Multi-Grade Strategy
The all-new Highlander is available in Base, Sport and Limited grades in both two-wheel and full-time four-wheel-drive models. All Highlander Hybrid models are equipped with four-wheel-drive with intelligence and available in Base and Limited grades.
In addition to its wider stance and muscular contours, the exterior of the Base grade Highlander adds new levels of refinement. Standard exterior features include six-spoke 17-inch machined alloy wheels, fixed rear glass, a newly styled silver-painted front grille, silver-painted rear license plate garnish, a black rear lower bumper cover and black rear step bumper cover.
For a sportier look, the Highlander Sport adds standard exterior features that include 19-inch five-spoke machined alloy wheels with a dark silver-painted insert finish, dark-silver painted roof rails, sport-tuned suspension, rear glass hatch, a newly styled smoked chrome front grille surround and inserts, dark silver-painted rear license plate garnish, a chrome exhaust tip, sport-styled rear spoiler, fog lamps, smoked head lamp and tail lamp lenses, color-keyed rear lower bumper cover and unique sport badging.
The upscale Limited grade's standard features include chrome grille and inserts, chrome door handles, puddle lamps, fog lamps, light silver-painted roof rails, chrome surround and light silver-painted rear license plate garnish, rear glass hatch, heated outside mirrors and a rear spoiler.
Inside, the Highlander features new dual Optitron meters accentuated in red. The Base and Sport grades feature a center console, shift knob with silver-painted accents and front driver and passenger assist grips. On the Sport grade the assist grips are accented in silver-painted trim. The center console, shift knob and assist grip on the Limited grade feature satin-mahogany wood grain-style trim.
On all models except Base, Highlander features a standard backup camera with a 3.5-inch multi-information display that is not dependent upon the installation of a navigation system. The display includes a backup camera monitor, clock, outside temperature, warning messages, and cruise information that includes average fuel economy, average speed, distance to empty, current fuel economy, and trip timer. On models equipped with an optional navigation system, the backup camera's images are viewed on the navigation screen.
The Base grade Highlander Hybrid exterior features a front grille with a chrome surround and silver-painted fins, silver-painted rear license plate garnish, blue-tinted headlight and taillight lenses, fixed rear glass, black fog lamp covers, silver-painted lower bumper cover, 17-inch six-spoke aluminum alloy wheels, rear spoiler with LED stop lamp, and Hybrid Synergy Drive badging.
The Highlander Hybrid Limited adds 19-inch 10-spoke aluminum alloy wheels, light silver-painted roof rails, rear glass hatch, and a power rear door.
Styling features on the inside of the Highlander Hybrid include a silver and birch-wood grain-style interior trim with chrome door handle accents, Optitron meters with blue graphics and a power meter with a hybrid system indicator.
Versatile and Spacious Interior Design
The completely redesigned and innovative passenger compartment is open and airy. In an environment where every fraction of an inch counts, the Highlander's interior measures more than four inches longer, front-to-back, and it's also wider. This increased space has enabled designers and engineers to provide additional room between each of the three rows of seats.
Engineers and designers carefully analyzed each of the Highlander's passenger positions, paying careful attention, especially, to that of the driver. They provided the driver with a steering column that now offers both tilt and telescope function to help provide the most comfortable driving position possible. They ensured that switches and knobs are large, well-marked, and easy to use.
They provided a driver's seat that is adjustable in eight different ways - again, to provide ultimate driver comfort. The Limited grade takes the driver seat a step further with two additional adjustable positions and a seat cushion extender. The passenger's front seat is adjustable in four different ways for all grades. The headrests are adjustable in two ways on the Base grade and four different ways on Sport and Limited.
Things also are looking up for second- and third-row passengers. In the second row, the seatbacks recline and a new innovative flexible seating function provides either a three-person bench seat or, by removing a new Center StowTM seat, a pair of captain's chairs complete with armrests, with a convenient walk-through area between the seats for easier access to the third row of seats. Those second-row seats offer 4.7 inches of fore-aft slide capability to allow additional passenger legroom.
Additionally, Highlander offers available rear air conditioning for second- and third-row passengers. Access to the third-row has been improved, not only by adding the Center StowTM seat, but also by placing the walk-in lever at an easy to reach position at the bottom of the second-row seat.
A second-row Center StowTM console with two cupholders can be added to the area between the two captain's seats when the Center StowTM seat has been removed and stowed conveniently under the front center console.
Thanks to abundant space behind the Highlander's driver and front passenger seats, Highlander can accommodate additional passenger cargo. Second-row one-touch levers are standard on Highlander Sport, Limited, Hybrid Limited and available on Hybrid Base. These levers inside the cargo area can be operated with one hand, allowing the second-row seats to fold forward and flat to provide additional utility space.
The third-row seats function in a similar manner, using a lever in the back of the seat. When both rows of seats are stored, the Highlander provides 95.4 cubic feet of storage on the gas model and 94.1 cubic feet on the hybrid.
Notable standard interior features include a third-row fold-in-the-floor bench seat (optional on Hybrid Base grade) with foldable headrests for a flat rear cargo area. The rear door offers a power operation as an option, for quick access to the back (standard on Highlander Hybrid Limited and not available on gas Base grades). Smart Start and Entry is standard on the Highlander Limited and all hybrid models.
For buyers who do not require three-row seating, Highlander 2WD Base and both 2WD and 4WD Sport models are also available with a two-row seat package. This package also includes carpeted under-floor storage in the cargo compartment.
As a result of all this attention to detail, in studies involving consumers and potential customers, the redesigned Highlander received the highest marks for perception of overall exterior appearance and size, and also higher marks than all other clinic vehicles for interior roominess, versatility and comfort.