Go Grand? Just How Much 2025 Toyota Highlander Do I Need?

If you’re shopping for a new family SUV and you have your sights set on the 2025 Toyota Highlander, you may be asking yourself whether you should spring for the larger Grand Highlander instead. While they’re separated primarily by size, it can be difficult to appreciate the differences without a more detailed breakdown. So, what exactly do you get by upgrading to the Grand Highlander? Let’s take a look.   

Passenger room  

By far, the most compelling reason to choose the 2025 Grand Highlander is the additional passenger space. The third row of the Grand Highlander can accommodate humans of all sizes, making it more than just a jump seat for occasional use. If you find yourself hauling more than five people on even a semi-frequent basis, the Grand Highlander’s additional inch of headroom, two inches of shoulder room, and five inches of legroom will make the difference between cramming and comfort, especially if you’re taking long trips.  

Cargo space  

The 2025 Grand Highlander not only offers more passenger space but also more cargo room. Whether you keep the rear seats up or down, you get more space for luggage, roadside antiques, or baby gear.   

As an added bonus, both Highlanders can tow the exact same amount: 5,000 pounds (when properly equipped).  

Features and value 

Based on the above, the Grand Highlander seems like a no-brainer. But there’s a catch: it costs about $4,000 more than the standard Highlander. To help soften that blow, Toyota baked a few equipment upgrades into the standard Grand Highlander. Most notably, it gets the upgraded 12.3-inch infotainment system as standard equipment (the base Highlander’s screen measures 8.0 inches), standard leatherette seating (vs. cloth), and heated front seats.  

Size 

There’s an additional cost to the Grand Highlander’s expansive cabin, of course, and that’s physical size. The Grand Highlander is a full seven inches longer than the standard Highlander. That may not sound like much, but it could make your garage space a little bit tighter. It will also make the Grand Highlander tougher to maneuver in tight spaces, like parking garages or narrow fire trails. The good news is that this is the only dimension you need to worry about; the Grand Highlander is the same width and height as the standard model.  

If you still can’t choose between the 2025 Toyota Highlander and Grand Highlander, it may help to see them side-by-side. Bring your whole family (and your gear!) to Sharp Automotive and check them out for yourself.