Transmission Type by Car: CVT, Automatic or Manual / Toyota / Grand HighlanderToyota Grand Highlander Transmission by year YearTransmission20266-speed automatic or 8-speed automatic or CVT (continuously variable, 6 simulated steps)20256-speed automatic or 8-speed automatic or CVT (continuously variable, 6 simulated steps)20246-speed automatic or 8-speed automatic or CVT (continuously variable, 6 simulated steps) Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov).