Owner guide · Elgin Toyota · Streamwood, IL
2026 Toyota Highlander Towing Capacity
The 2026 Highlander tows either 5,000 lb. or 3,500 lb., and the powertrain decides which. Here is the rating for each grade, the towing features that come standard, and what else to check before you hook up a trailer. Figures are from toyota.com's 2026 Highlander specifications, read October 27, 2026.
5,000 lb.XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum (2.4L turbo)
3,500 lb.Hybrid XLE, Hybrid Limited and Hybrid Platinum
AWDstandard on every 2026 grade
StandardTrailer-Sway Control on every grade
What is the 2026 Toyota Highlander towing capacity?
Up to 5,000 lb. Toyota.com lists 5,000 lb. for the XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum with the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, and 3,500 lb. for the Highlander Hybrid XLE, Hybrid Limited and Hybrid Platinum.
2026 Highlander towing capacity by grade
| Grade | Towing | Engine | AWD system |
|---|---|---|---|
| XLE | 5,000 lb. | 2.4L turbo, 265 hp | All-Wheel Drive |
| XSE | 5,000 lb. | 2.4L turbo, 265 hp | Dynamic Torque Vectoring |
| Limited | 5,000 lb. | 2.4L turbo, 265 hp | Dynamic Torque Vectoring |
| Platinum | 5,000 lb. | 2.4L turbo, 265 hp | Dynamic Torque Vectoring |
| Hybrid XLE | 3,500 lb. | 2.5L hybrid, 243 net hp | Electronic On-Demand |
| Hybrid Limited | 3,500 lb. | 2.5L hybrid, 243 net hp | Electronic On-Demand |
| Hybrid Platinum | 3,500 lb. | 2.5L hybrid, 243 net hp | Electronic On-Demand |
From toyota.com's 2026 Highlander specifications page (weights and capacities, mechanical and performance), read October 27, 2026. Gas grades use an 8-speed automatic; hybrid grades use an electronically controlled CVT. Every grade lists an all-wheel-drive system as standard.
Gas or hybrid: which Highlander tows more?
The gas Highlander. The XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum use a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 265 hp and 310 lb.-ft. of torque with an 8-speed automatic, and each is listed at 5,000 lb.
The Highlander Hybrid XLE, Hybrid Limited and Hybrid Platinum use a 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain rated at 243 net combined hp with an electronically controlled CVT, and each is listed at 3,500 lb.
If you plan to tow a camper, a boat or a utility trailer, bring the trailer's loaded weight when you shop at Elgin Toyota and we will show you the Highlander grades rated for it.
Towing features on the 2026 Highlander
Trailer-Sway Control
Listed as standard on every 2026 Highlander grade on toyota.com.
Hill Start Assist Control
Listed as standard on every grade, useful when you pull away on a slope with a trailer behind you.
Downhill Assist Control
Listed as standard on the XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum; not listed on the hybrid grades.
All-wheel drive on every grade
All-Wheel Drive on the XLE, Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD on the XSE, Limited and Platinum, and Electronic On-Demand AWD on the hybrids.
Multi-Terrain Select
MUD & SAND, ROCK & DIRT and NORMAL modes are listed as standard on the XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum.
Feature availability from toyota.com's 2026 Highlander specifications page, read October 27, 2026. Equipment can change during the model year.
Towing capacity is not the only limit
The towing capacity is the most a Highlander is rated to pull. The trailer, the cargo on it, your passengers and the cargo inside the SUV all have to stay within the vehicle's other weight limits too.
Toyota.com lists a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 5,970 lb. for the gas grades and 6,000 lb. for the hybrid grades, with curb weights from 4,376 lb. (XLE) to 4,595 lb. (Hybrid Limited and Hybrid Platinum). The owner's manual for your Highlander and model year has the full set of limits, so read it before your first trip with a trailer.
Elgin Toyota hours
| Department | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sales | Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun closed |
| Service | Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun closed |
From Elgin Toyota's website, October 27, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
2026 Highlander towing FAQ
How much can a 2026 Toyota Highlander tow?
Toyota.com lists a towing capacity of 5,000 lb. for the 2026 Highlander XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum, which use the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, and 3,500 lb. for the Highlander Hybrid XLE, Hybrid Limited and Hybrid Platinum.
Does the Highlander Hybrid tow less than the gas Highlander?
Yes. On toyota.com's 2026 specifications, every Highlander Hybrid grade is rated at 3,500 lb., and every grade with the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine is rated at 5,000 lb.
Is the 2026 Highlander all-wheel drive?
Every 2026 Highlander grade on toyota.com's specifications page lists an all-wheel-drive system as standard: All-Wheel Drive on the XLE, Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD on the XSE, Limited and Platinum, and Electronic On-Demand AWD on the hybrid grades.
Does the 2026 Highlander have trailer sway control?
Yes. Trailer-Sway Control and Hill Start Assist Control are listed as standard on every 2026 Highlander grade on toyota.com.
Is the towing capacity the only limit I need to check?
No. The trailer, its cargo, your passengers and your own cargo all have to stay within the weight limits for your Highlander. Toyota.com lists a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 5,970 lb. for the gas grades and 6,000 lb. for the hybrid grades. The owner's manual for your model year has the full set of limits.
Planning to tow with a Highlander?
Visit Elgin Toyota at 1600 W. Lake St. in Streamwood to compare Highlander grades, or book a brake and tire check before a towing trip.
Sources
Towing capacities, powertrains, drivetrains, weights and feature availability are from toyota.com's 2026 Highlander specifications page, read October 27, 2026. Your owner's manual and the labels on your vehicle are the final word. Address and hours are from Elgin Toyota's own website. Image is illustrative.
- 2026 Toyota Highlander specifications: towing capacity, AWD system, engine, transmission, GVWR, curb weight, Trailer-Sway Control, Hill Start Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control and Multi-Terrain Select by grade, Toyota, read October 27, 2026
- Address and hours, Elgin Toyota, October 27, 2026
