Once I learn Joel Stocksdale’s first drive of the 2024 Grand Highlander, I used to be intrigued by Toyota’s proposition right here. It is larger than the Highlander, with a 3rd row that may really match folks. I practically sprained my ankles attempting to suit into the way-back of the usual Highlander when the fourth technology launched for the 2020 mannequin yr. Naturally, I used to be interested by this Grand model. When one landed in my driveway to help within the creation of an upcoming shopping for information, I had the prospect to reply considered one of my burning questions: How grand are the cupholders?
And, boy, this factor has plenty of spots to put your drinks. There are two between the seats of every of the primary two rows, one in every door pocket and three in every of the outboard armrests of the third row, for a complete of 14. So out we went with our 32-ounce Nalgene — a poor match for many cupholders — to see if any of these spots would swallow it.
First, there are the 2 entrance cupholders on the middle console. They’re every just a bit too small for a bottle of this measurement. However have a look at that little cubby simply forward of them. It is not precisely formed like a cupholder, however, I believed, it would do the trick.
It is an ideal match, deep and tight sufficient that the bottle does not clonk round in there throughout driving. It type of blocks the cubby in entrance of it (the place the wi-fi charging pad is, however my telephone clonked round in that cubby a lot that I simply ended up placing it again in my pocket). In any other case it is an ideal spot, and it brings the overall variety of cupholders as much as 15.
Subsequent, there’s the entrance door pocket. These spots are sometimes deceiving, however it did not look fairly just like the Nalgene would match.
However it suits simply swell, if slightly on the tight aspect. That is two handy spots for the motive force, and three complete up entrance. That turns out to be useful on street journeys. I can simply undergo 64 ounces between pit stops, or it offers easy accessibility to a spare from which the entrance passenger can refill sippy cups for the thirsty children a row again. Possibly I should not be stunned how a lot water my children can drink.
There is a set of cupholders between the captain’s chairs within the second row. They’re oriented like those up entrance, fore/aft, however are rounder. Let’s discover out in the event that they’re any larger. (Fascinating aspect word, the last-gen Toyota Tundra could not match Nalgenes within the entrance cupholders, however might within the rear. I have not examined the brand new Tundra but.)
Alas, that is not the case right here, however there’s nonetheless hope for the doorways.
It suits. In case you’re maintaining rating, that is at the least one Nalgene receptacle for every seat up to now. However we mustn’t overlook the third row passengers, and hopefully Toyota did not overlook them both.
The third-row armrests have these neat cupholders that can be utilized as type of a catch-all storage spot. They’re divided into three sections, with some further house to spare. Theoretically, you would fill these cupholder spots, and nonetheless tuck a telephone in beside them. They actually do not seem like any of them will accommodate a Nalgene, although.
Within the video under, you may hear my real shock that the Nalgene really slot in that rearward part of the cupholder.
So out of a possible 15 spots to carry a drink, there are seven that may maintain these huge water bottles. Each outboard passenger has one. I am completely impressed. And thirsty.