Toyota has announced on its official Instagram account that the first-ever Grand Highlander will make its debut on February 8, 2023. A single teaser image has been revealed, which you can view below. We've known for well over a year that Toyota has been working on a larger version of the ever-popular Highlander. The Grand Highlander has been described as a "larger, longer unibody three-row crossover."
The Grand Highlander's arrival is a big deal for Toyota as it currently lacks a large three-row crossover that can compete against the likes of the crazy popular Kia Telluride.
It's important to remember that the latest generation three-row Sequoia SUV, like its predecessor, rides on a body-on-frame architecture that's shared with the full-size Tundra truck. Therefore, the Sequoia and the Grand Highlander will not compete internally; they simply appeal to different types of buyers.
Precise details surrounding the Grand Highlander, which could end up being a 2024 model, remain scarce at this time but it should share general styling with its smaller sibling inside and out.
The regular Highlander is currently offered in two powertrain flavors: a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, or the hybrid version featuring a 2.5-liter inline-four with two electric motors. We expect both powertrain options will be offered with the Grand Highlander.
The Grand Highlander is one of two new three-row SUVs built at its Indiana plant. Sources indicate the second will be a Lexus-branded version named the TX.
There's no word yet as to when it'll debut but it should arrive very shortly after its Grand Highlander sibling. The Sienna minivan is also manufactured at this facility.
It's fair to assume the Grand Highlander will have significantly more third-row space than the Sequoia. Why? Because the Sequoia's battery pack is placed beneath the third row instead of the second row to allow for easier entry and exit to the back. That comes at a price: depleted third-row space. We'll find out full details on February 8 and, hopefully, a few more before then.