Price: $42,115- $52,493
8.4 /10
Rating
Pros
- Class-leading 36 MPG efficiency
- Decade-long hybrid warranty coverage
- Spacious 97.5 cu ft cargo
Cons
- Cramped third-row legroom
- Sluggish 8.4s 0-60 acceleration
- No plug-in hybrid option
Overview: 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Hold onto your latte—this isn’t your aunt’s hybrid. The 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid marries a 2.5-liter four-cylinder to three electric motors, cranking out a 243-hp powertrain that’s as polished as a Grammy-winning bassline. It’s the gasoline-only sibling’s cooler twin, sipping fuel like a sommelier (hello, 36 mpg) while hauling seven people in its spacious three rows. Think of it as a refined Swiss Army knife: efficient enough to shame the Kia Sorento Hybrid, rugged enough to nod at the Ford Explorer Hybrid, and packing road manners smoother than a TikTok dance trend. The cabin? Pure Toyota zen—adequate for Costco hauls but lacking the rarity of a luxury badge. EPA ratings shout 35 MPG, and while acceleration won’t melt faces, the accompanying hybrid hum feels like a secret handshake for eco-warriors. Toyota’s lineup now includes the Grand Highlander Hybrid, but this electrified hauler remains the MVP for larger families who crave fuel savings without ditching standard-size swagger.
What's New in the 2024 Toyota Highlander?
Revving into 2024, Toyota’s lineup just got a delicious shake-up. The Grand Highlander Hybrid model launched with the swagger of a ’90s Land Cruiser, flexing a spacious interior that swallows gear like a black hole eats stars. Say goodbye to the L trim discontinued and the Bronze Edition discontinued, but hello to the moody XLE Nightshade trims, slathered in black exterior trim and rolling on shadowy wheels—perfect for suburban ninjas. Are platinum trims now standard? Oh yeah, that hands-free power liftgate isn’t just a party trick; it’s your new best friend after Costco runs. While the Limited costs more, the updates feel like Toyota finally remembered what “premium” means. And hey, if you dig hybrid hustle, peek at the Toyota Crown Hybrid’s tech wizardry or the Toyota Corolla Cross’s zip—they’re cousins, not competitors, in this eco-fun family.
Pricing, Trim Levels, and Best Choice
When it comes to pricing, trim levels, and the best choice, I’m all in. This ride is the best all-around buy that defies expectations without being as flashy as a Telluride. Rivals like a loaded-up Palisade may flaunt a $50,000 tag, while the so-called Highlander Hybrid Platinum feels substantially more expensive at $42,115—but features like heated front seats and a wireless smartphone charging pad flip the script. In the realm of Toyota Land indulgence, the subtle niceties of a cool spring vibe and a slick power sunroof set the mood, not to mention a 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid trim boasting a modern software interface and a larger 12.3-inch infotainment display. I lean toward the mid-range XLE with an as-tested price of $52,493, a better vehicle among options that easily outshines the Sienna minivan in luxury.
$42,115
$43,115
$45,260
$46,260
$49,380
$52,493
Powertrain, Transmission, and Driving Dynamics
Let’s cut through the noise: Toyota’s hybrid powertrain in the Grand Highlander Hybrid is like a jazz trio—243 horsepower from the four-cylinder and electric motors team up smoother than a Steely Dan riff. The CVT? It’s the unsung hero, leveraging its continuously variable automatic transmission to glide like a DJ mixing tracks, though purists might whine it’s unexciting compared to the Mazda CX-90’s turbo theatrics. Handling? Competent, not cocky—it’ll hug curves like a cautious line dancer but won’t scare the available all-wheel-drive system into a sweat. Sure, acceleration won’t punch your spleen like a Ford Explorer Hybrid, but Toyota’s hybrid expertise shines in fuel-efficient serenity. High speeds reveal a chassis that’s suitable for school runs, not track days, and while the bland steering won’t write poetry about your commute, fuel economy stays king. Buyers craving plug-in hybrid thrills? Look elsewhere—this available electrified hauler sticks to its standard script: power with a side of zen.
0-60–MPH Times
Let’s be real—the Grand Highlander Hybrid’s 0–60 MPH sprint isn’t rewriting physics textbooks. Testing reveals 7.7 seconds in its sportier mood, while the Highlander Platinum accelerated to 8.4 seconds, giving off tortoise-and-hare vibes. But hey, performance here is adequate for hauling kids and an ego simultaneously.
Fuel Efficiency and Driving Range
Zip into efficiency: The EPA rated this hybrid at 35-36 MPG, averaging 32 MPG on highway drives and 29 MPG in the city. Its 17-gallon tank fuels a 500-mile range, leaving the gasoline-only model (20% less efficient, 616 miles out of puff) in the dust. Hybrid testing proves the AWD configuration still hits a terrific 35 MPG—enough for a week’s worth of errands. Compared to the Highlander Hybrid’s 598 miles (2023), Toyota boosted interior volume without ditching outright numbers. Driving it feels like trading a gas-guzzler for a monk—same vehicle size, zero guilt.
Premium Interior and Comfort
Slip inside the Grand Highlander Hybrid’s cabin, and suddenly your minivan envy dissolves. Platinum trims swaddle you in high-quality materials—think leather-wrapped everything and finishes so attractive they’d make a Hyundai Palisade blush. The dashboard? A masterclass in clever packaging, with a phone shelf deeper than TikTok’s algorithm and window buttons that don’t play hide-and-seek. Front seats hug you like a cozy hoodie, while second-row captain’s chairs (or bench seats for those hauling eight passengers) serve comfort like a five-star waiter, though third-row passenger room still whispers “children only.” Limited models crank up creature comforts with heated rear perks, while base LE trims keep it simple—no frills, just functional. And yes, Toyota finally ditched the low-rent switches; even the passenger side gets love now. But let’s be real: those glossy panels? Fingerprint magnets disguised as contemporary art. Still, between the serene design and seats softer than a ’90s Lexus, this interior proves hybrids can pamper without preaching.
Cargo Space and Practicality
Step right up, folks—the Grand Highlander Hybrid’s cargo space is the Swiss Army knife of haulers. With all rows folded, you’re staring down 97.5 cubic feet of room—enough for a zombie apocalypse stash of non-perishables and that large camera bag you swear you’ll use. Fold just the rear bench folded? 57.9 cubic feet swallows luggage like a hungry hippo, while the third row alone offers 20.6 cubes (take that, Kia Telluride). Praiseworthy improvements over the standard Highlander? You bet—5 extra cubic feet means no more Tetris-ing strollers.
But wait—interior dimensions aren’t just about raw numbers. The second-row legroom coddles adults, while the third-row legroom… well, let’s call it “cramped but committed.” Opt for captain’s chairs, and you’ll score removable center storage perfect for hiding snacks from sticky fingers. Car seat anchors? Plentiful, making rear-facing car seat installs less of a WWE match. And those generous cupholders? They’ll clutch your latte like it’s their life’s purpose.
Toyota didn’t stop there. Cabin storage? Think door cubbies deep enough for a tablet, underarm storage for rogue AirPods, and a phone storage space that won’t eject your device during corners. The gear selector area? Cleverly designed to avoid elbow wars. Sure, the footprint rivals the Volkswagen Atlas, but here’s the kicker: it’s spacious without feeling like a moving warehouse. Family road trip? Bring it on—this thing’s got more nooks than a Mary Poppins purse.
Infotainment, Connectivity, and Smart Tech
Peek inside, and the 8.0-inch infotainment display greets you like a trusty flip phone—no frills, just function. Entry-level versions rock a basic six-speaker audio system, but Platinum trims unleash a JBL 11-speaker arrangement that’ll make your playlist feel Grammy-worthy. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto? Standard across the model range, because cords are so 2010. Physical buttons for climate functions and center storage keep things tactile, while the wireless mobile phone charger in XLE models holds your phone snugly without drama. LE trims? They’re the minimalists—simple, but ready to roll.
Safety and Driving Support
Safety? Toyota didn’t just tick boxes—they built a fortress. The 2024 Highlander Hybrid aced the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+ and NHTSA’s five stars overall, thanks to Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+—a suite sharper than a ninja’s reflexes. Platinum trims add a 360-degree camera and rear emergency braking, while blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control come standard, making highway merges as effortless as a Sunday drive.
Key features:
✅ IIHS Top Safety Pick+? Nailed it like a pro darts player.
✅ Platinum’s 360-degree camera? Your parking anxiety’s new best friend.
✅ NHTSA’s five-star crashworthiness? Basically a superhero cape in crash tests.
Toyota's Warranty and Maintenance Plan
Let’s talk peace of mind—Toyota’s electrified Highlander comes packing a hybrid-component warranty that sets the bar high (10 years or 150,000 miles, no less!). The powertrain warranty? Five years or 60,000 miles—solid, but the real perk is complimentary scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, like free oil changes for life’s little victories. Limited warranty? Three years or 36,000 miles—segment norm, but that hybrid coverage? Absolutely top-tier.
Key features:
✅ Decade-long hybrid warranty? A game-changer for hybrid skeptics.
✅ Free maintenance plan? Toyota’s way of saying, “We’ve got you.”
✅ Powertrain coverage? Not the best, but still dependable.
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8.4 /10
Rating
Gallery:
Images sourced from Toyota Newsroom.
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