2026 Grand Highlander Arrives, But 2025 Offers Better Value

Date:2025-08-04 22:46:45 Category:tech Views:1 Comment:0

2026 Grand Highlander Arrives, But 2025 Offers Better Value originally appeared on Autoblog.

Family SUV Becomes Pricier in 2026

Since arriving in 2023, the Toyota Grand Highlander has secured its place in the brand's US lineup as a family-focused, three-row SUV positioned above the regular Highlander. Built in Indiana and based on the TNGA-K platform, it offers more interior room, a usable third row, and multiple powertrain options, including two hybrids.

Sales figures reflect its growing popularity: July 2025 saw a 77% year-over-year increase, with Grand Highlander now Toyota's second-best-selling SUV behind the RAV4. But for 2026, Toyota has changed virtually nothing – except for a price increase across the board.

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What's New for 2026?

The 2026 Grand Highlander arrives with the same styling, features, and powertrain lineup as the 2025 model. Buyers can choose from a 2.4-liter turbo gas, a 2.5-liter hybrid, or a 362-hp Hybrid MAX setup. All are available in LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum grades, with a Nightshade Edition now offered exclusively on Hybrid trims.

Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 remains standard on the Grand Highlander, along with a 12.3-inch infotainment system and a host of comfort features depending on trim. Towing capacity ranges from 3,500 pounds for the hybrid to 5,000 pounds on the gas and Hybrid MAX models. Interior tech, third-row room, and cargo capacity remain unchanged.

The only real update for 2026 is pricing. Each trim costs $500 more than its 2025 counterpart. The entry-level LE FWD now starts at $41,360, while the Limited Hybrid MAX climbs to $55,190. Fully loaded Platinum Hybrid MAX models reach $59,275. These figures don't include Toyota's $1,495 delivery fee.

With competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and Honda Pilot offering similar size and equipment at slightly lower starting prices, the 2026 Grand Highlander doesn't gain much ground.

Outgoing 2025 Models Offer Better Value

So the real question is: why not just get the 2025 model? Dealers are still clearing out existing inventory, and current listings show some deeply discounted 2025 Grand Highlander units – especially XLE models, which now undercut their 2026 equivalents by thousands. On Cars.com, several new 2025 XLEs are listed well below MSRP, in the $38,000-$42,000 range depending on equipment and region. For what is essentially the same vehicle, shoppers can save considerably by choosing a 2025 unit while they're still available.

Unless you're set on a new color or trim name, or you need a 2026 VIN, there's little reason to wait. With no mechanical updates or new features, the 2025 Grand Highlander remains the smarter buy. Well, at least until inventory stocks last.