2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Trim GuideMotorTrendA few years back, Toyota recognized it had a glaring hole in its lineup. It needed a true everyday contender against all the other three-row SUVs out there—the tiny third row in the regular Highlander just wasn't cutting it—so it introduced the Grand Highlander in 2023 to bridge the gap between the Highlander and the more rugged and expensive Sequoia.Three years in, the Grand Highlander still offers much of the same stuff as it debuted with: spacious seating in all three rows, family-friendly features, and conservative styling. It's also available with multiple powertrains, including two hybrids. But if you find them overcomplicated and don't want to pay more for the technology, then you're in luck! The Grand Highlander's gas-only 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine good for 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, serves as its standard, least expensive means of motivation.Still locked in? Great! Here's a breakdown of the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander's four trims available with its base gas powertrain, along with our opinion on which one we think offers the best features and value for your hard-earned money.1) 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander LE: Pros and ConsPhoto credit: ToyotaThe LE-grade Grand Highlander was introduced for the 2025 model year and serves as the entry-level option, though it gets its fair share of features. Look past the 18-inch wheels, cloth seats (available in gray or black), and basic urethane steering wheel, and you'll find that it also comes standard with the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, powered front seats (eight-way for the driver, four for the passenger), and seven USB ports.AdvertisementAdvertisementOther features include heated outer mirrors, the 7.0-inch driver instrument cluster, adjustable power liftgate, and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. Passenger capacity comes to eight thanks to the standard second-row bench seat.LE Grand Highlanders have black lower front and rear bumpers, but all Grand Highlanders get acoustic glass on the front side windows and windshield to cut down on noise.Prices start at $43,455 for the front-drive version. For $1,600 more, you can get it with all-wheel drive. Fuel economy for the FWD and AWD is 21/28/24 mpg city/highway/combined and 21/27/23 mpg, respectively.2) 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander XLE: Pros and ConsPhoto credit: ToyotaMove up one grade, and you can suddenly seat either eight passengers or seven with the option of adding second-row captain's chairs. On the outside, the XLE grade gets a black grille, roof rails, 18-inch wheels, and heated outer mirrors. Take it from us—smaller wheels are a good thing. Bigger wheels might look cool, but they tend to degrade ride quality.AdvertisementAdvertisementInside, the XLE level SUV brings you synthetic leather seats in either black or gray, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, heated and powered front seats (10-way driver, eight-way passenger), as well as sunshades for the second row. A six-speaker audio system, like the one found in the LE, is standard. The same screens and USB ports carry over from the LE, as well, though you now get a wireless charger, too. Other standard tech includes a garage door opener system and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.Prices for the FWD XLE start at $46,225, and the AWD version starts at $47,825, with overall fuel economy the same as that of the LE.3) 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Limited: Pros and ConsPhoto credit: ToyotaThings start getting upmarket with the Limited. Inside, the steering wheel and front seats are leather-trimmed and heated, and the driver's seat has a memory function. Additionally, the front seats receive ventilation, which is great on hot days. The second-row captain's chairs are heated, as well, or a bench seat is available if you desire.As for technology, the 12.3-inch infotainment screen stays the same, but the driver's cluster has been swapped for the bigger 12.3-inch all-digital unit. There's also a 100-watt AC power outlet, cabin ambient lighting, rain-sensing wipers, and a hands-free powered liftgate—features commonly found in luxury cars. And in the Limited, the 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, complete with a subwoofer and amplifier, comes as standard.AdvertisementAdvertisementFrom the outside, you can tell Limited models apart thanks to their LED foglights, LED daytime running lights, and 20-inch alloy wheels. The wing mirrors can also be folded for more convenience.Fuel economy for the FWD version is the same as LE and XLE, but it drops a bit when you opt for AWD: 20/26/22 mpg city/highway/combined is what you'll end up getting. Prices for the Limited FWD start at $50,955 and $52,555 for the AWD.4) 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum: Pros and ConsPhoto credit: ToyotaFinally, the fanciest Grand Highlander you can buy is the Platinum. Only AWD is offered here, with prices starting at $56,640. Fuel economy is the same as that of the AWD Limited.The outside sees a set of silver 20-inch wheels. But the inside is where the real goods are. The front and second-row seats are leather trimmed, heated, and ventilated (only available with the second-row captain's chairs). Portobello joins gray or black as an interior color. In person, it's a striking shade to behold.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdditional features include paddle shifters, a multiterrain selection dial, the 11-speaker JBL sound system, as well as a panoramic moonroof. Puddle lamps, a digital rearview mirror, a 360-degree camera, and a head-up display help you keep an eye on everything. For a Toyota that's under $60,000, it's a very strong list of features.5) Which 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Trim Is Best?Photo credit: ToyotaWe understand the urge to reach for the top trim. After all, isn't the most expensive the best? Not always.To maximize on the Grand Highlander's ability to carry a ton of people, we think the Limited with the optional second-row bench is best. You get the upmarket leather interior, ventilated front seats, and the memory driver's seat, which comes in extremely handy if you plan on sharing the car with other drivers. Plus, you and all your friends and family can enjoy the JBL sound system.Features on the Platinum are indeed nice, but things like the multiterrain selection dial and paddle shifters probably aren't too necessary on a Grand Highlander. And as useful as a head-up display is, it's definitely not something anyone should consider this entire grade over.AdvertisementAdvertisementFWD is the more affordable Limited drivetrain setup, as well as the most fuel-efficient, but if you need AWD for the peace of mind, it's not that much more of a stretch.6) 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander PricesPhoto credit: ToyotaLE FWD: $43,455LE AWD: $45,055XLE FWD: $46,225XLE AWD: $47,825Limited FWD: $50,955Limited AWD: $52,555Platinum (AWD only): $56,640