Does Highlander have 4WD?

Yes. Four-wheel drive (4WD) is available across all trim levels. Otherwise, Front-wheel drive (FWD) is the standard drivetrain option.

How long does Highlander hybrid battery last?

There are many factors that determine the lifespan of a hybrid battery. However, Toyota states that its Highlander Hybrid body is good for eight years.

Is a Toyota Highlander an SUV?

The Toyota Highlander is considered a mid-size SUV. It offers elevated seating, a quiet cabin and comfortable passenger seating for the second row.

Is the Toyota Highlander built on a truck frame?

No. The body of the Toyota Highlander is built on a car frame and is based on the Toyota Camry body.

How much will a Toyota Highlander tow?

The Toyota Highlander can tow up to 1,500 pounds on the base trim engine. SE and Limited trim levels allow the Toyota Highlander to tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Toyota Highlander | Review the Specs, Features and Pros & Cons

Overview of the Toyota Highlander

Learn about the Toyota Highlander

Toyota Highlander Summary

The Toyota Highlander is an affordable midsize SUV that comes with many standard active safety features, an extra row of seats, and above-average fuel economy for its class. For even better fuel efficiency, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a safe investment. The ride on the Toyota Highlander has been consistently rated smooth and comfortable, while the driver and front passenger have plenty of dashboard technology for their trip. You'll also find that the Toyota Highlander offers a lot more bang for your buck than many others in its class.

Toyota Highlander Safety

Since the end of 2017, Toyota Safety Sense has been standard on all Toyota Highlander base models. This package includes:

Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection to help reduce the likelihood of colliding with a car or a pedestrian
Lane Departure Alert, which warns you when the car is starting to sway into another lane
Automatic High Beams to help you drive better at night without disrupting other drivers
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which automatically adjusts the speed based on the car in front of you
Road Sign Assist, which detects road signs using a front-facing camera
Lane Tracing Assist to help keep you centred in your lane

Brake assist—a mechanism that helps you break faster in emergencies—and traction control are available across all Toyota Highlander models, including airbags for the driver and both front and rear passengers.

Toyota Highlander Technology

The Toyota Highlander comes standard with quite a few bells and whistles. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet available on any of the trims. The changes to the dashboard infotainment system have been very slight since the 2017 refresh, and some drivers claim that the dashboard layout on the 2018 model is pretty straightforward to use but may be difficult to reach while driving. Nevertheless, the dashboard itself offers plenty, such as:

AM, FM and satellite radio
Touchscreen display
USB and auxiliary jack
MP3/CD Player
Wireless cell phone connectivity for hands-free calling, texting and emailing

Toyota Highlander Space

If you're looking for more passenger spots, the 2014 Toyota Highlander redesign made a third row of seating available on base models— however, it does eat into your cargo space, and consequently, the third-row passengers don't have as much legroom as the second and first-row passengers. Besides the back row, the driver and other passengers appreciate plenty of leg, shoulder and headroom.

Pros and cons of the Toyota Highlander

Standard high-tech safety features
All-wheel drive
Hybrid models available

Tight third-row seating
Dash design hasn’t evolved in recent years
Wide dash can make some controls difficult to reach

This is general information and should not be relied on as purchasing advice.

Specifications of the Toyota Highlander

Key specifications available across all trim levels

Seats7 - 8
Doors5
Fuel typeGas
TransmissionAutomatic
City consumption11.8 - 11.9 L/100km
Highway consumption8.3 - 8.6 L/100km
Width1930 - 1931 mm
Length4950 - 5015 mm
Trunk space453 - 454 L
Cargo space2387 L

Exact values depend on trim and engine choice.

Trims available with the Toyota Highlander

What is a trim? Trims are different options of the same car with different features and equipment. The specs depend on the trim you choose.This variant of the Toyota Highlander 2021 - present is available in 5 trims:

L trim features and specs

Available with the L trim:

Front-wheel drive
Overtaking sensors

Available across all trims:

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Brake assist system
Collision warning system
Collision warning system with automatic braking
Disc brakes
Dusk sensor
Electronic traction control
Front-driver airbag
Front-passenger airbag
Knee airbag
Lane departure warning
Side airbag
Side curtain airbag
Stability control
Tire pressure indicator

LE trim features and specs

Available with the LE trim:

Four-wheel drive
Overtaking sensors (optional)

Available across all trims:

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Brake assist system
Collision warning system
Collision warning system with automatic braking
Disc brakes
Dusk sensor
Electronic traction control
Front-driver airbag
Front-passenger airbag
Knee airbag
Lane departure warning
Side airbag
Side curtain airbag
Stability control
Tire pressure indicator

XLE trim features and specs

Available with the XLE trim:

Dimming interior mirror
Four-wheel drive
Overtaking sensors

Available across all trims:

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Brake assist system
Collision warning system
Collision warning system with automatic braking
Disc brakes
Dusk sensor
Electronic traction control
Front-driver airbag
Front-passenger airbag
Knee airbag
Lane departure warning
Side airbag
Side curtain airbag
Stability control
Tire pressure indicator

XSE trim features and specs

Available with the XSE trim:

Dimming interior mirror
Four-wheel drive
Overtaking sensors

Available across all trims:

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Brake assist system
Collision warning system
Collision warning system with automatic braking
Disc brakes
Dusk sensor
Electronic traction control
Front-driver airbag
Front-passenger airbag
Knee airbag
Lane departure warning
Side airbag
Side curtain airbag
Stability control
Tire pressure indicator

Limited trim features and specs

Available with the Limited trim:

3 climate zones
Air conditioning (automatic)
Driver seat has lumbar support
Heated rear seats (optional)
Heated steering wheel
Leather steering wheel
Ventilated front seats

Available across all trims:

Center arm rest between front seats
Electric windows
Electrically adjustable front seats
Emergency wheel
Heated front seats
ISOFIX installation points
Multifunction steering wheel
Power steering

Available with the Limited trim:

Dimming interior mirror
Four-wheel drive
Overtaking sensors
Rain sensor (optional)

Available across all trims:

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Brake assist system
Collision warning system
Collision warning system with automatic braking
Disc brakes
Dusk sensor
Electronic traction control
Front-driver airbag
Front-passenger airbag
Knee airbag
Lane departure warning
Side airbag
Side curtain airbag
Stability control
Tire pressure indicator

Available with the Limited trim:

360 degree camera (optional)
CD player (optional)
Electric tailgate
Front sensors (optional)
Front view camera (optional)
Navigation system
Side sensors
Start stop system
Traffic sign recognition
Wireless charging pad/mat

Available across all trims:

Adaptive cruise control
Android Auto
Apple CarPlay
Bluetooth
Computer
Cruise control
Digital radio
Hill start assist
Keyless entry
MP3-CD player
Power door locks
Radio
Rear sensors
Rear view camera
Touchscreen
USB port for front passengers

Frequently asked questions about the Toyota Highlander

Dimensions of the Toyota Highlander

Vehicle dimensions
Year	Height from	Width from	Length from
Exact values depend on trim choices.
2024	1730 mm	1931 mm	4951 mm
2023	1730 mm	1931 mm	4951 mm
2022	1730 mm	1931 mm	4951 mm
2021	1730 mm	1930 mm	4950 mm

Towing capacity of the Toyota Highlander

Unbraked is when the trailer being towed does not have its own braking system. Braked is when the trailer being towed has its own braking system.

Braked and unbraked towing capacities
Year	Unbraked	Braked
Exact values depend on trim choices.
2024	454 kg	2268 kg
2023	454 kg	2268 kg
2022	454 kg	2268 kg
2021	454 kg	2268 kg

Toyota Highlander:Review the specs, features and pros & cons

Overview of the Toyota Highlander

Toyota Highlander Summary

Pros and cons of the Toyota Highlander

Specifications of the Toyota Highlander

Trims available with the Toyota Highlander

L trim features and specs

Interior features

Exterior features

Safety features

Tech and convenience features

Engines

Frequently asked questions about the Toyota Highlander

Does Highlander have 4WD?

How long does Highlander hybrid battery last?

Is a Toyota Highlander an SUV?

Is the Toyota Highlander built on a truck frame?

How much will a Toyota Highlander tow?

Dimensions of the Toyota Highlander

Towing capacity of the Toyota Highlander