If you’re eyeing the Toyota Grand Highlander, you’ll find several SUVs offering similar three-row seating and family-friendly space but each with distinct strengths. The 2025 Honda Pilot brings more room but at a higher price.
The Ford Expedition offers sportier handling and multiple powertrains, while the Subaru Ascent stands out with standard AWD and safety. The Kia Telluride balances value and comfort, making these alternatives worth a closer look before deciding.
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Key Takeaways
- The 2025 Honda Pilot is a strong alternative to the Toyota Grand Highlander, offering more interior space and a starting price around $40,200.
- The Ford Expedition provides sportier handling and multiple powertrain options, starting at about $39,785, making it a competitive full-size SUV alternative[BACKGROUND].
- Subaru Ascent features standard all-wheel drive and strong safety features but less cargo capacity, priced near $38,910, suitable for buyers prioritizing AWD and safety[BACKGROUND].
- Kia Telluride blends value, style, and family-friendly space at a more affordable starting price of about $36,190, making it a popular midsize three-row SUV alternative[BACKGROUND].
- All these competitors offer three-row seating, comparable cargo capacity, extensive safety tech, and warranty coverage similar to the Grand Highlander[BACKGROUND].
Key Dimensions and Interior Space Comparison
Although the Toyota Grand Highlander shares its GA-K platform with the regular Highlander, it offers more generous interior dimensions that prioritize passenger comfort and cargo versatility.
You’ll find headroom of 41.5 inches front and 40.2 inches rear, combined with front legroom of 41.7 inches and 39.5 inches in the back, ensuring ample space for taller occupants. The seating arrangement comfortably accommodates three rows, improved by a hip room of 56.5 inches front and 57.0 inches rear.
Its 201.4-inch length enables a cargo capacity of 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 97.5 cubic feet with seats folded, alongside a strong set of standard safety features.
Cargo Capacity and Practicality Features
You’ll find the Toyota Grand Highlander offers 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to as much as 149 cubic feet with seats folded, giving you plenty of room for all your gear.
This midsize SUV emphasizes practicality with a flat cargo area that outshines rivals like the Hyundai Palisade, which has less total cargo space despite a similar third-row capacity.
It also matches competitors like the Honda Pilot in family-friendly features and offers a solid towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, making it a versatile choice for hauling trailers or boats.
Performance, Engine, and Fuel Efficiency Overview
The Toyota Grand Highlander offers three distinct powertrain options to suit varying performance preferences.
You can choose the 2.5L 4-cylinder hybrid engine with 245 horsepower and an impressive 34 MPG combined fuel efficiency. The gas engine alternative is turbocharged, delivering 265 horsepower and 24 MPG.
For more power, the Max Hybrid version produces 362 horsepower, balancing strong performance with 27 MPG fuel efficiency. Regardless of engine choice, the Grand Highlander maintains a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
Compared to competitors, its hybrid system strikes a solid balance between horsepower, fuel efficiency, and towing capacity.
Warranty, Safety, and Technology Highlights
While the Toyota Grand Highlander offers a solid warranty package including 36 months/36,000 miles on the entire vehicle and 60 months/60,000 miles for the powertrain, it also includes a lengthy 60-month anti-corrosion warranty to protect your investment.
Its advanced driver-assistance features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, and pre-collision system, improve safety for your family.
The user-friendly infotainment system boasts a large touchscreen, smartphone integration, and multiple USB ports for connectivity.
Competitors like the 2025 Hyundai Palisade and Honda Pilot provide similar warranty, safety, and technology, making the Grand Highlander a family-friendly choice with ample cargo room.
Leading Alternative SUVs to the Toyota Grand Highlander
Which midsize SUVs compete most directly with the Toyota Grand Highlander?
The 2025 Honda Pilot offers spacious three-row seats and a higher starting price of $40,200, outdoing the Grand Highlander in passenger and cargo space.
The Ford Expedition, starting at $39,785, delivers sharper handling with multiple powertrain options, including a 400 hp ST model.
The Subaru Ascent, priced at $38,910, provides standard all-wheel drive and strong safety features but less cargo capacity.
Kia Telluride stands out by blending value, style, and family-friendly space, starting at $36,190.
Here’s how they compare:
- Honda Pilot: More space, higher starting price
- Ford Expedition: Sportier handling, multiple engines
- Subaru Ascent: Standard AWD, less cargo room
These alternatives offer competitive cargo capacity, three-row seats, and standard safety features worth considering in your Grand Highlander vs Toyota midsize SUV decision.
Conclusion
When choosing your next three-row SUV, consider the Toyota Grand Highlander’s generous space and safety, but don’t overlook the competition’s intriguing characteristics. The Honda Pilot promises ample room, the Ford Expedition flaunts fast handling and powertrain options, Subaru Ascent offers standard AWD and security, while Kia Telluride delivers terrific value and family-friendly features. Balancing cargo capacity, comfort, and capability, these SUVs collectively craft a fascinating choice constellation for savvy shoppers.
