Key Updates Across All Model Years

The first of the Toyota Highlander generations burst onto the scene in 2000 as a more road-biased Toyota SUV with unibody construction and independent rear suspension, as opposed to the off-road-focused Land Cruiser and 4Runner. For the 2008 model year, the XU40 redesign of the Toyota Highlander came with a roomier third row than the cramped first-gen car thanks to a larger footprint, while a base four-cylinder engine later joined the V6 unit.

Base Trim Engine: 2.4L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
Base Trim Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive

Infotainment & Features

9 /10

The much sharper-looking third generation could accommodate up to eight people and featured higher-quality cabin materials. The latest fourth-gen car that landed in 2019 introduced new features such as smartphone integration and a more powerful V6, but its biggest claim to fame is the brand-new turbocharged 2.4L four-cylinder engine that would replace the V6 from 2023.

This is a summary of the major updates made to the Toyota Highlander throughout its production run. This article is continuously updated as new generations become available. Only model years, generations, and specifications applicable to models sold in the United States have been included.

2020-Now Toyota Highlander 4th Gen (XU70)

The fourth-gen Highlander brought an updated body appearance and interior, more cargo/occupant room, and the latest Toyota cabin technologies. It initially came with an uprated 3.5L V6 with 295 hp and an eight-speed automatic transmission, but this engine was eventually replaced with a 265-hp turbocharged four-cylinder for the 2023 model year to meet stricter emission and fuel efficiency standards. A 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid was also added to the model lineup.

Engine	Transmission	Drivetrain
2.4L Turbo Inline-4 Gas	8-Speed Automatic	Front/All-Wheel Drive
2.5L Inline-4 Gas Hybrid	CVT	Front/All-Wheel Drive
3.5L V6 Gas	8-Speed Automatic	Front/All-Wheel Drive

Fourth-Generation Highlander Production Years

2025 Toyota Highlander Review

2024 Toyota Highlander Review

2023 Toyota Highlander Review

2022 Toyota Highlander Review

2021 Toyota Highlander Review

2020 Toyota Highlander Review

TRIM	ENGINE	TRANSMISSION	DRIVETRAIN
XU70 L	2.4L Turbo Inline-4 Gas 3.5L V6 Gas	8-Speed Automatic	FWD AWD
XU70 LE	2.4L Turbo Inline-4 Gas 3.5L V6 Gas	8-Speed Automatic	FWD AWD
XU70 XLE	2.4L Turbo Inline-4 Gas 3.5L V6 Gas	8-Speed Automatic	FWD AWD
XU70 XSE	2.4L Turbo Inline-4 Gas 3.5L V6 Gas	8-Speed Automatic	FWD AWD
XU70 Limited	2.4L Turbo Inline-4 Gas 3.5L V6 Gas	8-Speed Automatic	FWD AWD
XU70 Platinum	2.4L Turbo Inline-4 Gas 3.5L V6 Gas	8-Speed Automatic	FWD AWD

RAV4 Vs. Highlander: 10 Differences Between Toyota’s Popular SUVs

Comparing the 2025 Toyota Highlander vs. RAV4? Here are 10 key differences to help you decide which of Toyota’s popular SUVs best fits your lifestyle.

2017-2019 Toyota Highlander 3rd Gen (XU50) Facelift

No powertrain changes were made at the time of the third-gen car’s facelift for the 2017 to 2019 model years.

Engine	Transmission	Drivetrain
2.7L Inline-4 Gas	6-Speed Automatic	Front-Wheel Drive
3.5L V6 Gas	8-Speed Automatic	Front/All-Wheel Drive
3.5L V6 Gas Hybrid	CVT	All-Wheel Drive

Driven: 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Is Sensibility Incarnate

The current Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a beautifully measured crossover.

Third-Generation Highlander Facelift Production Years

2019 Toyota Highlander Review

2018 Toyota Highlander Review

2017 Toyota Highlander Review

TRIM	ENGINE	TRANSMISSION	DRIVETRAIN
XU50 LE	2.7L Inline-4 Gas	6-Speed Automatic	FWD
XU50 LE V6	3.5L V6 Gas	6-Speed Automatic 8-Speed Automatic	FWD AWD
XU50 LE Plus	3.5L V6 Gas	6-Speed Automatic 8-Speed Automatic	FWD AWD
XU50 XLE	3.5L V6 Gas	6-Speed Automatic 8-Speed Automatic	FWD AWD
XU50 SE V6	3.5L V6 Gas	8-Speed Automatic	FWD AWD
XU50 Limited	3.5L V6 Gas	6-Speed Automatic 8-Speed Automatic	FWD AWD
XU50 Limited Platinum	3.5L V6 Gas	6-Speed Automatic 8-Speed Automatic	FWD AWD

Toyota Highlander Generations Ranked By Reliability

After nearly 25 years of Highlander production, we decided to look back at past generations to see which ones make the best used buys.

2014-2016 Toyota Highlander 3rd Gen (XU50)

The third generation retained the previous engines but did away with the old five-speed automatic transmission, so a six-speed unit was now the only option for the full gasoline engines.

Engine	Transmission	Drivetrain
2.7L Inline-4 Gas	6-Speed Automatic	Front-Wheel Drive
3.5L V6 Gas	6-Speed Automatic	Front/All-Wheel Drive
3.5L V6 Gas Hybrid	CVT	All-Wheel Drive

Third-Generation Highlander Production Years

2016 Toyota Highlander Review

2015 Toyota Highlander Review

2014 Toyota Highlander Review

TRIM	ENGINE	TRANSMISSION	DRIVETRAIN
XU50 LE	2.7L Inline-4 Gas	6-Speed Automatic	FWD
XU50 LE V6	3.5L V6 Gas	6-Speed Automatic	FWD AWD
XU50 LE Plus	3.5L V6 Gas	6-Speed Automatic	FWD AWD
XU50 XLE	3.5L V6 Gas	6-Speed Automatic	FWD AWD
XU50 Limited	3.5L V6 Gas	6-Speed Automatic	FWD AWD
XU50 Limited Platinum	3.5L V6 Gas	6-Speed Automatic	FWD AWD

2011-2013 Toyota Highlander 2nd Gen (XU40) Facelift

By the time the facelifted model hit the streets for the 2011 model year, changes to the Toyota Highlander recipe included a mild restyle, while a 187-hp inline four-cylinder base engine was also on the menu by this time, but coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. The V6 retained its five-speed automatic gearbox.

Engine	Transmission	Drivetrain
2.7L Inline-4 Gas	6-Speed Automatic	Front-Wheel Drive
3.5L V6 Gas	5-Speed Automatic	Front/All-Wheel Drive
3.5L V6 Gas Hybrid	CVT	All-Wheel Drive

Second-Generation Highlander Facelift Production Years

2013 Toyota Highlander Review

2012 Toyota Highlander Review

2011 Toyota Highlander Review

TRIM	ENGINE	TRANSMISSION	DRIVETRAIN
XU40 Base	2.7L Inline-4 Gas	6-Speed Automatic	FWD
XU40 V6	3.5L V6 Gas	5-Speed Automatic	FWD 4X4
XU40 Plus	2.7L Inline-4 Gas	6-Speed Automatic	FWD
XU40 Plus V6	3.5L V6 Gas	5-Speed Automatic	FWD 4X4
XU40 SE	2.7L Inline-4 Gas	6-Speed Automatic	FWD
XU40 SE V6	3.5L V6 Gas	5-Speed Automatic	FWD 4X4
XU40 Limited	3.5L V6 Gas	5-Speed Automatic	FWD 4X4

2008-2010 Toyota Highlander 2nd Gen (XU40)

For the 2008-2010 model years, the Toyota Highlander’s next generation came with either a 2.7L inline-four cylinder or a 3.5L naturally aspirated V6. Both were paired to a five-speed automatic transmission with either FWD or AWD. A 3.3L V6 Hybrid was also made available with AWD only.

Engine	Transmission	Drivetrain
2.7L Inline-4 Gas	5-Speed Automatic	Front-Wheel Drive
3.3L V6 Gas Hybrid	CVT	All-Wheel Drive
3.5L V6 Gas	6-Speed Automatic	Front/All-Wheel Drive

Second-Generation Highlander Production Years

2010 Toyota Highlander Review

2009 Toyota Highlander Review

2008 Toyota Highlander Review

TRIM	ENGINE	TRANSMISSION	DRIVETRAIN
XU40 Base	2.7L Inline-4 Gas 3.5L V6 Gas	5-Speed Automatic 6-Speed Automatic	FWD 4X4
XU40 V6	3.5L V6 Gas	5-Speed Automatic	FWD 4X4
XU40 Sport	3.5L V6 Gas	5-Speed Automatic	FWD 4X4
XU40 SE V6	3.5L V6 Gas	5-Speed Automatic	FWD 4X4
XU40 Limited	3.5L V6 Gas	5-Speed Automatic	FWD 4X4

2001-2007 Toyota Highlander 1st Gen (XU20)

The Toyota Highlander first arrived for the North American market in the 2001 model year. Positioned below the larger Toyota 4Runner, the Highlander came with multiple inline-six cylinder gasoline engines, including a hybrid option – paired to automatic transmissions and sending power to the front or all four wheels.

Engine	Transmission	Drivetrain
2.4L Inline-4 Gas	4-Speed Automatic	Front/All-Wheel Drive
3.3L Inline-6 Gas	5-Speed Automatic	Front/All-Wheel Drive
3.3L Inline-6 Gas Hybrid	CVT	Front/All-Wheel Drive

First-Generation Toyota Highlander Production Years

2007 Toyota Highlander

2006 Toyota Highlander

2005 Toyota Highlander

2004 Toyota Highlander

2003 Toyota Highlander

2002 Toyota Highlander

2001 Toyota Highlander

Source: Toyota

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