If your current vehicle feels cramped when packing for trips, hauling gear, or managing daily family duties, one of 2026’s most spacious midsize SUVs may solve that problem. The 2026 Grand Highlander is engineered with cargo capacity and versatility in mind, offering more room behind the rear seats and a flexible interior layout that easily adapts to passengers, luggage, and everything in between. For families who need space without sacrificing comfort or refinement, it’s a standout option.
- Base Trim Engine
-
2.4L I-4 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
-
8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Front-Wheel Drive
What makes this SUV especially compelling is how well it balances volume with usability. Its roomy cargo area accommodates strollers, suitcases, and bulky gear without forcing you to fold seats down every time. Yet it still provides generous passenger room and thoughtful storage solutions that make everyday life easier, from school runs to weekend adventures.
Whether you’re upgrading from a compact crossover or simply need more space for growing demands, this midsize SUV delivers practicality without compromise. Its combination of cargo capacity, comfort, and family-friendly design makes it one of the most sensible choices for buyers who truly need room to spare in 2026.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA and J.D. Power. This article focuses on the non-hybrid model.
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Toyota’s 2026 Grand Highlander is more spacious than its rivals
Three rows of seats and tons of space for cargo
For a long time, the Toyota Highlander was the Japanese brand’s core three-row offering. However, it has some clear shortcomings that gave some of its competitors the edge. Back in 2023, for the 2024 model, Toyota introduced a bigger and more practical model to fill in the gap. The Grand Highlander is incredibly spacious, with more cargo room than any of its rivals, and it is one of our top picks for families.
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander interior comfort
|
First row headroom |
41.5 inches |
|---|---|
|
First row legroom |
41.7 inches |
|
Second row headroom |
40.2 inches |
|
Second row legroom |
39.5 inches |
|
Third row headroom |
37.2 inches |
|
Third row legroom |
33.5 inches |
|
Cargo Capacity (Behind third row) |
20.6 cubic feet |
The main difference between the Highlander and Grand Highlander is that the latter sits on a longer wheelbase, meaning more space on the inside. This Toyota offers an incredible amount of space in all three rows, with the third row even being usable for adults in a pinch. It also shines when it comes to cargo capacity, offering the most space in its class. Drop the third row, and you get up to 57.9 cubic feet, with there being a whopping 97.5 cubic feet of usable space behind the front row of seats.
The Grand Highlander may not be the flashiest vehicle on the inside, but it is comfortable. Nice materials are used throughout the cabin and seats in all three rows are comfortable even on longer journeys. There are also plenty of family-friendly features throughout the cabin, including a number of storage bins, a ton of USB ports, and multi-zone climate control.
Infotainment and technology
There is plenty of technology in the Grand Highlander which helps it feel like a modern, connected vehicle. A 12.3-inch infotainment screen is standard on all models, for instance. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the board. Most models come with a partially digital gauge display, featuring a seven-inch screen, but top trims get a fully-digital 12.3-inch unit instead.
As well as the may USB ports throughout the cabin, every model except the base model comes fitted with a wireless smartphone charging pad. A six-speaker sound system is standard, and isn’t going to feel particularly impressive, but an 11-inch premium JBL sound system is optional.
The SUV That Redefines Luxury for Families on a Budget
An affordable family SUV with tons of class.
There are tons of standard features included and Toyota’s after-sales support is great
Value for money and peace of mind
While it may not be the most affordable vehicle in this segment, we still think that the three-row Toyota offers great value for money. Alongside being one of the most spacious options on the market, it comes fitted with a ton of desirable features standard. With Toyota you also get peace of mind thanks to their stellar reputation for reliability.
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander pricing
|
Model |
Starting MSRP |
|---|---|
|
LE |
$41,660 |
|
XLE |
$44,430 |
|
Limited |
$49,160 |
|
Platinum |
$54,845 |
The non-hybrid Grand Highlander starts at just over the $40,000 mark. Again, this means it is among the more expensive options in this segment. It is, however, priced similarly to core rivals like the Honda Pilot, the Hyundai Palisade, and the Mazda CX-90. If you’re looking for something a little more affordable, options like the Kia Telluride and Ford Explorer will save you a little bit of cash.
Of the above trims, we think that the XLE offers the best bang-for-your-buck. It offers some pretty nice improvements over the base model while keeping the price well under the $50,000 mark. The XLE comes with niceties like heated, leatherette front seats, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and the ability to use your smartphone as a key. You can also choose between a three-seater bench in the second row or captain’s chairs.
Warranties, maintenance, and reliability
- Limited warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Complimentary scheduled maintenance: 2 years or 24,000 miles
- Reliability score: 82/100
Toyota’s warranty plan isn’t going to blow you away, but it doesn’t disappoint either. Both the bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage are about average for the segment. Toyota does make up for this somewhat by including your first two years of scheduled maintenance visits on the house.
Beyond the coverage that Toyota offers, the brand also has a fantastic reputation for reliability. The Grand Highlander scores a fantastic 82 out of 100 for quality and reliability on J.D. Power.
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A proven turbocharged four-cylinder engine powers the three-row SUV
Enough power to get you off the line quickly
While the Grand Highlander is no performance-oriented SUV, with a clear focus on practicality, the Grand Highlander does come with more than enough pep for the average buyer. While a lot of its rivals are still using V-6s, Toyota makes use of a well-tuned turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the gas-powered Grand Highlander.
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander performance
|
Engine |
2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four |
|---|---|
|
Transmission |
8-speed automatic |
|
Horsepower |
265 HP |
|
Torque |
310 LB-FT |
|
Driveline |
FWD or AWD |
|
0-60 MPH |
7 seconds |
|
Max towing |
5,000 pounds |
Under the hood of every non-hybrid Grand Highlander sits a turbocharged four-pot. The engine might not feature six cylinders, but it delivers more than enough power to keep up with its rivals in the mid-size segment. This powertrain pairs with a smooth eight-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is the standard setup here, with all-wheel drive being optional on every model.
The Grand Highlander achieves its goals extremely well. It doesn’t try to be overly sporty, and instead leans fully into its comfortable, family-focused mission. It rides well, able to absorb bumps and imperfections in the road pretty effortlessly. Its 5,000 pound towing capacity also adds to its overall versatility.
Fuel economy
|
Model |
City |
Highway |
Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
|
FWD |
21 MPG |
28 MPG |
24 MPG |
|
AWD |
21 MPG |
27 MPG |
23 MPG |
Despite its four-cylinder engine, the Grand Highlander is about average when it comes to overall efficiency. This isn’t a notch against it in our books, though, as it still remains competitive. The front-wheel drive models are obviously the most efficient, with all-wheel drive models losing about a mile per gallon in most scenarios. It is also worth noting that the larger wheels on the Limited and Platinum models do result in some minor efficiency losses.
If you’re after something lighter on fuel, though, we’d suggest taking a look at the hybrid model.
