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From its refined cabin and cutting-edge technology to premium amenities and top-tier safety features, we break down what makes the Toyota Highlander a standout.
2025 Toyota Highlander – toyota.com | Shop 2025 Toyota Highlander on Carsforsale.com
What is New for the 2025 Toyota Highlander
Toyota’s Highlander crossover has been on sale since 2000 and for the 2025 model year, a 25th Edition arrives on the Hybrid Limited model with special badging and appointments to mark the occasion. Though technically a three-row SUV, the Grand Highlander offers a bigger third row, making the standard Highlander a better option against the Mazda CX-70 than say, the Chevy Traverse.
Updates over the 2024 Highlander include standard all-wheel drive (AWD) for hybrid models, a new Sport Mode startup screen for the XSE, and the addition of two new exterior colors to the paint palette with Cement and Heavy Metal.
Carsforsale.com Score
8.6/10
Powertrain
Score
8/10
Interior
Score
7.5/10
Technology
Score
8/10
Value
Score
8.5/10
The Breakdown
Elegant lines
Long list of standard driver aids
Fuel-sipping hybrid engine
Somewhat tight third row
Small cargo hold in the way back
Lack of driving verve
Value + reliability = 100% Toyota
Toyota Highlander Specs
- 265 horsepower from base engine
- 310 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 10 available trims
- 16 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 84.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- 5,000-pound max tow rating
- Available Harmon Kardon sound system
- 11-speaker JBL audio system
2025 Toyota Highlander Powertrain 8/10
Toyota’s Highlander crossover has been on sale since 2000 and for the 2025 model year, a 25th Edition arrives on the Hybrid Limited model with special badging and appointments to mark the occasion. Though technically a three-row SUV, the Grand Highlander offers a bigger third row, making the standard Highlander a better option against the Mazda CX-70 than say, the Chevy Traverse.
Updates over the 2024 Highlander include standard all-wheel drive (AWD) for hybrid models, a new Sport Mode startup screen for the XSE, and the addition of two new exterior colors to the paint palette with Cement and Heavy Metal.
2025 Toyota Highlander Interior 7.5/10
Every new Highlander comes with three rows of seating, though max occupancy ranges from 8 with a second-row bench seat to 7 when captain’s chairs are fitted. That third row, however, is best reserved for children as it only offers 28” of legroom. For reference, the larger Grand Highlander boasts 33” of legroom back there.
Fold the second and third rows down to haul 84 cubic feet of cargo, but when both are raised, there are only 16 cubes of space behind the third row. Cabin materials range from cloth on base Highlanders to leather on the XSE and above. Triple-zone automatic climate control comes standard with heated front seats and a moonroof requiring an XLE trim line or higher.
2025 Toyota Highlander Technology Features 8/10
The Toyota Safety Sense suite of advanced driver aid that comes with every 2025 Highlander features forward collision mitigation, a lane-keeping system, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. In crash testing, the NHTSA awarded the latest Highlander 5 stars overall and it earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS.
The lower half of the 2025 Highlander lineup comes with an 8” central display. A fully digital gauge cluster shows up on XSE models and a 12.3” touchscreen interface is included starting with Limited models. Wireless smartphone integration and a Wi-Fi hotspot are lineup standard with higher-end tech like a head-up display (HUD) and surround-view monitor (SVM) requiring at least a Highlander Platinum.
2025 Toyota Highlander Trims & Pricing
LE – $39,520
In base LE trim, the 2025 Toyota Highlander comes with 18” wheels, all LED exterior lighting, and a power-operated liftgate. Interior highlights include a 6-speaker stereo, cloth seats, and USB ports for the first two rows.
XLE – $42,670
XLE trim ups the content roster with a hands-free liftgate, SofTex upholstery, and heated front seats. Other upgrades include an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a wireless phone charging pad.
XSE – $46,340
A sport-tuned suspension, special mesh front grille and fascia, and black 20” alloys speak to Highlander XSE’s mission as the sporty model. These variants also come with AWD and leather upholstery.
Hybrid XLE – $46,020
Along with all the XLE content and the hybrid powertrain, these Highlanders feature a moonroof, silver roof rails, and power-adjustable front seats.
Limited – $46,775
Highlander Limited dials up the lux with 20” chrome wheels, climatized front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a JBL 11-speaker audio system.
Hybrid XLE Nightshade – $47,020
The Nightshade variant takes a Highlander Hybrid XLE and goes the darkened route with 18” black wheels, black exterior trim, and a special black two-tone interior treatment.
Hybrid Limited – $50,475
Mix up the hybrid powertrain with the Highlander Limited features – which include heated side mirrors and parking sensors – and Presto! you have the Hybrid Limited.
Platinum – $51,925
The 2025 Highlander Platinum is fully loaded with a panoramic moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, heated second-row seats, and a digital rearview mirror.
Hybrid Limited 25th Edition – $52,680
New this year, the Highlander Hybrid Limited 25th Edition celebrates 25 years on the market with exclusive Portobello leather, 20” wheels, and a host of 25th Edition badging inside and out.
Hybrid Platinum – $53,675
In range-topping Hybrid Platinum spec, the 2025 Highlander sips fuel and is stacked with niceties found in the Platinum trim line like adaptive headlights, a HUD, and an SVM.
2025 Toyota Highlander Overall Value 8.5/10
A 2025 Toyota Highlander XLE strikes us as the best model thanks to its relatively low price point and sought-after amenities like a hands-free liftgate, heated front seats, and moonroof. But be aware the 2025 Kia Sorento SX is right in the same price range and features semi-autonomous driving tech, a panoramic moonroof, and dual 12.3” digital displays. Kia also bests the Highlander’s 5 years of powertrain coverage with its 10-year warranty, but cannot match Toyota’s 2 years of complimentary maintenance.
Carsforsale.com Overall Score 8/10
2025 Toyota Highlander – toyota.com | Shop 2025 Toyota Highlander on Carsforsale.com
In the wide-ranging land of three-row crossovers, the 2025 Toyota Highlander is Goldilocks. Not too expensive, not too exciting, but just right. It’s an SUV that brings Toyota’s coveted reputation for reliability, a long list of standard driver aids, and plenty of high-end trims should you require them – just consult our new car incentives first. It also cannot be overstated how excellent the Highlander Hybrid is as it manages to keep cabin space the same as in standard models, brings the same variety of content, and boasts relatively amazing fuel economy figures in the process. The third row in the Highlander is a bit cramped, but hey, that’s why Toyota released the Grand Highlander.
FAQ’s About the 2025 Toyota Highlander
How many people can sit in a Highlander?
The 2025 Highlander can seat 7 or 8 depending on second-row configuration.
How much can a Highlander tow?
Gas-powered Highlanders are rated for 5,000 pounds of towing versus 3,500 pounds for the hybrid models.
Where is the Highlander built?
The Highlander is assembled at Toyota’s factory in Indiana.
