XLE AWD
What the XLE adds over the LE (+$4,370)
The $4,370 premium buys AWD, heated and SofTex-trimmed seats throughout, a 10-way power driver's seat, 8-way power passenger seat, wireless charging, auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink, Digital Key capability, Downhill Assist Control, roof rails, captain's chairs replacing the third-row bench, and rear window sunshades. Trade-offs: one fewer passenger, one less mpg combined and highway, and a slightly lower GVWR.
Pick the LE if: You want front-wheel drive, eight-passenger seating, or want to save $4,370. · Pick the XLE if: You want AWD, heated seats, wireless charging, or captain's chairs.
Written from the differences listed below only; no outside facts.
| Spec | LE | XLE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 6040 lbs | 6030 lbs |
| MPG (combined) | 24 mpg | 23 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 28 mpg | 27 mpg |
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $41,660 | $46,030 |
| Passenger seating capacity | 8 | 7 |
| Final drive ratio | 3.3 | Front 3.329 / Rear 2.277 |
Standard here, not on the base trim: 18-in. multi-spoke silver wheels, 7-passenger seating with second-row fold-down captain's chairs and fold-down inboard armrests, adjustable headrests and two cup holders mounted on the floor; and 60/40 split, fold-down third-row seats with sliding headrests and recline function, Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink® universal garage door opener, Digital Key capability — Digital Key enables smartphone to be used instead of a physical key (Remote Connect subscription required.), Downhill Assist Control (DAC), Dynamic Torque Control AWD / Electronic On-Demand AWD / Full-Time Electronic AWD, Heated front seats, Manual second-row retractable rear window sunshades, Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging with charge indicator light, Silver-painted roof rails, SofTex®-trimmed front-, second- and third-row seats; heated front seats; 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat including power lumbar support; 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
Specifications
Source: manufacturer press kitBrakes
| Parking brake type | Electronic |
Cargo
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 97.5 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 57.9 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 20.6 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 153.3 cu-ft |
Dimensions Exterior
| Ground clearance | 8 in |
| Overall height | 70.1 in |
| Overall length | 201.4 in |
| Overall width | 78.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.1 in |
Engine Basics
| Cylinder count | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2393 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Turbo |
| Valve configuration | 16-valve with Dual VVT-i |
Engine Output
| Horsepower | 265 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft |
Fuel Economy
| MPG (city) | 21 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 23 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 27 mpg |
Fuel System
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 |
| Fuel tank capacity | 17.8 gal |
Headroom
| Front headroom | 41.5 in |
| Second-row headroom | 40.2 in |
| Third-row headroom | 37.2 in |
Legroom
| Front legroom | 41.7 in |
| Second-row legroom | 39.5 in |
| Third-row legroom | 33.5 in |
Pricing
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $46,030 |
Seating
| Passenger seating capacity | 7 |
Shoulder Room
| Front shoulder room | 60.2 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 58.8 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 57.5 in |
Steering
| Steering type | Electric Power Steering (EPS); rack-and-pinion |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 19.0 ft |
Suspension
| Front suspension type | Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link with stabilizer bar |
Transmission
| Final drive ratio | Front 3.329 / Rear 2.277 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 |
| Transmission type | automatic |
Weights
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 6030 lbs |
Wheels
| Wheel diameter | 18 in |
| Wheel material | Aluminum |
Standard & optional equipment
Source: manufacturer press kitSafety12 std · 0 opt
- Downhill Assist Control (DAC)
- Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
- Backup camera with dynamic gridlines
- Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)
- Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control
- Eight airbags —driver airbag, front passenger airbag, driver knee airbag, seat cushion airbag (passenger), front side airbags, curtain shield airbags
- Hill Start Assist Control (HAC)
- LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) includes lower anchors and tethers on outboard second-row seats and tether anchor on third-row seats
- Star Safety System™—includes Electronically Controlled Braking (ECB), Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology® (SST)
- Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) — Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Road Sign Assist (RSA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Proactive Driving Assist (PDA)
- Anti-theft system with alarm and engine immobilizer
- Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) (individual tires)
Infotainment3 std · 0 opt
- 12.3-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM® with 3-month trial subscription.
- 6-speaker audio system
- Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging with charge indicator light
Convenience6 std · 0 opt
- Smart Key System on all doors and liftgate with Push Button Start, remote keyless entry system with lock, unlock, panic and liftgate functions
- Digital Key capability — Digital Key enables smartphone to be used instead of a physical key (Remote Connect subscription required.)
- Height-adjustable power liftgate with jam protection
- Power door locks with shift-linked automatic lock/unlock feature
- Power windows with auto up/down in all positions and jam protection
- Seven USB-C ports (one media port and six charging ports) and two 12V outlets
Climate1 std · 0 opt
- Three-zone automatic climate control with air filter, separate second-row control panel, individual temperature settings for driver, front passenger and rear-seat passengers, and second- and third-row vents
Seating4 std · 0 opt
- Heated front seats
- 7-passenger seating with second-row fold-down captain's chairs and fold-down inboard armrests, adjustable headrests and two cup holders mounted on the floor; and 60/40 split, fold-down third-row seats with sliding headrests and recline function
- 8-passenger seating with 60/40 split, sliding and reclining fold-down second-row bench seats; 60/40 split, fold-down third-row seats with sliding headrests and recline function
- SofTex®-trimmed front-, second- and third-row seats; heated front seats; 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat including power lumbar support; 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
Interior8 std · 0 opt
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink® universal garage door opener
- 13 cup and bottle holders
- Combination meter with analog gauges and 7-in. color Multi-Information Display (MID)
- Manual second-row retractable rear window sunshades
- Silver-painted dashboard trim and matte gray metallic door trim
- Soft-touch roll-top center console with removable utility tray
- Dual sun visors with sliding function and illuminated vanity mirrors
- Overhead console with sunglasses storage and maplights
Exterior17 std · 1 opt
- Power tilt/slide panoramic roof with power sunshadeoptional
- LED headlights
- 18-in. multi-spoke silver wheels
- Acoustic noise-reducing front windshield and front side windows
- Black front lower bumper
- Black rear lower bumper
- Black-painted front grille
- Color-keyed outside door handles
- Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with on/off feature
- Heated power outside mirrors with blind spot warning indicators
- LED taillights
- Rear liftgate windshield washer and backup camera washer
- Rear spoiler with LED center high-mount stop light
- Silver-painted roof rails
- Windshield wiper de-icer
- Privacy glass on rear side, quarter and liftgate windows
- Rear liftgate windshield defogger
- Spare Tire/Wheel Temporary
Powertrain1 std · 0 opt
- Dynamic Torque Control AWD / Electronic On-Demand AWD / Full-Time Electronic AWD
Ranked by what shoppers ask about first; standard equipment before options.
Transcribed from the manufacturer's official press kit for the 2026 Grand Highlander. Confirm with the window sticker for a specific unit.
Insure it for less
Insurers price the 2026 Grand Highlander very differently. A two-minute comparison across 100+ carriers is the cheapest ownership win there is.
Compare insurance →Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.