2026 Toyota Highlander: Features, Specs, and Trim Guide
2026 Toyota Highlander: Features, Specs, and Trim Guide
The 2026 Toyota Highlander brings the most significant lineup change in years to North Hollywood Toyota: all-wheel drive is now standard across every gas grade, the entry-level LE is retired, and the well-equipped XLE becomes the new starting point. With a refined four-grade structure, a 265-horsepower turbocharged engine, three-row seating for up to eight, and Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ included on every trim, the 2026 Highlander remains one of the most capable, low-fuss family SUVs you can drive home to Toluca Lake, Studio City, Burbank, or anywhere across the San Fernando Valley.
2026 Highlander Performance and Capability
Every 2026 Highlander gas grade is powered by the same 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The big news for 2026: Toyota’s Dynamic Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive is now standard on every gas trim, sending up to 50 percent of available power to the rear axle and distributing torque between the rear wheels as conditions demand.
Properly equipped, the 2026 Highlander tows up to 5,000 pounds — enough for a small camper, watercraft, or utility trailer. EPA-Estimated fuel economy lands at 21 MPG city / 28 MPG highway / 24 MPG combined across all four gas grades, identical regardless of trim.
For drivers who want to tailor the experience, three drive modes (Sport, Eco, Normal) adjust throttle response and shift behavior. AWD gas models also include Multi-Terrain Select with four settings — Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt, Snow, and Normal — for added traction when conditions aren’t pavement.
Powertrain at a Glance
| Specification | 2026 Highlander (Gas) |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4L Turbocharged Inline-4 |
| Horsepower | 265 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Standard Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD |
| EPA-Estimated MPG | 21 City / 28 Highway / 24 Combined |
| Towing Capacity (properly equipped) | Up to 5,000 lbs |
2026 Toyota Highlander Trim Lineup
The 2026 Highlander is offered in four gas grades, each adding meaningful upgrades over the one below.
| Trim | Starting MSRP | Key Standard Features |
|---|---|---|
| XLE | $45,570 | 18" alloys, SofTex® seats, heated front, 8" touchscreen, hands-free liftgate |
| XSE | $47,640 | 20" black alloys, sport-tuned suspension, mesh grille, twin-tip exhaust |
| Limited | $50,025 | 20" alloys, leather, heated + ventilated front, 12.3" touchscreen, 11-speaker JBL® |
| Platinum | $53,225 | Panoramic glass roof, Panoramic View Monitor, 10" Head-Up Display |
MSRP shown excludes destination, processing and handling fees, taxes, license, and dealer charges. See dealer for complete details.
XLE
The new entry point, replacing the discontinued LE. Standard equipment includes 18-inch machined-finish alloy wheels, a power tilt moonroof, SofTex®-trimmed heated front seats with a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, three-zone automatic climate control, an 8.0-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, Qi-compatible wireless charging, and a hands-free power liftgate.
XSE
Trades efficiency for personality. The XSE rolls on 20-inch black alloy wheels wrapped in 235/55R20 all-season tires, with a sport-tuned independent front suspension, high-rate springs, a rear stabilizer bar, an aggressive mesh grille, and twin-tip exhaust. Inside, ambient interior lighting and sport-styled trim set it apart, and an optional 12.3-inch touchscreen with an 11-speaker JBL® Premium Audio system is available.
Limited
Moves into premium territory: leather-trimmed front and second-row seats with heated and ventilated front seats, a 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen standard, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, an 11-speaker JBL® Premium Audio system standard, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a 120V/1500W power outlet in the rear cargo area.
Platinum
The flagship. Adds a panoramic glass roof with sunshade and front power tilt/slide moonroof, a Panoramic View Monitor for 360-degree visibility, a 10-inch color Head-Up Display, and exclusive interior color options including glazed caramel leather.
Exterior Design and Dimensions
The 2026 Highlander measures 194.9 inches long, 76.0 inches wide, and 68.1 inches tall on a 112.2-inch wheelbase, with 8.0 inches of ground clearance. The XSE stretches to 197.4 inches in length thanks to its sport-styled bodywork. All trims share standard LED projector headlights and the family front-end design.
Visual personality varies meaningfully by trim. XSE leans aggressive with black-out exterior accents, twin-tip exhaust, and those 20-inch black alloys. Limited and Platinum lean upscale — chrome and bright-finish accents, available illuminated door sills with the Highlander logo, and Platinum’s signature panoramic roof.
Interior Comfort and Cargo Space
Three rows accommodate seven or eight passengers, depending on configuration. XLE and Limited offer a choice between a second-row bench (8-seat) or captain’s chairs (7-seat). XSE and Platinum come exclusively with second-row captain’s chairs (7-seat).
Cargo flexibility is a Highlander strength:
| Configuration | Cargo Volume |
|---|---|
| Behind 3rd row | 16.0 cu ft |
| Behind 2nd row (3rd row folded) | 48.4 cu ft |
| Max (both rear rows folded) | 84.3 cu ft |
Standard convenience features across all trims include three-zone automatic climate control, a hands-free power liftgate with jam protection, Qi-compatible wireless charging with a charge indicator light, five USB ports, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink®, and second-row sunshades. Material grade scales with trim: SofTex® on XLE and XSE, leather-trimmed seating on Limited and Platinum.
Technology and Infotainment
Toyota Audio Multimedia is standard on every Highlander, with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ included across the board. Display sizing scales with trim:
| Trim | Touchscreen | Audio System |
|---|---|---|
| XLE | 8.0" standard, 12.3" available | 6-speaker standard |
| XSE | 8.0" standard, 12.3" available | 6-speaker standard, 11-speaker JBL® available |
| Limited | 12.3" standard | 11-speaker JBL® Premium standard |
| Platinum | 12.3" standard | 11-speaker JBL® Premium standard |
Limited and Platinum also receive a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, while XLE and XSE feature a 7-inch color LCD Multi-Information Display. A SiriusXM® trial subscription and Connected Services trials (Drive Connect, Remote Connect) are included with purchase, providing access to cloud navigation, intelligent assistant features, and remote vehicle functions through the Toyota app.
2026 Toyota Highlander Safety
Every 2026 Highlander comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+, which bundles Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beams, and Road Sign Assist. Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is also standard on every trim — no upgrade or package required.
Platinum adds two safety-enhancing features unique to the top trim: a Panoramic View Monitor that provides a 360-degree view around the vehicle for parking and low-speed maneuvering, and a 10-inch color Head-Up Display that projects speed, navigation, and driver-assist information onto the windshield.
2026 Toyota Highlander Pricing at North Hollywood Toyota
Pricing for the 2026 Highlander gas lineup starts at $45,570 for the XLE and tops out at $53,225 for the Platinum, with the XSE ($47,640) and Limited ($50,025) filling the middle of the lineup. Every grade includes standard all-wheel drive — a meaningful change from prior model years when AWD was a several-thousand-dollar option on most trims.
MSRP shown excludes destination, processing and handling fees, taxes, license, and dealer charges. See dealer for complete pricing.
Test Drive the 2026 Toyota Highlander in North Hollywood
The 2026 Highlander is on the ground at North Hollywood Toyota, serving drivers across Toluca Lake, Valley Village, Burbank, Studio City, Sun Valley, and Valley Glen. Whether you’re cross-shopping the Highlander against the Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, or Hyundai Palisade, the best way to evaluate fit is from behind the wheel.
EPA-Estimated MPG figures are for comparison purposes only. Actual mileage will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits, and vehicle’s condition. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes destination, processing and handling fees, taxes, title, license, dealer charges, optional equipment, and accessories. See dealer for complete pricing details.