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New Toyota Grand Highlander launching just after the Mazda CX-90

2039 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  wrxdev
Good to see more competition in this market. The teaser shows a Hybrid MAX badge, so possibly the 2.4l used in the Crown Premium with 6spd + eAxleD4?
Toyota is touting the Grand Highlander as the ultimate road-trip vehicle and the premiere is on February 8, just about a week after the CX-90.

All-New Toyota Grand Highlander to Make World Premiere in Early 2023 - Toyota USA Newsroom

"Sophisticated, spacious and powerful – Toyota’s grand plan for its SUV lineup will expand the Highlander nameplate in 2023 with the all-new Toyota Grand Highlander."
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A press release yesterday shows a large 3rd row:
First-Ever Grand Highlander will Have Adults Calling Dibs on Third Row Seats - Toyota USA Newsroom

PLANO, Texas (Feb. 1, 2023) – Serious spaciousness – Toyota is giving a glimpse inside the first-ever 2024 Grand Highlander ahead of its world premiere on February 8, 2023.
A unique SUV with room for all and the “stuff” we need, Grand Highlander is the active family cruiser fit for everything from short excursions to cross-country adventures. With a spacious third row with ample legroom for adults and children coupled with enough cargo space to fit seven pieces of luggage in the back – the freshly designed, three-row SUV is fully functional for the road ahead.
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Tough to say how this compares to the CX-90 yet, but it looks like that 2nd row is slid quite far forward.
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A press release yesterday shows a large 3rd row:
First-Ever Grand Highlander will Have Adults Calling Dibs on Third Row Seats - Toyota USA Newsroom

PLANO, Texas (Feb. 1, 2023) – Serious spaciousness – Toyota is giving a glimpse inside the first-ever 2024 Grand Highlander ahead of its world premiere on February 8, 2023.
A unique SUV with room for all and the “stuff” we need, Grand Highlander is the active family cruiser fit for everything from short excursions to cross-country adventures. With a spacious third row with ample legroom for adults and children coupled with enough cargo space to fit seven pieces of luggage in the back – the freshly designed, three-row SUV is fully functional for the road ahead.
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Tough to say how this compares to the CX-90 yet, but it looks like that 2nd row is slid quite far forward.
Yeah, that photo op looks a little sketchy. They didn't want the tall guy to have to pull his feet in or his knees would be up to his chest. And, of course, the child won't have a problem back there.
No V6 option so for that reason.....I'm out. CX-90 interior looks much more sophisticated and closer to a luxury brand.
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My wife took one look at it and said "no". Certainly has way more cargo and interior space than the CX-90. But the last Highlander I drove was so soft the handling was almost scary. Knowing Toyota they prioritized ride quality and interior space over handling. I'll take the CX-90 for my needs. I think Mazdas approach to design and engineering more closely matches my personal preferences.
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I have a brother in law with a Highlander that I drove several times. His is a V6. But don’t like the interior.

I did see the presentation of the new Grand Highlander but I don’t like the interior and it is too boxy for my likes.

I like Mazda’s design and quality much more.
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I'ms sure it's going to be a solid SUV, to me it's better looking than the standard Highlander. But It's not a better looking option than the CX-90 and of course the inline six is hard to ignore too.
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Raiti's Rides talks about how the CX-90 compares to the Grand Highlander.
David outlines his reasons for picking the CX-90 over the Grand Highlander here:
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Interesting. While it's a 3 row SUV and will likely be cross shopped with a CX-90 by some it likely isn't a competitor. This will be more equivalent to the Korean Twins, VW Atlas, and Traverse. It's all about maximizing space and efficiency and not about premium or handling.

Good on Toyota for making what sounds like a quality product and filling a hole in their line up.
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Interesting. While it's a 3 row SUV and will likely be cross shopped with a CX-90 by some it likely isn't a competitor. This will be more equivalent to the Korean Twins, VW Atlas, and Traverse. It's all about maximizing space and efficiency and not about premium or handling.

Good on Toyota for making what sounds like a quality product and filling a hole in their line up.
Yeah, Kirk mentions that the MDX and CX-90 are similar priced but both feel far superior in handling (5:40). He speculates that the Lexus TX will feel much better. That may be a more direct competitor to the CX-90, but I expect it will be priced much higher.
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Yeah, Kirk mentions that the MDX and CX-90 are similar priced but both feel far superior in handling (5:40). He speculates that the Lexus TX will feel much better. That may be a more direct competitor to the CX-90, but I expect it will be priced much higher.
This will be a smash hit because:
  1. Boxy looks like XXL RAV4
  2. Hybrid powertrains (one for efficiency and one for performance)
  3. Fuel efficiency
  4. Big and spacious
  5. Couch like ride
  6. Bullet proof reliability
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This will be a smash hit because:
  1. Boxy looks like XXL RAV4
  2. Hybrid powertrains (one for efficiency and one for performance)
  3. Fuel efficiency
  4. Big and spacious
  5. Couch like ride
  6. Bullet proof reliability
6* - TBD
Their track record in hybrid powertrains is nothing short of stellar. Though one could argue in the hybrid max versions, there is room for error. There were reported issues in the Tundra iForceMax powertrains in the early production versions.
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