Visually, the 2026 Grand Highlander presents a muscular yet refined profile. Its trapezoidal grille and hammerhead nose lend the vehicle a bold face, while flared fenders and sharp rear arches enhance its stance. The SUV’s overall shape feels less like a boxy people-mover and more like a modern, active-lifestyle vehicle—a deliberate signal from Toyota as it aims to balance utility with a dash of style. The new Hybrid MAX variant adds to this impression with dual exhaust tips and silver bumper accents that separate it further from its more conventional siblings.
Functionality, of course, remains at the heart of the Grand Highlander. Inside, the SUV continues to offer adult-sized seating for up to eight passengers, thanks in part to the 33.5 inches of third-row legroom and 37.2 inches of headroom. When additional cargo space is needed, owners can fold the second and third rows flat to reveal up to 97.5 cubic feet of storage—enough to accommodate seven carry-on suitcases with the third row still in place. Passengers are treated to a remarkably quiet ride, courtesy of acoustic glass on the windshield and front windows, as well as a suite of noise-dampening materials.
That sense of calm is complemented by a cabin designed with thoughtful touches. Cup holders abound. Seven USB-C ports are spread across all three rows. A 12.3-inch touchscreen anchors the dashboard, while climate vents reach into the second and third rows to ensure even air distribution. Depending on trim, buyers can opt for SofTex® or leather-trimmed seats, second-row bench seating or captain’s chairs, and heated and ventilated seats across both front and middle rows. In the Platinum trim, Ultrasuede accents and bronze detailing in the Hybrid MAX further elevate the vehicle’s ambiance.
Under the hood, Toyota offers a trifecta of powertrains. The standard 2.4-liter turbocharged gas engine produces 265 horsepower and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. For efficiency-minded buyers, a 2.5-liter hybrid system provides 245 horsepower and achieves up to an estimated 36 combined miles per gallon. At the top of the range, the Hybrid MAX—with its 362-horsepower turbo engine and full-time electronic all-wheel drive—offers both muscle and all-weather traction. Each powertrain configuration supports Toyota’s continued emphasis on delivering both performance and fuel economy without compromise.
Drive dynamics vary by model, and the Grand Highlander offers distinct all-wheel-drive solutions tailored to each powertrain. Gas variants employ Dynamic Torque Control AWD, which can shift torque between front and rear axles as needed. Hybrids use an electronic on-demand AWD system powered by a rear-mounted electric motor. The Hybrid MAX benefits from a more advanced system that continuously distributes torque between the front and rear wheels, offering a performance-oriented experience that hints at Toyota’s ambitions to bring a more engaging drive to its family-oriented fleet.
Convenience, as one would expect in a modern Toyota SUV, is well accounted for. The reworked center console now accommodates a wireless charging pad, dual USB ports, and multiple cup holders—one large enough for oversized bottles. An easily accessible passenger-side pocket and cord management tray add to the cabin’s tidiness. The 8-person seating configuration is standard on the LE, while higher trims allow for a 7-passenger setup with second-row captain’s chairs. In all variants, third-row occupants benefit from thoughtful amenities: USB ports, cup holders, device storage areas, and grip handles for easy entry and exit.
The Grand Highlander’s platform, a stretched version of Toyota’s TNGA-K architecture, provides a long wheelbase of 116.1 inches, delivering both stability on the road and additional cabin space. Whether navigating urban streets or cruising on a highway, the vehicle feels composed and grounded. Aiding this is a suspension setup that balances ride comfort with the responsive handling that today’s crossover buyers have come to expect.
Notably, the Grand Highlander embraces Toyota’s latest safety innovations. Standard across all trims is Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, a suite that includes pre-collision warnings with pedestrian detection, lane departure alerts, adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, and proactive driving assistance. New for this generation is enhanced lane detection using 3D objects like guardrails, as well as an emergency stop function that can bring the vehicle to a halt if the driver becomes unresponsive. Automatic high beams and road sign assist further bolster the SUV’s credentials as a vehicle designed to prevent accidents before they occur.
Technology and Features with a Purpose
The 2026 Grand Highlander exemplifies Toyota’s commitment to blending intelligent design with advanced technology aimed at easing the modern driving experience. At the forefront is Toyota’s Traffic Jam Assist, exclusive to the Platinum grade, which leverages radar and camera systems to relieve the stress of congested, stop-and-go traffic on limited access roads. This system can control steering, acceleration, and braking at speeds ranging from 0 to 25 mph under specified conditions. Standard across all trims is a sizable 12.3-inch touchscreen that houses
Toyota’s latest Audio Multimedia system—crafted by Toyota’s Texas-based software teams—which allows for both touch and voice-activated control. With a complimentary one-year trial of Drive Connect, occupants can access Intelligent Assistant, Cloud Navigation, and Destination Assist. Saying “Hey Toyota” initiates the voice system, enabling users to find destinations, adjust music or temperature, and more. Cloud Navigation ensures up-to-date maps and traffic data, while live Destination Assist agents remain available around the clock.
Smartphone integration is seamless with standard wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility, while the available Wi-Fi Connect service turns the Grand Highlander into a rolling 4G hotspot for up to five devices, with a one-month trial included. Streaming is integrated directly into the system, supporting Apple Music® and Amazon Music accounts, alongside HD Radio®, USB input, and a three-month SiriusXM® trial. Over-the-Air (OTA) updates ensure the multimedia system stays current.
Audiophiles will appreciate the available JBL® Premium Audio system with 11 speakers and Clari-Fi® audio enhancement technology, standard on Limited and Platinum grades. For connectivity and security, Safety Connect offers 24/7 emergency services and remote features via the Toyota app, including Remote Connect capabilities such as locking/unlocking doors, starting the engine, and monitoring vehicle status. Select grades offer a Digital Key for smartphone-based vehicle access. Enhancing safety and convenience further, standard features include Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, with additional options like Front and Rear Parking Assist, a Panoramic View Monitor, and Automatic Braking systems available on upper trims. Every feature in the Grand Highlander is engineered with purpose, ensuring drivers and passengers stay connected, safe, and at ease no matter the journey.
Trim levels offer escalating levels of refinement and technology. The LE presents a strong foundation with fabric-trimmed seats, an 8-way power driver seat, and the full Toyota Safety Sense suite. Stepping up to the XLE adds SofTex® seating, heated front seats, a power liftgate, and second-row sunshades. Limited grades introduce leather-trimmed interiors, JBL premium audio, ambient lighting, and power-folding mirrors. The top-tier Platinum adds features like ventilated second-row seats, a panoramic moonroof, and paddle shifters for the Hybrid MAX, while also unlocking Toyota’s Traffic Jam Assist system for semi-autonomous low-speed driving.
Exterior styling cues also differ by trim. The newly introduced Hybrid Nightshade edition applies a suite of blacked-out elements to the vehicle’s grille, wheels, mirrors, and roof rails, appealing to buyers who want a bolder visual statement. Meanwhile, the Platinum Hybrid MAX features exclusive Ultrasuede-trimmed seats, bronze interior accents, and dual exhaust tips—signaling that, for Toyota, performance and practicality are not mutually exclusive.
The 2026 Grand Highlander will roll out of Toyota’s Princeton, Indiana facility, where it is assembled alongside the Sienna, Highlander, and Lexus TX. The starting price begins at $41,360 for the LE with the gas engine, rising to $44,710 for the standard hybrid, and topping out at $55,190 for the Hybrid MAX Limited trim. These prices exclude delivery and processing fees, but they reflect Toyota’s intent to remain competitive in a segment teeming with new entries and shifting consumer priorities.
As more families gravitate toward vehicles that blend the carrying capacity of a minivan with the athleticism and appearance of an SUV, the 2026 Grand Highlander makes a persuasive case for itself. By offering powertrain diversity, high-end tech features, and ample space, Toyota continues to refine a vehicle that meets the multifaceted needs of modern life. The Grand Highlander isn’t just an evolution in size or space—it’s a carefully considered response to how Americans are reimagining mobility in the era of hybridization and digital connectivity.