Toyota’s Highlander has been popular among SUV buyers for a couple of decades now. The SUV’s good fuel economy, lush and comfortable cabin, adequate cargo space, and a long list of safety equipment are some of the reasons for its consistent popularity. The Toyota Grand Highlander is quite like the Highlander but bigger. So, Toyota’s 2024 Highlander line-up would be worth considering for those looking for feature-rich and reliable mid- to full-sized SUVs.

1. Interior style and comfort
One of the best features of both the 2024 Toyota Highlander SUV and the 2024 Grand Highlander is their beautiful cabins made with premium materials. Every button, panel, and seat inside is built to last and be luxurious. In both SUVs, the huge glass windows and shields make the cabin feel airier. The superior cabin design is also what is often associated with the Highlander/Grand Highlander. 

As for the space inside the SUVs, the first and second rows of seats provide ample headroom, leg room, shoulder room, and knee space for occupants. The third row in the 2024 Toyota Highlander can be a bit confining; however, the 2024 Grand Highlander does not have this problem. The Grand Highlander truly impresses when it comes to cabin space and comfort. After all, this supersized SUV is built to seat 7 or 8 passengers. Compared to a regular Highlander, the bigger and boxier Grand Highlander offers an additional 5.5 inches of legroom in the third row of seats. So, even 6-foot occupants can sit comfortably in the third row of the Grand Highlander. 

2. Performance and fuel economy
The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander comes with a turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-4 powertrain that can generate 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This can be paired with a front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive system. An 8-speed automatic gearbox is also standard across trims. Toyota also offers a Grand Highlander Hybrid variant, which can generate about 245 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The top-level Hybrid Max variant generates a whopping 362 horsepower and about 400 lb-ft of torque. 

The all-wheel drive combustion engine variants offer a combined fuel economy of about 23 mpg (mileage on city roads and highways). The Hybrid variant offers 34 to 36 mpg. 

The Highlander also does not compromise on performance and fuel economy. The 2024 Toyota Highlander offers buyers a choice of a traditional gasoline engine or a hybrid engine. The regular variant delivers about 265 horsepower with both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Then, there is the hybrid version of the 2024 Highlander, which combines a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder motor with two electric motors working in tandem to generate about 243 horsepower. The gasoline-powered Highlander can offer a combined fuel economy of 25 mpg, while the Highlander Hybrid excels here, offering a fuel economy of 36 mpg.

Overall, both the Highlander and Grand Highlander are good choices when it comes to performance and mileage.

3. Ride and handling
One thing is clear—the Highlander and Grand Highlander are ideal for rugged terrain. But, if one is looking for easy-going, urban vehicles that prioritize the comfort of occupants, the Highlander line-up could be the right choice. This vehicle’s handling is more functional than aggressive, which works well for city roads. Also, the pliant suspension, incredibly tranquil and noise-free cabin, and overall steady cruising ability make the SUVs great for long trips. 

4. Tech and safety equipment
The safety features in automobiles are meant to prioritize two things: actively avoiding collisions and, in case the collision is unavoidable, minimizing its impact on the occupants as much as possible. Both the 2024 Toyota Highlander and Grand Highlander prioritize the safety of drivers and occupants, offering features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a traffic sign recognition system. For in-car entertainment and navigation, one gets a widescreen infotainment display on the dashboard and wireless connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration in either of the SUVs. The high-end variants also come with traffic jam assistance systems and other hands-free driver assistance tech. The standard features one can expect are multi-zone climate control, a multi-speaker sound system, airbags, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), adjustable seats, a sunroof, traction control, and stability control. 

5. Price
The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander comes in three variants: XLE, priced at $44,715; Limited, priced at $49,505; Platinum, priced at $55,190. The standard Highlander comes in 5 trims: LE, priced at $40,665; XLE, priced at $43,815; XSE, priced at $45,410; Limited, priced at $47,920; Platinum, priced at $51,120. To save money on either of the SUVs, one can look for discounts at a dealership near them. Typing in “2024 Toyota Highlander deals near me” on a search engine can also help one find offers on the SUV. 

To choose between the Highlander and the Grand Highlander, one should compare all features and test drive both SUVs. This can help one make an informed decision.