2026 Toyota Highlander
2026 Toyota
Highlander
Toyota doesn’t need to drastically update the Highlander to maintain the model’s perennial popularity. For model year 2026, though, the automaker has streamlined the trim lineup by nixing the base LE, leaving the XLE as the least expensive of four grades. That means that every Highlander now comes with premium upholstery (either SofTex leatherette or genuine leather, depending on the trim grade), and heated first-row seats. New England drivers will also be pleased to know that all-wheel-drive has also become standard. Improvements like these help the Highlander stand apart in a segment with a sea of choices. The truly efficiency-minded buyer should also consider the gas-electric Highlander Hybrid (not covered on this page).
How we describe this model: family-centric, tow-ready, versatile, feature-packed
Shop this vehicle against: Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-90, Nissan Pathfinder, Volkswagen Atlas
Highlights
- seats seven (standard) or eight (available) across three rows
- Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ advanced driver-assist technology suite
- up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo volume (with second and third rows stowed)
- standard heated front seats and tri-zone auto climate control
- 5,000-pound towing limit
Powertrain
- 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with turbocharger (output: 265 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque)
- all-wheel drive (AWD)
- 8-speed automatic transmission
- fuel economy: 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway
- selectable driving modes (Sport, Eco, Normal, and Snow)
XLE Interior
Seven-passenger seating (standard middle-row captain’s chairs), three zones of automatic climate control (with middle-row controls), power tilt/slide moonroof, SofTex simulated leather upholstery (front and middle rows), heated front seats, ten-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, eight-way power front passenger seat, middle-row sunshades, leather-trimmed steering wheel and shifter knob, 7-inch driver information display (analog gauges), push-button ignition, Qi-compatible wireless device charge pad, auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, five USB ports
XLE Exterior
Smart Key (front doors and liftgate), height-adjustable hands-free liftgate with jam protection, LED exterior lighting (including foglamps), color-keyed heated power side mirrors with integrated turn signals and blind-spot indicators, proximity keyless entry, windshield wiper de-icer, silver-painted roof rails, 18-inch alloy wheels with machined finish
XLE Safety
Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ driver-assist technology suite (adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-tracing assist, and road sign assist), backup monitor with projected path guidance
XLE Infotainment
8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, wireless smartphone compatibility (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), SiriusXM satellite radio, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, access to Toyota Connected Services (cloud-based navigation, emergency assistance, remote functions), six speakers
XLE Major Options
Middle-row bench seat (for eight-passenger capacity), 12.3-inch multimedia upgrade
XSE
Contents of XLE plus:
- torque-vectoring AWD
- Multi-Terrain Select (settings: Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt, and Normal)
- Black-capped heated power side mirrors with integrated turn and blind-spot indicators
- strip-style LED daytime running lights
- mesh grille with trim-specific front bumper (metallic gray finish) and lower spoiler with chrome trim
- chrome rocker-panel trim
- front and rear mudguards
- dual chrome exhaust tips
- 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
- ambient interior lighting
- 20-inch alloy wheels with black finish
- eligible for multimedia/JBL audio upgrade
Limited
Contents of XSE plus:
- leather upholstery (first and second row)
- heated and ventilated front seats
- faux-wood interior trim
- heated steering wheel
- driver's memory system
- 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming
- USB media port and four USB charge ports
- 11-speaker JBL sound system with amplifier and subwoofer
- 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
- high-output LED foglamps
- power-folding exterior mirrors with memory, reverse tilt-down, and puddle lamps
- upgraded cabin accents
- cargo area tonneau cover
- acoustic noise-reducing front side windows
- chrome-plated grille surround
- chrome-look roof rails
- 20-inch chrome-finished wheels
- 120V AC outlet
- backup monitor with dynamic gridlines
- front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking
- eligible for middle-row bench seat and panoramic view monitor
Platinum
Contents of Limited plus:
- panoramic glass roof with sunshade and front power moonroof
- heated middle-row captain’s chairs
- head-up display with speedometer and Road Sign Assist
- digital rearview mirror
- illuminated metal front doorsills
- rain-sensing washer-linked windshield wipers
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- black front grille with chrome surround
- rear bumper scuff plate
- adaptive front lighting system
- surround-view monitor
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