The Grand Highlander certainly lives up to the name Toyota gave it. The SUV is big. It's bigger, of course, than a Highlander. In fact, it's about the size of a Ford Explorer. Looking to capitalize on that ever-precious family SUV real estate, Toyota spun off this entrant into the three-row SUV class about two years ago. In the preceding months, it also brought a hybrid to market, just like this one.Perhaps, though, not totally like this one. Our Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is about as luxe as these get, coming in at a hefty $61,245 as-specified ($59,750 MSRP). That's because it's the Platinum Hybrid Max, which is basically the Everything Bagel Highlander. It's both as plush and as powerful as the lineup gets. Some of the upgraded standard features over more pedestrian Highlander models include leather and synthetic suede seats, ventilated second-row seats, a panoramic sunroof, and additional tech. Among those are Toyota's Traffic Jam Assist (allows for hands-free driving under certain conditions on some highways), a digital rearview mirror, a 360-degree parking camera, and a head-up display. The "Max" part of the name, as implied, refers to the maximum available powertrain for the model. In this case, it's a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder and one electric motor, putting out 362 hp combined. It's hooked to an all-wheel-drive system in this case, but other hybrid models can be front-drive and offer a lower-output 245-horsepower hybrid drivetrain.That brings us nicely to the biggest single issue with the big red SUV: fuel economy. After a few days of driving around the city, the average fuel economy has dropped drastically. The EPA says you'll net 27 MPG combined, but we've observed 23.9 on a city-heavy driving routine (see the gallery below). To put it lightly, that's not good enough. Making a hybrid SUV that isn't even able to clear 30 mpg in a best-case highway-only scenario is almost impressive. Luckily, those starved for efficiency by the thirsty Grand Highlander Max will be relieved to know that other models in the lineup can hit 37 mpg in the city (that'd be the front-drive hybrid, of course). What you get instead of efficiency in the Max is power. A combined 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque were figures ordinarily reserved for sports cars and high-performance SUVs. No longer, and the Hybrid Max is downright rapid. So much so, it took me by surprise during a rushed left-hand turn. No sooner had I checked for pedestrians than I was already across the crosswalk. A burly (synthetic) growl accompanies the turbo-four powertrain once you dip into the throttle some, but a warning label might be more appropriate - you're probably hitting 60 mph in less than six seconds in this all-wheel drive, Hybrid Max configuration.Performance isn't all that's been packed into the XXL bodywork. There's lots of room inside, too. The third row is, in fact, adult-friendly. Your could've-gone-pro-bro 6-footer friend may not be fitting back there too easily, but nearly everyone else will. More than that, with the third row up, you've still got a healthy 26 cubic feet of cargo space. The interior's materials and tech are both notable highlights. The former, at least in top models, feels closer to Lexus than it does Toyota. The brown leather and suede accents are remarkably upscale, and the feel of nearly everything you touch is solid. Except, notably, for the center console, which, in our test car, wiggled quite a lot. As for the tech, Toyota's latest is excellent. The huge 12.3-inch screen dominates the dash, and its graphics are crisp and beautifully colored. The system itself is responsive, too. Toyota, though, could use a bit of help with the design of the wireless charger that comes on some trims. Even without 400 lb-ft of torque under your right foot, your phone is likely to make its way off the charger and into the cupholders thanks to the entirely flat surface.Let's talk competitors, such as there are. A hybrid, three-row SUV isn't exactly common in the market right now, but the Mazda CX-90 is a possible alternative. As is typical for Mazda, the brand offers a luxurious design and interior to match at a higher price point. Moreover, there's a plug-in version, which Toyota doesn't offer. Another option is the Palisade Hybrid, which is priced similarly to the Toyota and offers more reasonable fuel economy, at 33 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. Happily, the Grand Highlander Max's biggest weakness can be remedied by saving some money. Basic hybrid versions, as mentioned above, net much more palatable fuel economy returns, and for less money. This model, then, is better thought of as the splurge it is. If you want to say you got a hybrid but would've bought the biggest vee-eight-iest three-row SUV you could have gotten a decade ago, the Max powertrain is for you. If you actually care about the fuel economy benefits of owning a hybrid, aim for something like the $54,000 Limited model or the even cheaper $48,000 XLE model.