The 2024 Toyota Highlander and Grand Highlander: Which Platinum Trim Is for You?

What has four wheels, three rows of seats, an exceptional engine, and luxury features practically falling out of every space inside its spacious passenger compartment? If you guessed the Toyota Highlander, you’d only be partially correct. This is because you are going to find something bigger and better for the 2024 model year. Making its entrance into the 2024 model year is the Toyota Grand Highlander. This is more than just a larger version of your favorite three-row SUV. This is taking the Highlander to another level altogether. If you’re a Georgia driver looking for a Toyota dealer near Vinings to experience this new addition to the Toyota lineup, visit us here at Marietta Toyota, and we’ll show you everything it has to offer. But how does the Grand Highlander differ from its Highlander counterpart?

One of the best ways to see how the two models compare is by looking at the top trim level, the Platinum. The Highlander Platinum and the Grand Highlander Platinum provide the kind of luxury details in the comfort and convenience area that drivers from Vining are sure to appreciate. This makes these three-row models perfect for families on the go. The Platinum trim also features the Toyota Safety Sense suite of active driver assistance features that will get your family to and from any destination you may go to in this part of Georgia safely. At Marietta Toyota, we are proud to offer drivers like you the 2024 Highlander and Grand Highlander Platinum. Let’s take a closer look at each model’s Platinum trim.

The Platinum’s Engine Options

The first thing you are sure to notice in comparing the Platinum trims of the 2024 Toyota Highlander and the Grand Highlander has to do with the available engine options. Both give you a choice of a conventional gas engine or a hybrid, each offering different levels of efficiency for those looking to save money at the pump.

The gas engine on the Highlander Platinum is a 2.4-liter Turbocharged I-4 gas engine. This comes paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and has Toyota’s Stop and Start Engine System to reduce fuel consumption by stopping the engine at traffic lights and then restarting it when you remove your foot from the brake pedal. This engine has a double overhead cam (DOHC) configuration with 16 valves and can produce 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.

The hybrid engine on the 2024 Highlander Platinum is a slightly larger 2.5-liter L4HV I-g gas engine paired with permanent magnet synchronous electric motors. There are two in the front on front-wheel drive models and two front and one rear electric motors on all-wheel drive models. The blend between the performance of the gas engine and electric motors is handled by an eCVT transmission, which stands for electronic continuous variable transmission. The gas engine also has a DOHC configuration, and the combined output of the powertrain is 243 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. An investment in the hybrid engine will get you 36 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway.

The Grand Highlander Platinum starts off with the similar standard 2.4-liter engine found on the Highlander Platinum; however, when opting for a hybrid model, the 2.4-liter Hybrid Max engine offers different specs regarding its power. This engine provides 362 hp and a notable 400 lb-ft of torque. This strength comes with the slight cost of efficiency, giving you 26 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway.

The key difference is that the Highlander Platinum hybrid will give you the best fuel economy at 36 MPG combined, compared to the Grand Highlander Platinum’s 27 combined MPG. In addition, Highlander and Grand Highlander models with all-wheel drive should provide better on-road traction in inclement weather than front-wheel Highlander Platinum models.

Spacious and Luxurious Interiors

One of the biggest differences between the Highlander and the Grand Highlander is the size. In short, the Grand Highlander is bigger. The Grand Highlander extends the Highlander’s wheelbase from 112.2 inches to 116.1 inches. This translates into more interior space in the Platinum model of the Grand Highlander, particularly in the area of legroom. While the 2024 Highlander Platinum has slightly more legroom in the front row than the Grand Highlander Platinum, it has less in the remaining two rows.

The front row of the Highlander Platinum has 42 inches of legroom compared to 41.7 inches on the Grand Highlander Platinum. However, the Grand Highlander Platinum offers 39.5 inches of legroom in the second row and 33.5 inches in the third row, while the Highlander Platinum has 38.7 inches in the second row and only 28 inches of legroom in the third row. This makes the Grand Highlander Platinum a better choice for Vinings drivers who need to use the third row for longer drives.

This difference is even more pronounced when it comes to cargo space. The Platinum models for both the Highlander and Grand Highlander feature a hands-free power liftgate, making accessing the trunk easy even with your hands full. The Highlander Platinum’s liftgate opens to 16 cu.ft. of space, which can be expanded to 84.3 cu.ft. by folding down the rear two rows of seats. The Grand Highlander easily surpasses this with 20.6 cu.ft. of cargo space in the trunk that can be expanded to a maximum of 97.5 cu.ft. of space behind the front row.

Both models offer very comfortable seating accommodations. The Highlander and Grand Highlander Platinum trims feature leather-trimmed seats that are also heated and ventilated in front and heated in the second row. No matter which model best matches your needs, every drive will provide you with an elevated level of comfort.

Toyota’s Standard Safety and Driver Assistance Features

Toyota has gone to the Platinum level with the Highlander and Grand Highlander regarding Safety Sense features. The Platinum trims of both models include the most comprehensive set of driver assistance features ever offered on a Toyota model. This includes a Panoramic View Monitor, giving you a 360-degree overhead view of your vehicle when traveling at low speed or in reverse. This lets you see everything around you when you are getting ready to park. The standard Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking will also make it safer and easier to get into and out of a tight parking spot in your Highlander or Grand Highlander.

Both models also have a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, which makes it easier to change lanes as the system will provide you with an extra set of eyes. If another motorist is in an adjacent lane, the system will alert you and let you know when the coast is clear to make your move. While this feature is also included or available on other trims, the addition of this, together with the trim-specific Toyota Safety Sense features, makes the Platinum model of the Highlander and Grand Highlander one of the most comprehensive driver assistance packages on the market.

Connectivity and Infotainment

As you would probably expect, the Platinum model of the Highlander and Grand Highlander features the most advanced Toyota Audio Multimedia system offered on these two vehicles. This is Platinum level connectivity and entertainment and is sure to make you the envy of Vining motorists.

The Toyota Audio Multimedia on the Platinum model features a 12.3-inch color touchscreen. This is a great way to see all the available apps and programs. You can easily connect your phone using wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. This means you can make hands-free calls and texts, access your favorite apps, and stream great music even if you accidentally left your charging cables at home. The standard Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging system will also help you keep your phone or those of your passengers from discharging on long drives.

When it comes to music, the Platinum trims give audiophiles everything they could want in an audio system. That is because the Platinum model features an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system. This includes a subwoofer to capture all the bass tones and a specialized amplifier to give everything the right levels for listening. The folks at Toyota have done an amazing job, strategically placing all 11 speakers throughout the inside passenger compartment to give each passenger an amazing audio experience.

Why Go for the Gold, When You Can Go for the Platinum?

If you’re like most folks in Vinings, you enjoy the good things in life. This is why Toyota offers two great three-row SUV models for 2024, the Highlander and the all-new Grand Highlander. Stop in today and see why the Platinum trims of the Highlander or Grand Highlander may be right for you. We’ll be more than happy to take you through our extensive inventory of vehicles, answer any questions you may have, and help you discover which platinum model best fits your unique needs and budget. We look forward to working with you and helping you get behind the wheel of one of these fantastic 3-row SUVs.