Eager drivers, though, will probably be looking to Toyota’s Hybrid Max powertrain. Offered on the most expensive trims of the Grand Highlander, it uses a 2.4-liter turbo engine alongside a more potent configuration of electric motors and comes with all-wheel drive as standard. As we found in our 2024 Grand Highlander Hybrid Max review, it leaves the three-row SUV feeling positively eager on the road.
The downside to the extra power is a hit on fuel economy. The Hybrid Max version of the Grand Highlander is rated for 26 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 27 mpg combined. With a full tank of gas — that’s 17.17 gallons in the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max — you should be able to drive 464 miles, according to the U.S. EPA.
Even with the more potent engine, according to the EPA’s math you’ll spend just $250 more in fuel costs over five years in the Hybrid Max, compared to the average new vehicle. The EPA bases its estimates on 15,000 miles of annual driving, of which 45% takes place on the highway and 55% in the city. If that doesn’t reflect your typical driving behaviors, you can customize the calculations on the EPA’s Fuel Economy site.
