Trims and Specifications

Highlander shoppers can choose from six grades: L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, or Platinum. Each has a 3.5-liter V6 gas engine making 295 horsepower and 263 lb.-ft. of torque that works with an eight-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive comes standard, but all-wheel drive is optional. Driving the Highlander around town yields an EPA-estimated 21 mpg with FWD and 20 mpg with AWD, while the highway fuel economy rating is 29 mpg for FWD and 27 mpg for AWD.

Highlander Standard Features

The L seats eight with its middle-row and third-row bench seats, which both split 60/40 and fold down if necessary to accommodate cargo instead of passengers. Its standard equipment roster includes fabric upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver’s seat, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, heated power side mirrors with integrated turn-signal indicators, a windshield wiper de-icer, LED projector headlights and daytime running lights, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The LE gets blind-spot indicators on its side mirrors and adds a power liftgate, LED fog lights, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

The XLE moves to standard second-row captain’s chairs, capping the number of passengers at seven (the bench seat may be added back as a free option). This trim’s other upgrades are leatherette for the first and second rows, heated front seats, a ten-way power driver’s seat, a four-way front passenger seat, a power moonroof, wireless device charging, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and silver-painted rooftop rails. The XSE leans more toward the driving enthusiast with a sport-tuned suspension, a twin-tip exhaust, a black mesh grille, black roof rails, and a lower front spoiler trimmed in chrome. It also gets LED strip-style daytime running lights, 20-inch alloy wheels, and ambient cabin lighting; red leather seating is optional.

The Limited adds even more plushness with standard leather upholstery (first and second rows), heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, front seat position memory, and faux wood interior accents. It also has 20-inch chrome-finished wheels, high-output LED fog lights, and heated power side mirrors with puddle lights. A second-row bench seat is offered for those who want to seat eight people. The Platinum goes even further upscale with an adaptive headlight system, a panoramic sunroof with shade, heated second-row captain’s chairs, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 10-inch color head-up display.

Active Safety and Technology

All Highlanders come with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, radar cruise control, road sign assist, and automatic high beams). The LE and above get blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. A surround-view monitor is standard on the Platinum and optional on the Limited. The Star Safety System is found on every Highlander to provide vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and Toyota’s Smart Stop Technology (a system designed to stop the car if unintended acceleration is detected).

Every Highlander has five USB ports (one USB-A media port and four USB-C charge ports). The base infotainment system has an 8-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Toyota Connected Services and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Navigation is available on the XLE and XSE and standard on the Limited and Platinum. An 11-speaker JBL audio system is optional for the XSE and included with the higher trims. The Platinum is upgraded with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, which is optional on the Limited.