2019 Toyota Highlander

The 2019 Toyota Highlander is available in six different trim levels: LE, LE Plus, XLE, SE, Limited, and Limited Platinum. Even the base LE trim is a very well equipped vehicle, with features such as 18-inch alloy wheels, a windshield wiper de-icer, rearview camera, reclining second and third-row seats, a 6.1-inch touch-screen, five USB ports, and a crisp-sounding six-speaker sound system, among others. It also comes with the Toyota Safety Sense bundle as standard, making the Highlander a very safe vehicle in any trim. Higher trims offer additional features, like a height-adjustable power liftgate, high-quality upholstery, a larger, 8-inch touch-screen, a gorgeous sunroof, 19-inch wheels, LED running lights, or a 12-speaker JBL sound system, and many more. The SE is a sportier model, with appropriate suspension and styling elements, while the Limited and Limited Platinum offer the best in comfort and luxury.

The base engine on the 2019 Toyota Highlander is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that's capable of producing 185 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, helped by a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. However, the engine that comes as a standard for all other trims except the LE and is available as an option for the base trim is a powerful 3.5-liter V-6 with 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive can also be added as an option.

The 2019 Toyota Highlander is very quick and agile for a vehicle this size, being able to reach 60 miles per hour from a complete standstill in a respectable 7.9 seconds. Its braking performance is also good considering its size, with the Highlander only needing 128 feet to come to a complete halt from a speed of 60 miles per hour. It can offer 83.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the back rows folded, while its 5,000-pound towing capability is among the best in its class.

The interior offers plenty of room and accessibility for all three rows, plus great visibility. All the materials used throughout are durable and high-quality and everything is easy to use. The touch-screen interface is intuitive and offers access to all the vehicle's main functions, but there are also plenty of physical buttons available so the driver's eyes will always stay on the road.

Given that the 2019 Toyota Highlander is mainly a family vehicle, safety is usually at the top of the list of priorities for buyers. The Toyota Safety Sense comes as standard, with great active safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, or forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. The Highlander also has a five-star rating given by The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.