The 2019 Highlander earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a 2019 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, based on Good scores in every category except headlights and the passenger-side small overlap test, which were rated Acceptable. The IIHS also gave the Highlander’s standard front crash prevention system a Superior rating.
Pricing
The 2019 Highlander gas model started at about $31,830, according to Cars.com. Higher grades rose to $36,760 for the LE Plus, $39,720 for the XLE, $40,940 for the SE, $42,930 for the Limited, and $47,510 for the Limited Platinum with all-wheel drive. Fuel economy was EPA-rated at 20/24 mpg city/highway for the four-cylinder, about 21/27 mpg for the front-drive V6 with stop-start, and about 20/26 mpg for the all-wheel-drive V6.
Every 2019 Highlander came with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, along with ToyotaCare scheduled maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles and two years of roadside assistance.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Highlander
- https://www.motortrend.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2019
- https://pressroom.toyota.com/exterior-upgrades-aplenty-for-2019-toyota-highlander/
- https://www.cars.com/research/toyota-highlander-2019/
- https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.autoipacket.com/brochures/toyota/2019/toyota_2019_highlander.pdf
- https://www.cars.com/research/toyota-highlander-2019/trims/
- https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/toyota/highlander-4-door-suv/2019
Because a new generation was already scheduled for 2020, the 2019 changes were modest and focused on appearance and standard equipment rather than new mechanical hardware. Dimensions carried over from the 2017 refresh: Toyota listed a 192.5-inch overall length, a 75.8-inch width, a 68.1-inch height, a 109.8-inch wheelbase, and 8.0 inches of ground clearance.
What Changed for 2019
The 2019 model year brought several grade-specific styling tweaks:
- LE, LE Plus, and XLE grades received a new black body-side rocker panel.
- The SE grade gained black headlights, black taillights, black rocker trim, black wheels, and black-chrome LED fog lights.
- Limited and Limited Platinum grades received chrome-ringed LED fog lights.
- A Nightshade Edition, produced in a run of 5,000 units, added blacked-out exterior details.
There were no changes to the engines or transmissions, and the interior carried over largely unchanged.
Trim Levels
Six trim levels were offered for the 2019 gas Highlander: LE, LE Plus, XLE, SE, Limited, and Limited Platinum. The hybrid was sold in a shorter list of LE, XLE, and Limited grades.
- LE — 18-inch alloy wheels, a rearview camera, cloth upholstery, and a 6.1-inch touchscreen.
- LE Plus — the V6, fog lights, three-zone climate control, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen.
- XLE — navigation, a moonroof, heated power leather seats, second-row captain’s chairs, a power liftgate, and Driver Easy Speak.
- SE — the sporty trim, with a sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch wheels, and blacked-out exterior accents.
- Limited — a 12-speaker JBL system, perforated leather, and 19-inch chrome-look wheels.
- Limited Platinum — a panoramic sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, a surround-view camera, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
Interior, Seating, and Cargo
The 2019 Highlander seated up to eight passengers in three rows, or seven when the second row was ordered with captain’s chairs. Second-row access used a one-step sliding function on both sides. Cargo space measured 13.8 cubic feet behind the third row on all grades except the Limited Platinum, which had 13.6 cubic feet. Folding the third row opened 42.3 cubic feet, and folding both rear rows provided up to 83.7 cubic feet.
Toyota fitted the Highlander with a roll-top center console, a multi-link rear suspension, acoustic windshield glass, and extensive body sealing to reduce noise. Cabin materials ranged from premium fabric on the LE to perforated leather on Limited grades.
For the pickup equivalent from the same model year, readers can see the 2019 Toyota Tundra Platinum Review. The Highlander Hybrid is covered in a dedicated 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review, and more brand coverage appears under Toyota Review.
Engines and Transmissions
Three powertrains were available for 2019:
- 2.7-liter four-cylinder: 185 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive only.
- 3.5-liter V6: 295 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic and available with front- or all-wheel drive.
- 3.5-liter V6 hybrid: a V6 plus electric motors producing 306 hp combined, with a continuously variable automatic and standard all-wheel drive.
The V6 used Toyota’s D-4S direct-injection system, and the eight-speed automatic helped the front-drive V6 return better highway economy than the four-cylinder. An automatic stop-start system was standard on V6 models except the base LE. Toyota certified the gas Highlander to the Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEV II) standard and the Hybrid to the stricter Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) standard.
Towing and Payload
Towing depended on the engine. A properly equipped gas V6 Highlander could pull up to 5,000 pounds, the four-cylinder LE was rated at 1,500 pounds, and the V6 Hybrid at 3,500 pounds. Maximum payload ratings for the 2019 Highlander ranged from about 1,409 to 1,636 pounds depending on grade and drivetrain.
Market Availability and Production
The third-generation Highlander was assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton, Indiana. This generation was also exported to Australia and New Zealand, where it was sold as the Toyota Kluger; when Toyota replaced the model with the redesigned XU70 Highlander in 2019, United States production continued for Kluger exports until 2021.
Interior technology was a weak point for the 2019 Highlander. The Entune system used a 6.1-inch touchscreen on the base LE and an 8.0-inch unit on other grades, but it did not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and no Highlander of this generation offered an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. Buyers who wanted smartphone projection had to wait for the 2020 redesign.
Safety and Ratings
Toyota Safety Sense-P came standard on every 2019 Highlander, adding a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert was standard from the LE Plus grade upward.
The 2019 Highlander earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a 2019 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, based on Good scores in every category except headlights and the passenger-side small overlap test, which were rated Acceptable. The IIHS also gave the Highlander’s standard front crash prevention system a Superior rating.
Pricing
The 2019 Highlander gas model started at about $31,830, according to Cars.com. Higher grades rose to $36,760 for the LE Plus, $39,720 for the XLE, $40,940 for the SE, $42,930 for the Limited, and $47,510 for the Limited Platinum with all-wheel drive. Fuel economy was EPA-rated at 20/24 mpg city/highway for the four-cylinder, about 21/27 mpg for the front-drive V6 with stop-start, and about 20/26 mpg for the all-wheel-drive V6.
Every 2019 Highlander came with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, along with ToyotaCare scheduled maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles and two years of roadside assistance.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Highlander
- https://www.motortrend.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2019
- https://pressroom.toyota.com/exterior-upgrades-aplenty-for-2019-toyota-highlander/
- https://www.cars.com/research/toyota-highlander-2019/
- https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.autoipacket.com/brochures/toyota/2019/toyota_2019_highlander.pdf
- https://www.cars.com/research/toyota-highlander-2019/trims/
- https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/toyota/highlander-4-door-suv/2019
The 2019 Toyota Highlander is a three-row mid-size crossover and the final model year of the vehicle’s third generation. Toyota added a handful of exterior updates for 2019 while preparing a fully redesigned Highlander for 2020. The 2019 range offered a four-cylinder engine, a V6, and a V6-based hybrid, with front- or all-wheel drive on most gas versions.
Third-Generation Context
The third-generation Highlander (chassis code XU50) entered production in November 2013 and ran through the 2014 to 2019 model years, with production ending in November 2019. It sat above the compact RAV4 and below the full-size Sequoia in Toyota’s North American lineup and remained one of the brand’s best-selling SUVs.
Because a new generation was already scheduled for 2020, the 2019 changes were modest and focused on appearance and standard equipment rather than new mechanical hardware. Dimensions carried over from the 2017 refresh: Toyota listed a 192.5-inch overall length, a 75.8-inch width, a 68.1-inch height, a 109.8-inch wheelbase, and 8.0 inches of ground clearance.
What Changed for 2019
The 2019 model year brought several grade-specific styling tweaks:
- LE, LE Plus, and XLE grades received a new black body-side rocker panel.
- The SE grade gained black headlights, black taillights, black rocker trim, black wheels, and black-chrome LED fog lights.
- Limited and Limited Platinum grades received chrome-ringed LED fog lights.
- A Nightshade Edition, produced in a run of 5,000 units, added blacked-out exterior details.
There were no changes to the engines or transmissions, and the interior carried over largely unchanged.
Trim Levels
Six trim levels were offered for the 2019 gas Highlander: LE, LE Plus, XLE, SE, Limited, and Limited Platinum. The hybrid was sold in a shorter list of LE, XLE, and Limited grades.
- LE — 18-inch alloy wheels, a rearview camera, cloth upholstery, and a 6.1-inch touchscreen.
- LE Plus — the V6, fog lights, three-zone climate control, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen.
- XLE — navigation, a moonroof, heated power leather seats, second-row captain’s chairs, a power liftgate, and Driver Easy Speak.
- SE — the sporty trim, with a sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch wheels, and blacked-out exterior accents.
- Limited — a 12-speaker JBL system, perforated leather, and 19-inch chrome-look wheels.
- Limited Platinum — a panoramic sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, a surround-view camera, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
Interior, Seating, and Cargo
The 2019 Highlander seated up to eight passengers in three rows, or seven when the second row was ordered with captain’s chairs. Second-row access used a one-step sliding function on both sides. Cargo space measured 13.8 cubic feet behind the third row on all grades except the Limited Platinum, which had 13.6 cubic feet. Folding the third row opened 42.3 cubic feet, and folding both rear rows provided up to 83.7 cubic feet.
Toyota fitted the Highlander with a roll-top center console, a multi-link rear suspension, acoustic windshield glass, and extensive body sealing to reduce noise. Cabin materials ranged from premium fabric on the LE to perforated leather on Limited grades.
For the pickup equivalent from the same model year, readers can see the 2019 Toyota Tundra Platinum Review. The Highlander Hybrid is covered in a dedicated 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review, and more brand coverage appears under Toyota Review.
Engines and Transmissions
Three powertrains were available for 2019:
- 2.7-liter four-cylinder: 185 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive only.
- 3.5-liter V6: 295 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic and available with front- or all-wheel drive.
- 3.5-liter V6 hybrid: a V6 plus electric motors producing 306 hp combined, with a continuously variable automatic and standard all-wheel drive.
The V6 used Toyota’s D-4S direct-injection system, and the eight-speed automatic helped the front-drive V6 return better highway economy than the four-cylinder. An automatic stop-start system was standard on V6 models except the base LE. Toyota certified the gas Highlander to the Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEV II) standard and the Hybrid to the stricter Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) standard.
Towing and Payload
Towing depended on the engine. A properly equipped gas V6 Highlander could pull up to 5,000 pounds, the four-cylinder LE was rated at 1,500 pounds, and the V6 Hybrid at 3,500 pounds. Maximum payload ratings for the 2019 Highlander ranged from about 1,409 to 1,636 pounds depending on grade and drivetrain.
Market Availability and Production
The third-generation Highlander was assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton, Indiana. This generation was also exported to Australia and New Zealand, where it was sold as the Toyota Kluger; when Toyota replaced the model with the redesigned XU70 Highlander in 2019, United States production continued for Kluger exports until 2021.
Interior technology was a weak point for the 2019 Highlander. The Entune system used a 6.1-inch touchscreen on the base LE and an 8.0-inch unit on other grades, but it did not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and no Highlander of this generation offered an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. Buyers who wanted smartphone projection had to wait for the 2020 redesign.
Safety and Ratings
Toyota Safety Sense-P came standard on every 2019 Highlander, adding a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert was standard from the LE Plus grade upward.
The 2019 Highlander earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a 2019 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, based on Good scores in every category except headlights and the passenger-side small overlap test, which were rated Acceptable. The IIHS also gave the Highlander’s standard front crash prevention system a Superior rating.
Pricing
The 2019 Highlander gas model started at about $31,830, according to Cars.com. Higher grades rose to $36,760 for the LE Plus, $39,720 for the XLE, $40,940 for the SE, $42,930 for the Limited, and $47,510 for the Limited Platinum with all-wheel drive. Fuel economy was EPA-rated at 20/24 mpg city/highway for the four-cylinder, about 21/27 mpg for the front-drive V6 with stop-start, and about 20/26 mpg for the all-wheel-drive V6.
Every 2019 Highlander came with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, along with ToyotaCare scheduled maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles and two years of roadside assistance.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Highlander
- https://www.motortrend.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2019
- https://pressroom.toyota.com/exterior-upgrades-aplenty-for-2019-toyota-highlander/
- https://www.cars.com/research/toyota-highlander-2019/
- https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.autoipacket.com/brochures/toyota/2019/toyota_2019_highlander.pdf
- https://www.cars.com/research/toyota-highlander-2019/trims/
- https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/toyota/highlander-4-door-suv/2019
