Toyota Highlander Towing Capacity: A Closer Look

What is the Toyota Highlander's towing capacity? Why does the Highlander Hybrid tow less than the gas-powered model? A full look & towing specs compared to its competitors.

Toyota’s mid-size Highlander SUV is a bit underrated when it comes to towing capacity, living in the shadows of the burlier 4Runner built for adventure (which both have identical towing specs). But the Highlander is an impressive and efficient medium-size family SUV gaining a full, 4th-generation redesign in 2020.

It may have Toyota’s signature refined looks and contemporary stylish curves, but this is a vehicle of power and capability. Below we’re looking specifically at what the Toyota Highlander – both gas and hybrid models – are capable of towing and how drivers are helped along by on-board technology.

New 2024 Grand Highlander 3-Row SUV Towing Capacity

Seeing as the new 3-row Grand Highlander is here, it’s fitting to briefly touch on this SUV’s pulling power as well. If towing a boat or weekend RV is important, skip the 2.5L Hybrid with eCVT offering a modest 3,500 lbs.; the 2.4L gas and range-topping Hybrid MAX offer a more reasonable 5,000 lbs. towing capacity. Entry-level XLE rides on standard 18″ aluminum wheels; Limited and Platinum get the larger 20″ size.

Read our full story – Up Close with Toyota’s New 3-Row 2024 Grand Highlander SUV

2022 Highlander XLE FWD. Photo: Toyota
2022 Highlander XLE FWD. Photo: Toyota

Towing capacity of the Toyota Highlander compared to competitors

First, let’s deal with that raw number. What is the towing capacity of Toyota Highlander? In short, it’s 5,000lbs (2,268kg) – the same specs as the outgoing 2019 model.

To get this capacity, a number of other things have to be in place. First of all, the Highlander needs to be paired with the available 3.5L V6 engine with 295hp. This is the powertrain that will deliver the maximum towing capability.

Here’s how it compares to some other mid-size SUV competitors – overall, most models, including the Highlander, offer pretty much the same pulling capacity across the board:

ModelTowing Capacity (lbs)
Toyota Highlander, gas5,000
Toyota Highlander, hybrid3,500
Subaru Ascent5,000
Ford Explorer5,600
Toyota 4Runner5,000
Kia Telluride5,000
Hyundai Palisade5,000

Besides the powertrain, the Highlander also needs the available AWD option installed with the Dynamic Torque Vectoring (TV-AWD) feature. This feature improves on both the responsiveness and stability of the Highlander. It does this by sending up to half of the power to the rear and then basing distribution of the rest solely on who needs it most.

The third piece in the 5,000-pound puzzle is the drivetrain, specifically the available 8-speed automatic transmission. With these three things installed, your Highlander is ready to tow anything up that upper towing capacity of 5,000lbs.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid: less towing power than gas-powered models

2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Photo: Amee Reehal
2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Photo: Amee Reehal
2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Photo: Amee Reehal

Besides the regular gasoline models, the L, LE and XLE, there is also a hybrid option for the Highlander (here’s our 2020 Highlander Hybrid full review). Because the hybrid version only pairs with the 2.5L four-cylinder engine, it unfortunately doesn’t come with the same towing capacity as the gasoline version.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE gets 243 net horsepower and 175lb-ft of torque. It can tow up to 3,500 lbs (1,588kg).

The 2022 Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition is a new addition to the lineup, based on the XLE hybrid trim. But despite the sleek bronze cosmetic details like the 18-inch bronze wheels, bronze interior stitching, and illuminated bronze door sills, towing capacity for this splashy Highlander hybrid remains the same at 3,500 lbs.

2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition
2022 Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition. Photo: Toyota
2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition
2022 Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition. Photo: Toyota

Toyota Highlander Towing Assist Technology

Both the regular Highlander and the hybrid model are capable towers, especially the gasoline version. The question though is how does the Highlander help you when you’re towing all that extra weight? The answer is that there are a number of drive features in place to assist.

The first is the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ package which includes dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure warning with steering assist and lane tracing assist, all of which will keep you even and level when driving with extra weight, which can be challenging. Here’s more on the Toyota Safety Sense features.

towing capacity of Toyota highlander 2021
2021 Highlander. Photo: Toyota

Besides Toyota Safety Sense, there’s also hill start assist for those times you’re worried about getting restarted after having to stop on a gradient, perhaps in traffic, for example. It will help hold you in place and prevent you from rolling backwards while you build up the power you need to keep moving forward.

In addition, there’s a tire pressure monitor system so you’ll know you’re always on properly inflated tires.

Next, there are the various drive modes, including Snow Mode for additional traction if you’re towing in the winter. Finally, there’s blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert. All of these features will keep you level, alert and aware of what’s going on around your Highlander while you’re towing.

Shopping for a new SUV? Here are the 2023 SUVs worth waiting for.

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