What is the Towing Capacity of the Highlander Hybrid?

The 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is an SUV that combines modern automotive technology with the classic capabilities associated with this type of vehicle. It can comfortably seat five people, effortlessly carry cargo and luggage, and safely tow a weight of up to 3,500 pounds. The experience of owning a Highlander Hybrid is one of pleasure, convenience, and comfort, as it’s capable of satisfying a variety of different requirements.

Towing with the Highlander Hybrid is perhaps its ultimate feature, as it allows you to get the most out of the SUV’s capabilities. You’ll be able to get your crew to a destination in comfort while towing the necessary equipment for a job, good time, or competition. Its 3,500-pound towing capacity is more than enough for small trailers and their cargo, but if you need a higher weight limit, the Toyota Tundra or Sequoia may be what you need. Below, our staff at the Classic Toyota dealership in Tyler, Texas, discuss the 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid’s towing capabilities.

Towing Capacity

The 2024 Highlander has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, which is impressive considering it’s a hybrid with a four-cylinder engine. Within this weight limit, you can easily tow a small boat, camper, or jet ski. When towing, it’s always a good idea to use a weight distribution hitch for safety, especially if you plan to carry passengers and cargo.

In comparison, the Highlander XLE features a slightly smaller engine, but the added turbo allows it to reach a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. You may prefer the XLE for the extra towing capacity, but if you want a fuel-efficient vehicle and you know that what you plan to tow weighs less than 3,500 pounds, then you can’t go wrong with the Highlander Hybrid for efficient towing power.

Powertrain

The 2024 Highlander Hybrid’s powertrain features an internal combustion engine that’s supported by two electric motors for a combined net 243 horsepower. The powertrain is also paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission and features an electronic on-demand all-wheel drive.

The electric engines consist of permanent magnet synchronous motors. Two of these motors are in the front and one is in the rear for the all-wheel drive. The gasoline engine’s hybrid powertrain has a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged double overhead cam and a 16-valve D-4S injection engine with a dual variable valve timing intake that’s controlled by an electric motor. The engine generates 186 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 175 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm.

The Highlander Hybrid’s front suspension comprises an independent MacPherson strut and the rear a stabilizer bar and trailing-wishbone suspension. This allows the vehicle to safely tow trailers and equipment that fall within its maximum 3,500-pound towing capacity.

Towing Assistance Features

The 2024 Highlander Hybrid has standard features with enhancements that assist with towing, such as stability, hill-start assist, traction, and trailer sway control. All these features are important and will help you keep your towing vehicle under control. The anti-lock braking system will help you slow down the trailer, as it includes Smart Stop, Brake Assist, and an electronic brake-force distribution. As the Highlander is a hybrid, it comes with electronically controlled braking that responds to the force you generate when pressing the brake pedal.

The vehicle’s braking system consists of power-assisted, ventilated 13.3-inch front disc brakes and solid 13.3-inch rear disc brakes with regenerative braking to charge the electric motor batteries.

The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t come with a towing package. However, the standard features ensure that the trailer tracks the vehicle’s path at all times so that you can drive to your destination safely.

Towing Safety Features

The Highlander Hybrid comes with safety features that take the stress out of towing. With the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 Pre-Collision System, you can feel more confident, as it includes the following elements:

• Pedestrian detection.
• Lane Departure Alert With Steering Assist.
• Automatic high beams.
• Lane Tracing Assist.
• Road-Sign Assist.
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

A backup camera with a projected path comes as standard, making it easier for you to back up the trailer. It also features a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert that lets you know when there’s an object in an area that’s difficult for you to see. These features take the guesswork out of situations you regularly face when backing up your trailer.

Fuel Efficiency

The 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid’s fuel efficiency is 35 mpg in the city and 35 mpg in the highway for 35 mpg combined. You can expect to lose about 2% of your gas mileage for every 100 pounds being towed, but other factors, such as drag and load balance, will also affect your fuel consumption. To avoid the tank running low, make sure to compensate for the reduced fuel economy when you plan your trip.

Why Tow With the 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

The 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid’s towing capacity is sufficient for it to be able to tow most small recreational vehicles and cargo. Its exterior camera views help you see around the vehicle and the trailer to make sure that all is as it should be and that your surroundings are clear. Furthermore, the technologies that assist with braking and trailer control also help ensure the trailer correctly follows behind the Highlander and responds to its signals.

As long as your cargo is within the Highlander’s maximum weight capacity, you can be confident the vehicle will perform well when towing. This allows your passengers to relax and enjoy the vehicle’s comfortable interior while you get the added pleasure of driving your 2024 Highlander Hybrid.

Test-Drive a 2024 Highlander Hybrid at Classic Toyota

The 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has all the features necessary to safely tow cargo. It’s able to keep the trailer in line with the vehicle and help you avoid collisions. The Highlander’s interior comfortably seats five people, has plenty of cargo space, and includes great technology that assists the driver and passengers.

Visit our Classic Toyota dealership in Tyler, Texas, today, or call to schedule a test drive of the 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Our staff will be happy to show you our current inventory of Highlanders and explain what you can expect from owning this versatile SUV.