At Claremont Toyota in Southern California, the 2026 Highlander is priced from $46,270 on an XLE up to $55,675 for a Hybrid Platinum. This year’s model introduces all-wheel drive as standard on every trim, be it gas or hybrid. There are seven trims in all and two powertrain options to choose from. The conventional side features a 2.4-liter turbo four making 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque with a 5,000-lb tow capacity. The 2.5-liter hybrid puts out 243 hp and gets 35 mpg combined. Regardless of how one is configured for seven or eight passengers, each comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+. The spec sheet below has the details: dimensions, capacities, EPA numbers by powertrain and per-trim costs, plus a comparison with the Highlander’s nearest competition. We invite you to come in and test drive both powertrains for yourself when the time is right.
2026 Toyota Highlander Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Powertrain options | 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder; 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid |
| Horsepower | 265 hp (2.4L turbo); 243 hp (2.5L hybrid) |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft (2.4L turbo); 175 lb-ft (2.5L hybrid) |
| EPA MPG | 21 city / 28 hwy / 24 combined (2.4L turbo); 35 city / 34-35 hwy / 35 combined (hybrid) |
| Seating | 7 or 8, depending on trim |
| Towing capacity | 5,000 lb (2.4L turbo); 3,500 lb (hybrid) |
| Drivetrain | AWD standard on every trim |
| Standard driver-assist safety suite | Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ |
| Starting MSRP | $46,270* |
*MSRP excludes the manufacturer's destination and handling charge, which varies by model. It also excludes the $85 dealer doc fee, taxes, title, license and other applicable fees. Contact dealer for total price.
What is the Toyota Highlander?
The Toyota Highlander is a mid-size, three-row crossover SUV built on a unibody platform. That construction is the dividing line between it and Toyota's body-on-frame utilities: you get car-like ride quality and easier parking-structure clearance, and you give up the heavy-duty tow ratings a truck frame delivers.
Positioned in the Toyota lineup over the RAV4's two rows and under the Grand Highlander, the latter being a bigger proposition with greater third-row space and output, the Highlander has its share of competition. The Honda Pilot and Kia Telluride are unibody three-rows in the same price bracket and will be on your radar if you cross-shop. The Hyundai Palisade runs in the same pack, starting at $39,435* with 287 hp.
The range is served by two powertrain options. For added torque and the better tow rating there is the 2.4-liter turbo four. The 2.5-liter hybrid is for fuel economy at the expense of what can be towed, 3,500 lb as compared to 5,000 lb for the turbo, while putting up 35 mpg combined. Toyota has the brand cachet to back it up: the brand appears in Consumer Reports' 2026 Brand Report Card, which weighs safety, owner satisfaction, reliability and road-test performance.
2026 Toyota Highlander Trim Levels and Pricing
| Trim | Powertrain | Drivetrain | Starting MSRP | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XLE | 2.4L turbo | AWD | $46,270* | Eight-seat capacity at the lineup's entry price |
| Hybrid XLE | 2.5L hybrid | AWD | $48,020* | Eight seats plus the lineup's best 35 mpg rating |
| XSE | 2.4L turbo | AWD | $48,340* | Seven-seat layout with the turbo's 310 lb-ft |
| Limited | 2.4L turbo | AWD | $50,725* | Eight seats, 5,000 lb towing, upper-tier equipment |
| Hybrid Limited | 2.5L hybrid | AWD | $52,475* | Seven-seat cabin at 35 mpg |
| Platinum | 2.4L turbo | AWD | $53,925* | Seven seats with the top gas-trim equipment |
| Hybrid Platinum | 2.5L hybrid | AWD | $55,675* | The most equipped trim in the lineup |
There is a $1,750 upcharge for any of the hybrid trims over the gas version. You would pay $1,750 to go from an XLE to the Hybrid XLE, and the same amount to make the move from a Limited to the Hybrid Limited. The premium is uniform across the price ladder in this fashion, making it easy to put a value on the hybrid no matter the trim. We invite you to look at our new Toyota inventory or put a value on your trade prior to your visit.
*MSRP excludes the manufacturer's destination and handling charge, which varies by model. It also excludes the $85 dealer doc fee, taxes, title, license and other applicable fees. Contact dealer for total price.
Highlander Powertrains: Horsepower, Torque, and EPA MPG
2.4L Turbocharged Four-Cylinder: 265 hp, 310 lb-ft, 24 MPG Combined
With 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque to its name, the 2.4-liter turbo four is the workhorse engine. You'll find it as standard equipment on the XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum. It is mated to all-wheel drive in every one of the four trims, each of which is rated to tow 5,000 pounds.
The EPA puts the fuel economy for the gas models at a like-for-like 21/28/24 (city/highway/combined) across the board, see the EPA Fuel-Economy Ratings if you want to confirm. There is no need to consult a chart when going from an XLE up to a Platinum, the figure is the same.
But what stands out with this powerplant is the 310 lb-ft of torque. The kind of low-end pull that makes itself known when you are putting some weight on a trim or have to merge on the freeway with passengers in the third row.
2.5L Four-Cylinder Hybrid: 243 hp, 175 lb-ft, 35 MPG Combined
With its 2.5-liter hybrid setup you get 243 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. The system is found in all three of the hybrid variants, be they XLE, Limited or Platinum, and comes with standard AWD. You can consult the official Highlander specs from Toyota for the complete details.
As for fuel economy, the combined number is 35 mpg no matter which of the three hybrid trims you choose, as is the city rating. On the highway there is a minor difference: the Hybrid XLE is put at 35 while the Limited and Platinum are 34.
Every hybrid has a tow capacity of 3,500 pounds. To make up for an 11 mpg gain in combined driving, it is 1,500 pounds short of what the turbo will do (5,000).
EPA MPG by Configuration
| Configuration | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| XLE, XSE, Limited, Platinum (AWD) | 21 | 28 | 24 |
| Hybrid XLE (AWD) | 35 | 35 | 35 |
| Hybrid Limited, Hybrid Platinum (AWD) | 35 | 34 | 35 |
Towing by Configuration
| Configuration | Max Towing |
|---|---|
| XLE (2.4L turbo, AWD) | 5,000 lb |
| XSE (2.4L turbo, AWD) | 5,000 lb |
| Limited (2.4L turbo, AWD) | 5,000 lb |
| Platinum (2.4L turbo, AWD) | 5,000 lb |
| Hybrid XLE (2.5L hybrid, AWD) | 3,500 lb |
| Hybrid Limited (2.5L hybrid, AWD) | 3,500 lb |
| Hybrid Platinum (2.5L hybrid, AWD) | 3,500 lb |
2026 Toyota Highlander Dimensions and Capacities
| Measurement | Figure |
|---|---|
| Width | 76.0 in |
| Height | 68.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 in |
| Ground clearance | 8.0 in |
| Cargo volume behind third row | 16.0 cu ft |
| Maximum cargo volume | 84.3 cu ft |
| Seating capacity | 7 or 8, depending on trim |
The figures for height at 68.1 inches and 8.0 inches of ground clearance are to be found in each of the seven trims, as is every other dimension listed above. With all three rows in place there is 16.0 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, more than adequate for a trip to the grocery store. Put the second and third rows down and you have 84.3 cubic feet at your disposal.
As for seating, the XLE, Hybrid XLE and Limited will accommodate eight. The XSE, Platinum, Hybrid Limited and Hybrid Platinum are limited to seven. Should you need an eighth belt, you are left with only three options, among them the $48,020* Hybrid XLE. No matter the trim, Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is included as standard equipment.
Quick Take: How the 2026 Highlander Compares to the Honda Pilot
- Fuel economy - At 35 mpg combined the Highlander Hybrid has a decided advantage over the 2026 Honda Pilot which is in the 20-22 mpg range and has no electrified model to put things on an even footing.
- Towing as standard - All gas trims of the 2026 Highlander are rated for 5,000 lb. You will not find that with the Pilot. The Sport and EX-L are limited to 3,500 lb and you have to go to the TrailSport or above.
- Power - The V6 in the 2026 Honda Pilot puts out 285 hp versus 265 from the turbo four in the Highlander, giving the Pilot a 20-hp margin. The Highlander has the hybrid to offer and 5,000-lb towing across the board on its gas models, something the Pilot can only do in the TrailSport trim up.
Driving the Highlander in Claremont
You will find us at 601 Auto Center Dr in Claremont (CA 91711), just off the 10. Come test drive to 2026 Highland and experience all of the benefits it offers. Take the hybrid for instance: the $1,750 extra is more than made up for by its 35 mpg combined on the daily commute, and you can expect even greater fuel economy if that commute entails the stop-and-go typical of this part of the Inland Empire.
On the weekends, if you're coming in from Ontario for a Saturday errand run, the 8.0 inches of ground clearance is no trouble at all when you are heading to the unpaved lot at Claremont Hills Wilderness Park with some bikes stowed in back. The same goes for a commute from Pomona, where the Hybrid's 35 mpg combined rating keeps stop-and-go traffic from eating into your fuel budget. It is the sort of thing the 16 cubic feet behind the third row is for. An outing to the California Botanic Garden is an easy morning affair even with seven or eight in the seats. And as a unibody crossover rather than a body-on-frame utility, it is well suited to the low-speed, tight parking of an errand or two in Claremont Village and a lunch at the Packing House.
Why Buy Your Highlander from Claremont Toyota
For the longer haul with the family, like a day at Disneyland Park, the rear rows come down to reveal 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Or should you have a small trailer in tow for a weekend excursion, the turbo trim is rated for 5,000 pounds. Come in and see the rest of the lineup at your convenience, hours and directions are available.
- Both Highlander powertrain families are part of the 2026 lineup, so ask us about driving the 265-hp turbo and the 243-hp hybrid back to back rather than guessing which suits your commute.
- Our location off the 10 in Claremont puts us within reach of the whole east San Gabriel Valley, and we're minutes from Claremont Village if you want to make an afternoon of it.
- The eight-seat trims (XLE, Hybrid XLE, Limited) and the seven-seat configurations are both part of the lineup, check our new inventory for current availability when the eighth belt is a requirement rather than a preference.
- Toyota holds the ALG Residual Value Award for the mainstream segment, recognizing the highest predicted resale value among mass-market brands, which factors into what your Highlander is worth when you trade it back in.
- You can start a finance application online, and our finance department can walk you through the options available on any trim.
- Our service department can source genuine Toyota parts and accessories and posts current service specials so maintenance stays straightforward after the sale.
- We also list pre-owned inventory and certified pre-owned Toyotas if a previous-generation Highlander fits your budget better.
Drive a 2026 Highlander in Claremont
Pick the two trims you're deciding between and drive them the same afternoon. The turbo and the hybrid feel different enough that fifteen minutes behind each settles the question faster than any spec table. Contact us to set up a test drive, or browse what's in stock first to see which trims are on the ground. When it's time for the first oil change, you can schedule service online.
We invite you to make use of our site to do any number of things: review new inventory or the certified pre-owned models, put in a finance application, order some genuine parts and accessories, or value a trade in. You can also take advantage of our service specials or put in a request to our team.