Toyota has finally started to build exciting vehicles of late, with the most recent versions of the GR 86 and Supra proving to be just what the doctor ordered for a bit of fun on the asphalt. The automaker is also working to make off-roaders more interesting, but while all this is going on, Toyota hasn't forgotten about its family cars and SUVs. The Toyota Highlander is one of these family vehicles, and it's already quite an impressive machine, but as large as it is, perhaps it ought to be even bigger. According to a new forecast report from the company, Toyota plans to build a more spacious version of the SUV called the Grand Highlander.
In the forecast report, specifics are scant, but we learn that the regular Highlander is set to be refreshed in the latter half of next year, while the Grand Highlander will be "borrowing a page from the playbooks of other automakers" by launching as a "larger, longer unibody three-row crossover in 2023". This vehicle will offer more space in the third row and is set to be built in Indiana alongside the Sienna minivan. Like the regular Highlander, a hybrid version is coming too, but that's pretty much all we know for now, as Toyota hasn't given us any further information.
It's not unusual for automakers to be secretive about future products, but we have known about the possibility of a larger Grand Highlander since January when we learned of a trademark filing for the new name. Back then, we thought that the Grand Highlander could replace the aging Sequoia, but this forecast confirms that the Tundra-based three-row will live on alongside the Grand Highlander, with a new version riding on Toyota's latest body-on-frame platform set to arrive in the second half of next year too. It will also be offered as standard with a hybrid powertrain, and Toyota touches on more luxury here. Thus, it seems that the Grand Highlander will be the affordable large SUV replacement for the now-defunct Avalon sedan and the Sequoia will be the one to buy if you want all the toys. We'll report back once more is confirmed.