Need more cargo space? This mid-size family SUV has you covered

In case your present car feels cramped when packing for journeys, hauling gear, or managing every day household duties, one among 2026’s most spacious midsize SUVs might resolve that drawback. The 2026 Grand Highlander is engineered with cargo capability and flexibility in thoughts, providing extra room behind the rear seats and a versatile inside format that simply adapts to passengers, baggage, and every thing in between. For households who want house with out sacrificing consolation or refinement, it’s a standout possibility.

Base Trim Engine

2.4L I-4 ICE

Base Trim Transmission

8-speed computerized

Base Trim Drivetrain

Entrance-Wheel Drive

What makes this SUV particularly compelling is how properly it balances quantity with usability. Its roomy cargo space accommodates strollers, suitcases, and hulking gear with out forcing you to fold seats down each time. But it nonetheless gives beneficiant passenger room and considerate storage options that make on a regular basis life simpler, from faculty runs to weekend adventures.

Whether or not you’re upgrading from a compact crossover or just want more room for rising calls for, this midsize SUV delivers practicality with out compromise. Its mixture of cargo capability, consolation, and family-friendly design makes it one of the crucial wise decisions for consumers who really want room to spare in 2026.

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Toyota’s 2026 Grand Highlander is extra spacious than its rivals

Three rows of seats and tons of house for cargo

Credit score: Toyota

For a very long time, the Toyota Highlander was the Japanese model’s core three-row providing. Nevertheless, it has some clear shortcomings that gave a few of its opponents the sting. Again in 2023, for the 2024 mannequin, Toyota launched an even bigger and extra sensible mannequin to fill within the hole. The Grand Highlander is extremely spacious, with more cargo room than any of its rivals, and it’s one among our high picks for households.

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander inside consolation

The principle distinction between the Highlander and Grand Highlander is that the latter sits on an extended wheelbase, that means more room on the within. This Toyota provides an unbelievable quantity of house in all three rows, with the third row even being usable for adults in a pinch. It additionally shines in terms of cargo capability, providing essentially the most house in its class. Drop the third row, and also you stand up to 57.9 cubic toes, with there being a whopping 97.5 cubic toes of usable house behind the entrance row of seats.

The Grand Highlander might not be the flashiest car on the within, however it’s comfy. Good supplies are used all through the cabin and seats in all three rows are comfy even on longer journeys. There are additionally loads of family-friendly options all through the cabin, together with a variety of storage bins, a ton of USB ports, and multi-zone local weather management.

Infotainment and know-how

There may be loads of know-how within the Grand Highlander which helps it really feel like a contemporary, linked car. A 12.3-inch infotainment display is normal on all fashions, for example. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are normal throughout the board. Most fashions include {a partially} digital gauge show, that includes a seven-inch display, however high trims get a fully-digital 12.3-inch unit as a substitute.

In addition to the might USB ports all through the cabin, each mannequin besides the bottom mannequin comes fitted with a wi-fi smartphone charging pad. A six-speaker sound system is normal, and is not going to really feel significantly spectacular, however an 11-inch premium JBL sound system is optionally available.

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Worth for cash and peace of thoughts

Whereas it might not be essentially the most reasonably priced car on this phase, we nonetheless assume that the three-row Toyota provides nice worth for cash. Alongside being one of the crucial spacious choices available on the market, it comes fitted with a ton of fascinating options normal. With Toyota you additionally get peace of thoughts due to their stellar fame for reliability.

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander pricing

The non-hybrid Grand Highlander begins at simply over the $40,000 mark. Once more, this implies it’s among the many dearer choices on this phase. It’s, nonetheless, priced equally to core rivals just like the Honda Pilot, the Hyundai Palisade, and the Mazda CX-90. In case you’re searching for one thing just a little extra reasonably priced, choices just like the Kia Telluride and Ford Explorer will prevent just a little bit of money.

Of the above trims, we predict that the XLE provides one of the best bang-for-your-buck. It provides some fairly good enhancements over the bottom mannequin whereas protecting the value properly beneath the $50,000 mark. The XLE comes with niceties like heated, leatherette entrance seats, a wi-fi smartphone charging pad, and the power to make use of your smartphone as a key. You can even select between a three-seater bench within the second row or captain’s chairs.

Warranties, upkeep, and reliability

• Restricted guarantee: 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain guarantee: 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Complimentary scheduled upkeep: 2 years or 24,000 miles
• Reliability rating: 82/100

Toyota’s guarantee plan is not going to blow you away, but it surely would not disappoint both. Each the bumper-to-bumper and powertrain protection are about common for the phase. Toyota does make up for this considerably by together with your first two years of scheduled upkeep visits on the home.

Past the protection that Toyota provides, the model additionally has a fantastic reputation for reliability. The Grand Highlander scores a incredible 82 out of 100 for high quality and reliability on J.D. Energy.

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A confirmed turbocharged four-cylinder engine powers the three-row SUV

Sufficient energy to get you off the road shortly

Credit score: Toyota

Whereas the Grand Highlander isn’t any performance-oriented SUV, with a transparent concentrate on practicality, the Grand Highlander does include greater than sufficient pep for the common purchaser. Whereas a whole lot of its rivals are nonetheless utilizing V-6s, Toyota makes use of a well-tuned turbocharged four-cylinder engine within the gas-powered Grand Highlander.

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander efficiency

Underneath the hood of each non-hybrid Grand Highlander sits a turbocharged four-pot. The engine may not function six cylinders, but it surely delivers greater than sufficient energy to maintain up with its rivals within the mid-size phase. This powertrain pairs with a easy eight-speed computerized. Entrance-wheel drive is the usual setup right here, with all-wheel drive being optionally available on each mannequin.

The Grand Highlander achieves its objectives extraordinarily properly. It would not attempt to be overly sporty, and as a substitute leans totally into its comfy, family-focused mission. It rides properly, capable of take up bumps and imperfections within the highway fairly effortlessly. Its 5,000 pound towing capability additionally provides to its general versatility.

Gas economic system

Regardless of its four-cylinder engine, the Grand Highlander is about common in terms of general effectivity. This is not a notch towards it in our books, although, because it nonetheless stays aggressive. The front-wheel drive fashions are clearly essentially the most environment friendly, with all-wheel drive fashions shedding a few mile per gallon in most situations. Additionally it is value noting that the bigger wheels on the Restricted and Platinum fashions do lead to some minor effectivity losses.

In case you’re after one thing lighter on gas, although, we’d suggest taking a look at the hybrid model.