Being a very recent addition to the Toyota family, there’s the Grand Highlander, and when it made its debut, it came in three trims. The trims that you can find are the XLE, Limited, and Platinum. Over the next couple of years, the Nightshade and the LE trim joined the family.
With so many trims to pick from, depending on the year model that you find, there are a few powertrains to be aware of. If you aren’t a fan of hybrid setups, there’s the gas 2.4L I4 that produces 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to this engine, you can tow up to 5,000 pounds, which is pretty good for a vehicle this size. This engine is also surprisingly efficient, coming with an EPA-rated 24 MPG combined. While this isn’t as much as the hybrids, for being a larger vehicle, it’s hard to beat this.
Being that there are two hybrid options, we’ll highlight both, but give you the best one to look for. The less efficient of the two is the 2.4L I4, and this comes with an EPA-rated 27 MPG combined. If you want the best range, then you’ll want to look for the 2.5L I4 as it comes with an EPA-rated 36 MPG combined at its best. While the 2.4L I4 is decent, it suffers from not really having a spot that makes it stand out, as it comes with less range, and can’t keep up with the 5,000-lb tow rating.
Some features that you can look for are a 12.3-inch screen on all trims, with the digital gauge cluster sharing the same size on higher-end trims. You can also find a wireless charging pad across the board, making it so that you don’t have to clutter your area with wires.
Being that this is a Grand Highlander, this is much more comfortable thanks to its increased size, but Toyota wasn’t done there, as they added second-row window shades. This helps the model be one of the most comfortable that you can find.
If you don’t want the best features available and just want something capable and affordable, then you can look for the LE models that hit the roads as 2025 models. This model features leather seating, as well as a powered tailgate, but lets you have great mileage, as well as towing capacity.
The go-to trim for the experts at Car and Driver for both 2024 and 2025 models is the XLE. This is because it comes for a great price, and it comes with some solid features, with these features being power-adjustable heated front seats, and a choice of second-row captain's chairs or a three-across bench seat.
While this model can be an extremely reliable family vehicle, thanks to its upmarket look and feel, it can be easily used a an executive transporter, making it practical for soccer moms, and business owners alike, doing something that not a lot of vehicles can do.