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Midsize 3-Row SUV
Toyota Grand Highlander
✓ Buy
Among the best in its category
⚠ Low risk
Gas tank fill issue prevents filling beyond 12 gallons on many units (TSB T-SB-0060-25 issued, but dealers may charge $400+ for the fix outside warranty period). Multiple independent reports of infotainment system freezing and dropping Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connections. At least one highly-upvoted report of a brand-new 2026 model experiencing repeated check engine problems requiring extended service center stays (15+ days) with poor corporate support response.
The Grand Highlander is Toyota's answer to families who need genuine three-row space without the fuel bill, the standard hybrid delivers 34+ MPG in real-world driving and a third row adults can actually sit in. The gas tank won't fill past 12 gallons on many units (there's a TSB, but dealers often charge $400+ for the fix once the warranty expires), and infotainment freezes are common enough to plan around. Buy the standard hybrid if you need the space and efficiency and can live with those quirks; skip the Hybrid Max unless you're towing, and avoid the 2026 model year entirely until the early check-engine-light problems get sorted.
The context that matters
What you're actually buying — and what the data leans toward.
Dataset is almost entirely current generation (2024-2026 models). The Grand Highlander nameplate launched in 2024, so no historical generation comparison exists. All data reflects the current production model.
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Common complaints7 issues−Gas tank fill issue prevents filling beyond 12 gallons (TSB issued, not always covered post-warranty)
−Infotainment connectivity problems with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay reported by multiple owners
−Hybrid Max gets significantly worse MPG than standard hybrid (25-28 vs 31-37 MPG)
−Turbo 4-cylinder gas engine growls harshly under acceleration
−High theft rate in Canada driving up insurance costs
−Long wait times for hybrid models in Canadian market (5+ months common)
−Serious reliability concerns with check engine light issues on new 2026 models
✓
What owners praise8 strengths✓
Exceptional fuel economy on standard hybrid (31-37 MPG real-world, many owners reporting 34+ MPG)
✓
Adult-usable third row with genuine space and AC vents
✓
Proven Toyota hybrid drivetrain reliability (2.5L + eCVT on standard hybrid)
✓
Spacious cargo area with flat, high loading floor ideal for families
✓
Strong dealer discounting available ($3,000-$4,000 off MSRP in many markets)
✓
Comfortable highway cruiser with smooth ride quality
✓
10-year/150,000-mile hybrid battery warranty
✓
Hybrid Max offers strong power (362 hp) for towing up to 5,000 lbs
📊 How this score was calculated — 6-dimension rubric
High confidence▼
360 sources analysed with long-term owner data present
360 sources analysed — strong data quality
Reliability & Durability(22%)8.0
12 positive vs 3 negative long-term reports
User Sentiment(22%)8.6
487 positive upvotes vs 78 negative upvotes
Complaint Severity(16%)7.0
Complaints: 8 cosmetic, 47 functional, 12 systematic, 0 safety
Consensus Strength(8%)5.0
Opinion is use-case dependent — product divides opinion by intended use
Value for Money(15%)5.9
18 'worth it', 4 'overpriced', 12 mention better-value alternatives
Owner Advocacy(17%)8.3
3 repurchased/gifted, 22 unprompted recommendations, 4 regrets
Scores are percentile ranks: 5.0 is the median product in existence. 8.5+ is reserved for genuinely exceptional products (top ~10%). The score reflects consensus quality, what owners say about the product. Risk is tracked separately and shown above the summary when present. Both are calculated deterministically, so the same signals always produce the same score.
Specifications2026
▼Pricing
Starting MSRP
$43,455
Range
$43,455 - $61,370
Capability
Towing capacity
5,000 lbs
Fuel economy
22-24 MPG combined (non-hybrid), 27-36 MPG combined (hybrid), 27 MPG combined (Hybrid Max)
Drivetrain
FWD / AWD available (AWD standard on Platinum and Hybrid Max)
Dimensions & capacity
Seating
7-8 passengers
Cargo
97.5 cu ft max (seats folded), 57.9 cu ft (third row up), 20.6 cu ft (behind third row)
Powertrains
2.4L Turbo I-4
standard on non-hybrid models
265 hp · 310 lb-ft
2.5L I-4 Hybrid
hybrid with two electric motors
245 hp · 175 lb-ft
2.4L Turbo I-4 Hybrid Max
hybrid with electric motor, AWD standard
362 hp · 400 lb-ft
Trim pricing
LE (Hybrid)
base hybrid trim (2025+)
$46,805
XLE
heated leatherette seats, wireless charging
$43,455
Limited
cheapest Hybrid Max option, surround-view camera available
$55,435
Nightshade
black accents, JBL audio, heated/cooled front seats
$56,818
Platinum
top trim, AWD standard
$59,775
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How it ranks in Midsize 3-Row SUV
4 products compared
1
Toyota Grand Highlander you are here
8.0/10
✓ Buy
2
Mazda CX-90
7.2/10
→ Consider
3
Hyundai Palisade
7.1/10
→ Consider
4
Kia Telluride
6.9/10
→ Consider
If you're buying
Know what others paid before you walk in.