2026 Toyota Highlander
Toyota’s Highlander has long been the sensible choice for families. Reliable, spacious, and just stylish enough, it’s a top pick for a reason.
While the 2026 Highlander doesn’t break the mold, Toyota’s focus on refinement could signal a strong year for the popular SUV.
2026 Toyota Highlander
Subtle Shifts in Design
Don’t expect a radical redesign for 2026. Instead, look for sharper lines, a bolder grille, and updated LED headlight designs that give Highlander a more contemporary feel.
Rumor has it that Toyota may offer two distinct trim packages: a sporty model with unique body accents and a rugged, off-road-inspired variant for those with a taste for adventure.
The Inside Story
The most significant changes are likely to happen under the skin. While the 2026 Highlander will probably stick with internal combustion engines, a more powerful hybrid option is anticipated to deliver the best of both worlds: fuel efficiency and punchy acceleration.
Inside the cabin, expect an updated infotainment system with a larger display, enhanced connectivity features, and over-the-air updates for continued improvement.
More soft-touch surfaces and upgraded materials throughout give the interior a much-needed boost in the luxury department.
Safety and Tech Talk
Toyota has been a leader in safety, and the 2026 Highlander won’t disappoint. Look for a standard suite of driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Higher trims will likely add even more sophisticated goodies like blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
The Elephant in the Room: Grand Highlander
The introduction of the all-new Grand Highlander complicates things slightly for the traditional model.
While the Grand Highlander targets families needing maximum space, whispers suggest the standard Highlander could shrink somewhat for 2026. That means better maneuverability in tight spaces but perhaps less cargo room.
2026 Toyota Highlander Features
- Standard Gas Engine: Expect a turbocharged four-cylinder offering decent power and improved fuel efficiency compared to past models.
- Upgraded Hybrid Option: A more powerful hybrid powertrain with increased fuel economy and a boost in acceleration for better responsiveness.
- Toyota Safety Sense Package: This will include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist.
- Updated Infotainment System: A larger touchscreen with sharper graphics, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, enhanced voice recognition, and over-the-air updates.
- LED Lighting: LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights for better visibility and a modern look.
- Revised Interior: Higher-quality materials, more soft-touch surfaces, and better sound insulation for a more refined cabin feel.
Possible Features (Especially in Higher Trims)
- Trim-Specific Styling: Options like a sport-focused trim with unique wheels and accents or an off-road-inspired trim with rugged touches.
- Panoramic Sunroof: For an airier feel inside.
- Head-Up Display: Projects essential driving information onto the windshield.
- Digital Instrument Cluster: A fully customizable digital display replacing traditional gauges.
- Premium Audio: Upgraded sound system from brands like JBL.
- Hands-free Power Liftgate: This is for convenient loading and unloading.
- Advanced Safety Tech: Features like a 360-degree camera system, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and potential semi-autonomous driving aids.
2026 Toyota Highlander Trim Levels
Core Trims (Similar to current models):
- L: The base model focuses on value. Expect cloth seats, standard infotainment, keyless entry, and essential safety features.
- LE: Building on the L likely adds features like alloy wheels, upgraded infotainment with a larger screen, and maybe heated front seats.
- XLE: The popular mid-range choice. Expect more excellent interior materials, a power liftgate, a sunroof (possibly optional), and additional driver-assist tech.
- Limited: Toyota’s near-luxury trim. It could include leather seats, premium sound, heated and ventilated front seats, head-up display (optional).
Potential Specialized Trims:
- XSE: The sporty Highlander. Look for unique styling, larger wheels, sport-tuned suspension, and a different interior color scheme. Performance upgrades to the engine are possible but less likely.
- Adventure: An off-road-influenced trim. This might include a slight lift, all-terrain tires, special body cladding, and unique interior accents. Don’t expect hardcore rock-crawling capability, but more than the average SUV.
Hybrids:
Hybrid powertrains will likely be available in most, if not all, of the above trims. The higher trims might come standard with the hybrid system as Toyota pushes for efficiency.
The 2026 Toyota Highlander won’t win awards for its daring new direction, but its emphasis on improvement is likely an intelligent strategy.
Expect upgraded tech, a dose of refinement, and the continued reliability that’s made Toyota a household name.
It might not set the world alight, but for many families, the 2026 Highlander might hit that sweet spot of practicality and just enough style.
