Automakers continue to carve up the SUV segment into smaller, more specific niches. It used to be just compact, midsize, and large utes heading into the last decades. Then consumers were looking for … more. Nicer, slightly bigger, slightly smaller, sporty, rough-and-tumble, and more. So Toyota introduced the Grand Highlander, the larger, nicer version of its longtime favorite, the Highlander.
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max Platinum is the larger sibling of the Highlander Hybrid.
Simply put: it’s more. And while more isn’t always better, I can say I certainly liked it a lot … yes, even more than the Highlander Hybrid. It looks a bit nicer, it’s got a nicer powertrain, it’s got more rows of seating, it’s really — in my eyes — an upgrade. We drove the 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid Max Platinum, which is better than more, it’s the most!
That sad part is that the Highlander Hybrid is a perfectly lovely midsize SUV. Spacious and attractive with lots of technology. Just not as much as the Grand Highlander. Do you see what I’m getting at? Ok. I’ll move to the “less is more” part of the review.
Looks and space
Our tester came in a color dubbed “Blueprint.” Again, the Michigan State Police must be loving life with all of these large SUVs prowling the streets wearing basically the same color as their patrol vehicles. I did see a couple of folks jam on their brakes as I was coming the other way. It’s not exactly the same color, but close enough to attract attention. It’s a nice color, but there are others I like more.
Still, it looks good with that massive grille reminiscent of Darth Vader’s mask. It’s not scary like Vader, but it looks like a vehicle that means business, especially with those 20-inch wheels. It’s a clean look overall, which I find to be very appealing.
The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max offers seating for seven people.
Move inside and you get three rows of seating, captains chairs for the first and second row and a third-row bench. Back seats first. If you are a grown-up, sitting back there for any length of time is going to be unpleasant. That said, if you kept it to Domino’s time — 30 minutes or less — you’d be fine.
Continuing our back-to-front examination, the second-row captain’s chairs are comfortable, as well as heated and ventilated. There is ample legroom — 33.5 inches — as well as easy access to the heating and cooling controls for the back seat. The doors are big and open wide, allowing for easy ingress and egress. If you prefer to be driven rather than driving, this is a good spot to be.
The front seats are also heated and ventilated, and 10-way adjustable for the driver while “just” eight ways for the front seat passenger. The black Ultrasuede trimmed in leather is a great looking and comfortable combination.
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