Apple is reportedly preparing a major Apple Card signup push that would effectively give new customers free AirPods Pro 3, a sharp shift in strategy as Chase prepares to take over the troubled program from Goldman Sachs.
Apple has largely avoided the large signup bonuses commonly used across the credit card industry. Early Apple Card marketing focused on privacy features, Daily Cash rewards, Wallet integration, spending transparency, and the titanium physical card.
Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman claimed on May 15 that Apple plans to launch a promotion in retail stores during the week of May 18. Under the rumored offer, customers who sign up for a new Apple Card and purchase AirPods Pro 3 would receive $249 in cash back, effectively offsetting the full retail price of the earbuds.
Neither Apple nor JPMorgan Chase has publicly confirmed the promotion. Still, the reported offer would represent one of the largest public Apple Card signup incentives since the credit card launched in 2019.
There have been bonuses for referrals that go to the new cardholder, but they’re usually around $75 and max out at $200 with several conditions. The new, more aggressive offer could represent a shift in strategy.
Apple Card is entering a new phase under Chase
Apple confirmed in January 2026 that JPMorgan Chase would take over the Apple Card portfolio over the next 24 months. The move ends a partnership that became increasingly difficult for Goldman Sachs to sustain after years of losses and operational problems tied to the card business.
Reports tied to the transition said Goldman sold roughly $20 billion in Apple Card balances at a significant discount after delinquency rates climbed higher than expected.
Analyst estimates during Apple Card’s early rollout suggested Goldman Sachs spent roughly $350 to acquire each new customer. The AirPods Pro 3 promotion would still represent a substantial acquisition cost, though potentially lower than the figures associated with the original launch period.
Apple wouldn’t necessarily absorb the full $249 retail cost internally. A banking partner such as Chase could also cover part of the promotion cost in exchange for acquiring long-term Apple Card customers.
Apple Card
Credit card issuers routinely spend hundreds of dollars upfront to win new customers. Banks can justify that cost when interchange fees, interest charges, subscriptions, and long-term retention produce more revenue over several years.
Apple Stores are becoming customer acquisition channels
The reported promotion would also expand the role of Apple’s retail stores beyond hardware sales and technical support.
Apple Stores already function as onboarding centers for services including AppleCare, iCloud+, Apple One, and device financing. A large-scale Apple Card signup campaign tied to hardware would push the stores further into functioning as customer acquisition channels.
The timing also fits Apple’s larger business strategy. Smartphone growth has slowed globally, and Apple has leaned more heavily on recurring services revenue and ecosystem retention to support long-term growth.
Products including Apple Card, Apple Pay, high-yield savings accounts, and installment financing now play a larger role in Apple’s services growth strategy. The company will likely lean onto more aggressive customer acquisition promotions in the future, at least, if this rumor proves true.
Three-row family SUVs are expected to do everything; carry passengers comfortably, handle long road trips, keep running costs manageable, and remain dependable for years. Finding one that checks every box without becoming too expensive can be difficult, especially when fuel economy starts to matter as much as space. One hybrid Toyota stands out by delivering all of those priorities in a single package.
This three-row SUV combines the practicality families need with the efficiency advantages of hybrid power. It offers spacious seating, strong everyday comfort, and the kind of long-term reliability Toyota is known for, while using significantly less fuel than many traditional V-6 rivals in the same segment.
For buyers balancing family needs with ownership costs, that combination makes a major difference. It proves that a large SUV doesn’t have to be expensive to run or stressful to own, just thoughtfully engineered around what families actually need most.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites, including the EPA, CarEdge, and J.D. Power.
You can also expect long range and ample in-cabin tech.
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is affordable and built to last
Dependability is a big priority here
If you’re looking for a family SUV that is spacious, light on gas, and will last you a long time with few issues, then the Grand Highlander Hybrid feels like a no-brainer. It is slightly pricier than some of its direct rivals, but Toyota’s experience in developing hybrid means that you can rest peacefully knowing that this three-row SUV should last you years without any problem.
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid trims and pricing
Model
Starting MSRP
LE
$45,210
XLE
$46,380
Limited
$52,710
Nightshade Edition
$53,690
Platinum
$59,775
Compared to other hybrid three-row SUVs, the Grand Highlander is priced pretty well. While there are some more affordable options, like the Hyundai Palisade and Santa Fe, it undercuts rivals like the Kia Telluride and the Mazda CX-90. This middle of the pack pricing is about on-par for Toyota.
Of the above trims, we think that opting for the XLE gets you the best bang for your buck. It comes with all the features you’d want in a family hauler, such as a power-operated liftgate, a spattering of USB-C ports throughout the cabin, heated front seats, faux-leather upholstery, and a very comprehensive suite of driver aids.
Warranties, maintenance, and reliability
Reliability score: 82/100 (J.D. Power)
Limited warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles
Powertrain warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles
Complimentary maintenance: 2 years or 24,000 miles
Average ten-year maintenance costs: $6,299 (CarEdge)
Toyota offers a pretty standard warranty package to back up their reputation for reliability. While the Grand Highlander is technically a newer model, it is essentially just a long wheelbase version of the regular Highlander, meaning its mechanical components have proven themselves to be dependable.
Your first two years or scheduled maintenance visits are free with your purchase of a Grand Highlander. After that point, maintenance is reasonably affordable. CarEdge estimates that the average SUV would cost you $1,867 more to maintain over ten years than the Grand Highlander.
Mercedes may lead luxury, but this Lexus SUV delivers the same upscale feel with way less ownership stress.
There is plenty of space in all three rows of the Grand Highlander Hybrid
Its cabin is simple but exceptionally practical
While the cabins of Toyota’s vehicles are usually a little pedestrian, there is something to be said about how versatile they are, as well as how easy they are to live with. The Grand Highlander definitely follows this trend. While it lacks the flair that some of its rivals offer, it delivers three rows of spacious seating, tons of modern tech, and loads of storage space.
The cabin layout of the Grand Highlander is very neat. Everything is easy to find and there are a ton of storage compartments scattered throughout. Its design won’t blow you away, but you’ll be pleased with just how intuitive all the controls are. The most affordable trims focus on the essentials, but top trims can come with some pretty plush features, including genuine leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and captain’s chairs in the second row.
Material
Oxford
Organizer Dimensions
21″L x 14.6″W x 10.3″H
Special Feature
Foldable
This 13.5-gallon trunk organizer features compartments to organize and store groceries, sports equipment, emergency supplies, and other daily essentials.
Infotainment and technology
Every Grand Highlander comes equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen mounted to the top of the dashboard. Lower trim levels come with a hybrid gauge cluster that includes a seven-inch display in the middle, but from the Limited up you get a fully digital 12.3-inch unit instead.
As we already mentioned, there are a number of USB-C ports throughout the cabin, so that the whole family can charge their devices. A wireless charging pad is also included. Three-zone automatic climate control and wireless smartphone mirroring are standard on every trim level. Top trims also offer some better tech, including a heads-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system.
Hauling the family doesn’t have to mean spending a ton on gas
The Grand Highlander hybrid is impressively thrifty
Credit: Toyota
Toyota’s ideology of function over form definitely translates into how they tune the performance of their cars. The Grand Highlander Hybrid may not be the most interesting SUV from behind the wheel, but its fuel-sipping powertrain and plush ride means that it will save you money in the long run and keep the family happy.
Grand Highlander Hybrid performance and efficiency
Model
Hybrid
Hybrid MAX
Engine
2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four
2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four
Transmission
CVT
6-speed automatic
Horsepower
245 HP
362 HP
Torque
288 LB-FT
400 LB-FT
Driveline
FWD or AWD
AWD
0-60 MPH
7.8 seconds
5.6 seconds
The Grand Highlander Hybrid comes in two different forms. Most models feature a naturally aspirated inline-four under the hood. The Platinum comes exclusively with the Hybrid MAX setup, though, with the Limited offering a choice of either. The standard hybrid powertrain better suits the Grand Highlander in our mind, with the Hybrid MAX’s quick acceleration clashing with the SUV’s laid-back personality, especially because it takes it toll when it comes to efficiency.
As is the case with a lot of Toyota’s mainstream models, the Grand Highlander lacks excitement, even accounting for the Hybrid MAX’s quick acceleration. Steering is exceptionally light and vague, and the suspension is clearly set up for comfort. This isn’t a bad thing in our eyes, though, as the mission of the Japanese SUV is to get your family from A to B. This is where its comfortable ride quality really shines through.
Fuel economy
Model
City
Highway
Combined
Hybrid FWD
37 MPG
34 MPG
36 MPG
Hybrid AWD
36 MPG
32 MPG
34 MPG
Hybrid MAX AWD
26 MPG
27 MPG
27 MPG
There are few SUVs as well-suited to family life
Toyota skips the flash and the gimmicks that a lot of other brands have leaned into in the last couple of years. They focus instead on proven technology and long-term dependability. If you’re buying a family vehicle, that should be high up on your list of priorities. Any parent will tell you that they’d take simple functionality over anything, which is what makes the Grand Highlander Hybrid such a solid choice in this segment.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Apple Card
