With the larger three-row Grand Highlander having debuted for the 2024 model year, Toyota is reminding buyers where it all started with a silver-anniversary celebration for the (also three-row) regular 2025 Highlander. Based on the Highlander Hybrid Limited with all-wheel drive, the 25th Edition features silver 20-inch wheels and exterior trim, a leather interior in a new shade of tan Toyota calls Portobello, and exclusive badging inside and out.
It’s not just the 25th Edition that gets standard AWD; for 2025, every Highlander Hybrid drives all four wheels. Other updates to the lineup are limited to badging and paint colors.
Related: 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review: Long on Efficiency, Short on Space
Powertrain Specs and MPG
Standard 2025 Highlanders are powered by a 265-horsepower, turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine making 310 pounds-feet of torque; it’s mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is still standard on the gas Highlander, with AWD available. The LE and XLE trim levels get a basic AWD setup, while the XSE, Limited and Platinum trims get an upgraded system with torque vectoring. Toyota says the gas Highlander returns 22/29/25 mpg city/highway/combined with FWD and 21/28/24 with AWD; official EPA figures for the 2025 model are not yet available, however.
The gas-burning part of the Highlander Hybrid’s powertrain is a normally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder. It’s aided by two electric motors, with a third at the rear axle providing AWD. Total system output is 243 hp, routed through a continuously variable automatic. Per Toyota, the Highlander Hybrid XLE and Nightshade get an EPA-rated 35/35/35 mpg, while the Limited, 25th Edition and Platinum return 35/34/35 mpg.
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Safety Features and Trim Levels
Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard on the 2025 Toyota Highlander and includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane-centering steering, road-sign recognition and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert are also standard.
Additional equipment on the entry-level Highlander LE includes 18-inch wheels, LED exterior lighting, a power liftgate, heated side mirrors, windshield wiper de-icers, and keyless entry and start. Inside, the LE is rather basic, with cloth upholstery, a second-row bench seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, six speakers, and an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Only available with AWD, the Highlander XSE is otherwise an appearance package, with black 20-inch wheels, a unique grille and front bumper, and ambient interior lighting. There’s no hybrid XSE; the Nightshade fills that role, riding on black 18-inch wheels and featuring black exterior trim.
Though not available in LE or XSE form, the Highlander Hybrid is equipped identically to the non-hybrid in the XLE, Limited and Platinum trim levels. The XLE gains a moonroof, hands-free power liftgate, synthetic leather upholstery, second-row captain’s chairs, heated and power-adjustable front seats, second-row sunshades and wireless smartphone charging.
Both the regular and hybrid Highlander Limiteds ride on 20s and are fitted with front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking. Inside, the Limited is loaded up with real leather, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, upgraded interior trim with faux wood, a 12.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL sound system. Based on the hybrid Limited, the 25th Edition also gets a 360-degree camera system.
The highest of Highlanders, the Platinum also features a 360-degree camera system, plus a 10-inch head-up display, panoramic moonroof, heated second-row seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers and adaptive headlights. Like the XSE, the Platinum is also only available with AWD.
Availability and Pricing
The 2025 Toyota Highlander will arrive at dealers in November. Pricing, including $1,450 destination, is as follows. AWD adds $1,600 to the LE and XLE trims and $1,950 to the Limited; the XSE and Platinum are AWD only.
Highlander
- LE: $40,970
- XLE: $44,120
- XSE: $47,790
- Limited: $48,225
- Platinum: $53,375
Highlander Hybrid
- XLE: $47,470
- XLE Nightshade Edition: $48,470
- Limited: $51,925
- Platinum: $55,125
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Editor’s note: This story was updated Sept. 18, 2024, with pricing information.
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