- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He
What is Toyota GH?
The letters GH stand for Grand Highlander. This is Toyota’s new full-size SUV that debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in early February 2023. The Toyota Grand Highlander is a large SUV with a completely original body that shares the GA-K platform with the regular Toyota Highlander. In terms of size, the newcomer is even larger than the Highlander, which is rather big. It is distinguished by a full-fledged third row of seats and a trunk increased to 595 liters. Three powertrains, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive to choose, the new Toyota GH is quite capable of competing with the huge Honda Pilot, the largest SUV by Honda.
The Israeli market offers the 4th generation Toyota Highlander, 2020. The SUV comes in two versions: E-MOTION and E-XCLUSIVE. Both are hybrid and all-wheel drive. The cost starts from 319,777 shekels (as of the end of 2022).
Exterior
The exterior of the new Toyota Grand Highlander is pretty standard for a Toyota. However, the vehicle is longer than usual and features a flat roofline thanks to a voluminous and roomy rear end for passengers and luggage. As for dimensions, the Toyota GH is 166 mm longer (5,116 mm), 59 mm wider (1,989 mm) and 26 mm higher (1,781 mm) than the regular model. The wheelbase has grown by 96 mm and is equal to 2,946 mm. The vehicle comes with wheels with a diameter of 18 to 20 inches.
Interior and equipment
The SUV will be produced in 7 or 8-seater versions: the third row is always 3-seater, but the second row can be equipped with two separate seats or a common bench seat. The trunk volume reaches 595 liters, measured by the American floor-to-ceiling method, while the regular Highlander offers a 453-liter trunk. By folding down the seats of the second and third rows of the Grand Highlander, you can increase the compartment to 2,761 liters (against 2,387 liters for the Highlander), which is more by as much as 374 liters!
Basic equipment is quite moderate. It includes a media system with a 12.3-inch screen, 7 USB Type-C connectors, as well as an electric tailgate and front seats. Safety is monitored by the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 system. The options list includes 12.3-inch digital gauges, a head-up display, a screen instead of an interior mirror, all-round cameras, a panoramic roof, etc.
Powertrains
The 2023 Toyota Grand Highlander is offered with three powertrains, two of which were borrowed from the standard Highlander. The first is the base 2.4-liter turbo engine with 269 hp, paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox and front or four-wheel drive. The second is a hybrid system with a return of 246 hp, based on a 2.5-liter engine, supplemented by an electric motor and a proprietary Toyota electromechanical variator. Such vehicles are front-wheel drive, but they can also be equipped with an electric motor on the rear axle, which will make them more suitable for off-road conditions.
The third Hybrid Max version is the most interesting. It produces 367 hp and 542 Nm. The brand connoisseurs have already seen this powertrains on the new crossover sedan, the Toyota Crown. The powertrain consists of a 2.4-liter turbo gasoline engine and an electric motor, paired with a 6-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive. This SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds.
