Since the Grand Highlander arrived, the question I get most is “do I need the big one?” For plenty of buyers the answer is no — and they’ll be happier and a few thousand dollars ahead in the standard Highlander. There’s one new wrinkle, though: there’s a clock on the gas and hybrid Highlander as we know it.
The next Highlander (2027) is going all-electric — the gas and hybrid versions are being retired as that EV arrives. Toyota is winding production down, so the gas and hybrid Highlander you might picture is getting harder to find. If that’s the one you want, this is the buy-it-while-you-can window.
Highlander vs Grand Highlander
The honest dividing line is the third row. The Grand Highlander’s back row fits adults; the regular Highlander’s is best for kids or occasional use. If your third row is for car seats and the occasional extra passenger, the Highlander is the right size — easier to park, a little more efficient, and cheaper.
Step up to the Grand Highlander only if you genuinely need adult-friendly third-row space or more cargo behind it. Paying for size you won’t use is the most common Highlander-shopping mistake. One more thing in the Grand Highlander’s favor going forward: it’s keeping its gas and hybrid powertrains, while the regular Highlander is the one switching to electric — so if you want a non-EV three-row Toyota for the long run, the Grand Highlander becomes the answer.
Hybrid vs gas
The Hybrid makes 243 horsepower, returns around 35 MPG combined, and comes with AWD standard. For most families in our area, that’s the one — the efficiency is a real monthly difference and it tows up to 3,500 lbs, which covers a small trailer or jet skis.
The turbo gas version (265 hp, ~24 MPG) is a touch quicker and a bit cheaper. It makes sense if you tow at the upper end or drive low mileage where the hybrid premium won’t pay back — otherwise the hybrid wins.
Timing note: with the next Highlander going electric, gas Highlanders are the first to dry up as production tapers. If your heart’s set on the gas model specifically, don’t wait this one out — they’re getting scarce.
Trims, decoded
- XLE — the value pick; the comfort and convenience features most people actually want.
- XSE (gas) — sportier looks and tuning if that’s your thing.
- Limited — the comfort upgrade that’s worth it for the long haul.
- Platinum — fully loaded with the panoramic roof and premium touches.
What’s coming: the 2027 EV
The next-generation Highlander arrives as an all-electric three-row, expected to go on sale around late 2026. Early details point to a choice of battery sizes, single- or dual-motor setups (roughly 220 hp up to around 338 hp with AWD), and an estimated 270–320 miles of range, built in Toyota’s Kentucky plant.
If an EV fits your driving and you can charge at home, it’s worth waiting to see — but read my brutally honest take on EVs and long trips first. If an EV doesn’t fit — or you simply want a gas or hybrid Highlander — buy the current one while it’s still around, or look at the Grand Highlander, which keeps those powertrains.
Availability
This is the unusual part right now: gas Highlanders are getting genuinely scarce as production winds down for the EV changeover, and the hybrid isn’t far behind on the popular trims and colors. If you want a current-generation Highlander, this is a reserve-it-now situation — see hard-to-find Toyotas for how that works.
Not sure if you need the “Grand”? Text me at 937-830-7925 and I’ll help you size it right.