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People Want the Upcoming 3-Row Toyota Grand Highlander to Be Hybrid with New Look

Toyota"s un-confirmed 3-row seating new Grand Highlander is coming, confirmed a source to Torque News. Automotive News says it will come in 2023. People want a hybrid verstion of a new Grand Highlander and a new look to avoid following the footsteps of the Venza.
People Want the Upcoming 3-Row Toyota Grand Highlander to Be Hybrid with New Look

A few months ago, rumors of a new Toyota Grand Highlander started floating on the internet. People got interested and frankly, there were a lot of mixed emotions in the Facebook groups and forums. A trusted Torque News source told us that the Grand Highlander is coming, he just doesn’t know when.

If you might remember the new Venza, people who bought it liked it, and those who didn’t buy it only complained about the price. It was just one of those good cars that didn’t succeed. It has great gas mileage, 3-row seating, and a very stylish look. The Venza didn’t sell well, and people are saying this 3-row Grand Highlander is going to be the next Venza.

On the Toyota Highlander Owner’s Group on Facebook, an old group post from January 18 showed a picture of the now new Sequoia which people then thought was the Grand Highlander. Here’s what some people thought of a 3-row Toyota Grand Highlander.

Group member Ian McKibbin said, “Toyota said in a dealership letter that they messed up with the 2020 highlander and it's too small they didn't think people would mind keeping it that way but weren't expecting every single other 8-seater got bigger.”

People Want the Upcoming 3-Row Toyota Grand Highlander to Be Hybrid with New LookAccording to an article published by Motor1.com’s Jacob Oliva, “Lexus – and apparently Toyota – will be introducing three-row crossovers for their respective lineups: the Lexus TX and the Toyota Grand Highlander.”

So, we now see that Toyota’s mistake turns out to be a best-selling vehicle after all. If Toyota wants to make a compact 8-seater, would they make a hybrid version?

With Toyota’s new I-FORCE MAX drivetrain, which is a twin-turbocharged v6 hybrid pushing out a little over 400 horsepower in the new Sequoia, chances are Toyota will see an opportunity to bring an affordable 8-seater hybrid SUV.

I personally would like to see the 3-row Toyota Grand Highlander as a hybrid. Toyota’s hybrid technology is beyond other automakers and with gas prices off the charts, it’s easy to say prospective SUV buyers would want something economical. Plus, new Toyota hybrids do not sacrifice performance for efficiency. I have to floor my 2012 Prius to get it moving however on these new hybrids, it feels like a regular gas car.

So how will this compete with the Sequoia or Sienna? Well for starters, this will probably be cheaper than a Sequoia which a fully loaded one will be somewhere in the $80,000 ballpark. Hopefully, this new highlander doesn’t go past $45,000 but at the same time, if they make it a hybrid with the Sequoia’s drivetrain, I would pay a few extra bucks for that added gas mileage.

While people seem to have mixed emotions about the 3-seater Toyota Grand Highlander, I think if marketed correctly, it would be a great car and wouldn’t follow Venza’s footsteps. Some people said that the current Highlander had uncomfortable back seats.

On another discussion on the same Facebook group, Armen Hareyan asked a similar question regarding the 3-row Toyota Grand Highlander which Jermaine C. Douglas responded by saying, “I just visited the NY Auto show and checked out all the competition. The Highlander's back seat problem is really the positioning because it’s so low your knees go up.”

Maybe if Toyota addresses this problem with the Grand Highlander, people would want this over other 8-seater SUVs. Some say they don’t want the feeling of driving a bus and others say they want hybrids. I like driving big cars but if it’s not economical, then you start to think of your wallet instead of your driving position.

What do you think? Would you like an 8-seater SUV? Would you buy it if it doesn’t come in a hybrid? Let us know in the comments below.

*The image accompanying this article is not the Grand Highlander, it is a press photo taken by Toyota for their Sequoia teaser. *

Harutiun Hareyan is reporting Toyota news at Torque News. His automotive interests and vast experience test-riding new cars give his stories a sense of authenticity and unique insights. Follow Harutiun on Twitter at @HareyanHarutiun for daily Toyota news.

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Toyota

Comments

Archie Milligan (not verified)    April 25, 2022 - 11:34AM

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In answer to your question, yes, as a driver of a Highlander we purchased new in 2001, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the Grand Highlander, but only the hybrid version. And by hybrid, I don’t mean the Tundra/Sequoia type hybrid with its emphasis on horsepower, torque, and towing ability over gas mileage. I will tow infrequently, but burn gas daily, so I’d like to visit the gas station infrequently as well.

As to overall size, I agree with those who say they don’t want to feel as if they’re driving a bus. However, a clever redesign can preserve the current Highlander’s driving feel of a smaller vehicle. Moving the cab forward a couple of inches into what is an overly long hood, and having either a higher, or a less sloping, roof would do wonders for the third row seat, which could then be elevated off the floor. Now add only two or three inches to the overall length for better cargo space. Put the third row on tracks that allow each side to adjust independently (but definitely don’t sacrifice the forward adjustment of the second row that will haunt the Sequoia).

The result should preserve the best of the Highlander, while solving the third row/cargo problem, all in a package that’s still noticeably shorter than the current Sienna, but with much better ground clearance. (With it’s big mouth bass front end, the Sienna can’t even clear my driveway without scraping.)

With just those changes, the Grand Highlander will start besting that darling of the reviewers, the Telluride.

Archie Milligan (not verified)    April 30, 2022 - 2:38PM

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Hi Harutiun. I realize minivans can’t be beaten when it comes to space utilization, mainly because of that deep well into which the third row seats fold. I’m not minivan phobic, and checked out the Sienna with its impressive mileage and AWD option. However, it couldn’t clear my slightly sloping driveway without scraping its big mouth bass front end. (OK, I acknowledge the front design was motivated by a train, not a fish, though I maintain it wasn’t a bullet train, but an 1860s steam locomotive with its aggressive cow catcher.)

I even considered the Woodland edition of the Sienna, since it has .6 of an inch more ground clearance. However, the limited choices limited its appeal. First, only two colors, black and cement (gray), which are not exactly the colors that come to mind with the word Woodland.

As to whether Toyota can add more of the virtues of a minivan to a Grand Highlander, I would challenge them to take Kia’s approach, moving SUVs and minivans closer together than ever. Kia created better space utilization in the Telluride by moving the cab forward and shortening the hood, by having a less sloping roof and raising it an inch compared to the Highlander, and by adding only 2 inches to the overall length, and 2 inches to the width, again compared to the Highlander. The result is a third row that can be used by adults, as well as cargo space that, at 21 cubic feet is 5 feet, and more than 30%, larger than the current generation Highlander.

Meanwhile, Kia is making their new minivan look decidedly more like an SUV, as they push the two categories together. Of course, Toyota tried to do the same thing with its new generation Sienna, just not as successfully. And, as many virtues as the Sienna has, it’s obvious where Toyota just decided not to invest their best efforts, or money, into a more limited production model. For example, staying with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 when other models were already getting 2.5 (and soon 3.0). Or a Platinum trim that doesn’t come close to the premium look and feel of the Highlander Platinum – just compare the 12.3 inch multimedia system to the 9 inch generation old screen in the Sienna, the difference in the seats, the lack of a panoramic roof, and don’t get me started on the imitation wood grain, with a strong emphasis on imitation in the case of the Sienna.

While I don’t expect Toyota to break from their past and become style leaders, if they combine better space utilization (and not just more length, width, and height) with their traditional reliability and their hybrid efficiency, the Grand Highlander can reclaim the top spot from the Telluride.

Shaji Varghese (not verified)    April 26, 2022 - 12:01PM

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I had a Sienna for 14 years. Now last year, I bought a 2021 Highlander hybrid. Very comfortable driving experience, however the 3rd raw seating is a complete failure, even for smaller kids. No complains about the power, handling, noise. The softtex seat is really hard on my glutes. Hope the grand highlander will have better 3rd raw with the current hybrid and better seating options.
Thanks

Yannis May (not verified)    June 2, 2022 - 8:53AM

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I have been driving Toyota Highlander for many years. I had been leasing them all along, and the 2021 Hybrid I own, is my 4th Highlander. I "dream" of a Highlander with the driver legroom/accommodations of the 2018 model, the roominess in 3rd row seat of the (promising?) upcoming Grand Highlander, and the economy of a well crafted Hybrid. Can we get those with the new vehicle? I hope so. But, the one I am driving currently sorely misses the mark compared to my 2018. There is no seat cushion extender any more as it was in the XLE model (I am 6'3" with long legs, 35 inseam, and really need the thigh support on my long trips), the foot rest on left is anything but restful, because when I stretch my leg out, it hits a metal "contraption" that extends to the left of the break pedal, and top it off, on the left side of the driver seat, the protruding base upon which the seat is attached, is so far out that I can not pull my left leg back. My heel hits that post. Finally, the extremely convenient rear window opening was removed from the newer models. I would like it back...

David S (not verified)    June 18, 2022 - 6:02PM

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I have been trying to buy a new car for 3 years, and with nothing meeting my requirements I am hoping the Grand Highlander is real and big enough. I have dogs and kids and stuff, and I need a big vehicle. I have considered the Tahoe and the Expedition but I just can’t accept that gas mileage. There was supposed to be an expedition hybrid but that never came out. I prefer a mid sized vehicle for the price, I do not need a truck but could use some middle of the road towing. I have considered the traverse, but the mileage and the poor driving dynamics and minimal tech for the money I just can’t do. I was initially thinking about the VW Buzz but when it finally comes out it will be a fraction of the original promise. I was waiting for the Honda Pilot hybrid but it turns out that’s not real. I have driven and or analyzed every car on the market and the grand highlander is slated to fill a huge hole in the market assuming they can come in in the $38-65k price range. I want a 7 seater with 27+ mpg, and it needs to have a decent cargo volume. It needs to drive well with some extra power for passing and towing, and a good amount of tech. If they can do that, I’ll give them my deposit. I would buy a full EV if they can beat 400 miles on a charge but I think we are still 2 years away from that.

ISMAEL TIRADO-… (not verified)    July 15, 2022 - 3:54PM

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I am ready, willing & able to trade my Yukon XL 8 seater & very much looking forward to FEEL test the Grand Highlander...!!!
I'm NOT a hybrid lover... it would have to be super impressive otherwise I will keep my Yukon... As a DIYer not looking forward to deal with hybrids... Much morw Expensive & Technical...!!!