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2023 Toyota Highlander towing capacity

Max tow rating

5,000lb

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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
96% of 4,155 lb

Over the 85% curb weight guideline.

Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 15-20 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, $36,620.

2023 Toyota Highlander tow rating by trim
TrimEngineDrivetrainTow ratingPayloadGVWRCurb weightMSRP
L FWD2.4LFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,155 lb$36,620
L AWD2.4L 4cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,332 lb$38,220
LE FWD2.4LFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,155 lb$39,020
LE AWD2.4L 4cylAWD5,000 lb1,370 lb5,702 lb4,332 lb$40,620
XLE FWD2.4LFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,199 lb$42,020
XSE FWD2.4LFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,221 lb$43,615
XLE AWD2.4L 4cylAWD5,000 lb1,340 lb5,716 lb4,376 lb$43,620
XSE AWD2.4L 4cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,420 lb$45,565
Limited FWD2.4LFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,123 lb to 4,265 lb$46,275
Limited AWD2.4L 4cylAWD5,000 lb1,280 lb5,733 lb4,453 lb$48,225
Platinum FWD2.4LFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,123 lb to 4,265 lb$49,475
Platinum AWD2.4L 4cylAWD5,000 lb1,280 lb5,733 lb4,453 lb$51,425
Hybrid LE FWD2.5LFWD3,500 lbN/AN/A4,123 lb to 4,330 lb$40,620
Hybrid LE AWD2.5L 4cylAWD3,500 lb1,340 lb5,805 lb4,465 lb$42,220
Hybrid XLE FWD2.5LFWD3,500 lbN/AN/A4,123 lb to 4,365 lb$43,620
Hybrid XLE AWD2.5L 4cylAWD3,500 lb1,300 lb5,815 lb4,515 lb$45,220
Hybrid XLE Bronze FWD2.5LFWD3,500 lbN/AN/AN/A$46,380
Hybrid Bronze Edition FWD2.5L 4cylFWD3,500 lbN/AN/A4,123 lb to 4,345 lb$46,380
Hybrid Limited FWD2.5LFWD3,500 lbN/AN/A4,123 lb to 4,430 lb$47,875
Hybrid XLE Bronze AWD2.5LAWD3,500 lbN/AN/A4,515 lb$47,980
Hybrid Bronze Edition AWD2.5L 4cylAWD3,500 lbN/AN/A4,495 lb$47,980
Hybrid Limited AWD2.5L 4cylAWD3,500 lb1,305 lb5,900 lb4,595 lb$49,825
Hybrid Platinum FWD2.5LFWD3,500 lbN/AN/A4,123 lb to 4,430 lb$51,075
Hybrid Platinum AWD2.5L 4cylAWD3,500 lb1,305 lb5,900 lb4,595 lb$53,025

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

2023 rivals by max tow rating
ModelMax tow ratingCheapest trim at maxMSRP
Ford Explorer5,600 lbST 4WD$52,005
Kia Telluride5,500 lbSX X-Pro AWD$50,085
Toyota Highlander (this car)5,000 lbL FWD$36,620
Honda Pilot5,000 lbLX AWD$38,400
Hyundai Palisade5,000 lbSE FWD$35,900
Kia Sorento3,500 lbEX FWD$36,290
Lexus RX3,500 lbRX 350h AWD$49,400

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