Skip to content
GizmoDriver

2020 Toyota Highlander towing capacity

Max tow rating

5,000lb

Pick another car

Trailer check

Yes. 4,000 lb is within 80% of the rating.

Tow rating
5,000 lb
80% rule
Up to 4,000 lb
Margin
1,000 lb (20%)
Hitch class needed
III, up to 8,000 lb
Share of curb weight
97% of 4,145 lb

Over the 85% curb weight guideline.

Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 14-19 mpg.

05,00010,00015,000Teardrop camperUtility trailerPop-up camperBoat on a trailerSmall travel trailerMid-size travel trailerCar on a car haulerLarge travel trailerFifth wheel80%: 4,000 lbRating: 5,000 lb
Pounds. Blue: fits under 4,000 lb, 80% of the rating. Orange: lighter ones fit. Grey: too heavy.

What it can pull

Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.

Max tow rating
5,000 lb
80% of the rating
4,000 lb
Hitch class at max
III, up to 8,000 lb
What it can pull at 4,000 lb
TrailerLoaded weightFits
Teardrop camper1,000 to 2,500 lbYes
Utility trailer1,000 to 3,000 lbYes
Pop-up camper1,500 to 3,000 lbYes
Boat on a trailer2,000 to 6,000 lbSome, up to 4,000 lb
Small travel trailer3,000 to 5,000 lbSome, up to 4,000 lb
Mid-size travel trailer5,000 to 7,500 lbNo
Car on a car hauler5,500 to 7,500 lbNo
Large travel trailer7,500 to 10,000 lbNo
Fifth wheel10,000 to 16,000 lbNo

Trailer weights are typical loaded weights.

Tow rating by trim

Cheapest at 5,000 lb: L FWD, $34,600.

2020 Toyota Highlander tow rating by trim
TrimEngineDrivetrainTow ratingPayloadGVWRCurb weightMSRP
L FWD3.5LFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,145 lb$34,600
L AWD3.5L 6cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,330 lb$36,200
LE FWD3.5LFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,145 lb$36,800
LE AWD3.5L 6cylAWD5,000 lb1,370 lb5,700 lb4,330 lb$38,400
XLE FWD3.5LFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,195 lb$39,600
XLE AWD3.5L 6cylAWD5,000 lb1,340 lb5,710 lb4,370 lb$41,200
Limited FWD3.5LFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,123 lb to 4,260 lb$43,650
Limited AWD3.5L 6cylAWD5,000 lb1,280 lb5,730 lb4,450 lb$45,600
Platinum FWD3.5LFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,123 lb to 4,260 lb$46,850
Limited Platinum FWDN/AFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,145 lb$46,850
Platinum AWD3.5L 6cylAWD5,000 lb1,280 lb5,730 lb4,450 lb$48,800
Limited Platinum AWDN/AAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,370 lb$48,800
Hybrid LE FWD2.5LFWD3,500 lbN/AN/A4,123 lb to 4,330 lb$38,200
Hybrid LE AWD2.5L 4cylAWD3,500 lbN/AN/A4,465 lb$39,800
Hybrid XLE FWD2.5LFWD3,500 lbN/AN/A4,123 lb to 4,365 lb$41,000
Hybrid XLE AWD2.5L 4cylAWD3,500 lbN/AN/A4,515 lb$42,600
Hybrid Limited FWD2.5LFWD3,500 lbN/AN/A4,123 lb to 4,430 lb$45,050
Hybrid Limited AWD2.5L 4cylAWD3,500 lbN/AN/A4,595 lb$47,000
Hybrid Platinum FWD2.5LFWD3,500 lbN/AN/A4,123 lb to 4,430 lb$48,250
Hybrid Limited Platinum FWDN/AFWD3,500 lbN/AN/AN/A$48,250
Hybrid Platinum AWD2.5L 4cylAWD3,500 lbN/AN/A4,595 lb$50,200
Hybrid Limited Platinum AWDN/AAWD3,500 lbN/AN/A4,555 lb$50,200

Max rating by year

01,0002,0003,0004,0005,0002009201220152018202120242026
Highest rating each year, 2009 to 2026. Pounds.

Same max rating from 2009 to 2026: 5,000 lb.

Rivals: max tow rating

2020 rivals by max tow rating
ModelMax tow ratingCheapest trim at maxMSRP
Ford Explorer5,600 lbST 4WD$54,740
Toyota Highlander (this car)5,000 lbL FWD$34,600
Honda Pilot5,000 lbTouring AWD$44,720
Hyundai Palisade5,000 lbSE FWD$31,975
Kia Sorento5,000 lbLX V6 AWD$32,390
Kia Telluride5,000 lbLX FWD$31,890
Lexus RX3,500 lb350 FWD$44,150

Lists by trailer weight

Other models rated for these weights.

What this cannot tell you

Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.

Passengers and cargo count against the payload.

How values are checked