hybrid

• High-spec trims can overlap entry-luxury pricing

COMPETITORS TO CROSS-SHOP

• Kia Telluride / Hyundai Palisade - plush three-row value, non-hybrid power

• Honda Pilot - rugged TrailSport option, strong family ergonomics

• Mazda CX-90 - premium driving feel with available hybrid and PHEV powertrains

• Chevy Traverse - spacious third row and simple controls, non-hybrid engines

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander nails the brief for max-space families who still want comfort, efficiency, and everyday ease. If you’ve been eyeing a minivan for practicality but prefer an SUV shape, this is your happy middle ground. Pick the hybrid for mpg, the Hybrid MAX for muscle, and the Limited trim for the best blend of features and value.

QUICK-SPEC SNAPSHOT (U.S.)

• Powertrains: 2.4-L turbo gas; 2.5-L hybrid; Hybrid MAX performance hybrid

• Drivetrain: FWD or AWD (Hybrid MAX is AWD)

• Seating: 7 or 8 passengers with adult-friendly row three

• Towing: up to 5,000 lb when properly equipped

• Fuel Economy (real-world ballpark): mid-30s mpg combined (2.5 hybrid), high-20s (Hybrid MAX), mid-20s (2.4T AWD)

• Safety: Toyota Safety Sense standard; 360º camera and parking aids available