We had a 23 Highlander xle. Liked it. Just got the Grand with hybrid. Power and stability. On the highway it moves. It’s a mellow ride. In the snow it doesn’t disappoint.
I bought the Premium Highlander gasoline motor. Love it. It's longer than my 2008 Limited Highlander. The Grand would be a tight squeeze in our garage. Love Toyota's.
We made our decision a few months ago and have ordered the Highlander Hybrid XLE the trim level is just great for us my wife ruled out the Highlander Max as she feels it is too big for her to drive comfortably. Luv the show !
I drive GH gasoline and have absolutely no problem passing by. I noted that I passed one semi starting at around 60 mph and finished at 100. No extra weight of hybrid batteries, motors, wiring and other avoidable parts really makes a difference for the benefit of a gasoline engine I am loving so much.
The hybrid battery isn’t that heavy and there is no rear differential on the hybrid models. Then again the hybrids have several electric motors. I think in our 2023 Rav 4 Limited hybrid the weight difference with a gas Limited was about 200-300 lbs. Toyota doesn’t give torque numbers but on the 2023 RAV4 the 0-60 time is 7.8 seconds for the gas and 7.3 for the 5he hybrid. My co worker has the gas Limited and it is slower “ ( but not slow ) and noisier than the Limited. Turn the power mode dial to “Sport” and this thing hops from 60 mph to 85 in a hurry. 13:35
I traded my Venza hybrid for the Regular Highlander Limited 2.4 turbo. While the hybrid is fast off the light, it doesn’t have passing power on a 2 lane road. The gas turbo passes much better, which makes it a safer overall pick. I think, like me, after trying a hybrid, people will go back to the gas.
Thanks for the straight forward review/comparison. We got our GH Hybrid Max Limited last July 2023. Drove this to the Grand Canyon (North and South) rims and it drove like a breeze. Went to Cypress Mountain BC last December 2023 with NOKIAN TYRES HAKKAPELIITTA 10 Tyres on it and it handled well. Went to Vancouver Tower with this SUV and yes it was a challenge looking for parking spots, lol. Again, looking forward for your other reviews.
Grand Highlander Limited Hybrid. If Toyota had a Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid without MAX, that would be my choice. Great video. I really enjoyed the commentary and descriptions.
Great review guys but man, I had a hard job keeping all the trim lines and engines choices straight between the two! Sometimes not sure which one you were referring to!! Must be getting old!! Lol
love that you 2 did this video! I was actually hoping you would. Regarding the pricing btwn the highlander vs grand highlander, (just guessing now) do you think that Toyota is purposely making the Grand Highlander more attractive because it can be intimidating to drive and OWN (in general) a bigger vehicle. We have 2 growing kids, and my wife said to me "do we really need to get something that big? I think the Highlander is good enough".
Really love your content, as well as the presentation. We recently purchased a Grand Highlander Hybrid (XLE), and are very happy with it. On a recent short trip we got 47 mpg on the highway, and 45 on the return trip. I think this is a keeper. By the way, it took six months to get it, and we still don’t have the second key fob after two months.
Wow… Did not realize cars are getting so expensive! The hybrid max grand highlander is well into Lexus RX territory; granted it’s a bigger vehicle than the RX but still a surprise for me that a Toyota costs that much… 😮
I’m leaning towards the reg AWD Highlander EXL- I don’t really need the extra space with only 2 grand-babies. I may consider hybrid though! Thanks for the comparison!
I tested them all and chose the Honda pilot without hesitation. V6 naturally aspirated engine, smooth 10-speed automatic transmission and rides really nice, not like a boat. Imo even Telluride was much nicer than G-highlander but reliability was a big question mark!
Zack and Andrea, you two are the best vehicle reviewers out there bar none. I thought 5he Grand Highlander with the Max engine was rated at 30 mpg hwy and city by Transport Canada’s fuel consumption rating tool? That’s not bad if I remembered correctly.
Leased a 23 Highlander Platinum, has more options that buy 21 Lexus GX and faster with the four-cylinder turbo than my V8 GX. Extremely satisfied with this Highlander.
Very happy with my (4th, now) Highlander. It (Limited level) is more upscale than the Grand Highlander interior. Handles just fine, comfortable ride, etc. Unless you're hauling 6-8 people regularly, I'd see no need to pay the extra $10-20k for the Grand Highlander and most certainly not the extra $20-40k difference for the Lexus TX version.
Great video, thanks for making it! I'm facing the exact same decision right now. Was originally targeting the 4Runner but can't get past the mpg. Which seating position (i.e. the seats itself and the center console if it impinges on your right knee) did you find more comfortable, the Highlander or Grand Highlander?
Was Zach using a different microphone in this video? Perhaps different placement? His voice sounds like it’s missing the lower octaves, a bit echo-y. Andrea sounds normal.
Hello Motormouth, Enjoy watching your videos an are very informative. The question I have is What car would you folks recommend for Ride Sharing Drivers to purchase? Looking forward to your suggestions. Thank you again. Have used a new 2017 Hyundai Sonata hybrid till now and only replaced the battery under warranty because I purchased the extra mileage warranty for 200,000 km. Would also recommend this if you’re a ride share driver. Thanks again
I want to share a seatbelt problem in our 2024 Highlander - In the third row, when child booster seats are put in, the belts can’t be easily clasped in. Our highly capable 7 & 10 yr olds can’t get them clasped without an adult squeezing in to help. These kids can easily click themselves and their boosters into any of our other cars. Even a tremendous amount of adult strength jostling the booster doesn’t always do it. So there’s a problem with the belts’ red receivers position in the third row bench not allowing enough room for the width of a booster seat. We paid a fortune for this car and waited 7 months, and now this!
I think most would agree, the new turbo will not last as long as the previous NA engine. Turbos are bad for engines, period. Yes turbos have gotten better in the past few decades and this is a Toyota, so the difference may not be huge, but again turbos are bad for engines.
Hi we love watching your videos and really looking forward for an honest opinion I am currently in the market looking for Grand highlander Limited ( gas model) but also confused with Honda Pilot touring almost similar price. Would you please recommend which one would be better in regards to( Engine, driving exp, rear passenger comfort / body roll, Maintenance, Gas mileage, overall off-road performance, etc ) please do reply I know it’s a lot of question but just wanted something good and so confused really looking forward for your honest take on it. Please
Where were the driving dynamics comparisons? Some had complained about having a bit of car-sickness in the rear portions of the Grand Highlander. Do they both ride like boats? Are they purely utilitarian with a bit of luxury thrown in? Not everyone who desires an SUV has a family to haul around. I’d like to see Toyota turn the Highlander into a two-row vehicle, with lots of storage, and a more fun and energetic powertrain, with a reasonably compliant ride, yet not boaty.
I've driven both recently and the GH does have a floaty, boat-like feel. That's the only reason I'm not getting it. So disappointed! The Highlander drives much more stable feeling so I will go with that or the Pilot.
Grand highlander is too big to be supported by the 4cylinder. Actual mpg is much higher than estimated for the grand highlander because of the weak engine. The hybrid max engine is better power but it’s not gas saving nor money saving. Both cars don’t offer bench seating for the premium tiers for fuel efficiency compliance.
@inclemency i doubt that. They have it in US including California, so I don't know how they are not meeting Canadian regulations. May be Canada not getting much production dates and they try to produce few variants on the days that they get.
One caveat for hybrid owners is that if you do not drive enough, it is better to get a trickle charger for the 12v battery so that it does not die on you.
It would be nice to know which, if any, Grand Highlanders have the "Dynamic Torque Vectoring" all wheel drive system, as opposed to their regular AWD, as the torque vectoring seems to add quite a bit of capability. Otherwise, should just be getting a Sienna.
Love the new Grand Highlander Hybrid Max! Looking between the Lexus TX 500h or the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max Platinum level to replace my current 17 Highlander.
Great video. I’m wondering, do you know what the approximate wait times are (in Canada) when ordering a new Highlander Hybrid, Grand Highlander Hybrid and Grand Highlander Hybrid Max? Thanks
I ordered a highlander hybrid limited 15 months ago (Oct 2022), dealership still has no idea when it'll arrive. (Ontario, Canada) Also, expect your car insurance to double or triple since these cars are on the top-stolen car list.
Once you are ready to pay the price of Hybrid Max version of Grand Highlander, you are ready to go to Lexus TX 350 as well. The price difference is minimal. Yes, TX 350 will have base 2.4 L turbo engine. But I will agree with Zack, this engine is enough. Both Grand Highlander an TX aren't sport cars. It's family haulers. And, in this case, Lexus feels much more premium and has more features (bigger screen, powered third row seats, first row seats with cushion extender from Ultra Luxury trim and better service). Enjoying my Lexus TX350 for two months already.
@Motormouth__. Okay, what do U need to know? 63yrs old Army Veteran, Been around Cars & Trucks Most of My Life. Grew Up with RWD & Now I Drive a FWD. (Wintertime, I Buy Snow Tires) Boston MA.
It feels almost pointless to talk about the hybrids. My Toyota dealer (Port Moody) laughed me out of the place a few weeks ago when I said I wanted to order a hybrid suv. Said theyve closed orders on all future hybrid suvs because the waiting lists are all over 3 years. They feel like vapourware!
I was able to purchase a new 2024 Prius Limited in Vancouver without any wait time! The dealer told me they had trouble contacting people on the wait list. Paid MSRP. Lucky me :-)
The Grand Highlander is better, not that I want it to be, it just is. But sadly, costs more to fuel it up as MPG is not as good. Would have been nicer to put a powerful V6 instead of i4 turbo. Oh! don't go towing things around as the 2.4L i4 cannot handle it.
I have Highlander 2021 6cy. Nice but AC comes with malfunction vents; whistles cracks noise. Middle seat noise. As usual Toyota denied 🙅♂️ the problem. Two dealers said there is nothing wrong 😂
@Motormouth.... am a fan I have been watching for three years now, I love your videos but you guys makes video in Canada in December without snow,am trying to understand
I rented a Highlander last summer. I was so disappointed how far Toyota has fallen with body parts that don’t match and seats that are too firm and hit in all the wrong places.
@@andreaspencer9813 no worries, I was not sure if you guys spotted it or not. We're here to see you both and get the best information about cars and you deliver that! Thanks!
Toyota is basically short changing its fateful customers by using the cheaper RAV4 engine in the Highlander and Lexus RX 350 and charging a premium for these vehicles This turbo four engine will be working much harder hence gone will be those 250000 to 300000 miles Highlanders and RX 350
In my experience this kind highlander is lemon Suv i get one 2023 0 miles around 250 miles problems come with a lot electrical problems, stop in the road, brake selft lights on dash on, lose power, drope at toyota shop 4 hrs later they call me to pickup Suv, once take and drive to home 1 block out toyota same problem, brake hard in the road causing accident with other car behind me, they tink im brake check and explain what happen retun at toyota now with rear damage and same problem. Toyota take this trash and gibe me brand new 2024 Toyota Sienna with 0 payment
