Toyota Highlander Towing Capacity by Year, Engine & Trim

The Highlander sits in the crossover sweet spot — three rows of seating, reasonable fuel economy, and enough towing capacity for weekend recreation. But the gap between 1,500 lbs (no tow package) and 5,000 lbs (fully equipped V6) catches many buyers off guard. Before you hitch anything to a Highlander, confirming your exact configuration matters more than on most vehicles. Our complete towing capacity guide explains how these ratings are determined.

Use our towing capacity lookup tool to check your exact Highlander configuration.

The maximum Toyota Highlander towing capacity is 5,000 lbs, available on 2014–2023 models with the 3.5L V6 and tow prep package, and on 2024–2025 models with the 2.4L turbo-four and tow package. This has been the Highlander's ceiling since the third generation — no Highlander has ever exceeded 5,000 lbs from the factory.

The tow prep package is the critical variable. On V6 models without it, the rating drops to 1,500 lbs in some years. The package adds a transmission oil cooler, upgraded radiator fan, heavy-duty alternator, supplemental engine oil cooler, and a pre-wired 4-pin/7-pin trailer harness. These cooling upgrades allow the powertrain to handle the thermal load of pulling 5,000 lbs without overheating.

For 2024, Toyota replaced the 3.5L V6 with a 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder producing 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Despite losing two cylinders, the turbo engine maintains the 5,000 lb tow rating when equipped with the tow package — the additional torque at low RPM compensates for the displacement reduction.

⚠️ Warning: A Highlander without the tow prep package may only be rated at 1,500 lbs. This is the lowest tow rating on any Highlander configuration and limits you to very light utility trailers. Always check for the tow prep package on the window sticker before assuming you can pull 5,000 lbs.

For details on finding your specific tow rating, our guide on how to find towing capacity covers every method.

The Highlander's tow rating has evolved significantly across four generations, with the V6 consistently delivering the best numbers and the hybrid always trailing behind. Here's a complete breakdown.

Use the tool below to look up your exact Highlander year and engine.

Source: Toyota Motor Corporation Towing & Payload Guides (toyota.com); Edmunds vehicle specifications (edmunds.com)

The 3,500 lb gap between tow-package and no-tow-package configurations is the largest swing on any mainstream SUV. A 2021 Highlander V6 with the tow prep package tows 5,000 lbs. The same 2021 Highlander V6 without it tows only 1,500 lbs. Same engine, same transmission — the cooling system components make that much difference in Toyota's certified rating.

💡 Pro Tip: When shopping for a used Highlander for towing, filter for models with the tow prep package from the factory. Adding aftermarket cooling components later doesn't change the factory-certified tow rating, and many insurance policies reference the manufacturer's published number in claims. The tow prep package code is typically listed as option PT228 or within the towing package group on the build sheet.

The Highlander Hybrid has been consistently rated at 3,500 lbs — 1,500 lbs less than the best non-hybrid configuration. This gap has remained stable across every generation that offered a hybrid option, from the 1st gen hybrid in 2006 through the 2024+ turbo hybrid.

The reduced rating exists for the same reason as other hybrid SUVs: the hybrid battery pack adds approximately 150–200 lbs of weight, and the eCVT or hybrid transmission generates more heat under sustained towing loads than a conventional automatic. Toyota's engineers set the 3,500 lb ceiling to protect the hybrid system's longevity.

The 2024+ Highlander Hybrid Turbo uses a different approach — combining the 2.4L turbo engine with an electric motor. Despite the added complexity and power, the tow rating remains at 3,500 lbs because the hybrid-specific transmission and battery thermal management are still the limiting factors.

What 3,500 lbs gets you:

• Pop-up campers (1,500–2,800 lbs)
• Teardrop trailers (1,000–2,500 lbs)
• Single jet ski on trailer (1,000–1,500 lbs)
• Small utility trailers (1,500–3,000 lbs)
• Small aluminum fishing boats on trailer (1,500–2,500 lbs)

What 3,500 lbs doesn't get you:

• Most travel trailers over 18 feet (typically 3,800–6,000 lbs loaded)
• Mid-size bass or ski boats (3,500–5,000 lbs on trailer)
• Enclosed cargo trailers with equipment (3,500–5,500 lbs)

⚠️ Warning: If towing a travel trailer is your primary reason for buying a Highlander, the hybrid is the wrong choice. The 1,500 lb gap between hybrid (3,500 lbs) and non-hybrid with tow package (5,000 lbs) is the difference between pulling a pop-up camper and pulling a proper travel trailer.

For a deeper look at matching campers to tow ratings, our camper towing capacity guide breaks down weights by camper type.

The Highlander's 5,000 lb V6/turbo rating puts it in the upper tier of three-row crossovers, though it doesn't reach the body-on-frame SUV class. Here's how it stacks up against direct competitors.

Source: Manufacturer specifications via Edmunds (edmunds.com) and KBB (kbb.com)

The Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade both edge the Highlander by 500 lbs at 5,500 lbs, while costing $3,000–4,000 less. The Telluride's 3.8L V6 delivers more torque than the Highlander's turbo-four, making it feel more confident under load.

The Ford Explorer at 5,600 lbs leads the segment with its rear-wheel-drive-based platform. The Explorer's longitudinally mounted engine gives it a slight structural advantage for towing compared to the Highlander's transverse layout.

For more towing capacity, you need to step up to a body-on-frame SUV. The Toyota 4Runner tows 5,000–6,100 lbs, and the Toyota Tundra jumps to 12,000+ lbs. Check our SUV towing capacity rankings for a comprehensive comparison.

💡 Key Insight: The Highlander's real strength isn't raw tow numbers — it's the combination of towing capability with fuel economy. The turbo-four gets 24–26 MPG combined while still towing 5,000 lbs. Most V6 competitors average 20–22 MPG. Over 15,000 miles annually at $3.50/gallon, that's $400–700 in annual fuel savings.

Three variables have the biggest impact on your Highlander's tow rating: whether the tow prep package is installed, which powertrain you have, and how you manage payload and tongue weight.

The Tow Prep Package Is Make-or-Break

This is the single biggest factor. With it: 5,000 lbs. Without it: potentially 1,500 lbs. The package costs roughly $500–800 as a factory option but adds $3,500 in towing capability. There is no better dollar-per-pound upgrade on any SUV.

Powertrain Determines Your Ceiling

The non-hybrid V6 (2014–2023) and turbo-four (2024+) with tow package reach 5,000 lbs. The hybrid in any generation caps at 3,500 lbs. The older 2.7L four-cylinder (2008–2013) maxes at 3,500 lbs. Your engine choice locks in your maximum.

Payload and Tongue Weight

The Highlander's payload capacity ranges from 1,340–1,605 lbs depending on trim and options. Tongue weight from a 5,000 lb trailer at 10–15% equals 500–750 lbs — that's 31–56% of payload before passengers and cargo. Understanding tongue weight prevents rear sag and steering issues.

The GCWR of 11,310 lbs on V6 models is the combined ceiling. The Highlander weighs approximately 4,200–4,600 lbs. Subtract that from GCWR and your remaining budget for trailer plus everything in the vehicle is roughly 6,700–7,100 lbs — which explains why the tow rating is 5,000, not higher. Our GCWR guide covers the math in detail.

⚠️ Warning: The Highlander's unibody construction is less forgiving of overloading than a body-on-frame SUV. Exceeding the tow rating by even 500 lbs puts disproportionate stress on the subframe mounting points. Always stay within the published rating — and preferably 10% below it for a safety margin.

Terrain and Driving Conditions

The turbo-four handles altitude better than the old naturally aspirated V6 because the turbocharger compensates for thinner air. But sustained mountain grades at 6%+ with a 4,500 lb trailer will push transmission temperatures into the warning zone on hot days. If you tow in mountainous terrain regularly, the tow prep package's supplemental coolers aren't optional.

Use the Can I Tow This calculator to verify your specific Highlander handles your planned load.

The Highlander is a strong choice for occasional-to-moderate towing under 4,500 lbs, especially if you also need three-row family seating and decent fuel economy. It's not a truck replacement, but it handles recreational towing well.

Buy the Highlander for towing if:

• Your typical load stays under 4,500 lbs (pop-up campers, boats, jet skis, utility trailers)
• You want a daily family vehicle that doubles as an occasional tow rig
• Fuel economy matters — 24–26 MPG combined vs 17–20 MPG for V8 SUVs
• You value Toyota reliability and resale value alongside towing capability
• You tow 5–15 times per year, not weekly

Don't buy the Highlander for towing if:

• You need over 5,000 lbs — step up to a 4Runner, Sequoia, or Tundra
• You tow travel trailers over 22 feet regularly (most exceed 5,000 lbs loaded)
• You need body-on-frame durability for rough-terrain towing
• You tow frequently (20+ times per year) — the unibody platform accumulates towing stress faster

💡 Pro Tip: The best-value Highlander for towing is a 2020–2023 V6 with the tow prep package. These models have the proven 3.5L V6 (the same engine in the Tacoma and 4Runner), an 8-speed automatic, and the full 5,000 lb rating. Used examples run $28,000–35,000 — significantly less than a new turbo model with the same tow rating.

For RV-specific towing considerations, our RV towing guide covers route planning, fuel consumption, and load management strategies.