Overview

What's New for 2019

There are six trim levels offered for the Toyota Highlander, four of which are also available in hybrid form.

The base LE trim includes automatic headlights, LED tail lights, cloth upholstery with 6-way driver’s seat and 4-way passenger, fold-flat second and third row seats, heated power mirrors with manual folding, 18-inch wheels, backup camera, front and rear manual air conditioning, Entune six-speaker audio system with 6.1-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, CD player, 4.2-inch color LCD driver information display, remote keyless entry, five USB ports, and two 12V outlets. Every Highlander comes equipped with Toyota’s venerable suite of Safety Sense features, which includes pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams.

Stepping up to the Toyota Highlander LE Plus adds fog lights, gunmetal-gray wheels, flip-up rear window, height-adjustable power liftgate, tri-zone climate control, an 8-inch high-resolution touchscreen for the infotainment system, cloth/leatherette seating with 10-way power driver’s seat, leather steering wheel and shift knob.

The XLE brings a more luxurious feel, with leather seats, 12-way power driver’s seat, second-row captain’s chairs with side table, power slide/tilt moonroof, navigation system, “turbine-style” wheels, chrome roof rails, Smart Key system for front doors and liftgate, push button start, auto-dimming rearview mirror, HomeLink transceiver, one 120V AC outlet, and retractable second-row sunshades. A backseat entertainment package is available on the XLE and with all higher trim levels.

The SE is quite similar to the XLE in its creature comforts, but has a noticeably sportier exterior. It features black-accented headlights and exterior, 19-inch black wheels, blue ambient interior lighting, and a specially-patterned door trim.

The Limited trim is sumptuous, adding perforated leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with driver memory, JBL twelve-speaker sound system, memory outside mirrors with puddle lighting, chrome-finish wheels and rear bumper, dynamic projection guidelines for its backup camera, auto up/down functionality on all windows, and cargo area tonneau cover. Finally, the Limited Platinum is as luxurious as its name, with panoramic moonroof with power sunshade, wood grain and satin interior trim, heated steering wheel, surround-view camera, and rain-sensing wipers. As it comes fully loaded already, the only options on the Limited Platinum are the rear seat entertainment system and second-row heated captain chairs.

The LE, XLE, Limited, and Limited Platinum can all also be purchased as hybrids, the trims of which are -- powertrain aside -- identical to their standard counterparts.

For the entry-level LE with four-cylinder engine (the only trim with the smaller engine), the price tag starts in the $32,000 range. Switching to a LE V6 or LE Plus V6 will move the MSRP into the mid $34,000 or $36,000 range respectively, while going with the XLE V6 takes the sticker price up to the $40,000 range. The Limited comes in at about $43,000, and the top-tier Limited Platinum notches the sum to $47,000. All-wheel-drive is optional for all trims, which tacks on between $1,000 and $2,000 to the price. Opting for the technologically-advanced and environmentally-friendly Hybrid trims adds about $2,000.

TrueCar consumers receive the TruePrice, the actual price you will pay at a dealership including all the fees, accessories, and incentives on Toyota Highlanders.

With the gas-only powertrain, Highlander buyers have a choice of two engines. The base powerplant is a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 185 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, and it’s paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. There’s also an optional 3.5-liter V6 offered, and it provides 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. This engine is matched with an eight-speed automatic.

The Highlander Hybrid teams the 3.5-liter V6 with electric motors and a battery pack. This powertrain generates 306 horsepower, and it’s governed by a continuously variable transmission.

Front wheel-drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is offered for those who need extra traction on wet or snowy roads. The Highlander can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

With the gas-only powertrain, the Toyota Highlander’s fuel economy peaks at an impressive 21/27 mpg city/highway. As one would expect, the gas-sipping Highlander Hybrid does even better, achieving mileage of up to 30/28 mpg.

The Highlander comes out of the box with a lot of standard equipment, and each trim level brings with it a respectable leap in additional goodies. While CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet offered, the standard Entune system does well enough, providing nice sound quality, Bluetooth, a CD player, and even the choice of a slick high-res screen.

The Highlander has a subdued interior scheme that leans heavily towards comfort. Just as it rides like a car, the Highlander has visibility and road position of an SUV yet still feels not unlike a Camry in its design decisions. The seats are supportive, and customers can opt for either a 60/40-split second-row bench or captain’s chairs. The third-row seating is by no means a class-exclusive feature, but here the concept is well-executed.