Sizing Up Toyota's Two Three-Row SUVs Toyota sells two three-row SUVs with almost the same name, and that trips up a lot of shoppers. Both share a badge, a turbocharged four-cylinder, and the same family-hauling job description. What separates them is about six inches of sheet metal and a third row that changes the math for anyone who uses it more than twice a year. The Grand Highlander stretches 201.4 inches long on a 116.1-inch wheelbase, while most Highlander grades measure 194.9 inches on a 112.2-inch wheelbase. Both SUVs share a 265-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter gas engine, but only the Grand Highlander offers the 362-horsepower Hybrid MAX setup. Pricing starts at $41,860 for the gas Grand Highlander LE and $45,870 for the gas Highlander XLE, both before the $1,495 destination charge. Where Those Extra Inches Actually Land Park these two next to each other, and the gap looks smaller than the spec sheet suggests. Toyota puts most of the added length behind the second row. That's exactly where families feel it. Cargo room behind the Grand Highlander's third row measures 20.6 cubic feet. Fold the second and third rows down, and it opens up to 97.5 cubic feet. Toyota lists the Highlander's max at 84.3 cubic feet with every seat folded, but hasn't published a behind-the-second-row number for 2026. Don't assume the two are close there. Width and height tell part of the story, too. Grand Highlander stands 70.1 inches tall and 78.3 inches wide, against 68.1 by 76.0 for the Highlander. That boxier shape is what third-row riders notice around their shoulders and heads. Two Engine Menus, One With an Extra Course Under the hood, things start out identical. Each SUV runs a 2.4-liter turbo four rated at 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic. From there, the lineups split. Every 2026 Highlander gas grade arrives with all-wheel drive standard. The larger SUV begins as a front-driver on LE, XLE, and Limited. AWD adds $1,600 on those grades and comes standard on the gas Platinum. Hybrids follow a similar pattern. Highlander's 2.5-liter hybrid makes 243 combined horsepower with electronic on-demand AWD on every grade. The EPA rates it at 35 mpg combined. Step over to the Grand Highlander, and its 2.5-liter hybrid makes 245 combined horsepower, good for 34 mpg combined in AWD LE and Limited form. Then there's the powertrain Highlander can't answer. Hybrid MAX pairs a turbocharged 2.4-liter with front and rear electric motors for 362 combined horsepower and 400 lb-ft. It runs a six-speed automatic and still posts 27 mpg combined. Towing and Trailer Math Gas grades of either SUV pull 5,000 pounds with the required equipment. Pick a standard hybrid, and both fall to 3,500 pounds. Hybrid MAX climbs back to 5,000 pounds. That makes the Grand Highlander your only path to a Toyota hybrid three-row rated for the full 5,000 pounds. Anyone towing a small camper or a pair of jet skis should sit with that number for a while. Safety Tech and Screens Take Different Paths Highlander carries Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+. Grand Highlander steps up to Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. That version adds Proactive Driving Assist, which applies gentle braking and light steering to help around cyclists, walkers, and slower traffic. Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is standard on every grade of both SUVs. Screens differ as well. Highlander starts with an 8-inch touchscreen and offers a 12.3-inch upgrade. The 12.3-inch display comes standard across the entire Grand Highlander lineup. 2026 Highlander and Grand Highlander Trim Comparison Chart Trim Powertrain Horsepower Drivetrain EPA MPG City/Hwy Starting MSRP 2026 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER XLE 2.4L Turbo Gas, 8-Speed Auto 265 hp / 310 lb-ft Mechanical AWD 21 / 28 $46,270 XSE 2.4L Turbo Gas, 8-Speed Auto 265 hp / 310 lb-ft Torque Vectoring AWD 21 / 28 $48,340 Limited 2.4L Turbo Gas, 8-Speed Auto 265 hp / 310 lb-ft Torque Vectoring AWD 21 / 28 $50,725 Platinum 2.4L Turbo Gas, 8-Speed Auto 265 hp / 310 lb-ft Torque Vectoring AWD 21 / 28 $53,925 Hybrid XLE 2.5L Hybrid, eCVT 243 hp combined Electronic On-Demand AWD 35 / 35 $48,020 Hybrid Limited 2.5L Hybrid, eCVT 243 hp combined Electronic On-Demand AWD 35 / 34 $52,475 Hybrid Platinum 2.5L Hybrid, eCVT 243 hp combined Electronic On-Demand AWD 35 / 34 $55,675 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER LE 2.4L Turbo Gas, 8-Speed Auto 265 hp / 310 lb-ft FWD, AWD +$1,600 21 / 28 (FWD) $42,060 XLE 2.4L Turbo Gas, 8-Speed Auto 265 hp / 310 lb-ft FWD, AWD +$1,600 21 / 28 (FWD) $44,830 Limited 2.4L Turbo Gas, 8-Speed Auto 265 hp / 310 lb-ft FWD, AWD +$1,600 21 / 28 (FWD) $49,560 Platinum 2.4L Turbo Gas, 8-Speed Auto 265 hp / 310 lb-ft AWD standard 20 / 26 $55,245 Hybrid LE 2.5L Hybrid, eCVT 245 hp combined FWD or Electronic On-Demand AWD 36 / 32 $45,410 Hybrid XLE 2.5L Hybrid, eCVT 245 hp combined FWD or Electronic On-Demand AWD 37 / 34 $46,580 Hybrid Limited 2.5L Hybrid, eCVT 245 hp combined Electronic On-Demand AWD 36 / 32 $52,910 Hybrid Nightshade 2.5L Hybrid, eCVT 245 hp combined Electronic On-Demand AWD 36 / 32 $53,890 Hybrid MAX Limited 2.4L Turbo Hybrid MAX, 6-Speed Auto 362 hp / 400 lb-ft combined Full-Time Electronic AWD 26 / 27 $55,890 Hybrid MAX Platinum 2.4L Turbo Hybrid MAX, 6-Speed Auto 362 hp / 400 lb-ft combined Full-Time Electronic AWD 26 / 27 $59,975 All MSRP figures exclude the $1,495 delivery, processing, and handling charge. Highlander towing tops out at 5,000 lb on gas grades and 3,500 lb on hybrid grades. Grand Highlander towing tops out at 5,000 lb on gas and Hybrid MAX grades and 3,500 lb on standard hybrid grades. EPA estimates are for comparison only, and your mileage will vary. The Highlander That Fits Most Driveways Anyone weighing the 2026 Toyota Highlander vs. Grand Highlander is really asking one question. How often does row three carry passengers? If the answer is holiday weekends and carpool overflow, Highlander handles it, costs less on the hybrid side, and slots into a tight garage without drama. If your third row has a regular passenger, or if groceries and sports bags pile up behind it every week, the 20.6 cubic feet and the Hybrid MAX option make the Grand Highlander worth the stretch. Toyota built these two for different kinds of weeks, and both do their job well. Why Buy Your Next Highlander at Toyota of Madison Numbers on a page can only take you so far with a decision like this. We keep both the Highlander and Grand Highlander on the lot so you can climb into the third row of each, fold the seats, and load your own stroller or hockey bag before you sign anything. Our team will walk you through gas versus hybrid versus Hybrid MAX in plain terms, no jargon and no pressure. Bring the whole family and the car seats, and we'll help you sort out which one fits your week in Madison and the surrounding area.
Built to Pull: Toyota Tacoma Towing Capacity by Trim & Configuration
What a Tacoma Can Pull, Trim by Trim Backing a loaded trailer down a boat ramp is where a spec sheet gets real. One number on your door jamb decides how that morning goes. And across the 2026 Tacoma lineup, that number varies by 3,000 pounds. Gas-powered XtraCab models carry the highest rating in the lineup at 6,500 pounds. Gas Double Cab trucks pull 6,400 pounds, while a base SR with the automatic stops at 3,500 pounds. Every i-FORCE MAX hybrid tops out between 5,950 and 6,000 pounds because of the weight it carries. Two Engines, Two Sets of Numbers Toyota builds the 2026 Tacoma around a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It gets tuned three ways. The base SR pairs with an eight-speed automatic, producing 228 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque. Most trims above the SR run the same block at 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. Want the six-speed manual? It shows up on 4x4 Double Cab builds and makes 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The i-FORCE MAX adds an electric motor to that turbo four. Output climbs to 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft, and the Trailhunter is rated at 323 horsepower. Torque hits the instant you touch the pedal. You notice that pulling a wet boat up a steep ramp. How Toyota Tacoma Towing Capacity Breaks Down by Trim Toyota Tacoma towing capacity runs from 3,500 to 6,500 pounds. Cab style matters more than badge here. Gas XtraCab trucks, meaning SR5 and TRD PreRunner, hit the 6,500-pound ceiling. Add the back doors and gas Double Cab models settle at 6,400 pounds. That 100-pound gap rarely changes a shopping list. It does count if your trailer already sits near the limit. The base SR is the odd one out. Toyota lists it at 3,500 pounds in every cab and drivetrain it offers, which puts a hard ceiling on what the entry truck will pull. Step up one rung to the SR5, and the rating nearly doubles. Every figure below assumes a properly equipped truck and follows SAE J2807 test methods. 2026 Tacoma Tow Ratings by Trim and Configuration Trim and Powertrain Cab and Drive Max Towing (lbs.) Max Tongue Weight (lbs.) Trailer Brake Controller SR (i-FORCE) XtraCab or Double Cab, 4x2 or 4x4 3,500 640 to 650 Not offered SR5 (i-FORCE) XtraCab, 6-ft. bed 6,500 650 Package SR5 (i-FORCE) Double Cab, 4x2 or 4x4 6,400 640 Package TRD PreRunner (i-FORCE) XtraCab 4x2, 6-ft. bed 6,500 650 Package TRD Sport (i-FORCE) Double Cab, 4x2 or 4x4 6,400 640 Package TRD Off-Road (i-FORCE) Double Cab 4x4 6,400 640 Package Limited (i-FORCE) Double Cab 4x4 6,400 640 Standard TRD Sport (i-FORCE MAX) Double Cab 4x4 5,950 to 6,000 595 to 600 Package TRD Off-Road (i-FORCE MAX) Double Cab 4x4 5,950 to 6,000 595 to 600 Package Limited (i-FORCE MAX) Double Cab 4x4 5,950 to 6,000 595 to 600 Standard Trailhunter (i-FORCE MAX) Double Cab 4x4 5,950 to 6,000 595 to 600 Standard TRD Pro (i-FORCE MAX) Double Cab 4x4 5,950 to 6,000 595 to 600 Standard Ratings are Toyota figures for properly equipped trucks tested to SAE J2807. Confirm the numbers on your own door jamb sticker before you hitch up. Why the Hybrid Numbers Land Lower Most shoppers expect the strongest engine to pull the most. The 6,000-pound hybrid ceiling surprises them. Battery and motor hardware push curb weight to between 5,030 and 5,410 pounds. That mass eats into the gross combined rating. You trade about 400 pounds of trailer for instant low-end grunt, a 2400W bed outlet, and standard Tow/Haul mode. Tongue Weight Counts Against Your Payload Tongue weight usually runs 10 to 15 percent of what the trailer weighs. It presses straight down on the hitch. Gas XtraCab trucks handle 650 pounds at the ball, gas Double Cabs 640, and hybrids 595 to 600. That load comes out of the payload. Payload spans 1,230 pounds on a 4x4 XtraCab up to 1,710 pounds on some hybrid Double Cabs. Add riders, coolers, and a toolbox, and the margin shrinks fast. Trailer Tech Worth Ordering A Class-IV hitch receiver with 7-pin and 4-pin wiring is standard on SR5, TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Road. Limited, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter add Trailer Backup Guide and a trailer blind-spot camera. Those three also include the built-in trailer brake controller. SR5, TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Road bundle it into option packages, and the SR skips it altogether. Towing a tandem-axle trailer? Treat that controller as a must-have. Picking a Build That Matches Your Trailer Weigh your trailer loaded, with coolers, gear, and a full water tank. Then shop backward from that number. Anything heavier than 6,400 pounds points you toward a gas XtraCab, meaning an SR5 or TRD PreRunner. Trailers in the 4,000 to 5,500 range open up most of the lineup, hybrids included. Those builds still leave room for a family in the back seat. Light utility and single-axle boat trailers under 3,500 pounds fit even the base SR. Talk Tow Ratings With Us at Toyota of Madison We stock Tacomas in a mix of cabs, beds, and powertrains. Towing needs around here run from a jon boat to a loaded equipment trailer. Bring us your trailer weight, and we'll walk you out to trucks that match it. We'll open the doors and read the ratings with you. We'll also cover hitch setup, brake controller choices, and wiring before you sign anything. Our Toyota-trained techs handle the follow-up, from hitch installs to the service a hardworking truck needs. Drivers from Madison, Scottsburg, Seymour, and across the river in Louisville know we'd rather spend the extra ten minutes up front.
