Next year, an all-new Toyota Highlander will hit the American market with a fully electric powertrain. For 2026, though, Toyota’s three-row crossover SUV returns in its familiar form with a gasoline-fueled engine (a hybrid powertrain is also available in 2026). Smaller than the Grand Highlander, the regular Highlander offers a third row of seats sized for occasional use for households that don’t always need to seat a full complement of seven or eight passengers.
2026 Toyota Highlander Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2026 Toyota Highlander
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2026 Toyota Highlander
Now in the sixth year of its current fourth-generation form, the Toyota Highlander sees only a few small tweaks to its lineup for the 2026 model year. The base LE trim has been dropped (which oddly means the larger Grand Highlander that’s still offered in LE form has a lower starting price than the smaller Highlander), leaving the XLE, sportier XSE, Limited, and Platinum models. All-wheel drive (AWD) is now standard on all Highlander models, as well. This is the final year for the Highlander as we currently know it. In 2027, the nameplate will be redesigned as a fully electric vehicle.
Design
The 2026 Toyota Highlander’s aggressive split-grille design and deeply contoured bodysides are its most distinguishing design features. Highlander XSE models have a sportier exterior look with a more aggressive front fascia, 20-inch wheels, dual exhaust outlets, and black accents. Limited and Platinum Highlander models have more exterior brightwork for a classy, upscale appearance.
Powertrain
A 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine comes standard in the 2026 Toyota Highlander, sending 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The EPA estimates the Highlander’s fuel mileage at 21 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. There’s a Highlander Hybrid model as well that delivers 35 mpg combined.
While all 2026 Highlanders feature standard AWD, XSE, Limited, and Platinum models get a more advanced system with torque vectoring that can vary power to each individual wheel for improved handling performance.
The 2026 Toyota Highlander can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Interior
The Toyota Highlander’s modern-looking interior has excellent fit and finish. All Highlander models feature seating for seven passengers, and XLE and Limited models can be optioned with a second-row bench for eight-passenger seating. A leatherette called SofTex is standard in the XSE and XLE, while Limited and Platinum models get leather. Limited models feature heated and ventilated front seats, while the Platinum extends heat to second-row passengers.
Technology
An 8.0-inch infotainment screen and a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster come standard on Highlander XLE models, while Limited and Platinum trims get a much nicer 12.3-inch touchscreen (the larger unit can be optioned on all Highlanders) and a matching 12.3-inch cluster in front of the driver. The XSE trim level pairs the smaller touchscreen with the larger digital gauge cluster. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported regardless of screen size.
A six-speaker audio system is standard in Highlander XLE and XSE trim levels, while Limited and Platinum models benefit from an 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio system.
