The 2023 Toyota Grand Highlander Is Lastly Occurring, As a result of Why Not

Like most automakers immediately, Toyota’s crossover and SUV lineup splits the pie fairly narrowly. Excluding the battery-electric BZ4X and distinctions between hybrid and plug-in hybrid autos, the model at present gives seven: the C-HR, Corolla Cross, RAV4, Highlander, Venza, 4Runner and Sequoia. There’s actually some overlap there when it comes to dimension and functionality. However the firm isn’t happy, because it’ll make room for another SUV subsequent 12 months — the three-row Grand Highlander.

Toyota teased the quietly rumored new mannequin Thursday, saying it’ll be revealed to the world on February 8 on the Chicago Auto Present. The present Highlander already gives a 3rd row, as does the dearer 4Runner, although neither is especially spacious. The Sequoia is, however can be significantly dearer. There’s additionally nonetheless the Sienna, which is what most households would in all probability finest profit from — however that’s a minivan, rattling it. Can’t be having that, can we?

So the Highlander will elongate to develop into a greater possibility for many who take lengthy highway journeys involving numerous individuals and don’t desire a Sienna. For those who look carefully on the lone teaser offered, you possibly can barely make out a JPG-crunched “Hybrid Max” badge on the tailgate — a well-recognized sight from the top-spec model of the Toyota Crown… lifted sedan? (Nonetheless unsure what to name that factor.) The Hybrid Max Crown combines a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder with a pair of electrical motors, producing a sum of 340 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.

In any other case, all we are able to glean from the picture is that the Grand Highlander will sport a distinct rear-end design from the usual model, with distinctive taillights and the title writ massive, bridging them above the spot for the license plate. Whereas Jeep doesn’t have the patent on “Grand” in a automobile title, most different manufacturers have stopped utilizing the regal modifier, and so I’m type of shocked Toyota has willingly drawn the affiliation with its competitor. I suppose it sounds higher than “Highlonger” or “Highlander Plus.”