Car review

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

8.4

/10

Original MSRP

$43,155–$56,340

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Features We Love

For 2026, the Grand Highlander sees small updates, including a new black badge overlay on the Hybrid Nightshade and refreshed trim details, while keeping the same gas, Hybrid, and Hybrid MAX powertrain options. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 and the latest Toyota Audio Multimedia remain standard across the lineup.

Excellent trunk space for the class. The cargo area is wide and deep, fits a full stroller with room to spare, and the seats fold flat easily. Huge upgrade over the regular Highlander.
Multiple powertrain options that actually make sense. Gas, hybrid, and Hybrid MAX let families choose efficiency or performance without giving up space. The Hybrid MAX especially feels powerful but still easy to drive. EPA-estimated 36 MPG combined.
Thoughtful third-row amenities. Ceiling vents, USB-C ports on both sides, and legit cup holders make the third row usable, not just “emergency seating.”
Smooth, confident drive. For a midsize SUV, it accelerates well, merges easily, and feels stable on the highway without being bulky around town.
Good car seat flexibility overall. Sliding second-row seats on tracks make a big difference for rear-facing clearance and third-row legroom, and the lower anchors and tethers that are there are easy to access.
Simple, user-friendly tech. The screen-to-button ratio is solid, climate controls are intuitive, wireless CarPlay works well, and nothing feels overly complicated or distracting.

Car Mom Review

The Exterior

The Grand Highlander exterior keeps things clean and functional rather than flashy, which honestly works for a family SUV this size. It’s noticeably bigger than the regular Highlander, with proportions that prioritize space and visibility, and the design feels practical without being boring.

Larger overall footprint with a longer, more family-friendly profile
Wide rear opening that makes loading strollers and groceries easier
Simple, understated styling that won’t feel dated quickly
Available larger wheels and subtle trim details that add polish without going over the top

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First Row

The first row feels very Toyota in the best and most honest way. There are a lot of buttons, but they’re big, clearly labeled, and exactly where you expect them to be, which matters when you’re driving kids around and don’t want to dig through menus. I love that about this car!

Comfortable, supportive seats with great headroom and an easy driving position
Clean, user-friendly dashboard with a good screen-to-button ratio (climate controls stay physical, which I love)
Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on a large, clear display
Heated steering wheel and power liftgate controls right on the dash where you want them
Tons of well-placed USB-C ports and a visible wireless charging pad
Practical storage throughout, including cup holders that actually fit a Stanley and a decent-sized center console

Second Row

The second row is still very family-friendly, but it’s important to be clear about how it works. The seats do not tilt with a car seat installed, so third-row access depends on how you’re setting things up.

Available captain’s chairs or a bench seat, depending on trim
Second-row seats are on long sliding tracks, which helps a lot with rear-facing car seat clearance
Clearly marked lower anchors and tether anchors that are easy to access
Comfortable second-row legroom with ceiling vents and USB-C ports on both sides
Built-in sunshades for kids, which I always appreciate
Third-row access requires planning, since the seats don’t tilt with a car seat installed

Third Row

The third row is one of the biggest improvements over the regular Highlander, and while it’s not best-in-class, it’s actually usable in real life. It feels like Toyota was at least trying here, especially compared to the old Highlander.

Adult-sized third row with good headroom and shoulder room for a midsize SUV
Comfortable for kids and even adults on shorter drives
Ceiling vents, USB-C ports, and cup holders on both sides, which is huge back here
Forward-facing car seat placement is limited because not every seating position has a tether anchor
The main usable spot for a forward-facing car seat is the passenger-side third-row seat
Legroom improves significantly when the second row is slid forward, and the difference is noticeable

It’s not perfect, and I still wish Toyota gave us tether anchors in every third-row seat, but compared to the current Highlander, this is a major step in the right direction.

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The trunk is honestly one of the stars of the show on the GH!

Trunk

The trunk is honestly one of the stars of the show on the Grand Highlander. This is where it really separates itself from the regular Highlander.

Wide, deep cargo area that easily fits a full-size stroller with room to spare
Much more usable space behind the third row compared to the regular Highlander
Flat load floor and low lift-over height, which makes loading heavy items easier
Seats fold down easily and go flat when you need max cargo space
Enough depth to handle groceries, backpacks, and sports gear without playing Tetris

Safety

The safety setup is very on-brand for Toyota and very mom-friendly. Nothing feels flashy or overcomplicated, but the basics are done really well, especially when you’re driving a bigger vehicle and hauling kids every day.

Standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking
Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert standard, which is a must in parking lots
Lane Departure Alert with Lane Keep Assist and adaptive cruise control for highway driving
Proactive Driving Assist that gently helps with braking and steering in certain situations
Available surround-view / panoramic camera that makes parking and tight spaces way less stressful
Available Traffic Jam Assist on higher trims for stop-and-go traffic

You also get seat belt pretensioners in the front seats and the outboard second-row seats, which is a big deal for families. That means the driver, front passenger, and the two outer second-row seating positions all have pretensioners designed to tighten the belt in a crash to reduce forward movement and improve protection where kids and adults are most likely riding.

Car Seat Setup

The car seat setup in the Grand Highlander is solid, but it does require some planning. Third-row access is limited since the second row doesn’t tilt with a car seat installed, and while there are two tether anchors in the third row, only one can be used at a time. The behind-the-passenger third-row seat does have lower anchors, which is great for booster riders, and removable second-row head restraints make most car seats easy to install.

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Community Reviews

3.9 / 5

32 Reviews

Exterior Styling

3.2

Performance

4.1

Technology

4.5

Interior Design

3.8

Second Row Comfort

4.5

Third Row Comfort

3.6

Reliability Score

4.6 /5

82%

Would
purchase
again

12 Reviews with 3+ years of ownership

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