First Look at the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander — Features, Design, and More 

As you head into a new school year, you may find yourself wishing for extra space in your vehicle. Between shuttling the kids to and from school, commuting to work, and running errands, you need a dependable vehicle that can adapt to an increasingly busy schedule. The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander will be arriving at dealerships soon, and it might just be the perfect fit for you and your family this season.

Offering seating for up to eight, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander was designed to provide comfort and convenience for every occupant while delivering dependable performance. Ready to upgrade your family adventures? Here’s a first look at one of Toyota’s newest SUVs, expected to arrive this fall at dealerships like Beaman Toyota in Nashville, TN!

Grand Highlander Interior: Family-Friendly and Tech-Savvy

The well-appointed Grand Highlander offers an abundance of creature comforts and road-trip essentials. First, there’s the space — up to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo room when the rear seats are folded flat. But even when the third-row seats are in the upright position, you can fit up to seven carry-on suitcases, according to Toyota’s press release. Not only that, but legroom is also ample, with even the third row offering 33.5 inches of legroom.

Enjoy a quieter environment with standard acoustic glass on the windshield and front windows as well as other noise-reducing materials. Cup holders are sprinkled throughout the cabin, allowing you and your passengers to keep water secured nearby so everyone can stay hydrated during long trips. You’ll also have two options for second-row seating: two fold-down captain’s chairs, which results in seven-passenger seating, or a 60/40-fold-down bench, which results in eight-passenger seating.

It’s easy to beat the heat or keep the cold at bay with features like standard three-zone automatic climate control with second- and third-row vents and available heated and ventilated seats. An available heated steering wheel makes drives even more cozy, while available leather-trimmed seats provide an even more elevated look and feel.

When it comes to technology, the Grand Highlander delivers. This SUV features a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and is stocked with seven standard USB-C charging ports. A JBL® Premium Audio system with 11 speakers is available for an upgraded listening experience.

Thanks to standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, you and your precious cargo can enjoy maximum protection to your destination and back. Features include:

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Emergency Driving Stop System
• Road Sign Assist
• Proactive Driving Assist
• Automatic High Beams

Grand Highlander Exterior: Striking Style for Every Adventure

Own the road and look good while doing so. With its bold and sophisticated design, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander boasts a commanding presence. It features a distinctive hammerhead-shaped nose, broad front fenders, black side rockers, and a flat roofline, finished with a rear spoiler. In the back, you’ll find flared rear arches and wide set tail lamps.

You can step up your style even more with available black accented, two-tone, 20-inch wheels, and should you choose the Hybrid MAX powertrain, you’ll get exposed dual exhaust tips and unique silver painted bumper accents.

We know you’ve got great taste! When the 2026 Grand Highlander arrives, you’ll get to choose from an array of appealing paint color options, including:

• Blueprint
• Celestial Silver Metallic
• Cement
• Midnight Black Metallic
• Storm Cloud
• Wind Chill Pearl
• Ruby Flare Pearl
• Heavy Metal

Practicality wasn’t forgotten. The Grand Highlander provides seamless access to the third row, thanks to the rear doors’ wide opening angle — just another example of how this SUV was designed to make everyday life easier. Enjoy greater visibility, too, thanks to a low hood line and large side glass windows.

Pick Your Powertrain: Three Outstanding Options

So, what’s the secret to the 2026 Grand Highlander’s power and efficiency?

Three powertrains — and you get to choose which one suits your needs best. Here are the Grand Highlander powertrain options:

• Grand Highlander Gas: 2.4-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged 16-valve D-4S injection engine with Dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i), matched with a Direct Shift-8AT 8-speed Electronically Controlled automatic Transmission.
• Grand Highlander Hybrid: 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Double Overhead Cam (DOHC) engine, matched with an Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT).
• Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX: 2.4-liter 4-cylinder turbo 16-valve D-4S injection engine with VVT-I, matched with a Direct Shift-6AT 6-speed Electronically Controlled automatic transmission.

No matter which powertrain you decide on, it will come with three selectable Drive Modes: Sport, Eco, and Normal. If you choose a gas AWD or Hybrid MAX powertrain, you can enjoy enhanced capability with Multi-Terrain Select, which offers three modes: Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt, and Snow.

The drivetrain options are:

• Available FWD: Gas-powered LE, XLE, and Limited grades or Hybrid and XLE grade
• Dynamic Torque control AWD: Gas-powered LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum grades
• Electronic on-demand All-Wheel Drive: Hybrid grades
• Full-time AWD: Hybrid MAX grades.

Even though the Grand Highlander offers plenty of interior space, you can still bring extra gear along, thanks to this SUV’s impressive towing strength. Let’s break down the Grand Highlander’s towing capacities (when it’s properly equipped):

• Hybrid: 3,500 pounds
• Gas: 5,000 pounds
• Hybrid MAX: 5,000 pounds

Express Your Style: Five Stylish Trim Levels to Choose From

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander lineup offers five trim levels:

• LE
• XLE
• Hybrid Nightshade
• Limited
• Platinum

Let’s take a closer look at the highlights of each one:

2026 Grand Highlander LE

• Exterior:
  • 18-in. 5-Spoke Alloy Wheels
  • Black Grille
  • Heated Outer Mirrors
• Interior:
  • Fabric-trimmed Seating
  • 8-way Power Driver & 4-way Manual Front Passenger Seats
  • 8-Person Capacity with 60/40 Split Fold Down Bench
• Multimedia/Technology:
  • 12.3-in. Touchscreen with 6-speaker Audio System
  • Combination Meter with Analog Gauges and 7-in. Color Multi-Information Display (MID) with Fuel Economy, Driver Assist, Vehicle/Trip Information, and Warning Messages
  • 7 USB Ports (6 Power USB-C Ports / 1 Media USB-C)
• Safety & Convenience:
  • Toyota Safety Sense 3.0
  • Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
  • 5-Door Smart Key
  • Adjustable Power Liftgate with Jam Protection

2026 Grand Highlander XLE

• Exterior:
  • 18-in. Multi Spoke Alloy Wheels
  • Black Painted Grille
  • Roof Rails
  • Heated Outer Mirrors
• Interior:
  • Leather-trimmed Steering Wheel
  • SofTex®-trimmed Seating
  • 10-way Power Driver & 8-way Power Passenger Seats
  • 7-Person Capacity w/ 2nd Row Captain’s Chairs or 8-Person Bench Available
  • Heated Front Seats
  • 2nd Row Sunshades
• Multimedia/Technology:
  • Digital Key capability (requires active Remote Connect trial or subscription)
  • 12.3-in. Touchscreen
  • 7-in. Multi-Information Display (MID)
  • 7 USB-C Ports (6 Power USB-C / 1 Media USB-C)
  • Qi Wireless Charger
• Safety & Convenience:
  • Toyota Safety Sense 3.0
  • Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
  • 5-Door Smart Key
  • Adjustable Power Liftgate with Jam Protection
  • Garage Door Opener
  • Auto-dimming Rearview Mirror

2026 Grand Highlander Limited

• Exterior:
  • 20-in. Alloy Wheels
  • LED DRL
  • Power Folding Outer Mirrors
  • LED Fog Lamps
• Interior:
  • Leather-trimmed Seating and Steering Wheel
  • Heated & Ventilated Front Seats
  • Heated 2nd Row Seats
  • Memory Driver Seat
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • AC Power Outlet (100W Gas) (1500W HV/Hybrid MAX)
  • Ambient Lighting
• Multimedia/Technology:
  • 12.3-in. Touchscreen w/ 11 Speaker JBL® Premium Audio
  • 12.3-in. Digital Gauge Cluster
• Safety & Convenience:
  • Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking
  • Rain Sensing Wipers
  • Hands-Free Power Liftgate
  • Puddle Lamps

2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid Nightshade Edition

• Exterior:
  • 20-in Black Alloy Wheels with Black Lugnuts
  • Black Painted Front Grille and Hood Trim
  • Black Front and Rear Lower Bumper
  • Black Mirror Caps, Door Handles, and Window Trim
  • Black Badging on Rear Liftgate
  • Black Rear Spoiler
  • Black Shark Fin Antenna
  • Black Painted Roof Rails
• Interior:
  • Leather-trimmed seating with heated and ventilated front seats
  • Matte Gray Metallic Interior Door Trim Panels
  • Captain Seats Standard (No Bench Seat Available)
• Multimedia/Technology:
  • 12.3-in. Touchscreen w/ 11 Speaker JBL Premium Audio
  • 12.3-in. Digital Gauge Cluster
• Safety & Convenience:
  • Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking
  • Rain Sensing Wipers
  • Hands-Free Power Liftgate
  • Puddle Lamps

2026 Grand Highlander Platinum

• Exterior:
  • 20-in. Silver (Gas Platinum), or
  • 20-in. Silver and Black (Hybrid MAX Platinum) Wheels
• Interior:
  • Leather-trimmed front- and second-row seats; heated and ventilated front seats (Platinum gas)
  • Leather-trimmed with Ultrasuede® front- and second-row seats (Hybrid MAX Platinum)
  • Heated & Ventilated 2nd Row Seats
  • Panoramic Moonroof
  • Paddle Shifters (AWD Gas and Hybrid MAX)
  • Dial Multi-Terrain Select
• Safety & Convenience:
  • Head-Up Display
  • Puddle Lamps
  • Panoramic View Monitor
  • Digital Rearview Mirror
  • Traffic Jam Assist (requires active Drive Connect trial or subscription)

Stay up to Date on Toyota News With Beaman Toyota

Will you be one of the first to test-drive the new 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander this fall?

Stay tuned for more information on the Grand Highlander, coming soon to Beaman Toyota in Nashville, TN! If you have any questions about the 2026 Grand Highlander in the meantime, don’t hesitate to let us know.

Feel free to explore the other new Toyota models we have in stock now at our Toyota dealership near you, and don’t forget to ask us about current Toyota specials. Wondering whether you should choose the 2026 Toyota Highlander instead? Our team will be happy to tell you more about how the 2026 Highlander compares to the 2026 Grand Highlander. We look forward to hearing from you!