Find the 2026 Toyota Highlander in Salisbury, NC

2026 Toyota Highlander for Sale at Cloninger Toyota in Salisbury, NC

The 2026 Toyota Highlander returns as a three-row SUV built to handle daily commuting, long highway travel, school duties, and family adventures with confidence. With a powerful 2.4-liter turbo engine, an upgraded interior, new for 2026 features, refined suspension tuning, and advanced Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance, the Highlander remains one of the most balanced vehicles in the Toyota SUV lineup. Drivers comparing the 2026 Toyota Highlander to vehicles such as the Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Grand Highlander, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Crown Signia, Toyota RAV4, and other Toyota models will appreciate the Highlander’s blend of performance, space, comfort, and smart capabilities. Whether navigating lane markers on Salisbury roads, towing weekend gear, or keeping passengers comfortable on long trips, the 2026 Highlander is engineered to support your lifestyle.

2026 Toyota Highlander Trim Levels

XLE

The XLE trim includes standard SofTex trimmed front and second row seats with heated front seats, 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, height adjustable hands-free power liftgate with jam protection, Qi compatible wireless charging, color keyed heated mirrors with turn signals and blind spot warning indicators, 18-inch machined alloy wheels, LED projector headlights, roof rails, and three zone automatic climate control. EPA-estimated ratings come to 21 city, 28 highway, and 24 combined.

XSE

The XSE grade introduces a sport-tuned flavor with 20-inch black alloy wheels, an aggressive mesh front grille with a sporty bumper and lower spoiler, sport-tuned MacPherson strut front suspension, black-painted grille, dual chrome-tipped exhaust, SofTex-trimmed seats with heated front seats, and unique exterior accents. Its EPA estimates match the rest of the gas lineup at 21 city, 28 highway, and 24 combined.

Limited

The Limited trim offers luxury touches, including leather-trimmed seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen with 11 JBL speakers, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, LED fog lights, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, chrome exterior additions, and 20-inch alloy wheels. EPA estimates remain 21 city, 28 highway, and 24 combined.

Platinum

The Platinum grade sits at the top, adding a panoramic glass roof, power-tilt-and-slide moonroof, 10-inch color Head-Up Display, Panoramic View Monitor with dynamic gridlines, adaptive LED projector headlights, high-output LED fog lights, chrome finishes, and the most advanced convenience features. It maintains the same EPA estimated 21 city, 28 highway, and 24 combined efficiency.

Interior Comfort and Space

Inside the 2026 Toyota Highlander, three-row seating provides ample space for passengers to settle in. The Highlander seats either seven or eight passengers, depending on seating configuration. Standard seating includes seven-passenger seating with second-row captain’s chairs, while an eight-passenger bench seat is available. Third-row seats feature 60/40 split-folding and sliding headrests, and a recline function for improved comfort. Second-row seats also offer reclining and sliding adjustments for easier access.

Interior measurements accommodate passengers across all rows, with 42.0 inches of first-row legroom, 38.7 inches in the second row, and 28.0 inches in the third row. Headroom reaches 39.6 inches in front and 39.4 inches in the second row with the standard moonroof configuration. Hip room allows 57.2 inches in the front and 57.0 inches in the second row, while shoulder room expands to 59.0 inches up front and 58.4 inches in row two. The third row provides 36.1 inches of headroom, 45.6 inches of hip room, and 55.0 inches of shoulder room.

Premium cabin details include soft touch roll top center console, removable utility tray, dual sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, overhead console with conversation mirror and maplights, second row sunshades on upper trims, chrome plated interior door handles, painted dashboard trim, ornamental and faux wood paneling on specific models, ambient interior lighting, and an available digital rearview mirror with HomeLink universal garage door opener. Additional amenities include:

• SofTex Trimmed Seats with Heated Front Seats
• Leather Trimmed Seats with Ventilated Front Seats
• Three-Zone Automatic Climate Control
• Qi Compatible Wireless Charging
• Soft Touch In-Dash Split-Level Shelf

Additional interior features include seat memory settings, heated second-row seats on Platinum, up to 14 cup and bottle holders, 120V outlets on select trims, a cargo-area tonneau cover, and a soft-touch console.

Cargo capacity supports daily utility with 16.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.4 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 84.3 cubic feet behind the first row when all seats are folded.

Exterior Design and Utility

The 2026 Highlander’s exterior features a purposeful design intended for durability and refinement. Standard exterior elements include LED projector headlights, LED strip Daytime Running Lights, LED taillights, a rear spoiler with an LED center high-mount stop light, front and rear mudguards, and privacy glass on the rear windows. Acoustic noise-reducing front side windows and high-solar-energy-absorbing glass improve cabin insulation and comfort in warm climates.

Mirror options vary by grade: the XLE receives color-keyed heated mirrors with turn signal indicators and manual folding; Limited and Platinum upgrade to power-folding mirrors with reverse-tilt-down, memory function, blind-spot indicators, and puddle lights with an integrated Highlander logo. XSE features black-capped mirrors with a matching design language.

Exterior wheel options include 18-inch machined alloy wheels on XLE, 20-inch black alloy wheels on XSE, 20-inch alloy wheels on Limited, and available 20-inch chrome-finished alloy wheels on Platinum. Roof rail options include silver finish, silver painted, or black finish, depending on the trim.

Additional exterior features include:

• Height Adjustable Hands-Free Power Liftgate with Jam Protection
• Rain Sensing Variable Intermittent Wipers
• Windshield Wiper De-Icer
• Rear Bumper Scuff Plate
• Dual Chrome Tipped Exhaust

Additional features include a panoramic glass roof with front power tilt-and-slide moonroof, washer-linked wipers, LED fog lights or high-output LED fog lights, an adaptive front lighting system, grille shutters, and various grille styles, including black-painted surrounds or chrome-plated finishes.

Exterior dimensions are 194.9 inches overall length on XLE and Limited, and 197.4 inches on Platinum. Overall width reaches 76.0 inches, height stands at 68.1 inches, and ground clearance is 8 inches across all gas trims. Approach and departure angles measure 18.1 and 23.4 degrees, with a wheelbase of 112.2 inches.

Performance and Capability

Every 2026 Highlander gas model is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 310 lb-ft of torque at 1,700 to 3600 rpm. This engine uses D-4S injection, Atkinson-cycle capability, and the Stop-and-Start Engine System for added efficiency. EPA estimates for all gas Highlander trims rate at 21 city, 28 highway, and 24 combined. Actual mileage may vary.

The engine pairs with a Direct Shift 8AT eight-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission for smooth power delivery. Three drivetrain options are available across the lineup: standard AWD, electronic on-demand AWD, and Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD. The Dynamic Torque Vectoring system can direct up to 50 percent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels and further distribute torque between left and right wheels.

Suspension configurations include an independent MacPherson strut front suspension with a trailing-wishbone rear suspension across most trims, with the XSE receiving a sport-tuned version featuring high-rate springs, a rear stabilizer bar, and sport-tuned shock absorbers. Steering is electrically assisted, with a 37.4-foot turning circle.

Drive Mode Select enhances responsiveness with Sport, Eco, and Normal modes, while some trims add Snow mode or Trail mode. Multi-Terrain Select on AWD models offers Mud and Sand, Rock and Dirt, and Normal settings for improved traction.

Power-assisted ventilated 13.3-inch front discs and solid 13.3-inch rear discs handle braking. Towing capacity for all gas Highlander grades reaches 5,000 pounds with Trailer Sway Control included. Fuel tank capacity is 17.9 gallons.

Technology and Multimedia

The 2026 Highlander delivers smart connectivity and premium multimedia features across every trim level.

Standard On XLE:

• 8.0-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia Touchscreen
• Six-Speaker Audio System
• Wireless Apple CarPlay® And Android Auto™
• SiriusXM® Three-Month Platinum Trial
• Bluetooth® Hands-Free Calling And Audio Streaming
• USB Media Ports

Available Upgrades (Standard On Limited and Platinum):

• 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia Touchscreen
• USB Charge Ports And Wireless Integration
• Hands-Free Phone Capabilities
• Audio Streaming Via Bluetooth®
• Access To Toyota Connected Services

Optional Premium Audio:

• JBL® 11-Speaker System
• Integrated Subwoofer
• 800-Watt Amplifier

Additional Ports (Trim Dependent):

• One USB-A Media Port
• Four USB-C Charging Ports
• Two 12V Auxiliary Power Outlets

Connected Services Support:

• Safety Connect® With Emergency Assistance
• Service Connect® With Maintenance Updates
• Remote Connect® With Smartwatch And App Integration
• Drive Connect® With Cloud Navigation And Intelligent Assistant
• Wi-Fi Connect® With Hotspot Functionality And Streaming Compatibility

Safety and Driver Assistance

The 2026 Highlander comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+, bringing comprehensive driver support systems to every gas model. These features are designed to support safer driving through real-time monitoring, alerts, and automated assistance.

Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ Includes:

• Pre-Collision System With Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Departure Alert With Steering Assist
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Lane Tracing Assist With Road Edge Detection
• Road Sign Assist And Automatic High Beams

Additional Driver Assistance Features:

• Blind Spot Monitor With Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Backup Camera With Dynamic Gridlines
• Front And Rear Parking Assist With Automatic Braking
• Panoramic View Monitor (Available On Upper Trims)
• Predictive Fuel-Efficient Drive For Hybrid Models
• Hill Start Assist Control And Downhill Assist Control

Safety Construction And Support:

• Eight Airbags For Comprehensive Collision Protection
• Star Safety System Includes: Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop Technology® (SST)
• LATCH Anchors For Child Safety Seats
• Adjustable Front Seatbelt Anchors And Rear Seatbelt Reminders
• Anti-Theft System With Engine Immobilizer

Test Drive the 2026 Toyota Highlander at Cloninger Toyota

If you are ready to experience a three-row SUV that balances performance, safety, comfort, and capability, the 2026 Toyota Highlander is waiting for you at Cloninger Toyota in Salisbury, NC. Whether you are comparing trims, exploring Highlander specs, browsing special offers, or looking for the right Toyota SUV for your family, our team is ready to help you find the right model. You may also explore the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Toyota Crown Signia, Toyota Crown, and other electric vehicles in the Toyota lineup. Visit us to schedule your test drive, contact our dealer team for vehicle information, or learn more about new 2026 updates across the Toyota lineup.

*Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Toyota is under license. A compatible Bluetooth®-enabled phone must first be paired. Phone performance depends on software, coverage, and carrier.

*All fuel economy mpg listings in the content above are EPA estimates. Actual mileage will vary.

*Disclaimer: This content was drafted with AI assistance for initial drafting, reviewed by a subject-matter expert for accuracy, and edited by our team of writers and editors.