2009 Toyota Highlander Trims and Specs

For 2009, Toyota’s popular front-wheel-drive (FWD) Highlander Base trim offers a standard 2.7-liter inline four-cylinder (I4) engine managed by a standard six-speed automatic transmission with the hill-holder feature. This combo is good for 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque at 20/27 mpg. The ’09 Highlander Base can also be delivered with an optional 3.5-liter V6 and five-speed auto-manual transmission (also with the hill-holder feature) that will pour out 270 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque to the tune of 18/24 mpg. When properly equipped, the ’09 Highlander Base trim with the 3.5-liter V6 can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Standard appearance, comfort, and convenience features for the five-door, five-passenger ’09 Highlander Base trim with the 2.7-liter I4 include 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth front bucket seats, split-folding rear seats that, when folded flat, offer some 95 cubic feet of cargo space, power windows, doors, and mirrors, cruise control with steering-wheel-mounted controls, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, air conditioning, and a single-CD player with six speakers. Options include third-row seating (standard on the Base Highlander with the 3.5-liter V6), rear air conditioning, a 6-CD changer, a tow package, and a roof rack with the Base 2.7-liter I4, with a voice-activated DVD navigation system and power moonroof available on the 3.5-liter V6 Highlander Base. Safety-wise, the ’09 Highlander Base, indeed the entire Highlander lineup, includes four-wheel disc ABS, front side-mounted airbags, and rear (and third row, if equipped) head airbags. Optional safety features for the ’09 Highlander Base 2.7-liter I4 include daytime running lights and a remote anti-theft alarm with engine immobilizing technology (standard with the Base 3.5-liter V6).

Go ahead and take the family skiing while the snow still flies in the 2009 Toyota Highlander Base 4WD. Its 3.5-liter V6 engine and five-speed auto-manual transmission, with not only hill-holder, but descent control, are standard equipment for the ’09 Highlander Base 4WD. This powerplant delivers 270 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque, tows 5,000 pounds, and gets an EPA-estimated 17/23 mpg in the four-wheel-drive configuration.

The five-door, seven-passenger ’09 Highlander Base 4WD is not a true four-wheeler in that it has a full-time all-wheel-drive system with a mechanical center limited-slip differential. Though perfectly adequate mucking through mud and snow, the ’09 Highlander Base 4WD trim is not intended as a serious off-road vehicle. Appearance, convenience, and comfort features, as well as safety standards and options, mirror those of the ’09 Highlander Base with the 3.5-liter V6, including the standard third-row, fold-down seat and optional power moonroof.

Add a few extra standard features to the Base trim to get the five-door, seven-passenger, front-wheel-drive (FWD) 2009 Toyota Highlander Sport. A roof rack, 19-inch alloy wheels, and chrome grille are among the standard appearance features for the ’09 Highlander Sport, with third-row seating, reclining second-row seats, steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and a rear-view backup camera among its standard creature comforts. Additional options for the ’09 Highlander Sport include the Homelink automatic garage door opener, dual-zone air conditioning, and a 440-watt JBL premium audio system.

The ’09 Highlander Sport is equipped with the standard 270-hp, 248-lb-ft/torque 3.5-liter V6 and five-speed auto-manual transmission and can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, while getting an EPA-estimated 18/24 mpg.

Full-time four-wheel drive (4WD) on the 2009 Toyota Highlander Sport 4WD contributes to sure traction through mud and snow. Featuring the identical standard features and options as the Highlander Sport with front-wheel drive (FWD), the ’09 Highlander Sport 4WD also includes a mechanical center limited-slip differential, ensuring constant 4WD capability.

As with the Highlander Sport FWD, the ’09 Highlander Sport 4WD is delivered with the 3.5-liter V6 engine, along with the standard five-speed auto-manual transmission, and puts out 270 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque at 17/23 mpg in 4WD mode.

This year’s top-end Highlander trim is the 2009 Toyota Highlander Limited. This front-wheel-drive, seven-passenger SUV offers 19-inch five-spoke chrome-clad aluminum wheels, leather upholstery, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support, heated outside mirrors, a universal remote transmitter (Homelink), dual-zone climate control, and a 6-CD changer. Options for the ’09 Highlander Limited, above and beyond those offered for the Sport trim, include a power liftgate and rear-seat DVD entertainment, featuring a 9-inch screen.

Of course, the ’09 Highlander Limited is equipped with the standard 270-hp, 248-lb-ft/torque 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine and five-speed auto-manual transmission. Because it’s a FWD configuration, mileage for the ’09 Highlander is estimated at 18/24 mpg.

The 2009 Toyota Highlander Limited 4WD offers the traction of full-time four-wheel drive, as well as standard seven-passenger seating, along with all the standard amenities and options of the front-wheel-drive Limited trim. Though capable in mud and snow, bear in mind that the ’09 Highlander Limited 4WD is not equipped to go too far off the beaten path.

The ’09 Highlander Limited 4WD, in keeping with its status as the top-of-the-line trim, packs the 3.5-liter V6 powerplant, along with its accompanying five-speed auto-manual transmission with hill holder and descent control. This matchup puts out 270 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque, enough to tow 5,00 pounds when properly equipped, at an EPA-estimated 17/23 mpg.