The New 2024 Grand Highlander Is the Toyota SUV You Want to Drive

If you’re looking at the two similarly priced Toyota SUVs, the 4Runner and 2024 Grand Highlander, you should probably lean toward the newer model.

The Grand Highlander is a brand-new Toyota SUV that you’ve got to wait a few more months to buy. Still, if you can wait it out, this new and larger three-row SUV offers a lot more of what you want than the 4Runner. Although we’ve loved the rugged off-road nature of the 4Runner for years, it might be time to allow the Grand Highlander to give you the desired drive.

Its not just a longer Highlander

Sometimes, we expect the “grand” or “XL” model of an SUV to simply be a longer version with an extended wheelbase and more cargo room. That’s not the case for the Grand Highlander. This is a brand-new model with a more comprehensive package of features and qualities. Yes, it shares two of the three powertrains with the standard Highlander, but it’s priced closer to the 4Runner. These two Toyota SUVs are like ships passing in the night, with the 4Runner on its last legs and the Grand Highlander only starting its time in the automotive market.

The 4Runner uses an old-school powertrain; not the Grand Highlander

Part of the charm of the Toyota 4Runner is the old-school powertrain, but it can get old fast when you’re looking for something to deliver practicality. The powertrain for this rugged off-roader is a 4.0-liter V6 that pumps 270 horsepower through a five-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain would be right at home in the 1980s but not in 2023.

The Toyota Grand Highlander brings a new Hybrid powertrain to ensure shoppers have the choice of three powertrains for this new SUV. This new and powerful hybrid system uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor to produce 362 horsepower. This makes the Grand Highlander much more powerful than the 4Runner.

This top hybrid powertrain can rocket the Grand Highlander to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, and it’s capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds.

What if you don’t choose the hybrid powertrain?

There’s one non-hybrid powertrain offered for the Grand Highlander. This powertrain uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine attached to a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission. This package delivers 265 horsepower, which is significantly more than the 4Runner. Toss in the 310 lb-ft of torque for the non-hybrid Grand Highlander, and you’ve got the Toyota SUV that you want to drive.

The smaller hybrid powertrain delivers excellent efficiency

The smaller hybrid powertrain, which is shared with the regular Highlander, should return 34 mpg combined for the larger Grand Highlander. For reference, this powertrain returns 36 mpg combined in the Highlander Hybrid model.

The ride is much better in the Grand Highlander

Although the old-school charm of the Toyota 4Runner comes with the ladder-on-frame build, the harsh ride on the road can get old quickly. While this build is great for off-road fun, it is more likely that you’ll spend as much as 80 percent of your time driving on the road. This means you should have a more modern vehicle to drive.

The Toyota Grand Highlander brings the benefits of a crossover unibody construction. This build allows the Grand Highlander to be smoother on the road with much better handling and stability. The safety of the Grand Highlander is much better than the 4Runner because of this build and modern impact absorption technology. Toss in the improved fuel mileage because the Grand Highlander is lighter than the 4Runner, and you’ve got the right vehicle for your on-road driving needs.

Modern features can be found in the Grand Highlander

When it comes to comfort and upscale modern features, the Toyota Grand Highlander has everything the 4Runner doesn’t. The old feeling of the 4Runner is beginning to show, and once you head out for a drive, the comfort of the spacious cabin dwindles to a desire to hit the trails even if you’re supposed to stay on the road.

Don’t get us wrong, the 2023 version of the 4Runner comes with some great features. This model includes an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, power, heated and ventilated front seats, and a 15-speaker JBL audio system. Still, the Grand Highlander takes things further.

The Toyota Grand Highlander includes items you won’t find anywhere in the 4Runner lineup. Some of these include heated and ventilated second-row seats, a wireless charging pad, a powered liftgate, and a 12.3-inch full-TFT instrument panel. As you move through the trims of this new Toyota SUV, you’ll find a large panoramic glass roof. A 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, second-row window shades, more USB ports, and additional 12-volt power outlets. This new Toyota SUV also enjoys the features offered in the Toyota Safety Sense package, which includes road-sign recognition.

Does the 4Runner have any advantages over the Grand Highlander?

The Toyota 4Runner does best what its been doing for the past 40 years. This is the Toyota SUV you want to drive when it’s time to venture out onto the trails and into the wilderness. The more rugged ladder-on-frame construction and 4WD system make it much easier to take the 4Runner on a camping trip when your campsite is deep into the woods.

Of course, if you want the Toyota SUV that delivers a more family-oriented drive with comfort and quality, the right option will be the Toyota Grand Highlander. This means new owners need to consider where they spend time driving before committing to the purchase of either Toyota SUV.

When will the new 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander be available?

Currently, the new Grand Highlander is scheduled to arrive at dealerships in the fall as part of the 2024 model year. This new SUV was unveiled earlier at an official event, but we don’t expect the official release date to be shared until this summer. Are you willing to wait until the new Grand Highlander arrives in the market to see if it could be the three-row large crossover SUV that you want to drive?