Toyota Grand Highlander: The Only 3-Row SUV With a Hybrid Max Powertrain
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It is hard to ignore the great SUVs that Toyota continues to put out. Thanks to the new 2024 Grand Highlander, there are more choices than ever. Toyota’s new 2024 Grand Highlander Hybrid Max is a unique three-row SUV that breaks the mold with its powerful hybrid powertrain. This innovative powertrain delivers both exhilarating performance and impressive fuel efficiency, making it the perfect choice for drivers who demand both worlds.
Hybrid MAX Powertrain: What It Is and Why It Matters
The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max powertrain powers the newest SUV from the automaker. Toyota actually offers three trim levels for the Grand Highlander Hybrid, but only two have the MAX powertrain. The standard hybrid engine uses a 2.5L four-cylinder, while the Hybrid MAX Platinum uses a 2.4L four-cylinder turbo hybrid engine.
This relatively new engine combines Toyota’s turbo engine with two electric motors for more power and torque. That extra power is quite helpful on a three-row SUV with room for eight passengers. Toyota offers this new turbo Hybrid MAX powertrain on the Limited and Platinum trims. Both of those get 362 net combined horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. That makes it the most powerful midsize SUV ever from Toyota.
With the traditional gasoline powertrain, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander starts at $43,070, and with the hybrid engine, that increases to $44,670. The Hybrid MAX Limited starts at $54,040, and the MAX Platinum is $58,125.
Performance and fuel economy: The Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX delivers
The standard hybrid engine uses a 2.5L four-cylinder that gets 37 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. The Hybrid MAX Platinum uses a 2.4L four-cylinder turbo hybrid engine with 26 mpg in the city. Both have better fuel economy than the non-hybrid Grand Highlander models but are behind the standard hybrid. All of those fuel economy numbers are below.
| 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander | Engine | Mileage estimates (mpg city/highway/combined) |
|---|---|---|
| Non-hybrid (FWD) | 2.4L four-cylinder | 21/28/24 |
| Non-hybrid (AWD) | 2.4L four-cylinder turbo | 20/26/22 |
| Hybrid (FWD) | 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid | 37/34/36 |
| Hybrid (AWD) | 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid | 36/32/34 |
| Hybrid MAX (AWD) | 2.4L four-cylinder turbo hybrid MAX | 26/27/27 |
The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max has a zero to 60 mph time of 6.3 seconds! That is incredibly fast for a three-row SUV! To use all that power, the Grand Highlander has many Drive Modes to cater to most situations. Sport, Eco, and Normal are on all trim levels, while the Hybrid MAX powertrains have Multi-Terrain Select. Multi-Terrain Select also has three modes: Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt, and Snow.
Towing capacity and off-road capability: The Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX is up for any challenge
Full-time electronic all-wheel drive offers better control on the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX trim levels. The system delivers power to both sets of wheels using a hybrid motor on the front and an eAxle electric motor mounted on the rear. It can adjust power to the wheels depending on the situation, which means better response and stability when needed. The SUV that can do it all can also tow 5,000 pounds.
Even though this is the first three-row SUV with a Hybrid MAX powertrain, it won’t be the last. Like many Toyota SUVs, the 2024 Grand Highlander is well-rounded and developed with great care. Who doesn’t need 362 net combined horsepower, 400 pound-feet of torque, and 27 mpg in combined fuel economy? We have a feeling this setup will appear in more vehicles over the next few years. If you want that kind of power and efficiency from a midsize SUV, only the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX will do.
