2026 Toyota Highlander: Airmont Buyers Guide

What actually changed for 2026

This isn't a ground-up redesign — Toyota calls it an update, not a new generation — but the changes land in places buyers notice immediately. The LE trim is gone, so XLE is now the floor. All-wheel drive, which used to be a $1,900 option on lower trims, is standard on every 2026 Highlander regardless of trim or powertrain; there's no front-wheel-drive Highlander to shop this year. Under the hood, the old naturally aspirated engine is retired in favor of a 2.4-liter turbocharged four making 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, run through an 8-speed automatic. The hybrid carries over as an option — a 2.5-liter four-cylinder system that Toyota and independent outlets put at roughly 243 horsepower combined — but it's not offered on every trim.

For Rockland County driving, standard AWD is the headline. Route 59 through Airmont and Suffern gets genuine winter weather most years, and the climb toward the Ramapo hills west of town isn't flat. Buyers who used to have to remember to check the AWD box, or pay extra for it, don't have that decision to make anymore on a Highlander.

Gas turbo, or hybrid — and where the line is drawn

Every 2026 Highlander trim comes with the 2.4-liter turbo four as standard. XLE, Limited, and Platinum can each be ordered as a hybrid instead, trading a modest amount of torque-off-the-line feel for real mileage gains — the XLE Hybrid is rated an EPA-estimated 35 mpg city and 35 highway, versus 21 city/28 highway for the turbo-gas XLE. XSE is the one trim that doesn't offer a hybrid option this year; it's turbo-gas only, which is worth knowing before falling for the sport-styled wheels and then wanting the mileage number too. Limited and Platinum Hybrids trade a single highway mpg for their extra weight and features, landing at 35 city/34 highway.

Choose a 2026 Highlander

What Highlander buyers say about Interstate Toyota

Karlene Douglas's review reads like most of the Highlander feedback in Interstate Toyota's Google profile — short, specific, and naming names: "Awesome experience for me, I recently purchased a Toyota highlander. My sales rep Gilbert is the best in the business, Glen and the crew super nice, I felt like a very valued customer." Deborah DeLong's purchase went the hybrid route: "We worked with Jose to purchase our Highlander Platinum Hybrid. Our experience was very positive. Jose made sure to respond to all of our questions, and we had confidence in our decision to go ahead with the purchase." A previous-generation Highlander Limited owner, Stafford Peterkin, put it plainly after his purchase: "I felt Lucas was the best person I have ever dealt with when it comes to buying a car... I Love my 2023 Toyota Highlander Limited."

Worth flagging for anyone reading Interstate Toyota's full review list: the dealership also sells the Grand Highlander, a separate, larger three-row model, and several of its glowing reviews are actually about that vehicle rather than the Highlander covered on this page.

Two more things to sort out

Trim and powertrain are half the decision. The Highlander pricing & leasing guide below covers Rockland County sales tax, lease-versus-buy math, and how current offers stack against MSRP. The Highlander service & repair guide covers ToyotaCare, the maintenance schedule, and what Hudson Valley winters do to a three-row SUV over time.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a 2026 Highlander cost?

MSRPs run $46,270 to $53,925 across the four gas trims, or $47,320 to $54,975 for the three hybrid trims that offer it, before the $1,450 destination charge, taxes, and any dealer-installed accessories. The pricing guide covers the rest of the out-the-door math.

Why is the 2026 Highlander more expensive than the Grand Highlander in some listings?

The two are different vehicles with different size classes, feature sets, and pricing structures — a specific Highlander trim can list higher or lower than a specific Grand Highlander trim depending on configuration. Don't assume one is simply a cheaper or pricier version of the other; compare trim-for-trim.

Is the 2026 Highlander any good?

Early reporting and Interstate Toyota's own customer reviews are positive on the changes — more standard equipment, a new turbo engine with a meaningful torque bump, and AWD no longer gated behind an option box. It's a mid-cycle update on a known platform rather than an unproven redesign, which tends to mean fewer first-year surprises.

Will the Highlander be redesigned again soon?

Toyota hasn't published a next-generation timeline as of this writing. The 2026 changes (new engine, standard AWD, dropped LE trim) are described by outlets covering the launch as an update to the current generation rather than a full redesign — treat any "all-new 2027" claims you see elsewhere as unconfirmed until Toyota states otherwise.

Can I get a Highlander with front-wheel drive to save money?

No — for 2026, all-wheel drive is standard across every Highlander trim and both powertrains. There's no FWD version to shop this year, gas or hybrid.

What's the most common complaint about the Highlander?

Owner feedback on prior generations centers mostly on age-related items — infotainment quirks, battery life on high-mileage examples. The 2026 turbo engine and standard-AWD layout are new enough that long-term reliability data is still being written, which is part of why the factory warranty terms below are worth knowing before you need them.

See it in person

Trim differences and the gas-versus-hybrid question are easier to sort out standing next to two Highlanders than reading spec sheets. Browse current Highlander inventory or stop by 411 Route 59 in Airmont.