Model Comparison

2026 vs. 2025 Toyota Highlander Near Alexandria: At a Glance

A few things stand out when you line up the two years. The 2026's higher starting price tells part of the story, but not all of it. A 2025 XLE with AWD added would push close to $45,000, without the moonroof, SofTex seating, or wireless charging. The 2026 XLE's price increase is substantially offset by what it includes.

For buyers in the DC metro, the AWD-standard news lands differently than it might elsewhere. Route 1, I-395, and I-495 all get icy and slick. Knowing that every 2026 Highlander comes AWD-equipped from day one removes a real decision point. The powertrain is unchanged year over year, so buyers who want the same proven 2.4L turbo engine with more standard capability have a clear path.

What's New

What's New on the 2026 Toyota Highlander?

The headline change for 2026 is straightforward: AWD is now standard on every gas trim. Toyota had offered it as optional on the LE and XLE through 2025, meaning buyers had to actively choose and pay for all-weather capability. That option is gone. Every 2026 gas Highlander ships with AWD.

Along with that structural change, Toyota retired the base LE trim. The XLE is now the entry point, and it arrives with a noticeably upgraded standard package. SofTex-trimmed front seats, heated front seating, a power moonroof with one-touch tilt and slide, a height-adjustable hands-free power liftgate, and Qi wireless charging all come standard. These were not standard on the 2025 LE.

Multi-Terrain Select is a system that allows drivers to choose specific traction profiles for different surfaces, including Snow, Mud and Sand, Rock and Dirt, and Normal modes. Because AWD is now standard across the board, every 2026 gas Highlander includes Multi-Terrain Select as well. For Alexandria buyers who commute through winter weather or occasionally head out to Shenandoah and back, having MTS at every trim level is a genuine everyday benefit, not a premium add-on.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ also comes standard on every 2026 trim. The suite includes pre-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with lane tracing, automatic high beams, and blind spot monitoring where equipped.

Trims Breakdown

2026 Highlander Trims Explained: XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum

The 2026 Highlander comes in four gas trims. Each one builds meaningfully on the last.

• The 2026 XLE at $45,870 MSRP is the value starting point. AWD, SofTex seating, a moonroof, hands-free liftgate, and wireless charging make it more equipped at entry than any previous Highlander base trim. The 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard here.
• The 2026 XSE at $47,940 MSRP shares the XLE's features base but adds a sport-tuned suspension with high-rate springs and a rear stabilizer bar, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and an aggressive mesh front grille. If you want sharper handling and a bolder exterior without moving to the premium interior tier, the XSE is the move.
• The 2026 Limited at $50,325 MSRP is where the interior noticeably changes. A 12.3-inch touchscreen replaces the 8-inch display. Eleven JBL speakers replace the standard audio. Leather-trimmed front and second-row seats with heated and ventilated fronts replace the SofTex upholstery. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and heated steering wheel are standard.
• The 2026 Platinum at $53,525 MSRP adds a panoramic glass roof with a power tilt/slide moonroof and retractable sunshade, a 10-inch color head-up display, and the Panoramic View Monitor system. It's the flagship configuration for buyers who want everything.

Hybrid Efficiency

2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: Efficiency Without the Trade-Off

The 2026 Highlander Hybrid is available in three configurations: Hybrid XLE ($47,620 MSRP), Hybrid Limited ($52,075 MSRP), and Hybrid Platinum ($55,275 MSRP). All three carry AWD as standard and return up to an estimated 35 MPG combined, compared to the gas model's estimated 21 city / 28 highway.

For commuters logging daily miles on I-395 or through the Route 1 corridor, that efficiency gap adds up quickly over a year of DMV driving. The Hybrid's powertrain runs on gasoline and charges its battery through the engine and regenerative braking. No plugging in, no charging infrastructure to consider. It drives like a standard SUV and refuels at any gas station. At $47,620 MSRP, the Hybrid XLE sits only $1,750 above the gas XLE and delivers substantially better fuel economy.