Highlander vs. Grand Highlander: Which SUV Makes Sense for Your Family?

Looking for the right three-row SUV in Jacksonville means balancing family needs with your wallet. Toyota offers two solid choices: the Highlander and the Grand Highlander. Both fit up to eight people and come with Toyota’s rock-solid reliability, but they’re built for different family situations. One’s bigger, while one’s more budget-friendly. In this Toyota SUV comparison, we’ll look at the space differences, technology options, gas mileage, and features of each SUV so you can figure out which one fits your family best.

Interior and Exterior Dimensions

The biggest difference between these SUVs is size. The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander is up to 6.5 inches longer than its smaller sibling, measuring 201.4 inches, while the standard Highlander is 194.9 to 197.4 inches. Plus, the Grand Highlander is 2.3 inches wider at 78.3 inches and 2 inches taller at 70.1 inches, making the whole cabin feel less cramped on family road trips. This extra space is especially beneficial for Jacksonville families with teenagers or carpool duty.

When comparing the Highlander vs. the Grand Highlander’s interior space, the third row is where the Grand Highlander really shines. While most three-row SUVs have back seats that are only good for kids or small adults, the Grand Highlander gives 33.5 inches of third-row legroom for stretching out comfortably — 5.5 inches more than the Highlander’s tighter 28 inches. Headroom also jumps from 36.1 inches to 37.2 inches, and shoulder room increases from 55 inches to 57.5 inches.

For fitting all your gear and groceries, the Grand Highlander wins again. With every seat up, you’ll get 20.6 cubic feet compared to the Highlander’s 16 cubic feet. If you fold the third row down, you’ll get 57.9 cubic feet in the Grand Highlander versus 48.4 cubic feet in the regular Highlander. The Grand offers a maximum cargo capacity of 97.5 cubic feet — significantly more than the 84.3 cubic feet in the standard model. Both also offer a seven-seat option with captain’s chairs that makes getting to the back row easier.

Powertrain and Fuel Efficiency Options

Both SUVs offer gas and hybrid options, giving you more choices. A 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that outputs 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque comes standard in either model. It’s powerful enough for you to drive around town or merge onto I-95.

However, they differ in their hybrid options. The standard Highlander uses a tried-and-true 2.5-liter engine paired with two electric motors, giving you 243 horsepower. All hybrid trims deliver about 35 mpg combined, including the special Highlander Hybrid Limited 25th Edition.

The Grand Highlander gives you two choices. The regular hybrid powertrain produces 245 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, while the stronger Hybrid MAX delivers 362 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. Gas mileage varies with your pick — the base hybrid powertrain hits 34 mpg combined, while the muscular Hybrid MAX drops to 27 mpg combined. Your choice depends on whether you value speed or saving at the pump.

For daily driving, the regular gas engines show the Grand Highlander reaching 24 mpg combined vs. the Highlander’s slightly better 25 mpg combined. If saving gas money tops your list, the standard Highlander may make more sense.

If you want to tow with the Grand Highlander, both standard engines and the Hybrid MAX can pull 5,000 pounds — enough for most boats or campers that you might drag to Jacksonville beaches or campgrounds. The standard hybrid maxes out at 3,500 pounds for both SUVs.

Technology and Safety Features

You’ll also spot a key difference in safety technology — the Grand Highlander comes with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 while the Highlander uses version 2.5+. Both versions come with a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, automatic high beams, lane departure alert, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The newer 3.0 system includes a Proactive Driving Assist that you won’t find on the regular Highlander. When you’re dealing with school zones, beach traffic, and I-295 commutes, these safety features help make driving easier and keep you safer on the road.

The Grand Highlander is equipped with a standard 12.3-inch touch screen on every model. The Highlander starts smaller with an 8-inch display, but you can upgrade to a 12.3-inch version on higher trims. Larger screens are useful when you’re trying to see maps, control music, or manage the kids’ devices all at once. Both SUVs include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, so your phone stays connected easily either way.

Depending on the trim, you can also get cool features such as a digital gauge cluster on both models. Not to be outdone, the Highlander Hybrid Limited 25th Edition brings its own perks — a large 12.3-inch screen paired with an impressive 11-speaker JBL sound system.

Pricing and Overall Value

These Toyotas start at a similar price point. The 2025 Grand Highlander LE starts at $40,860, while the Highlander LE kicks off at $40,320. For about $500 more, you get a lot more space and newer tech. The standard Highlander lineup reaches $54,475 for the Hybrid Platinum, and the Grand Highlander goes up to $58,775 for the Hybrid MAX Platinum.

Like most Toyotas, these SUVs hold value well. With 10 different versions, including gas and hybrid models, you can find one that fits your family’s needs and budget.

Check out our leasing and financing specials at Keith Pierson Toyota. These discounts can offset that initial price gap or help you upgrade to nicer features. For Jacksonville families weighing options, both SUVs start under $45,000 with Toyota’s famous reliability and low upkeep costs, making them a good purchase both now and down the road.

Discover Your Perfect Toyota SUV in Jacksonville

So, which one’s right for you? You’ll have to decide whether the standard Highlander’s better fuel efficiency or the Grand Highlander’s spacious interior is more important. The Grand’s newer safety technology and standard bigger touch screen also future-proof your purchase a bit more. However, the Highlander’s smaller size may be perfect for you.

Keith Pierson Toyota is family-owned and operated right here in North Florida. Visit us to test-drive both models and feel the difference yourself. Call us to set up a test-drive, and we’ll help you find the Toyota SUV that’ll make your family happy for years to come.

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