We have our first shots of what appears to be the upcoming 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander testing on American roads. The new crossover will be a slightly larger version of the much-loved Highlander designed to compete with its ballooning competition.
Toyota applied for a trademark for the “Grand Highlander” name in January 2021, and six months later, reports emerged that a crossover by that name would add a larger three-row option to Toyota’s lineup.
That should help it compete with the likes of the Ford Explorer, the Chevrolet Traverse, and the Volkswagen Atlas, all of which are longer than the Toyota Highlander. Although the brand does sell a larger SUV, it’s the body-on-frame Sequoia, which is more expensive and is less car-like in its construction.
More: Toyota Grand Highlander Rumored For A 2023 Launch With A Hybrid Option
Still covered in heavy camouflage, these photos were taken near the Japanese brand’s Michigan Tech Center. Details remain scant at this point, but we can see a pair of tailpipes hanging out one each at either end of the rear bumper, which differs from the regular Highlander’s tailpipe, which exits on just one side.
Unfortunately, it’s unclear how many more visual updates will come to the Grand Highlander. Although some automakers, like Volkswagen, offer crossovers in two guises with differing aesthetics (like the Atlas and the Atlas Cross Sport), others offer options in two sizes with very few changes (like the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L).
Under its extensive camouflage, this new model does, at the very least, appear to be boxier than the standard Highlander. With a high, square rear section, the new model looks set to provide ample room for third-row passengers.
For those looking for even more comfort and luxury, reports suggest that a Lexus version of this crossover will follow. Dubbed the TX, it should follow the Grand Highlander, which is set to be unveiled in mid-2023, by about six months.
