Bring Everyone Along in a New Toyota Grand Highlander in Groton, CT

Frequently Asked Questions about the New Toyota Grand Highlander in Groton, CT

Designed to Fix the Three-Row SUV Third-Row Problem

Anyone who has ridden in the back seat of a standard three-row SUV knows what the third row usually amounts to: a cramped, low seat that works for small children on short trips and not much else. The Grand Highlander was built with that frustration specifically in mind. The extended wheelbase carves out a third row with real legroom, making it a genuinely comfortable seat for adult passengers on longer drives, not just a technical checkbox on a spec sheet.

The additional length benefits the whole vehicle, not just the rear row. Second-row passengers have more room to stretch, cargo space behind the third row is more functional, and the overall interior volume gives a fully loaded family something to work with on a road trip. It is a practical difference that shows up on every drive where all three rows are occupied.

• Extended wheelbase delivers more usable third-row legroom than the standard Highlander
• Seating for up to eight passengers depending on second-row configuration
• Greater cargo volume behind the third row for luggage and gear on longer trips

For families who regularly fill all three rows, the Grand is the Highlander that actually makes sense. The extra size is not cosmetic, it addresses a real limitation that buyers of traditional three-row SUVs have been navigating for years.

Come sit in all three rows at Girard Toyota in New London, CT before you make a decision, because the space difference is something you feel rather than read about.

Three Powertrain Options Including the Hybrid Max

The Grand Highlander lineup offers three distinct powertrain options, which gives buyers real flexibility depending on what they prioritize. The turbocharged 2.4L gas engine produces 265 horsepower and handles everyday family hauling duties without complication. The standard hybrid brings a modest reduction in output but delivers meaningfully better fuel economy for buyers who log a lot of daily miles.

The Hybrid Max is where the lineup gets genuinely interesting. It pairs a turbocharged engine with a high-output electric motor to produce around 362 combined horsepower while still returning better fuel economy than the base gas engine. For a vehicle this size carrying this much passenger and cargo capacity, that combination is a serious accomplishment.

• Turbocharged 2.4L gas engine with 265 hp for capable, no-fuss everyday performance
• Standard hybrid for buyers who prioritize fuel savings in a full-size three-row SUV
• Hybrid Max with around 362 combined hp for buyers who want power and efficiency together

The Hybrid Max also includes AWD as standard and handles the Grand Highlander's towing capacity with more confidence than the standard hybrid configuration. For families who need a capable daily driver that can pull a trailer on the weekend, it covers both roles without compromise.

The team at Girard Toyota near New London, CT can walk you through all three powertrain options and help you figure out which one fits how you plan to use the vehicle on a typical week.

A Three-Row SUV That Can Actually Pull Something

A common frustration with three-row family SUVs is that passenger space comes at the cost of towing capability. The Grand Highlander sidesteps that trade-off. When properly equipped, it tows up to 5,000 pounds, which covers a wide range of real-world needs including fishing boats, utility trailers, small campers, and personal watercraft.

That capacity paired with seating for up to eight passengers means families do not have to maintain a separate tow vehicle for weekends and a family hauler for the school week. The Grand Highlander handles both from a single purchase, which simplifies ownership considerably for buyers who use their vehicle across a range of tasks.

• Up to 5,000 lbs towing capacity when properly equipped on compatible configurations
• Hybrid Max powertrain provides strong towing output alongside its efficiency advantages
• Trailer Sway Control available to support more confident towing on unfamiliar routes

Connecticut buyers who spend weekends at lakes, boat launches, or campgrounds throughout New England will find that towing capacity a practical feature rather than a rarely used one. The proximity of the shoreline, the lakes of eastern Connecticut, and camping destinations throughout the region makes it relevant on a regular basis.

Talk to the Girard Toyota team in New London, CT about which Grand Highlander configuration is rated for your specific towing requirements before you finalize your decision.

Well-Equipped From the First Row to the Third

Toyota Safety Sense comes standard on every Grand Highlander regardless of trim or powertrain. Pre-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane centering assist, and radar cruise control are included as a baseline on every configuration. For a vehicle regularly carrying a full load of passengers, having those systems standard rather than optional is the approach that makes sense.

Upper trims build on that foundation with features that make managing a large SUV with a full passenger load more practical. A bird's-eye view camera system helps with parking and navigating tight spaces, and available rear-seat entertainment keeps longer trips manageable for the passengers farthest from the front.

• Toyota Safety Sense standard across every Grand Highlander trim and powertrain
• Available rear-seat entertainment system for keeping passengers comfortable on longer drives
• Bird's-eye view camera system on upper trims for easier maneuvering in confined spaces

Dual-zone rear climate control keeps the second and third rows comfortable independently of the front seats, which matters more than it sounds when passengers spread across three rows have different preferences. It is a feature that earns its usefulness consistently rather than occasionally.

Spend time with the Grand Highlander's feature set at Girard Toyota in New London, CT to see how the technology and comfort equipment line up against what your family actually uses on a regular basis.

A Full-Size Family SUV Close to Home for Groton Buyers

Girard Toyota is located in New London, CT, just across the Thames River from Groton, making it a practical stop for families in the area who are ready to shop a full-size three-row SUV. A vehicle this large deserves to be seen in person, sat in across all three rows, and evaluated on how the interior dimensions work for your specific family before any commitment is made.

Southeastern Connecticut families who need a vehicle that handles school pickups, weekend trips, sports equipment loads, and towing duty without skipping a beat will find the Grand Highlander covers all of that from a single purchase. The region's road mix, from local streets through Groton and New London to longer I-95 runs toward New Haven or Providence, suits the Grand Highlander's ability to be comfortable at any pace.

• Located in New London, CT, a short drive from Groton for families ready to explore three-row options
• Serving buyers from Colchester, Lebanon, Hebron, and throughout New London County
• Accessible from I-95 and Route 32 for a straightforward trip from the Groton area

Girard Toyota carries the Grand Highlander alongside the standard Highlander, so families who are comparing both can make a side-by-side judgment on whether the added size and space of the Grand version is the right call for their situation.

Whether you are growing into a larger SUV, replacing a three-row vehicle that has run its course, or shopping a family hauler for the first time, the team at Girard Toyota in New London, CT is ready to help you find the Grand Highlander configuration that fits.

Browse new Toyota Grand Highlander inventory online, check current vehicle specials, or contact Girard Toyota in New London, CT to schedule a test drive and put all three rows to the test before you decide.