2019 Toyota Highlander

The Highlander comes in five different trims that offer 13 possible engine and drivetrain configurations. Listed in order from lowest to highest they are the following: LE, LE Plus, XLE, SE, and Limited. <br></br> The LE comes standard with a 2.7-liter, inline 4-cylinder engine, FWD, optional keyless entry, Entune infotainment system with a 6.1-inch touch screen, Toyota Safety Sense, rearview camera, five USB ports, and split-folding rear seats. <br></br> The LE Plus offers an upgraded 3.5-liter, V-6 engine that delivers enough power for an AWD option. Other enhancements to this trim include upgrades to the Entune infotainment system, automatic climate control, and rear power liftgate. <br></br> The mid-line trim XLE sees many standard upgrades including an easy speak intercom system, navigation built into the Entune software, power-adjustable leather seats, a moonroof, keyless entry with push-button ignition, and auto-dimming rear-view mirrors. <br></br> The SE presents the premium Entune audio package, sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, and black exterior design enhancements all as standard equipment. <br></br> The top-tier Limited trim of the 2019 Highlander comes with blind-spot monitoring, heated front seats, second-row bucket seats, and a premium JBL audio system.

The main workhorse of the Toyota Highlander is the 3.5-liter, V-6, double overhead cam, 24-valve, direct-injected engine capable of generating 295-horsepower at 6,600 RPM and 263 feet-pounds of torque at 4,700 revolutions per minute. The base trim LE comes with a 2.7liter, inline 4-cylinder, double overhead cam, 16-valve engine that is capable of 185-horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 184 feet-pounds of torque at 4,200 rpm. If towing is a main concern, then the V-6 option is probably the way to go as it is rated to pull 5,000-pounds versus the 4-cylinder that can only tow 1,500-pounds.

All trim levels except the LE use an 8-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with shift modes governing different terrains and weather conditions. The only difference on the LE is that the transmission has six gears instead of eight. The suspension package consists of independent MacPherson front struts and double-wishbone style multi-link in the rear. Electronic power steering keeps the driver in complete control through hard to navigate roads

All trim levels come standard with front bucket seats and two rear row bench seats except where noted above. Higher trims have leather options available while lower trims are cloth. The Highlander comes standard with air conditioning in the front and rear with optional zone control in some trims. The Entune infotainment system has many features including an optional rear-seat Blu-ray Disc entertainment system.

The Highlander uses the Toyota Safety Sense pre-collision system with pedestrian protection, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. The Star Safety System is also standard and includes features such as anti-lock brakes, traction control, and electronic brake-force distribution. There are six air bags in the front and side panels of the Highlander as well as standard safety glass.