Shifterati

Toyota Highlander

4th gen Toyota Highlander 2020–2026

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

On Toyota's TNGA-K platform, with a 295 hp V6 to 2022, a 265 hp 2.4L turbo four from 2023, and a 2.5L four-cylinder Hybrid.

What it came with

  • 3.5L V61,2,3

    295 hp · 2020–2022

  • 2.4L turbo four-cylinder3,4,5

    265 hp · 2023–2026

  • 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid1,3

    243 hp from the whole system

Motors
Two motor-generators1,3
Transmissions
8-speed automatic1,2
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive (2020–2025)2,6,4, All-wheel drive1,3, Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD1,3, Hybrid all-wheel drive1,7
Trims
L1,3, LE (2020–2025)1,7,4, XLE1,4, XSE3,4, Limited1,4, Platinum1,4, Bronze Edition6,3, Nightshade8,7, 25th Edition (2025)7
Packages
Towing package1, Blackout Package9, 12.3-inch touchscreen3,4
  • Model codes: XU7010
  • Platform: TNGA-K1
  • Seats: Eight with a second-row bench, seven with captain's chairs1
  • Towing: Up to 5,000 lb for gas models, 3,500 lb for the Hybrid1,3
  • Built at: Princeton, Indiana10
  • Grand Highlander: A larger three-row model from 2024 on the same nameplate. Wikipedia calls it a larger alternative to the Highlander, and Toyota's newsroom lists it as a model of its own; it is not covered here.10,11,12

Colors

  • Blizzard Pearl 1
  • Celestial Silver Metallic 1
  • Midnight Black Metallic 1,3,4
  • Magnetic Gray Metallic 1,4
  • Moon Dust 1
  • Ruby Flare Pearl 1,8,4
  • Blueprint 1,4
  • Opulent Amber 1
  • Wind Chill Pearl 2022–2026 6,4
  • Cement 6,8,7
  • Cypress 3
  • Heavy Metal 2025–2026 7,4

Interiors

  • Graphite Woven cloth, L, LE 1,3
  • Black Woven cloth, L, LE 1,3
  • Harvest Beige SofTex, XLE 1,3
  • Graphite SofTex, XLE 1,3
  • Black SofTex, XLE 1,3
  • Black SofTex with fabric inserts, XSE 3
  • Harvest Beige, Graphite or Black Perforated leather, Limited 3
  • Harvest Beige, Graphite or Black Embossed, perforated leather, Platinum 1,3
  • Glazed Caramel Embossed, perforated leather, Platinum 1,3,4
  • Bronze Edition SofTex with fabric inserts and bronze stitching, Bronze Edition 6
  • Black Fabric, Nightshade 8
  • Black two-tone SofTex with embossed fabric inserts, Nightshade 8
  • Portobello Leather, 25th Edition, 2025 7 Rare

Rare catches

Rare options, colors and interiors to look out for, and whether finding one is good news.

  • Rare 25th Edition Trim

    A limited edition for 20257

    2,500 built for the US13

  • Good find Portobello Interior

    25th Edition only7

    Why it is a good find: CarPro's reviewer calls the Portobello leather, a first for the Highlander, a great colour.13

Year by year

  • 2020 A full redesign on the TNGA-K platform, with the 295 hp V6 and an 8-speed automatic, and a 2.5L four-cylinder Hybrid of 243 hp. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto added.1,2
  • 2021 No changes recorded.
  • 2022 The Hybrid Bronze Edition and Wind Chill Pearl paint are new.6
  • 2023 A 265 hp 2.4L turbo four takes the V6's place, with 12.3-inch screens on the Limited and Platinum and a 7-inch gauge screen on the L and LE.3
  • 2024 The Hybrid Nightshade is new, and the hands-free power liftgate is standard on every XLE and the gas XSE.8
  • 2025 All-wheel drive is standard on the Hybrid, Heavy Metal paint arrives, and the Hybrid 25th Edition is limited to 2,500 for the US.7
  • 2026 All-wheel drive is standard on gas models too, and the grades are cut to XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum, with the Hybrid in XLE, Limited and Platinum.4

Sources

  1. Toyota Newsroom (2020 Highlander)
  2. Edmunds 2020 review
  3. Toyota Newsroom (2023 Highlander)
  4. Toyota Newsroom (2026 Highlander)
  5. Toyota Newsroom (2026 vehicle page)
  6. Toyota Newsroom (Bronze Edition)
  7. Toyota Newsroom (25th Edition)
  8. Toyota Newsroom (Hybrid Nightshade)
  9. NHTSA recalls (2022 Highlander)
  10. Wikipedia (Highlander)
  11. SlashGear (best years)
  12. Toyota Newsroom (2027 vehicle page)
  13. CarPro (25th Edition)