You’ve heard that knowledge is power, and when you’re researching a vehicle, this couldn’t be more true. Not everybody researches the car they plan on buying, but many would agree there’s no better way to know whether you’re heading in the right direction than by reading about the exciting ways a new vehicle can change your life. That’s what we’re here to help you with today. You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for a Toyota Grand Highlander for sale because we’ve put together the definitive buyer’s guide for the 2025 model that’ll help steer you in the right direction and assist you in becoming a pro in all things Grand Highlander.

Performance

Your 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander will perform wonderfully. However, not all models are equal, as evidenced by the three available powertrains. Any 2025 Grand Highlander that isn’t a hybrid comes standard with a turbocharged 2.4L I-4 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This means the 2025 Grand Highlander XLE, Limited, and Platinum all output 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque and possess a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs.

The following 2025 Grand Highlander powertrains are HEVs, otherwise known as hybrid-electric vehicles. The first hybrid powertrain involves a traditional 2.5L I-4 engine paired with an Electronic Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission (eCVT). This powertrain is standard with the Hybrid XLE, Hybrid Limited, and Hybrid Nightshade, where it produces a respectable 245 hp and tows a maximum of 3,500 lbs. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard with the 2.5L HEV.

The other hybrid powertrain pairs an electric battery and motor with the 2.4L i-FORCE MAX turbocharged I-4 engine. The turbocharged hybrid powertrain uses a six-speed automatic transmission instead of the eCVT. All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard if you opt for the turbocharged hybrid. On the Hybrid MAX Limited and Hybrid MAX Platinum trims, the 2.4L i-FORCE MAX turbocharged I-4 HEV powertrain creates a hearty 362 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque while retaining a 5,000-lb towing capacity, an impressive amount for a hybrid SUV. Also, all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard for the turbocharged hybrid.

Convenience and Entertainment

Keeping passengers entertained nowadays boils down to keeping everyone’s wireless devices connected to the internet and well-charged, which won’t be a problem with the seven standard USB-C ports. In fact, you won’t even need to worry about using a port to charge your phone. Every 2025 Grand Highlander has a wireless charging pad for a completely untethered experience.

Inside each 2025 Grand Highlander is a massive infotainment center with a vibrant touchscreen that measures 12.3 inches diagonally. This infotainment center has the features you’d hope to find in a modern vehicle, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an integrated Wi-Fi hotspot, and a great speaker system. The XLE and Hybrid XLE have a basic six-speaker audio system, but stepping up to higher trim levels nets you 11 premium speakers with an integrated subwoofer for deep and punchy bass and an amplifier to make your music pop like nothing you’ve ever heard before, all thanks to outstanding JBL technology.

Comfort

An impressive aspect of the 2025 Grand Highlander is the seats. Seven-passenger seating is standard, with an optional eight-passenger seating arrangement made possible by replacing the second-row captain’s chairs with a unified bench seat. What makes the 2025 Grand Highlander’s seats impressive is their features. For example, the XLE comes standard with a ten-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support and an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. Both seats are heated and wrapped with SofTex leatherette.

There is no world where a 2025 Grand Highlander gives you or your front-row passenger anything less than a comfortable seating experience, which only gets better the higher up the trim line you go. The Limited upgrades you to heated and ventilated front seats and replaces the SofTex with genuine leather. However, a beautiful and painstakingly crafted Ultrasuede material for the first two rows comes with the Hybrid MAX Limited and Hybrid MAX Platinum models.

The 2025 Grand Highlander has standard three-zone automatic climate control. You, the passenger beside you, and the people sitting in the second row each have individualized climate zones, meaning three distinct sections can have different temperatures running simultaneously.

The size of the cabin is another reason why driving or riding inside the 2025 Grand Highlander is comfortable for long periods. Every trim except the Platinum and Hybrid MAX Platinum has 41.5 and 40.2 inches of front and second-row headroom, respectively, or 40 and 38.5 inches of first and second-row headroom with the immersive panoramic moonroof installed. Every trim has 37.2 inches of third-row headroom. Buying the Platinum or Hybrid MAX Platinum trims reduces these measurements to 40 and 38.5 inches of front and second-row headroom, regardless of whether the moonroof is present. Every trim also features 41.7 inches of front-row legroom, 39.5 inches for the second row, and 33.5 inches for the third.

Safety Features

Your 2025 Grand Highlander comes with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0.) This means you get features like the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection for automatic braking below certain speeds to prevent accidents. Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control is also standard, meaning your SUV will automatically slow your vehicle to match traffic before returning to the speed you set. Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist and Lane Tracing Assist are all standard, so you’ll have less difficulty staying in your lane thanks to an alert system and the slight steering feedback.

The 2025 Grand Highlander also has Road Sign Assist. Your SUV actively scans the road for road signs and displays the information it captures from any road sign on your instrument cluster, like speed limits, exit signs, and more. TSS 3.0 also features Automatic High Beams, which activate your high beams in low visibility conditions but automatically turn them off when other drivers pass by. New to TSS 3.0 is Proactive Driving Assist, which actively assists you in keeping a safe distance between yourself and others on the road, even if they’re riding a bike. It works by adjusting your steering subtly and providing slight braking support to reduce speed.

A Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert is standard on the 2025 Grand Highlander despite not being part of TSS 3.0. Side and rear-view cameras and sensors make these features possible. The Blind Spot Monitor warns you about other vehicles in your blind spot before you merge lanes. However, these sensors can use the same information when reversing into a parking lot or out of your driveway to detect oncoming vehicles and warn you not to proceed.

Downhill Assist Control and Traffic Jam Assist come standard with every trim except the XLE and Hybrid XLE. Downhill Assist Control is only available with AWD vehicles. It makes driving down a steep hill with uneven terrain far safer by adjusting braking and acceleration for you while you focus on keeping steady steering. Traffic Jam Assist uses several features we’ve spoken about, like the Pre-Collision System and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and relieves you of dealing with traffic jams on supported roads. Your Grand Highlander will stop when other vehicles do and return to your preset speed once it’s safe to do so, and it will keep you in the correct lane with a subtle steering assist when you’re stuck in traffic.

Familiarizing Yourself With the Car

There’s much to know about the 2025 Grand Highlander, and we’ve covered all the basics. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t always something new to learn. Be sure to chat with us about the incredible ways you can personalize your experience further, like by custom ordering your Grand Highlander with individual packages that bring new and exciting features to the table. Get behind the wheel of this exciting vehicle now that you know how and where to start looking.