2026 Toyota Highlander
2026 Toyota
Highlander
Toyota has done a little tightening up of the Highlander’s lineup for the new model year, dropping the LE from the low end and making the nicely equipped XLE the new base trim. Gone with the LE are cloth upholstery and front-wheel drive, as the Highlander’s standard features list grows to also include the likes of heated first-row seats, a hands-free liftgate, and roof rails. This augmentation for 2026 should only increase the popularity of this midsized crossover. The gas-electric Highlander Hybrid, which we do not cover on this page, gives fans of the nameplate an alternative model with added efficiency and amenities.
How we describe this model: right-sized, towing-friendly, practical, full of amenities, popular with good reason
Shop this vehicle against: Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Ford Explorer, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-90
Highlights
- Three rows accommodate seven (standard) or eight (available)
- Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ driver-assist technology bundle
- up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space (with middle and third rows not in use)
- heated front seats and three automatic climate control zones standard
- towing capacity: up to 5,000 lb.
Powertrain
- turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (output: 265 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque)
- all-wheel drivetrain (AWD)
- 8-speed automatic transmission
- EPA-estimated fuel economy: 21 mpg around town/28 mpg highway
- drive mode selector (modes: Sport, Eco, Normal, and Snow)
XLE Interior
Second-row captain’s chairs (total occupancy: seven), SofTex simulated leather upholstery in first two rows, heated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control (with middle-row controls), power tilt/slide moonroof, ten-way power driver’s seat, eight-way power front passenger seat, Qi-compatible wireless device charge pad, auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, second-row sunshades, leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, 7-inch driver information display (analog gauges), push-button start, five USB ports
XLE Exterior
Proximity keyless entry, Smart Key (front doors and tailgate), height-adjustable hands-free tailgate with jam protection, LED exterior lighting (including fog lights), color-keyed heated power side mirrors with integrated turn/blind-spot indicators, windshield wiper de-icer, silver-painted rooftop rails, 18-inch machined-finish alloy wheels
XLE Safety
Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ driver-assist technology suite (adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, auto high beams, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, and road sign assist), rearview monitor with projected path guidance
XLE Infotainment
8-inch touchscreen, voice command, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, Toyota Connected Services (cloud-based navigation, emergency assistance, remote functions), six speakers
XLE Major Options
Middle-row bench seat (to accommodate eight passengers), 12.3-inch multimedia upgrade
XSE
Contents of XLE plus:
- torque-vectoring AWD
- Multi-Terrain Select (modes: 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 unique metallic gray front bumper and lower spoiler with chrome trim
- chrome rocker-panel trim
- front and rear mudguards
- dual chrome exhaust
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- ambient interior lighting
- 20-inch black alloy wheels
- can add multimedia/JBL audio upgrade
Limited
Contents of XSE plus:
- genuine leather upholstery (first and second row)
- heated/ventilated front seats
- simulated-wood interior trim
- heated steering wheel
- driver's memory system
- 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Bluetooth
- USB media port and four USB charge ports
- JBL sound system with 11 speakers plus 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
- panoramic view monitor optional
- can elect middle-row bench seat instead of captain’s chairs
Platinum
Contents of Limited plus:
- panoramic glass roof with sunshade and front power moonroof
- digital rearview mirror
- heated second-row captain’s chairs
- head-up display with speedometer and Road Sign Assist
- adaptive headlights
- illuminated metal front doorsills
- rain-sensing washer-linked windshield wipers
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- black front grille with chrome surround
- rear bumper scuff plate
- 360-degree monitor
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