TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

The 2026 Toyota Highlander is a midsize three‑row SUV built for the North American market with seating for 7 or 8 passengers, standard AWD across the range, and a lineup that now consists of four 2.4L Turbo gas AWD grades (XLE, XSE, Limited, Platinum) plus three 2.5L Hybrid AWD grades (XLE Hybrid, Limited Hybrid, Platinum Hybrid). It combines a 265 hp 2.4L turbo gas powertrain for stronger towing and acceleration with an efficient 2.5L full‑hybrid system offering up to around 35–36 mpg combined, while maintaining similar comfort, safety tech, and versatility in both powertrains.

Trim & Transmission Lineup (All 7 Variants)

All 2026 Highlander models in the U.S. use standard AWD; gas models use an 8‑speed automatic, while hybrids use an electronically controlled e‑CVT with electric motors.

Notes: Hybrid output and torque values are based on Toyota’s Highlander Hybrid family information for 2026; Toyota quotes total net system horsepower, not separate engine+motor figures for output.

Dimensions & Capacities (All Trims)

Core dimensions are common across the 2026 Highlander gas and hybrid lineups; hybrid powertrain components have minimal effect on exterior size and interior packaging.

Dimensions are derived from Toyota’s published Highlander/Highlander Hybrid family specs for the current generation and 2026 overview material.

Available Exterior Colors (U.S. 2026 Highlander)

Exact color/grade mapping can vary slightly by region and build; below is a representative 2026 U.S. palette for Highlander and Highlander Hybrid based on current‑generation offerings and Toyota’s 2026 overview.

Color availability for hybrids generally mirrors the gas Limited/Platinum palettes, with some entry colors limited to XLE grades. Always grade‑specific in practice.

Key Features by Trim

All 2026 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid models include Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, standard AWD, and three‑row seating. Features below focus on major differences grade‑by‑grade.

XLE 2.4L Turbo AWD & XLE 2.5L Hybrid AWD

Safety & ADAS

• Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+)
• Pre‑Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Full‑Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Automatic High Beams
• Road Sign Assist
• Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross‑Traffic Alert
• Rearview camera
• Rear seat reminder
• 8 airbags (driver, passenger, side, curtain, etc.)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Infotainment & Connectivity

• 8‑inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• 7‑inch digital instrument display
• 6‑speaker audio system
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• Multiple USB‑A/USB‑C ports (front & rear)
• Wi‑Fi Connect trial, Remote Connect & Service Connect capability (subscription‑based telematics)

Comfort & Interior

• SofTex (synthetic leather) trimmed seats
• Heated front seats
• 10‑way power driver’s seat, 8‑way power passenger seat
• Tri‑zone automatic climate control
• Second‑row captain’s chairs (7‑pass) with available 2nd‑row bench (8‑pass)
• Smart Key System with push‑button start
• Power sunroof
• Power liftgate (height‑adjustable, hands‑free)

Exterior

• 18‑inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights and LED taillights
• Roof rails
• Body‑colored mirrors with integrated turn signals
• Standard AWD (Dynamic Torque Control for gas; Electronic On‑Demand for hybrid)

Performance / Mechanical (XLE Gas vs XLE Hybrid)

• Gas: 2.4L turbo, 265 hp / 310 lb‑ft, 8‑speed automatic, AWD with Dynamic Torque Control
• Hybrid: 2.5L engine + e‑motors, ~243 net hp, e‑CVT, Electronic On‑Demand AWD
• Drive modes (Normal, Eco, Sport; plus EV mode on hybrid)
• Four‑wheel disc brakes with ABS, Brake Assist, and stability/traction control

XSE 2.4L Turbo AWD (Gas‑Only Sport Grade)

Safety & ADAS

• All XLE safety/ADAS equipment
• Front & rear parking sensors with automatic braking (availability varies by package)
• Optional surround‑view camera on higher‑content packages

Infotainment & Connectivity

• 8‑inch or available 12.3‑inch multimedia display (market‑dependent upgrade)
• Upgraded gauge display with sport‑specific graphics
• Available premium audio with more speakers

Comfort & Interior

• SofTex‑trimmed seats with sport bolstering and contrast stitching
• Second‑row captain’s chairs (7‑pass only)
• Aluminum‑look sport pedals and interior trim accents
• Same core comfort: heated front seats, power adjustment, tri‑zone climate

Exterior

• Sport‑tuned suspension for sharper handling
• 20‑inch alloy wheels with unique design
• Aggressive front fascia, grille, and lower body kit (sport appearance)
• Black exterior accents; XSE‑exclusive colors such as Cement
• Dual exhaust outlets with chrome tips

Performance / Mechanical

• 2.4L turbo gas, 265 hp / 310 lb‑ft
• 8‑speed automatic, Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD for enhanced cornering
• Sport‑tuned suspension calibration

Limited 2.4L Turbo AWD & Limited 2.5L Hybrid AWD

Safety & ADAS

• All XLE features plus
• Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking (PA w/AB) (equivalent feature on Highlander family)
• Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross‑Traffic Braking (market‑dependent naming)
• Available Panoramic View Monitor (360° camera)
• Available Head‑Up Display (HUD) packages on some configurations

Infotainment & Connectivity

• 12.3‑inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen (commonly standard at Limited level on current Highlander family)
• 12.3‑inch fully digital instrument cluster (on most Limited builds)
• Premium JBL audio system with more speakers
• Cloud‑based navigation with Intelligent Assistant (voice) support (subscription‑based services)

Comfort & Interior

• Leather‑trimmed seating surfaces (genuine leather)
• Ventilated (cooled) front seats
• Driver’s seat memory with power tilt/telescopic steering column
• Heated steering wheel (commonly standard or packaged on Limited)
• Ambient interior lighting
• Second‑row captain’s chairs standard (bench optional on some configurations)
• Power‑folding 3rd row (on some markets/packaging)

Exterior

• 20‑inch alloy wheels (different design vs XSE)
• Power folding outside mirrors with puddle lamps
• Hands‑free power liftgate with kick sensor
• Additional chrome or satin‑chrome exterior trim

Performance / Mechanical

• Same 2.4L turbo or 2.5L hybrid powertrains as XLE grades
• Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD for gas; Electronic On‑Demand AWD for hybrid
• Multiple drive modes, including Multi‑Terrain Select on AWD gas models (Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt)

Platinum 2.4L Turbo AWD & Platinum 2.5L Hybrid AWD

Safety & ADAS

• All Limited features plus
• Panoramic View Monitor with 360° camera (near‑universal on Platinum)
• Advanced parking assist functions (available auto‑park type features)
• Available Traffic Jam Assist where regional regulations and subscriptions allow (parallel with Grand Highlander feature set)
• Digital Rearview Mirror with HomeLink (auto‑dimming mirror with integrated garage‑door controls)

Infotainment & Connectivity

• 12.3‑inch multimedia system and 12.3‑inch digital cluster standard
• JBL premium audio standard
• Color Head‑Up Display (HUD) on the windshield (aligned with Toyota’s top‑grade tech stack)

Comfort & Interior

• High‑grade leather upholstery with unique quilting/patterns
• Heated and ventilated front seats; heated second‑row outboard seats
• Panoramic glass roof (power tilt/slide front section)
• Premium interior trim (wood‑look or metallic accents)
• Ambient multi‑color interior lighting

Exterior

• 20‑inch premium alloy wheels with Platinum‑specific design
• Chrome/satin exterior accents, unique grille and bumper detailing
• Power panoramic roof with sunshade
• Integrated roof rails
• High‑grade LED lighting signatures, LED fog lamps

Performance / Mechanical

• Same 2.4L turbo or 2.5L hybrid systems as Limited
• Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD (gas) and Electronic On‑Demand AWD (hybrid)
• Full drive‑mode and Multi‑Terrain Select support on applicable gas AWD models

Hybrid Powertrain (XLE / Limited / Platinum 2.5L Hybrid AWD)

The 2026 Highlander Hybrid uses Toyota’s fourth‑generation full‑hybrid system, not a plug‑in.

System Layout

• Engine: 2.5L Atkinson‑cycle 4‑cylinder gasoline engine
• Electric motors: Dual motor‑generators (one primarily for drive, one for generation/start) plus a dedicated rear e‑motor for AWD (Electronic On‑Demand AWD)
• Transmission: Electronic continuously variable transmission (e‑CVT)

Combined System Output

• Approx. 243 net hp total system output, as per Toyota’s Highlander Hybrid family specs for 2026.
• Torque is not quoted as a combined system number; the 2.5L engine produces ~175 lb‑ft, supplemented by electric motor torque at low to mid speeds.

Battery & Electrification

• Battery type: Nickel‑Metal Hydride (Ni‑MH) or Lithium‑ion pack (Toyota uses compact under‑floor packs in this family; exact chemistry may vary by market and trim).
• Battery capacity: Toyota does not publish kWh for Highlander Hybrid; pack is sized for hybrid assist, not plug‑in EV range.
• Placement: Under/around the rear seats to preserve cargo and 3rd‑row space.

Fuel Economy (EPA‑Estimated, Hybrid)

• Toyota indicates the Highlander Hybrid family achieves up to ~35–36 mpg combined depending on configuration, with strong city efficiency due to electric assist.
• Typical EPA patterns for AWD Highlander Hybrid
• City: ~35–36 mpg
• Highway: ~34–35 mpg
• Combined: up to ~35–36 mpg

(Exact EPA line‑items can vary slightly by wheel size and trim; XLE hybrids generally test slightly higher than Limited/Platinum due to weight and wheel differences.)

Regenerative Braking & Drive Modes

• Regenerative braking
• Uses the drive motor as a generator during deceleration to recharge the hybrid battery.
• “B” shift range and selectable brake‑regen feel via drive modes.
• Drive modes
• Normal, Eco, Sport for powertrain response
• EV Mode at low speeds/short distances with sufficient battery charge
• AWD behavior
• Rear axle driven electronically by a separate e‑motor, engaging proactively during acceleration and when front‑wheel slip is detected (no mechanical driveshaft).

Full‑Hybrid vs Plug‑in Hybrid

• The 2026 Highlander Hybrid is a full hybrid (HEV), not a plug‑in hybrid (PHEV)
• It cannot be plugged in; all energy is derived from gasoline and regenerative braking.
• Electric drive assists the engine and can power the vehicle at low loads, but EV‑only range is short and not intended as a stand‑alone commuting solution.
• Fueling is done only at gas pumps; no charging cable or charge port.

Towing, Payload & Utility

Towing Capacity

• Gas 2.4L Turbo AWD (all gas trims)
• Up to 5,000 lb (≈ 2,268 kg) max tow rating when properly equipped.
• 2.4L turbo and robust cooling help maintain the previous V6 Highlander’s strong towing figures.
• Hybrid 2.5L AWD (all hybrid trims)
• Typically lower than gas; Toyota’s Highlander Hybrid family generally supports up to around 3,500 lb (≈ 1,588 kg) when properly equipped, maintaining solid but more efficiency‑focused towing capability. (Inferred from current Highlander Hybrid norms; Toyota emphasizes hybrid efficiency over maximum towing.)

Payload

• Payload varies by trim and equipment, but for a three‑row midsize SUV in this class
• Approx. 1,300–1,600 lb (≈ 590–725 kg) typical payload range across gas and hybrid variants (driver, passengers, cargo, and tongue weight combined).
• Higher‑content Limited/Platinum and Hybrid models sit toward the lower end of that range due to added feature content and hybrid components.

Roof & Utility

• Standard roof rails on XLE and above for cross‑bars and cargo systems
• 60/40 split‑folding 2nd and 3rd rows for flexible cargo loading
• Available hands‑free power liftgate (XLE & up; standard on most higher trims)

3rd‑Row Seating

• All 2026 Highlander variants (gas and hybrid) include a 3rd‑row bench, enabling
• 7‑passenger layout: 2nd‑row captain’s chairs (common on XSE, Limited, Platinum)
• 8‑passenger layout: 2nd‑row bench seat (standard or available on XLE gas and XLE Hybrid; often optional on Limited/Platinum)
• 3rd row is best suited for children or shorter adults on longer trips, typical for the class.

Cargo Flexibility

• 3rd row up: ~16 cu ft of space, enough for groceries or a couple of suitcases.
• 3rd row folded: ~48 cu ft for larger luggage and bulkier items.
• 2nd and 3rd rows folded: over 84 cu ft for maximum cargo capacity (bikes, flat‑packed furniture, etc.).

This document covers all seven U.S. 2026 Toyota Highlander variants—four 2.4L Turbo gas AWD (XLE, XSE, Limited, Platinum) and three 2.5L Hybrid AWD (XLE Hybrid, Limited Hybrid, Platinum Hybrid)—with variant‑wise specifications, colors, features, and hybrid/towing details as requested.