Are you ready for some highs and lows? Because the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid has a few pros and cons to consider. The 2024 Toyota Gand Highlander Hybrid was an excellent vehicle to spend a week with, but it’s not perfect. 

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Pros and Cons

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is like the love child between the Toyota Sienna and the regular Highlander. It incorporates the best qualities of both options with comfort, convenience, and hybrid power. 

I tested the Grand Highlander Hybrid Limited model which starts at $51,540. The entry-level model has an MSRP of $45,020. 

Upgrading to the Limited model adds 20-inch wheels, a power liftgate, leather upholstery, heated/ventilated seats, a digital gauge cluster, a heated steering wheel, an 11-speaker JBL audio system, ambient lighting, parking sensors, and automatic braking. 

My model was equipped with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired with an electric motor to generate 245 hp. The Hybrid Max provides 362 hp. 

Grand Highlander Hybrid Pros 

1. The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is fun to drive.

It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds, leaving plenty of time to merge into traffic and pass others. 

It has confident brakes and direct steering to corner well and there’s little to no body roll around curves. 

Sport Mode has the fastest acceleration time and the most confident brakes. Normal Mode is a bit more relaxed and could use a faster brake response. Eco Mode feels heavier but is designed to save fuel. 

2. The Grand Highlander hybrid is pretty capable

It has standard AWD, which is an excellent perk. Plus, it has a Trial Mode to optimize its traction and performance in varying terrain. 

It felt confident and stable on the highway during a thunderstorm and in the mud. It’s resistant to slipping and has downhill descent control. The 8.0-inch ground clearance is an excellent start. 

3. The Grand Highlander is comfortable 

You can comfortably spend hours behind the wheel. The plush, leather seats are well-padded and supportive, plus they recline to be almost flat. The second-row seats are equally as comfortable with plenty of adjustment controls. 

The third-row seats can also recline. People can nap in each row. Plus the Grand Highlander Hybrid is smooth with a fairly quiet interior. 

Potential Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid cons 

1. The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is long.

It’s 201.4 inches long or 16.78 feet long. While it feels smaller than it actually is while driving, the length can be noticeable at times.  

Backing out of my driveway with a car parked on the street required a few three-point turns. But the nimble 19.03-foot turning radius is convenient. It’s easier to park than the Toyota Sienna. 

2. The Grand Highlander is a little loud 

The 2024 Grand Highlander Hybrid has more interior noise than its competitors. The interior feels luxurious but the wind and road noise take away from the elegance. 

The hybrid engine likes to emit an occasional wheeze. It’s very loud and doesn’t have that deep satisfying engine growl. The congested roar can be comical at times but somewhat distracting and surprising. 

3. The tech could be more intuitive 

Every time someone started the Toyota Grand Highlander it sent a notification to my phone asking to connect. This notification only takes about a second to dismiss but felt unnecessary. In other vehicles, phones automatically connect without a notification. 

There are plenty of physical controls and clearly labeled buttons, but the digital gauge cluster and infotainment system aren’t the most intuitive options. It’s confusing to change your vehicle settings. 

This may just be a user error, but I failed to find my average mpg per trip and never saw how much electric power my regenerative brakes stored up. 

I primarily used Apple CarPlay instead of the built-in software. Connecting your phone and forgetting it is easy. 

Grand Highlander Hybrid wild cards 

• My model had a center console in the middle of the captain’s chairs. It provides extra cup holders and storage, which is nice. However, I can see kids stomping on it to get to the third row. 
• Each row is spacious and comfortable, but child seats in the second row can limit access. It’s hard to reach around car seats to move the second-row seats out of the way. 
• The Grand Highlander Limited is loaded with luxurious amenities like puddle lights, ambient interior lighting, and heated seats in the second row, but some things are missing. 
• For a cheaper price, the equivalent Hyundai Palisade has a panoramic sunroof, head-up display, and 360-degree overview camera.