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2019 Toyota Highlander review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
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Toyota Highlander highlights

Customer rating

Pros

  • Strong V6 engine performance
  • Quiet and smooth ride
  • Standard driver assistance features

Cons

  • Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity unavailable
  • Four-cylinder engine delivers slow performance
  • Third-row seating is cramped for adults

Mileage (EPA estimate)

19 city, 24 highway, 22 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

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Year

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A three-row dynamo!

The 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid comes with a suite of features and the style to turn heads. Newly redesigned for the 2019 model year, the Highlander takes things up a notch by offering an upgraded hybrid version of this beloved vehicle. The Highlander Hybrid is a strong competitor in the hybrid SUV market, with additional standard driver-assistance features and interior amenities. With a sporty 306 net horsepower and instant torque, the 2019 Highlander Hybrid will make your drive happier and more comfortable than ever.

All Toyota Highlander years

What is new for the 2019 Toyota Highlander?

  • The Limited trim now comes with Rear Seat Heaters as standard equipment.
  • The LE Plus trim now comes with Blind Spot Monitor as standard equipment.

2019 Toyota Highlander trims

Curious how Toyota Highlander trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

LE

  • 3.5L V6 engine

  • Total of five USB ports—three in the front row and two in the second row

  • Electronically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT)

  • Electronic On-Demand AWD with intelligence (AWD-i)

  • Windshield wiper de-icer

  • View all Toyota Highlander LEs in stock

XLE

  • 4.2-inch color LCD Multi-Information Display (MID) with turn-by-turn navigation

  • Leather-trimmed seats with heated front seats

  • Second-row retractable window sunshades

  • Second-row 120V auxiliary AC power outlet

  • Auto-dimming rearview mirror

  • View all Toyota Highlander XLEs in stock

Limited

  • Rear parking assist sonar

  • Seating for up to seven

  • Premium JBL® Audio with integrated navigation

  • Rear cargo area tonneau cover

  • Perforated heated and ventilated leather-trimmed front seats with memory function on the driver seat

  • View all Toyota Highlander Limiteds in stock

Limited Platinum

Toyota Highlander photos

5 reasons to buy the 2019 Toyota Highlander

1. Generous standard tech features

Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review: Tech Dash | CarMax

The 2019 Highlander includes a suite of driver assistance features as standard, which includes automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and the pre-collision system (which includes a rearview camera and forward-collision detection with automatic emergency braking). The Limited Platinum trim offers the option to add a 360-degree camera to the mix for even more insight.

2. V6 engine + 2 electric motors + AWD = winner

Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review: Engine | CarMax

Every trim level in the 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid includes a powerful 3.5L V6 engine, paired to two magnet synchronous motors that drive the front and rear wheels. In the Hybrid, Electronic On-Demand AWD system with intelligence (AWD-i) is designed to deliver traction to the rear wheels when you need it, giving you more confidence in tricky road conditions.

3. Power sources everywhere you look

Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review: Trunk Cargo | CarMax

The 2019 Highlander Hybrid includes a number of tech connections throughout the vehicle. There are two 12V auxiliary power outlets (one front and one center console) and a total of five USB ports (three up front and two in the second row). All of these digital helpers are standard at every trim level. Each passenger will be happy to have their own power source.

4. Comfort is king

Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review: Front Seats | CarMax

The 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid includes versatile seating options, depending on the configuration you choose. In the second row, opt for captain's chairs to seat seven instead of eight, and you can even have heated second-row chairs with the Platinum package added to the Limited grade.

Need room for coffee, water, and sports drinks while you're on the go? The 2019 Highlander Hybrid includes eight cup holders and four bottle holders. Front- and second-row reading lights makes it easy to navigate the interior, even at night. You might even want the optional rear-seat Blu-ray Disc entertainment system with 9-inch display, RCA jacks, remote, and two wireless headphones, all of which are available on the XLE and Limited trims.

5. Three-zone automatic climate control with air filter

Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review: Backseats | CarMax

This includes a separate second-row control panel and individual temperature settings for the driver, front passenger and rear-seat passengers, and second- and third-row vents. Whether you're driving to your Zumba class at the gym in the middle of the winter or heading to the pool in the summer, you'll get exactly the climate setting you want and so will your passengers in your 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Similar vehicles

If you're interested in the 2019 Toyota Highlander, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.

Image of Subaru Ascent

The 2019 Subaru Ascent delivers comfort and plenty of power with a smooth ride and sporty handling. Cargo space is plentiful and it seats up to eight passengers; you can tell Subaru paid ample attention to the design and space of each row. With nearly 32 inches of legroom in the third row, the back does not feel like a squeeze. The 2019 Ascent in the Premium, Limited, and Touring trims (with a 2.4L four-cylinder engine) can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

You'll also enjoy all-wheel-drive which is standard across all trims.

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

The 2019 Toyota Highlander is a popular SUV that is good on gas, easy to handle, and has multiple driver assistance features. The cabin is roomy and the ride is comfortable.
4
Excellent

RepairPal gave the Toyota Highlander an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Toyota Highlander 6th out of 32 among Midsize SUVs.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Toyota Highlander

Toyota Highlander features and specs

LE 2WD 4D Sport Utility

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • CD Audio
  • Cloth Seats
  • Entune
  • Fold-Away Third Row
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear View Camera
  • Side Airbags
  • Third Row Seat
  • Traction Control
  • Cloth Seats
  • Full Roof Rack
  • Rear Air Conditioning
  • Running Boards
  • Tow Hitch

Drive Wheels

Front Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

2.7L

Horsepower

185

Torque (ft-lbs)

184

Engine type

Gas

Fuel capacity

19.2

Wheelbase

109.8"

Overall length

192.5"

Width

75.8"

Height

68.1"

Leg room

F 44.2"/M 38.4"/R 27.7"

Head room

F 40.7"/M 39.9"/R 35.9"

Front tires

P245/60SR18

Rear tires

P245/60SR18

Seating capacity

8

Max towing capacity

150/1500 lbs.

Transmission

Automatic

2019 Toyota Highlander FAQ

More about the 2019 Toyota Highlander

Color options

Exterior colors:

  • Alumina Jade Metallic

  • Blizzard Pearl Metallic

  • Celestial Silver Metallic

  • Midnight Black Metallic

  • Ooh La La Rouge Mica

  • Predawn Gray Mica

  • Salsa Red Pearl

  • Shoreline Blue Pearl

  • Toasted Walnut Pearl

Interior colors:

  • LE: Ash Fabric or Black Fabric

  • LE Plus: Ash Fabric and Softex® or Black Fabric and Softex®

  • XLE: Almond Leather or Black Leather

  • SE: Black Leather

  • Limited: Ash Perforated Leather, Black Perforated Leather, or Saddle Tan Perforated Leather

  • Limited Platinum: Almond Perforated Leather or Saddle Tan Perforated Leather

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