2024 Toyota Grand Highlander vs. Highlander Comparison Guide

California families depend on their vehicles to get them to work, sporting events, and vacation destinations. So when you’re ready to upgrade your old ride to something new, both the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander and Highlander may be on your radar. These two popular SUVs share some similarities, but they also have some differences that make them appealing to a variety of El Monte drivers and their active lifestyles. This comparison guide of the 2024 Grand Highlander vs. Highlander should help you make an informed decision on which of these SUVs to buy.

Trim Levels

You can choose from several trim levels for both the Toyota Grand Highlander and the Highlander, but the Highlander offers a few more options than the Grand Highlander. There are gas and electrified powertrains for each version of the Toyota Highlander. Here’s a breakdown of each model’s trim levels and their MSRPs:

Grand Highlander

• XLE: $43,320.
• Limited: $48,110.
• Platinum: $53,795.
• Hybrid XLE: $45,020.
• Hybrid Limited: $51,410.
• Hybrid MAX Limited: $54,390.
• Hybrid MAX Platinum: $58,475.

Highlander

• LE: $39,270.
• XLE: $42,420.
• XSE: $44,015.
• Limited: $46,55.
• Platinum: $49,725.
• Hybrid LE: $40,970.
• Hybrid LE Nightshade: $41,970.
• Hybrid XLE: $44,120.
• Hybrid XLE Nightshade: $45,120.
• Hybrid Limited: $48,225.
• Hybrid Platinum: $51,425.

Performance Specs

With gas and hybrid powertrain options, you can get exactly the power and efficiency you need for your new Toyota Highlander or Grand Highlander. For the Highlander, you have one gas and one hybrid powertrain to choose from, while the Grand Highlander ups the ante with one gas-powered engine and two hybrid setups. Both models have front- and all-wheel-drive versions, giving you the ability to choose the best drivetrain for your needs and lifestyle. 

The gas-powered engine for the Highlander is a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder block that puts out 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This engine pairs with a direct shift-8AT eight-speed electronically controlled transmission for smooth gear changes.

If you prefer the hybrid powertrain, you’ll find a 2.5-liter L4HV gas-powered electric motor combination under the hood of the Highlander. This power setup delivers a combined 243 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. An electronically controlled continuously variable transmission mates to this powertrain, giving you full control over your El Monte driving experience.

Drivers who prefer a larger SUV for their adventures can get the Grand Highlander with a gas-powered 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Or, if you’re more efficiency-oriented, you can get the Grand Highlander with a 2.4-liter L4HV gas and electric hybrid combo that generates 245 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque or the 2.5-liter four-cylinder turbo hybrid MAX powertrain that generates an impressive 362 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.

Design Elements

From the inside out, the 2024 Highlander is bold and stylish. It features three rows of seating for up to seven passengers and a versatile space that lets you configure your cargo area to suit your needs. You’ll have 16 cubic feet of cargo space when all the seats are up, but folding them down opens the space to give you up to 84.3 cubic feet of room for your gear. To ensure your ride stands out on the streets of El Monte, you can choose from these spectacular paint colors:

• Wind Chill Pearl.
• Midnight Black Metallic.
• Celestial Silver Metallic.
• Magnetic Gray Metallic.
• Cypress.
• Blueprint.
• Ruby Flare Pearl.
• Moon Dust.
• Cement.

If you and your crew need a little more room for people and gear, then choose the slightly bigger and bolder 2024 Grand Highlander. In this model, you still get three rows of seating, but the cargo area offers more room for groceries, suitcases, or whatever you need for your adventures. With all the seats up, you’ll have 20.6 cubic feet of space in the cargo area. Fold the seats down and expand the cargo area to get up to 97.5 cubic feet of space to haul anything you like. 

You won’t have as many paint color options with the Grand Highlander, but it offers these alternatives that you can’t get for the Highlander:

• Storm Cloud.
• Coastal Cream.

Tech and Connectivity

Tech-savvy El Monte drivers will appreciate the modern tech and connectivity features in the Grand Highlander and Highlander Toyotas. Both models come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration that lets you pair your smartphone to your SUV so you can access your playlists, contacts, messages, and more right from the driver’s seat. The Highlander features a standard 8-inch touch screen built into the dash with an optional 12.3-inch screen that makes it even easier to use with your favorite apps. In the Grand Highlander, a 12.3-inch touch screen is standard in every trim level.

A six-speaker sound system is also standard in the Grand Highlander and Highlander SUVs, but for a concert-like experience, you can upgrade to the 11-speaker JBL premium sound system. You’ll also get two 120-volt outlets in either of these SUVs, but the Grand Highlander has seven USB ports for you and your passengers compared to five in the Highlander.

Safety and Security

Safety is a top priority for anyone cruising the streets of California and beyond. That’s why Toyota offers the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver-assist technologies for the Highlander and Grand Highlander. With the Highlander, you get the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite that gets you features such as full-speed dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, automatic high beams, and a pre-collision assist system with pedestrian detection. 

The Grand Highlander has the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite. This version has the same features as the 2.5+ suite, but you’ll also get proactive driving assist. When the right conditions are met, the proactive driving assist feature provides gentle steering and braking help to guide you around curves and keep you at the ideal distance from vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles in front of you.

Learn More at Longo Toyota

If you have more questions or you’d like to take these SUVs for a test drive, contact the team at Longo Toyota. We can help you get the information you need to decide which of these exciting new models suits you and your lifestyle best. Give us a call or stop by today and discover your perfect Toyota.

Tags: 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, 2024 Toyota Highlander
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