Toyota automobiles have consistently provided high levels of customer satisfaction due to their durability, smooth operation, and appealing features. And the new XLE edition of the Highlander sports utility vehicle continues this legacy.
RV aficionados are learning that this new model from the manufacturer is capable of towing a travel trailer.
Without breaking a beat, the Toyota Highlander’s towing capacity can tow trailers weighing up to 5,000 lbs.
In This Article...
How well does the Toyota Highlander tow?
When properly outfitted, the 2019 Highlander can tow an astonishing 5,000 pounds. Depending on the engine you select, you can tow a certain amount of weight. You can pick between a gas engine and a hybrid engine, which is yet another fantastic feature of this SUV.
Which Highlander is 5000 lbs. towing capable?
Many people think of a powerful pickup truck speeding down the freeway pulling a massive trailer when they think about towing. The fact is, you can move heavy objects without a pickup truck. If you have the right information, your SUV, crossover, or even sedan (like the Camry) can haul cargo around town safely and easily:
You can’t go wrong with a Toyota Highlander XLE if you need a substantial towing vehicle but don’t want to acquire a pickup truck. The 20142019 versions’ towing capacity even outperforms that of the Tacoma (which tops off at 3,500 pounds). The Highlander’s top trim level is XLE. With the optional towing kit and its V6 engine, it can tow up to 5,000 pounds*. For comparison, the LE trim level’s base engine, which has four cylinders, can tow up to 1,500 pounds.
Three of the most popular items that people tow that weigh up to 5,000 pounds are listed below to give you an idea of what the Highlander’s highest trim level can tow:
Is a towing kit available for the Toyota Highlander?
Can a Toyota Highlander tow a lot of weight? With the optional tow package installed, the maximum towing capacity of this tough SUV is 5,000 pounds.
Is there a towing package for the Toyota Highlander XLE?
Each Trim Level, including the L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum, offers a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds for the 2021 Highlander.
A boat can a Highlander tow, right?
There are ten various trim options for the 2021 Toyota Highlander, including L, LE, Hybrid LE, XLE, Hybrid XLE, XSE, Limited, Hybrid Limited, Platinum, and Hybrid Platinum. However, today we’re going to concentrate on these three:
- LE hybrid
- XLE
- XLE hybrid
The XLE has a towing capacity of 5000 lb compared to 3500 lb for the Hybrid LE and XLE models. Since a 23′ boat typically weighs roughly 3400 lbs, the 2021 Toyota Highlander can definitely pull a boat.
Additionally, all three of these trims come with Trailer-Sway Control (TSC), an electrical device that aids the driver in maintaining control of the car under shaky situations.
Why can’t a hybrid be used to tow?
Because of a process known as “type approval,” some hybrid or electric vehicles cannot pull a caravan. New models go through this certification process, however many automakers choose not to certify these vehicles for safe towing.
Weight, which is a key factor in the towing approval procedure, is one explanation for this. These versions tend to be heavier overall because they have batteries on board, and taking into account the additional weight of a caravan or trailer on top of that could necessitate the use of stronger brakes. Since the majority of drivers do not tow, this increases the cost of building the automobile, and the manufacturer may not think it is beneficial to do this.
The majority of EVs and hybrids use a technology called regenerative braking, which is another issue. This is calibrated to the amount of braking power required to slow down simply the vehicle, thus any additional braking power needed for a caravan or trailer could cause issues for the electronics. But this isn’t an insurmountable issue, and eventually, manufacturers could be able to create systems that can take into account various weights.
Range is another problem. Long excursions are common for caravan owners, which might be problematic for some electric versions. Drivers would not only need to recharge frequently, but the increased weight and wind resistance of the trailer would result in a drastically reduced real-world range compared to the car’s claimed figure.
What is included in the Toyota tow package?
Towing hitch receiver, 4.300 rear axle ratio, integrated trailer brake controller, TOW/HAUL Mode switch, transmission fluid temperature gauge, additional engine oil cooler, additional transmission cooler, heavy-duty battery, 170-amp alternator, and 4/7-pin connector are all included in the tow package.
What is able to haul 4000 lbs?
Trucks with the Highest Towing Capacity
- VIEW PHOTOS. Ford Maverick | 4,000 pounds.
- 5000-pound Hyundai Santa Cruz. VIEW PICTURES.
- View photos of the 5000-pound Honda Ridgeline.
- 6720 pound Nissan Frontier
- 6800 pound Toyota Tacoma.
- 7500-pound Ford Ranger
- 7650-pound Jeep Gladiator
- 7700 lb. Chevrolet Colorado
The Highlander’s tow package for 2022?
Towing capacity of the 2022 Toyota Highlander When properly equipped and the optional Tow Package fitted, this Toyota SUV offers a maximum towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. Here are a few of the new Toyota Highlander’s salient performance attributes: a 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque 3.5L V6 engine.
Are hybrid cars able to tow trailers?
The top hybrid SUV on our list can tow an estimated 5,953 pounds with the help of its 2.0L engine when properly outfitted. With that much room, you could travel with a mid-sized camper, boat, or trailer.
Can you tow with a Toyota Highlander hybrid?
A revised 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque serves as the Highlander’s base power source. It is coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission that shifts smoothly under computer supervision. All-wheel drive is an option in addition to the conventional front-wheel drive.
When properly equipped, the V-6 powertrain in your Highlander offers an excellent towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. Additionally, this SUV has exceptional fuel efficiency. The Highlander’s stop-start engine system allows it to get up to 21 mpg in the city and up to 29 mpg on the highway.
A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine powers the Highlander hybrid variants. Two front-mounted synchronous electric motors are coupled to the engine in front-wheel drive variants. An additional electric motor is fitted on the back axle in conjunction with the available electronic on-demand all-wheel-drive system. Gear changes are effortless thanks to the continuously variable transmission.
The Highlander hybrid boasts exceptional fuel efficiency and a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds with its overall power output of 243 horsepower. Up to 36 mpg is possible on city streets in Tyler, while up to 35 mpg is possible on highways in East Texas, resulting in fewer trips at the gas station.
How much does adding a towing package cost?
The price of installing a trailer hitch varies greatly depending on the installer you select and the kind of towing vehicle you want to use. For a standard hitch installation, budget $100 to $150 for the service. Hitch installations that are more difficult and time-consuming could be more expensive. Remember that hitch parts can cost anything from $25 to $200, and they aren’t cheap either.