As summer draws to a close, Toyota has made a strategic move to dominate the SUV market news. The debut of the Grand Highlander may have taken place earlier this year, but its production has finally started at Toyota’s large manufacturing plant in southern Indiana. Barring any unforeseen complications, this new three-row SUV will be available at dealerships within a few weeks.

The timing of this announcement is rather intriguing, especially considering the highly anticipated recent debut of the new Toyota Land Cruiser, which occurred less than 24 hours ago as of the publication of this article on August 2. There is a certain symmetry in this news, even though these SUVs share the Toyota badge, as they represent two distinct interpretations of the segment. While the Grand Highlander aims to transport up to eight individuals comfortably, while still offering some off-road capability, the new Land Cruiser boasts a five-passenger configuration and prioritizes handling rugged terrains.