3 reasons the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is in a lane of its own
Brands like Toyota, Kia, Jeep, Hyundai, and more are producing competitive three-row SUV models. Recent advancements in hybrid tech have made these SUVs even more appealing because they can transport a large number of passengers without burning as much fuel as non-hybrid models.
Though many three-row SUVs have strong value propositions, one Japanese model stands out from the pack: the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid. USA TODAY put this three-row hybrid SUV to the test to see if it's as value-packed in the real world as it is on paper.
Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid's fuel economy is fantastic for its segment
It's no secret that Japanese automaker Toyota has one of the best hybrid portfolios on the market. The brand has come a long way from its first mass-production hybrid, the Toyota Prius.
Today, Toyota produces attractive hybrid cars, trucks and SUVs, utilizing the tech to provide power output boosts and conserve fuel for American drivers. The Grand Highlander Hybrid is no exception, bringing the best of Toyota hybrid tech to a nameplate that's practical for a large group of passengers.
The base model Grand Highlander Hybrid LE earns an estimated 34 miles per gallon combined (with standard all-wheel drive). This is astounding for such a large all-wheel drive SUV. For context, the two-row Honda Passport midsize SUV achieves just 21 miles per gallon combined despite having less seating capacity.
USA TODAY tested the Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX Platinum trim, which is more powerful and earns 27 miles per gallon combined. The three-row SUV's standard regenerative braking kept adding miles to the total driving range on a lengthy road trip during testing. One of the biggest issues with driving a larger vehicle (with lots of seats) is fuel costs. The Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX was affordable to refuel and it savored gas like a fine wine on the highway.
Toyota's midsize three-row hybrid SUV won't break the bank
Another issue that many American car buyers have with larger SUV models is pricing.
Inflation and rising new car prices exacerbate this issue for many brands that produce three-row SUVs. The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provides the practicality of a three-row SUV with a unique hybrid powertrain setup without breaking the bank.
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid starts at $44,210 with the base model Hybrid LE trim. The average new vehicle price in June was $51,124, according to automotive research company Cox Automotive. American car buyers can get either the base model Grand Highlander Hybrid LE or the Hybrid XLE ($45,380) with more features for less than the average new car price.
Additionally, a study by iSeeCars.com, found the Highlander Hybrid to be one of the longest-lasting cars. If the same holds true for the Highlander Hybrid-based Grand Highlander Hybrid, then the midsize three-row SUV has a strong long-term value proposition.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid: Plenty of cabin, cargo space
Toyota designed the Grand Highlander Hybrid's second and third rows of seats to be easily maneuverable, which is important for passenger comfort. The second row of seats can slide forward and bend, so hopping into the rear row of seats is a breeze. The third row of seats can be folded down completely for maximum cargo space. So, whether you need the most seating space possible or cargo space possible, adjustments can be made easily.
The Grand Highlander Hybrid can comfortably seat seven. Drivers can choose to add a second-row bench seat for a total seating capacity of eight, leaving 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space. It has 57.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. During testing, the Grand Highlander Hybrid's cargo area held four large beach chairs, a beach umbrella, a cooler and multiple backpacks.
The Grand Highlander Hybrid is truly carving out a lane of its own due to its fuel efficiency, affordability, and size. It's one of the most attractive new SUV deals on the market for families.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid stands out in its segment
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Verra Mobility (VRRM) Q2 Earnings Report Preview: What To Look For
Traffic solutions company Verra Mobility (NYSE:VRRM) will be announcing earnings results this Wednesday after market hours. Here's what investors should know. Verra Mobility beat analysts' revenue expectations by 2.9% last quarter, reporting revenues of $223.3 million, up 6.4% year on year. It was a strong quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' EBITDA estimates and full-year EBITDA guidance slightly topping analysts' expectations. Is Verra Mobility a buy or sell going into earnings? Read our full analysis here, it's free. This quarter, analysts are expecting Verra Mobility's revenue to grow 4.8% year on year to $233.1 million, slowing from the 8.8% increase it recorded in the same quarter last year. Adjusted earnings are expected to come in at $0.33 per share. The majority of analysts covering the company have reconfirmed their estimates over the last 30 days, suggesting they anticipate the business to stay the course heading into earnings. Verra Mobility has only missed Wall Street's revenue estimates once over the last two years, exceeding top-line expectations by 1.8% on average. Looking at Verra Mobility's peers in the electrical systems segment, some have already reported their Q2 results, giving us a hint as to what we can expect. Vertiv delivered year-on-year revenue growth of 35.1%, beating analysts' expectations by 12%, and Acuity Brands reported revenues up 21.7%, topping estimates by 3.1%. Vertiv traded up 2% following the results while Acuity Brands was also up 5.8%. Read our full analysis of Vertiv's results here and Acuity Brands's results here. Investors in the electrical systems segment have had steady hands going into earnings, with share prices up 1.4% on average over the last month. Verra Mobility's stock price was unchanged during the same time and is heading into earnings with an average analyst price target of $28.92 (compared to the current share price of $25.27). Today's young investors likely haven't read the timeless lessons in Gorilla Game: Picking Winners In High Technology because it was written more than 20 years ago when Microsoft and Apple were first establishing their supremacy. But if we apply the same principles, then enterprise software stocks leveraging their own generative AI capabilities may well be the Gorillas of the future. So, in that spirit, we are excited to present our Special Free Report on a profitable, fast-growing enterprise software stock that is already riding the automation wave and looking to catch the generative AI next. StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
‘Injuries reported' in Monday morning crash on I-57 in Champaign
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — At least one person is hurt following a single-vehicle rollover crash on northbound I-57 in Champaign on Monday. The crash happened just before 5 a.m. between Interstates 72 and 74. Officials with the Illinois State Police said only one vehicle was involved, and it rolled over. Motorcyclist hospitalized with 'life threatening injuries after Champaign Co. crash 'Injuries are being reported,' State Police said. But they did not specify how many people were hurt and how serious those injuries are. Officials provided no further information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Toyota, Honda brace for profit falls as US tariffs, strong yen weigh
By Daniel Leussink TOKYO (Reuters) -Toyota Motor and Honda Motor are expected to report weaker first-quarter earnings this week, as U.S. import tariffs and a stronger yen weigh on profits despite solid demand for hybrids in their biggest overseas markets. Japanese automakers face growing uncertainty in the U.S., where tariffs on imports are pushing up vehicle prices and testing the resilience of consumer demand. Investors will be watching for clues on how Japan's two largest automakers are offsetting such burdens. Toyota, the world's top-selling automaker, is forecast to post a 31% year-on-year drop in operating profit to 902 billion ($6.14 billion) yen on Thursday, according to the average estimate of seven analysts polled by LSEG. That would mark its weakest quarterly result in more than two years. Honda is expected to report a 36% decline in operating profit to 311.7 billion yen on Wednesday, its second straight quarterly drop. The automaker has already forecast a 59% fall in full-year profit. Both companies face the prospect of 15% tariffs on Japanese auto imports into the U.S. from levies totalling 27.5% previously, following a bilateral trade deal last month. Other Japanese automakers and suppliers have also flagged weaker earnings, citing the same pressures from tariffs and the stronger currency compared to the same period a year ago. "The first quarter is going to be a rough one for Toyota," said Christopher Richter, autos analyst at CLSA. "Things should get easier going forward," he said, citing some relief from the lowered tariffs. Particularly Honda's reliance on the U.S. has deepened in recent years as sales in other regions falter. Outside of the U.S., both companies produce key models for the U.S. market in Canada and Mexico. For Honda, the U.S. accounted for around two-fifths of total sales in the first half of the year. Its global sales fell 5% over the period, dragged down by double-digit declines in China, Asia and Europe. Toyota's global sales rose 6% over the period supported by strong demand for petrol-electric hybrids which typically carry higher margins than conventional petrol cars. Its Camry and Sienna hybrids remain strong sellers in the U.S. The company has also performed better in China in recent months, posting a 7% year-on-year increase in vehicle sales over the first half of the year. Honda said in May that it was scaling back its investment in electric vehicles given slowing demand and would be focusing on hybrids with various revamped models. It had earlier delayed plans to build an EV production base in Canada due to slowing demand for electric cars. Investors will be looking for updates from both companies on their pricing strategy and any revisions to full-year forecasts. The Japanese automakers have been taking measures such as transfer pricing to help alleviate the burden from the import tariffs, CLSA's Richter said. Shares of Toyota are down 16% so far this year, while those of Honda are flat. ($1 = 146.8900 yen) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
