Which Trim Level of the 2024 Toyota Highlander Should You Buy?
Given the popularity of the all-new three-row 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, it’s no surprise details on the collective Highlander family prove a smidge tricky to translate. If you have a 2024 Toyota Highlander on your shortlist, here’s a breakdown of trims to make your decision easier.
Related: 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Gets Darker With Nightshade Edition
A Pick of Trim Levels and Powertrains
The 2024 Highlander underwent a price hike for the new model year. Gone is the base L trim, with the popular LE trim forming the model floor and raising the cost of entry by a significant $2,500. But, compare the starting prices of the 2024 LE to the 2023 version, and you’ll find a difference of just $100 year over year. With the L nixed, buyers have the choice of LE, XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum trims for both the Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, with two distinct Nightshade Editions offered on the latter model.
There are two powertrains available, starting with the standard turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine for the gas-only Highlander. Regardless of trim or equipment, output is a stout 265 horsepower and 310 pounds-feet of torque, all managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. All trims and powertrain configurations are available in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, though certain variants offer an upgraded AWD system.
The Highlander Hybrid scoots around with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder that’s paired with a battery pack and two (FWD) or three (AWD) electric motors, all geared by a continuously variable automatic transmission. The powertrain is good for a combined 243 hp and at least 175 pounds-feet of torque (Toyota offers a torque figure for just the gas engine).
Safety
All 2024 Highlanders coddle customers with the automaker’s comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ package of driver-assist and safety tech. This includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with steering assist, adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams. Specific trims incorporate additional safety tech, so make sure your preferred trim is up to your standards.
Highlander LE
With the $40,515 (all prices include destination charge) LE now bringing up the entry point, the Highlander’s suite of base-level equipment grows by a modest margin. As the LE already includes the standard kit on the discontinued L, even the most stripped-out 2024 Highlander arrives with niceties including the following:
- Three-zone automatic climate control
- 8-inch infotainment display
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Keyless entry with push-button start
- LED projector headlights and LED taillights
- Five USB ports
The LE steps up the old L with:
- Height-adjustable power liftgate
- Leather trimmed steering wheel and shift lever
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
AWD is available for an extra $1,600. When equipped, the AWD version adds a selection of terrain modes, including Normal, Mud & Sand, and Rock & Dirt. Other than AWD, there are no packages or options available for the LE outside of three extra-cost paint colors available on the majority of Highlanders: Moon Dust, Ruby Flare Pearl and Wind Chill Pearl.
The Highlander Hybrid LE is identical to the regular Highlander LE save for a few exterior aesthetic touches to differentiate the two powertrains. The FWD hybrid LE starts at $42,115, with AWD bumping the price to $43,715.
Exclusive to the hybrid LE and hybrid XLE is the Nightshade Edition, a $1,000 exterior appearance package that adds black trim to the mirror caps, door handles, front grille, badging, and rear spoiler, plus a set of black 18-inch wheels. With this package, color choices become Midnight Black Metallic, Cement, Wind Chill Pearl and Ruby Flare Pearl, the latter two adding $425 to the final tally.
Highlander XLE
For $43,665, slide into a FWD Highlander XLE and add:
- Power tilt-and-slide moonroof
- Roof rails
- Upgraded 18-inch wheels
- Hands-free power tailgate
- Wireless phone charging
- Auto-dimming rear mirror
- Synthetic leather upholstery
- 10-way power-adjustable driver seat
- Eight-way power-adjustable front-passenger seat
- Heated front seats
- Second-row captain’s chairs
The $45,265 Highlander Hybrid XLE with FWD adds nothing beyond the powertrain swap, and stepping up to AWD for either drive setup adds $1,600. All XLEs offer a no-cost second-row bench seat and a larger 12.3-inch infotainment display upgrade as their only options.
Highlander XSE
In contrast to the Highlander Hybrid’s Nightshade Edition, the gas-only Highlander offers the exclusive XSE trim that’s best understood as the range’s sportiest trim (even if the only mechanical difference is a “sport-tuned” suspension). Additionally, all gas AWD trims at XSE and above feature torque vectoring, pushing the cost for AWD from $1,600 to $1,950. At $45,260 with FWD and $47,210 for AWD, the Highlander XSE adds mostly aesthetic changes, including:
- Black accents on LED projector headlights
- 20-inch black alloy wheels
- More aggressive front grille and bumper
- Unique lower rear bumper
- Color-matched side rocker panels with chrome accents
- Black roof rails
- Twin-tipped exhaust
- Ambient interior lighting
The 12.3-inch multimedia infotainment package is the XSE’s only option and includes an upgraded 11-speaker JBL sound system that pushes the package price to $1,375. An option to change the standard black leather upholstery to red is available at no charge.
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Highlander Limited
The Highlander Limited is the penultimate trim, offering a healthy mix of upmarket features and equipment. The Limited starts at $47,770 with FWD and $49,720 with AWD, adding:
- Power-folding exterior mirrors with puddle lights
- 20-inch wheels
- High-output LED foglights
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Leather-trimmed upholstery
- Seat position memory
- 12.3-inch infotainment display
- Heated steering wheel
- Upgraded interior trim
- 120-volt rear-seat outlet
- 11-speaker JBL sound system
Choosing FWD ($49,370) or AWD ($51,320) for the Highlander Hybrid doesn’t change any hardware save the outlet; in place of the single 120-volt socket for rear passengers, the hybrid’s juicier electric architecture powers an additional outlet located in the luggage area with a combined 1,500 watts of output. And if that isn’t enough, a 360-degree camera system is available for $850.
Highlander Platinum
The mack daddy of all Highlanders — short of a Grand, of course — is the Platinum, starting at $50,970 with FWD and $52,920 with AWD. Nothing changes when selecting the hybrid version with either FWD ($52,570) or AWD ($54,520). The kit list is befitting of the princely Platinum price tag and now packs:
- Adaptive headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Panoramic glass roof
- Power tilt-and-slide moonroof with jam protection
- 10-inch color head-up display
- Illuminated door sill scuff plate
- 360-degree camera system
- Digital rearview mirror with garage door opener
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