2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max AWD - Latest Drive Review
GRANDER SCOT FOR CARRYING MORE TARTAN KILTS:
Ambling through nearby Inverness landscape, an enclave some thirty miles northwest of Chicago, implies criss-crossing narrow asphalt ribbons which connect forested estates nestled among valleys and man-made lagoons. It hearkens back to cobblestone paths alongside Glens and Lochs in Scotland.
While ox carts drew the kilt dressed Scots in the old country, modern travel over the rolling hills, developed by American Scot Arthur McIntosh, best happens by motor. On a rung that is one size above Toyota's mid-size three-row crossover, their Grand Highlander provides greater space for the larger family adorned in tartan plaid. The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max Platinum AWD returns to Roadblazing.com for jaunts through the rolling hills of northern Illinois.
2025 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER PLATINUM HYBRID MAX AWD Differences from 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander :
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max AWD - Bottom Line Review
GRANDER SCOT FOR CARRYING MORE TARTAN KILTS: Tartan adorned occupants of the higher ground possess a clear advantage against pursuers from below. For two generations the multi kilt carrying Toyota Highlander has shared the peak of the large family crossover SUV ridge with the Ford Explorer, (likely outselling the latter
George Straton
- New for '25 entry level expensive LE trim, starting from $42,310 including destination
- New for '25 Hybrid Nightshade trim
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid Max AWD: three row travel optimized for active American families, in Cement Grey
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New for '25 LE trim drops the entry price by nearly $3000 for the cost conscious; Hybrid powertrain is also now newly available with Nightshade trim
2025 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER PLATINUM HYBRID MAX AWD carried over / shared with 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid Max :
Segment, Style & Finish:
- Large family, three-row crossover utility vehicle, 7 or 8 occupant seating
- Based on Toyota TNGA-K platform shared with Lexus TX
- Truck-like alternative to the Sienna family Minivan
- Long proportion low slung hood, slim upper grill; Wrap around head lighting; Hexagonal wide laterally segmented lower grille, swept back corner folds, Lower body crease; Kammback liftgate, inboard "C" wrap around tail lighting; Rising lower rear quarter panel; Dual exhaust outlets; Full dark & metallic accent body cladding; Dark wheek arch cladding
- Assembled in Indiana, U.S.A.
- Bronze cabin accents
Performance:
- battery electric hybrid, turbocharged 2.5L DOHC inline-4 petrol engine
- 6-speed automatic transmission
- electronic viscous clutch all-wheel drive
- Broad low to mid engine speed thrust
- rated power - 362 horsepower, 400 pound-feet torque
- Front strut, rear semi-independent, oversized vented four wheel disc brakes
- Quick ratio electric assist steering, heavy weighted resistance
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid Max AWD: potent power, compliant touring ride
Safety:
- IIHS - Good scores except, small front overlap and headlighting rated Acceptable (2025 MY)
- Toyota SafetySense 3.0 Level 2.0 advanced driver assisting adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, forward collision avoidance braking, lane departure warning & tracing, automatic high beams
- 8 SRS airbags, rear camera, blind spot warning & avoidance, park warning (fore & aft, audible & visible)
- Test vehicle included surround camera, Perimeter Scan; 10.0" Head-up display, traffic sign notification, Trailer sway control; Rear mirror video camera feed
- +1 Very good outward driver's view
2025 Toyota Grand Highlnder Platinum Hybrid Max AWD specifications:
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): $63,072 = as tested 2025 Toyota Grand Highlnder Platinum Hybrid Max AWD (non-turbocharged 2.4T front-drive LE from $42,310)
Curb Weight (pounds): 4920 pounds, 13.6 pounds per horsepower
Powertrain - petrol: variable nozzle turbocharged 2.5L 16V DOHC I-4, Start - stop idle - 272 hp (202 kW)
- Hybrid Electric: 82 hp (61 kW) front, 79 hp (59 kW) rear PSM motors
- Traction Battery: 1.9 kWh, 5 Ah NiMH
Net Hybrid Power / Torque (pound - feet): 362 hp (270 kW), 400 lb-ft @ 2000 r.p.m.
Drivetrain / Final drive ratio: 6-speed torque converter automatic planetary gear transmission / 3.84:1; PTU to viscous clutch differential all-wheel drive, 90:10% to 50:50% F:R axle torque split, open differentials + ABS torque vectoring
Drive Modes (4) : Sport, Eco, Normal, Snow
Terrain Modes (4): Mud & sand, Rock & dirt, Snow, Normal
- Descent speed control
- Trailering sway control
Chassis:
- Front strut + lower A-arm, Rear torsion 4-link suspension, F&R: coil springs, sway bars, twin-tube dampers
- Front: 13.8" vented rotors, Rear: 13.3" solid rotors, F: 2-piston sliding, R: 1-piston sliding calipers, electronic parking brake
- Yokohama Geolandar X-CV G057 M+S, 20" alloy wheels, front & rear 255/55-V, full spare tire
- Electric power steering, 15.1:1 ratio, 2.7 turns-to-lock
Dimensions:
- LxWxH: 201.4" x 78.3"(excl. mirr.) x 70.1"
- Wheelbase: 116.1" inches
- Ground clearance: 8.0" inches
- Approach / Departure / Breakover angles: 16.9o / 22.3o / 16.8o
Capacities:
- Headroom (Rows 1, 2, 3 inches): 40.0", 38.5", 37.2"
- Legroom (Rows 1, 2, 3 inches): 41.7", 39.5", 33.5"
- Cargo (nominal - expanded ): 20.6 - 57.9 - 97.5 cubic feet
- Towing: 5000 pounds; Payload: 1420 pounds
Fuel Economy - observed (miles per gallon): 24 m.p.g.
Range (maximum): 461 miles (17.2 gallons)
Performance: 0-60 miles/ hour: 5.8 seconds; Top speed: 119 m.p.h.
Manufacturer Provided Specifications @2025 Roadblazing.com
Comfort & Convenience:
- Sport Bucket front seats, good torso support
- 12.3" multi-information configurable TFT instrument cluster, under binnacle
- 3-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, heated tilt/ telescoping steering wheel, wing mirrors, wiper de-icer, 2nd Row climate vents & heated seats
- Keyless entry, push-button ignition
- Power windows, full express x 4, 2nd Row door manual sunshades
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid Max AWD: seating for seven
Infotainment:
- 12.3" Toyota Connected landscape dashtop pod LCD touch infotainment screen
- Toyota Connected UI
- USB-C x 7 - Rows 1, 2, 3; 12V x 2
- 110 VAC x 2 @ 1500W - Row 2, cargo bay
- Qi inductive charging pad
- 11-speaker, 1200 Watt JBL streaming audio, HD radio
- Bluetooth hands-free communication - two phones, SMS
- wireless available Android Auto, Apple CarPlay projection
- Toyota Connected Services - 3 years trial, Wi-Fi - 2GB trial, Sirius XM - 90 days trial
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid Max AWD: intuitive and informative cockpit
2025 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER PLATINUM HYBRID MAX AWD PRICING:
- $63,072 price, as tested 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid Max AWD in Cement Grey ( Grand Highlander 2.4T LE front drive from $42,310)
- 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper to bumper; 5 yrs. / 60k miles powertrain; 8 yrs. / 100k miles hybrid system; 10 yrs. / 150,000 miles traction battery warranties
- 2 years / 25k miles included scheduled maintenance
LIKES ABOUT THE 2025 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER PLATINUM HYBRID MAX AWD:
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Solid, does about everything well, full size family crossover SUV pick.
- A Big Boy among three-row crossover SUVs that nearly renders the standard Highlander moot
- Shares solid, quiver free platform with Lexus TX counterpart
- Variable terrain capability surpassing e-hybrid all-wheel drive
- Darn quick, thanks to abundant supplemental electric power
- Smooth shifting, efficient six-speed automatic transaxle
- Tautly sprung but softly damped for super smooth ride
- Steering weighted for effortless directional change
- Ample brake size and slowing
- Trailering anti-sway control
- Exudes nearly as much luxury as counterpart Lexus TX
- Premium finish cabin accenting, generous luxury content
- Traditional knobs for audio volume, selection tuning
- Tactile and logically placed steering wheel spoke ADAS and instrument buttons
- JBL streaming audio earns premium label
NOT PREFERRED ABOUT THE 2025 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER PLATINUM HYBRID MAX AWD:
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Can feel ponderous, expected better fuel economy, whispers some cheap materials
- Top Platinum Hybrid Max trim isn't inexpensive
- Front seat bolstering thin
- Long brake pedal travel
- Frustration of toggle joystick shifter
- Lesser fuel economy than e-hybrid model
- Could use greater steering road feel
- Infotainment screen selections require multiple taps
- Dim nighttime switchgear illumination
- Shiny hard dashtop & rear parcel shelf plastics & some cabin rattles
- Lacks cargo bay remote 2nd & 3rd Row power fold switches
- Lacks 2nd Row entertainment system
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ROADBLAZING.COM BOTTOM LINE: Toyota's jumbo three row crossover SUV is a serious family hauling contender.
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