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Toyota Highlander Towing Capacity: Charts & Specs
The Toyota Highlander seamlessly blends impressive power with modern features, delivering a Toyota Highlander towing capacity that's ready to tackle a wide range of hauling needs. Whether you're towing a trailer, boat, or camper, this eight-seat SUV is engineered to help you bring your outdoor gear along with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Toyota Highlander models are perfect for growing families who love long road trips and weekend adventures, providing the space and performance you want in a midsize, three-row SUV. Below, we take a comprehensive look at the latest Highlander towing capabilities and compare them to past model years. Join the DARCARS 355 Toyota of Rockville team as we uncover all the trailering specs and features the 2025 Toyota Highlander has on tap.
2025 Toyota Highlander Towing Capacity at a Glance
- Towing: The new Highlander has a max towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, or 3,500 pounds on hybrid models, when properly equipped.
- Engine: Under the hood, the gas-powered Highlander boasts a 2.4-liter turbo powertrain that produces 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.
- Features: Standard Trailer-Sway Control (TSC) helps you maintain control in adverse road conditions while hauling.
- Traction: The available Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD improves traction and stability, allocating up to 50% of power to the rear wheels.
How Much Can the Toyota Highlander Tow?
The Toyota Highlander towing capacities are going to depend on the trim level and configuration of the SUV. The gas-powered Highlander models equipped with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that offers 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque can tow up to 5,000 pounds,1 which isn't too far behind the Toyota Tacoma towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.1 For those who are eying the more eco-friendly hybrid version, you'll be able to tow up to 3,500 pounds.1
2025 Toyota Highlander Towing Capacity Chart
| Max Towing | Engine | Torque | Transmission | Drivetrain | Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) | |
| 2025 Toyota Highlander LE | 5,000 lbs1 | 2.4L turbo 4-cyl | 310 lb-ft | 8-speed ECT | FWD or AWD |
|
| 2025 Toyota Highlander XLE | 5,000 lbs1 | 2.4L turbo 4-cyl | 310 lb-ft | 8-speed ECT | FWD or AWD |
|
| 2025 Toyota Highlander XSE | 5,000 lbs1 | 2.4L turbo 4-cyl | 310 lb-ft | 8-speed ECT | Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD | 5,970 lbs |
| 2025 Toyota Highlander Limited | 5,000 lbs1 | 2.4L turbo 4-cyl | 310 lb-ft | 8-speed ECT | FWD or Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD |
|
| 2025 Toyota Highlander Platinum | 5,000 lbs1 | 2.4L turbo 4-cyl | 310 lb-ft | 8-speed ECT | Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD | 5,970 lbs AWD |
As you can see, both the Toyota Highlander AWD towing capacity and Toyota Highlander FWD towing capacity are the same, though there are certain features only available on all-wheel-drive configurations, which we'll discuss later on.
What Can the Toyota Highlander Tow?
For those wondering about what this midsize SUV is capable of towing, here are a few examples of what you can pull with the 5,000-pound1 Toyota Highlander towing capability:
- Teardrop Camper
- Small Boats
- Travel Trailer
- Jet Skis
- ATVs
- Motorcycles
Toyota Highlander Towing Capacity by Year
| Toyota Highlander Max Towing | |
| 2024 | 5,000 lbs1 |
| 2023 | 5,000 lbs1 |
| 2022 | 5,000 lbs1 |
| 2021 | 5,000 lbs1 |
| 2020 | 5,000 lbs1 |
| 2019 | 5,000 lbs1 |
| 2018 | 5,000 lbs1 |
Toyota Highlander Towing Trailer Features & Drive Modes
Looking beyond the towing capabilities of the Highlander, there are a number of advanced features that help in both hauling and driving.
- Trailer-Sway Control: This electronic system is designed to assist the driver in harsh conditions. It automatically detects excessive swaying when you're towing a trailer or camper, selectively applying brake pressure and reducing the torque if needed.
- Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD: Offered on the XSE, Platinum, and Limited trims, Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD improves overall responsiveness and stability by distributing more power to the wheels that need it.
- Multi-Terrain Select: This system is featured on AWD configurations and allows you to choose between four different driving modes: Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt, Snow, and Normal. When it is activated, the MTS system is able to sense slippage and regulate wheelspin.
- Drive Mode Select: Drive Mode Select comes standard across the lineup. This system provides four different modes for regular driving: Sport, Eco, Normal, and Snow.
Additional features include the available Downhill Assist Control and a 360-Degree Panoramic View Monitor, as well as standard Hill Start Assist Control and a Backup Camera.
2025 Toyota Highlander Engine Specs
The source of the Toyota Highlander towing capacity is the robust engine underneath the hood. In addition to its impressive tow rating, you can expect the following performance specs from your midsize SUV:
- Engine: 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
- Transmission: Direct Shift-8AT eight-speed ECT
- Power Output: 265 horsepower
- Torque Rating: 310 pound-feet of torque
- MPG: Up to an EPA-estimated 22/29/25 (City/Highway/Combined)2
Test-Drive Your New Toyota Highlander Today!
Are you ready to experience the new Highlander firsthand at DARCARS 355 Toyota of Rockville? Choose from our new Toyota inventory and then schedule your test drive at our dealership. For questions about tow rating, payload, and specific trims, don't hesitate to reach out to our expert team today!
If you're looking for a Toyota truck, be sure to check out the Toyota Tundra towing capacity of up to 12,000 pounds1 or Tacoma capabilities of up to 6,500 pounds1 so you can decide which Toyota model checks all of your boxes – from towing needs to cabin comforts!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Toyota Highlander has a towing package?
While there isn't a Toyota Highlander towing package per se, there are plenty of standard and available features, along with some individual accessories for purchase, that can enhance your towing experience. Since we've covered features above, here are some of the recovery and towing accessories you can add to your Highlander:
- Tow hitch receiver with wiring harness
- Digital inflator and deflator
- Pump-up kit
- Single-motor portable compressor
- Tred pads
How do I know if I have a towing package on my Toyota Highlander?
There isn't a Toyota Highlander towing package, but we can help you determine what towing capabilities your model has. The best way to determine what capabilities your Highlander has is to check the owner's manual. You can also check for features like a factory-installed hitch receiver and wiring harness. Contact our team if you're considering purchasing a new Toyota Highlander or are still unsure what your current one has.
Is a Toyota Highlander good for towing?
Yes, with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, the Highlander is a great SUV for towing small campers, trailers, and recreational vehicles like ATVs or Jet Skis. The available all-wheel-drive configurations provide extra traction on the road, making hauling easier, especially in wet or muddy conditions. Plus, its advanced features, like the Trailer-Sway Control system, help manage the horsepower and torque.
What is the towing capacity of a Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid towing capacity is 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. These models have a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,000 pounds. All Highlander Hybrid models come equipped with a 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain that produces a combined 243 horsepower and pairs with an eCVT. They also have standard Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive and Trailer-Sway Control for improved hauling performance.
Featured Customer Review
Glenda Orellana
10/15/2024
Thanks to Rodrigo and Kevin for helping my husband and I with the purchase of our new Toyota Highlander car, they were very kind with everything. And they explained everything to us. Thank you!!!!!