Overview

What's New for 2024

The 2024 Toyota Highlander is available in five standard gasoline-powered trim levels: LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. Six hybrid trims are available: Hybrid LE, Hybrid LE Nightshade, Hybrid XLE, Hybrid XLE Nightshade, Hybrid Limited, and Hybrid Platinum. All-wheel drive is optional on all gas and hybrid models. The Hybrid XLE is the popular trim, but we recommend the Hybrid LE for most buyers. We'll explain why below.

LE

The LE starts at $40,515 (including a $1,395 destination fee). It includes heated power-adjustable side mirrors, fully automatic LED headlights and brake lights, cloth upholstery, a power-adjustable driver's seat, 60/40-split folding second- and third-row seats, a height-adjustable power liftgate, automatic tri-zone climate control with a separate control panel for rear passengers, adaptive cruise control, proximity keyless entry, two 12V power outlets, and a hidden cargo area. Entertainment features include six audio speakers, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Amazon Alexa compatibility, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Our pick for the best value is the hybrid version of the Highlander LE ($42,115). It delivers exceptional fuel economy and comes with a good assortment of standard features.

Hybrid LE Nightshade

The Hybrid LE Nightshade ($43,115) adds bolder styling with black 18-inch five-spoke wheels, black grille trim, mirror caps, door handles, rear badging, rear spoiler, and shark fin antenna. The Nightshade is also available in more exterior colors, including Cement, Wind Chill Pearl, Midnight Black Metallic, and Ruby Flare Pearl. Inside, the LE Nightshade features black fabric-trimmed seats.

XLE

The XLE ($43,665) adds a standard hands-free power liftgate, sunroof, wireless charging, roof rails, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power-adjustable passenger seat, and second-row captain's chairs. Navigation is available, and a bench seat in the second row can be specified at no additional cost. The hybrid version costs $45,265.

XSE

The XSE trim is priced at $45,260. It is equipped similarly to the XLE but has distinctive exterior styling, 20-inch wheels, and specific chassis tuning for a dash of sportiness. It has a special front fascia with a larger air intake and a red-and-black interior scheme. It uses the same engine and transmission as the other gas-powered trims but has tighter steering, a sport-tuned suspension, and a rear anti-roll bar to sharpen handling. Other upgrades include aggressively styled headlights and wheels. A 12.3-inch center touchscreen is optional.

Hybrid XLE Nightshade

The Hybrid XLE Nightshade ($46,265) adds black 18-inch five-spoke wheels, black grille trim, mirror caps, door handles, rear badging, rear spoiler, and shark fin antenna. The Nightshade is also available in more exterior colors, including Cement, Wind Chill Pearl, Midnight Black Metallic, and Ruby Flare Pearl. Inside, the XLE Nightshade features black two-toned imitation-leather-trimmed seats with special embossed fabric inserts and silver accent stitching, heated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and second-row captain's seats. Standard features include a power tilt moonroof, hands-free power liftgate, wireless phone charger, and second-row sunshades. A 12.3-inch touchscreen is available.

Limited

The Limited, at $47,770, has a special exterior trim and 20-inch wheels. It also includes power-folding exterior mirrors, a hands-free liftgate, front and rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation, an in-car intercom, a premium 11-speaker JBL audio system, and an upgraded interior with second-row captain's seats. The Limited also gets a 12.3-inch multi-information display as standard equipment and a second 12.3-inch digital instrument screen with four visual modes: Casual, Smart, Tough, and Sporty. The hybrid version costs $49,370.

Platinum

The top-of-the-line Platinum ($50,970) adds adaptive headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a panoramic sunroof, a rear camera mirror, heated second-row captain's seats, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera. The hybrid version costs $52,570.

Overall, the 2024 Toyota Highlander delivers when it comes to tech. Most versions come with an 8-inch touchscreen, while the top Limited and Platinum models get a 12.3-inch unit that's optional on the XSE and XLE. With either system, you get Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The upper trims also have navigation and the larger screen can display up to four functions at once. The navigation offers physical short-cut buttons for Home, Menu, Audio, and Map. The Highlander includes five USB charging ports: three up front and two in the second row. XLE and higher trims also have a wireless charging pad in the center console. The Highlander's premium JBL audio system features 11 speakers and 1,200 watts, and it provides deep, rich clarity. It's optional on the XSE and included on the Limited and Platinum.

Lower trims of the rival Honda Pilot have a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while upper trims get a 9-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Toyota Highlander has been awarded the highest possible safety ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not officially rated the 2024 model, but the very similar 2023 Highlander received a top overall rating of five stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2023 Highlander its highest Top Safety Pick+ designation.

All Highlanders come equipped with Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5+ system that includes pre-collision pedestrian detection, full-speed range-dynamic radar cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, road sign assist, and automatic high beams.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on all trims except the base L. Front and rear parking assist and automatic braking are available on the Limited and Platinum. A bird's-eye-view camera with perimeter scan is available on the Limited and standard on the Platinum.

Comfortable, economical, and reliable, the family-friendly 2024 Toyota Highlander is easy to recommend. The Toyota is large enough inside for most families, but rivals such as the Chevrolet Traverse and Volkswagen Atlas have more cargo space and better third-row accommodations. The Highlander's top-drawer Platinum trim has plenty of niceties, but top-end variants of the Mazda CX-90 and Hyundai Palisade offer even more upscale cabins. The Highlander's fuel economy just shades the Honda Pilot's and easily beats that of the V6 Atlas or Traverse, while the Highlander Hybrid's gas mileage is near the top of the class.

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