Striking Nightshade Edition Creates Luxury Vibe For Less

Striking Nightshade Edition Creates Luxury Vibe For Less

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Nightshade Edition Adds Wow Factor

Seven-Passenger SUV Checks All Boxes And Adds Some

  • By Larry Lark
  • Friday, May 30, 2025 2:30pm
  • LifeCars

The only thing better than a Toyota Highlander SUV is a Toyota Grand Highlander. And in particular, the 2025 Nightshade Hybrid Edition.

Grand Highlander has ample space for up to seven adults, including an adult-sized third row. With the second- and third-row seats folded flat, Highlander adds a whopping 97.5-cu.ft. of cargo space.

The Grand Highlander is offered in five grades across three different powertrains – the LE, XLE, Hybrid Nightshade, Limited, and Platinum. The new Hybrid Nightshade Edition adds a stylish flare with black exterior accents, black 20-inch wheels, and JBL premium audio standard.

The Hybrid powertrain with all-wheel drive features a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder powertrain and two electric motors generates 245 horsepower and produces an EPA-estimated 37 miles per gallon down the highway. It has a range of approximately 450 miles with a 3.500-pound towing capacity. It comes with three selectable Drive Modes (Sport, Eco, Normal) to make driving more engaging.

The Hybrid Nightshade’s interior has premium comfort that drivers and passengers alike will enjoy — starting with leather-trimmed seating, standard heating and ventilation on the driver and front-passenger seats, and heated outboard seats in the second row.

When it comes to setting the ultimate mood, the Grand Highlander Hybrid Nightshade has a 12.3-inch touchscreen running Toyota’s latest Audio Multimedia system and a premium JBL sound system with 11 speakers. It also includes features from the Hybrid Limited grade interior, like a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and ambient lighting.

The exterior is both striking and functional. The rear doors have a wide opening angle for convenient access to the third-row seat. Exterior visibility has been prioritized with a low hood line and large side glass windows, allowing confidence when driving in city environments.

Road manners are exquisite. Grand Highlander delivered a smooth, quiet ride that handled curves and bumps without complaint on a two-hour drive along Hwy. 9 with the in-laws from Arlington to Sedro Woolley and back.

Electronic On-Demand AWD on hybrid models provides excellent fuel efficiency, start-off acceleration, handling and stability. Electronic On-Demand AWD achieves stable performance by driving the rear wheels with an electric motor, to provide traction when needed in certain conditions.

All the while five passengers were treated to a cabin laden with creature comforts that pamper and spoil. Duly noted, and appreciated were the spacious interior, panoramic moonroof, three-zone climate control, leather-trimmed, heated and ventilated front seats, wireless smartphone charger, seven USB-C ports, 13 cupholders, and second-row window shades.

Other features that went unnoticed include rain-sensing wipers, hands-free power lift gate, heated power outside mirrors, and 60/60 split fold-down third row seat.

Completing the Grand Highlander’s family-friendly package is a top-level safety suite. Highlights include a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking is available in Limited and Platinum grades. A Panoramic View Monitor is available to assist the driver in viewing the surroundings, when operating at low speeds, by combining the front, side and rear cameras and displaying a complete vehicle overhead image on the screen. Front and rear parking assist with auto braking is also available.

Base Price: $54,060

Price As Driven: $55,368

Destination charge is included in base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.

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