The name strongly suggests that a longer Highlander is in the works.
It might be the larger 3-row SUV to replace the Sequoia.
Toyota has, at least in our opinion, successfully revamped its entire car and SUV lineup. Next on the Japanese auto giant’s “to do” list are its body-on-frame trucks, namely the 4Runner, Sequoia, and its two pickups, the Tacoma and Tundra. While Toyota’s been moot about their plans for the most part, the “Grand Highlander” trademark could be a hint.
2020 Toyota Highlander | Photo: Matt St-Pierre
The Highlander has been a huge hit for Toyota since it landed at the very beginning of this century. It was right around the same time that the massive Sequoia entered the market and while reasonably popular, it never generated big volume. As Toyota moves forward with its numerous product plans, including more electrified models, a full-size ladder-frame SUV belongs to the past.
In our opinion, Toyota will drop the Sequoia in favour of a “Grand Highlander” which should logically be offered as a hybrid and we suppose logically, a plug-in hybrid, using the RAV4 Prime’s powertrain. Motor Trend does not mention any timelines for this potentially new model but, if it comes, it can’t be that far off. Toyota’s TNGA platform is a superb flexible building block that is ready for everything.
2021 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro Lunar Rock | Photo: Toyota
As far as we’re concerned, the 4Runner is sacred and won’t so easily be replaced. The same applies to the Tacoma. As for the Tundra, the call is tougher to make when it comes to its fate.
