Toyota Grand Highlander vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a standout in Toyota's lineup of crossovers and SUVs, offering a range of options from all-gas to hybrid-powered models. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with the regular Highlander and other Toyota models, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. With a length of 5,115 millimetres and a wheelbase of 2,950 mm, it was larger than competitors like the Kia Telluride, providing a spacious interior. Its design, inspired by rugged vehicles, featured a blockier style with a trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights, reminiscent of the Toyota 4Runner. The Grand Highlander was available in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with interior options ranging from black Softex synthetic leather to real leather in higher trims. It offered a comfortable and well-built interior, making it an excellent choice for road trips.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt returned with a familiar look, maintaining its position between a large hatchback and a subcompact SUV. The styling changes were subtle, with a more conventional front end and a thin slot behind the Chevy Bowtie logo. The Bolt EV was only available in the EUV body style for 2027, emphasizing utility and interior space. The interior saw a more dramatic makeover, featuring a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The cabin, dominated by hard plastic surfaces, reinforced its budget feel, but the RS trim added Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching for a touch of style. Despite its econobox-like footprint, the Bolt offered a surprisingly agile driving experience, thanks to its low centre of gravity.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options, starting with a 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. For those prioritizing fuel efficiency, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. At the top of the range, the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max powertrain boasted 362 horsepower and 400 combined net pound-feet of torque. All powertrains came with all-wheel drive in Canada. While not a sports car, the Hybrid Max provided impressive acceleration with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander excelled in road manners, though it was a bit challenging to maneuver in tight spaces. It offered three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional off-road modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and reliance on rare earth minerals. A motor from Chevy's Equinox EV delivered 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, achieving a 0-100 km/h time in the low seven-second range. While not the fastest EV, the Bolt was quick compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs, with immediate pedal response. One-pedal driving was available, offering medium or high levels of brake regeneration. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, and the Bolt's low centre of gravity contributed to its agility on curvy roads. With a range of up to 422 kilometres on a full charge, the Bolt offered improved charging speed, recharging from 10% to 80% in 25 minutes.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its primary rivals, with a length of over 5 metres and a 2,950 mm wheelbase. This extra length translated to impressive storage space, with a total cargo capacity of 2,761 litres. Even with all three rows up, it offered 583 litres of cargo space. The Grand Highlander provided ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in every row, ensuring comfort for all passengers, including those in the third row.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt offered an upright driving position with plenty of space for larger occupants. While taller drivers might have wished for more telescopic extension from the steering wheel, the rear seats provided ample headroom and thigh support. The Bolt's cargo capacity was 459 litres behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, and the release latches were easily accessible. Up front, the Bolt offered ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with movable dividers, a deep centre armrest bin, and additional pockets in the dashboard.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a visually stunning interface. An intelligent assistant was available via a connected-services subscription, responding to voice commands for tasks like adjusting the temperature. The system included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The 11-speaker JBL stereo, standard on Limited and Platinum trims, provided excellent sound quality. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were also available.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch centre touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. While Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, the system offered logical menus, sharp graphics, and quick responses. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and a wireless charging pad. The Bolt's navigation system helped drivers find charging stations and preconditioned the battery for optimal charging rates. Vehicle-to-load charging was also available, allowing the Bolt to serve as a backup power source for a home.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested, but it came with an impressive list of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) under Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. Features included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings was also standard.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt had not been crash-tested, but it was expected to achieve high scores based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors with active steering assist. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and traffic-sign recognition. GM's Super Cruise hands-free automated highway driving system was available for an additional cost.