2026 Toyota Highlander HYBRID LIMITED

Description

SUV car_truck

“If you want a three-row hybrid SUV that feels genuinely modern from the driver’s seat, this is the benchmark,” is how more than one reviewer has summed up the 2026 Toyota Highlander HYBRID LIMITED. Draped in elegant 0089 Wind Chill paint and riding on 20-inch chrome aluminum wheels, this all-wheel-drive SUV combines family-focused practicality with a thoroughly contemporary cabin built around seamless smartphone integration and intuitive technology. At the heart of this Highlander is a 2.5L I-4 DOHC engine with port/direct injection, working in concert with a hybrid electric motor system and nickel-metal hydride traction battery. The result is a refined HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) powertrain with 187 horsepower from the gasoline engine, supported by hybrid electric motor assist, regenerative braking, and an Auto stop-start engine system.

LEV3-SULEV30 / Tier 3 Bin 30 emissions compliance underscores its efficiency-minded engineering, while the CVTi-S CVT with overdrive and Drive Mode Select helps you tailor the driving experience. Automatic full-time AWD, All-speed ABS and driveline traction control, Trailer sway control, Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), and Downhill Assist Control (DAC) support confident, all-weather capability. Inside, the 2026 Highlander HYBRID LIMITED is defined by its technology suite, anchored by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless smart device mirroring. These systems transform the standard 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia primary monitor touchscreen into an extension of your phone. With wireless integration, you can access maps, calls, messages, and your favorite apps without plugging in, keeping the cabin clean and clutter-free while maintaining your focus on the road.

Steering wheel mounted audio controls and Toyota Assistant voice-activated audio controls let you handle playlists or podcasts through simple spoken commands, minimizing distraction. Combined with Bluetooth handsfree wireless connectivity and Qi Wireless Charging for front passengers, this Highlander is purpose-built for drivers who rely heavily on their smartphones but want a safe, integrated experience. The audio environment is equally advanced. A JBL system with 11 speakers and a powerful 1200W amplifier, enhanced by Clari-Fi digital signal processing, delivers crisp, immersive sound. SiriusXM (with 3-month trial), AM/FM/SiriusXM satellite capability, and external memory control ensure a wide range of entertainment sources. Driver Easy Speak, an interior intercom system, allows front occupants to communicate clearly with passengers in the rear rows—ideal for a fully loaded family trip. Navigation and connected services are robustly covered.

The 12.3-inch touchscreen hosts Drive Connect Cloud Navigation with a 3-year trial, providing integrated navigation with voice activation, live traffic via Drive Connect with real-time traffic, and Drive Connect Destination Assist (3-year trial) for turn-by-turn support. Real-time weather information and over the air updates help keep maps and features current, while the Toyota App and Remote Connect (3-year trial) expand access to vehicle functions and selective services from your compatible smart device. Comfort and materials reflect the LIMITED designation. Heated and ventilated bucket front seats feature leather upholstery, 8-way power adjustability for both driver and front passenger, and 2-way power lumbar for the driver. Memory settings (including mirrors with 2-position memory) simplify driver changes. SofTex leatherette rear seat upholstery, leather rear seating surfaces, leatherette and metal-look instrument panel inserts, simulated wood door and console trim, and chrome and metal-look interior accents give the cabin a premium ambiance without feeling ostentatious. Three rows of seating are configured for versatility.

Second-row captain’s chairs with manual fore/aft and reclining adjustments, armrests, and fold-forward seatbacks provide comfortable accommodations. The third row offers a 60/40 split-folding design, manual recline, and manual fold-into-floor capability, allowing you to prioritize passengers or cargo as needed. Height-adjustable head restraints are provided for all rows. With 14 beverage holders, numerous door bins, seatback pockets, and concealed cargo area storage with tie-downs and a roll-up cargo cover, daily usability is well addressed. Climate control is handled by automatic dual-zone front controls and a separate rear climate control system with its own controls. Rear under-seat and headliner/pillar ducts ensure more even temperature distribution throughout all three rows. A cabin air filter enhances in-vehicle air quality, and Remote Connect remote-activated interior climate preconditioning lets you adjust temperatures before you step inside. In terms of safety and driver assistance, this Highlander is comprehensively equipped.

Eight airbags, including front, side, curtain (for all three rows), driver knee, and front passenger seat cushion airbags, are combined with an airbag occupancy sensor. Toyota Safety Sense™ technologies present here include Lane Departure Alert (LDA) w/Steering Assist, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), and Curve Speed Management. Pre-Collision System (PCS) w/Intersection Support with left turn assist, Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian (daytime & low-light) and Bicycle (daytime) Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Brake (RCTB), Emergency Steering Assist, Vehicle Sway Warning, and an external acoustic pedestrian alert system further elevate situational awareness. Parking and low-speed maneuvers are simplified with a rear-mounted camera and Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS) front and rear parking sensors. Automatic High Beam (AHB) headlights, LED low and high beams, LED daytime running lights, LED brake lights, and LED front fog lights ensure high visibility.

Tire specific low air pressure warnings, battery and fluid level alerts, oil pressure and transmission temperature warnings, and a Service Connect (up to 10-year trial) service interval indicator support ongoing vehicle care. Driver information is delivered via a full gauge cluster screen with a 12.3-inch display, configurable instrumentation, redundant digital speedometer, ECO feedback, and gauges dedicated to traction battery level, electric power/regeneration, and engine/electric motor temperature. Level 2 partial automation (SAE Autonomy) capabilities enhance driver support in controlled conditions, while Automatic brake hold reduces fatigue in stop-and-go traffic. Convenience features are extensive. Smart Key with hands-free access and push-button start, keyfob keyless entry, keyfob trunk control, keyfob remote start, and Smart device remote start make entry and departure seamless. A power liftgate rear cargo door with proximity cargo area access release and trunk/hatch auto-latching simplifies loading.

Power folding, heated, and tilt-down-in-reverse door mirrors with turn signal indicators add both usability and style. HomeLink, two interior 120V AC power outlets, two 12V power outlets, and five USB ports keep devices charged across all three rows. The HYBRID LIMITED trim also delivers thoughtful touches that make daily life easier: rain-sensing wipers, heated windshield wiper park, rear window defroster and wiper, laminated side glass for cabin quietness, deep tinted windows, manual rear side window sunblinds, and a first and second-row sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade and express open/close functionality. Illuminated entry, ambient interior lighting, fade-to-off courtesy lights, and multiple reading lights provide a welcoming environment at any time of day. Security is bolstered by an immobilizer, a comprehensive security system, SafetyConnect® (5-year minimum) integrated emergency SOS and vehicle tracker, manual rear child safety locks, and an array of status alerts—from key-in-vehicle and cargo area ajar warnings to low fluid and battery indicators.

Combined with fully galvanized steel body panels, side impact beams, and a suite of stability and brake technologies, the 2026 Toyota Highlander HYBRID LIMITED is engineered to provide reassurance for drivers and passengers alike. With only 3 kilometers on the odometer and hybrid fuel consumption estimates of 6.6 L/100 km city and 6.8 L/100 km highway, this new Highlander HYBRID LIMITED presents a compelling option for buyers seeking a three-row SUV that blends advanced connectivity—centered on wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto—with thoughtful comfort, safety, and fuel efficiency.