Why Families Around Goshen, IN Choose the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid for All-Season, Three-Row Confidence

Heart City Toyota - Why Families Around Goshen, IN Choose the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid for All-Season, Three-Row Confidence

If your family calendar includes snowy school runs, weekend tournaments, and a summer road trip or two, the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid delivers a rare mix of traction, comfort, and easy-to-use tech. Standard All Wheel Drive across hybrid grades means the vehicle is always ready to send power where it can help most, while the system’s seamless operation keeps the cabin calm and drama-free. A smartly packaged three-row interior offers seating for seven, or up to eight with an optional second-row bench on XLE and select Limited models, so every seat can be the best seat. And when the gear stack grows, folding the second and third rows unlocks up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo room without the battery intruding on space, thanks to its placement under the second row.

The hybrid powertrain is engineered for smooth, quiet acceleration, pairing a high-efficiency 2.5-liter DOHC engine with two motor-generators for 243 net combined horsepower. On Hybrid Limited and Hybrid Platinum, Predictive Efficient Drive uses real-world driving data to help optimize battery usage and charging, showing how the vehicle’s intelligence works in your favor. Inside, the Toyota Audio Multimedia system shines with an 8.0-inch touchscreen or an available 12.3-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and an available 11-speaker JBL® Premium Audio system. Add comforts like SofTex® or available leather-trimmed seating, heated and ventilated front seats, and Platinum’s heated second-row captain’s chairs, and you’ll have a cabin that feels welcoming during every season.

• Standard All Wheel Drive: Electronic On-Demand AWD with a dedicated rear electric motor supports confident traction on wet, snowy, or gravel roads.
• Flexible Seating: Seven-seat layout standard, or optional second-row bench for eight on Hybrid XLE and select Limited models.
• Smart Tech: Toyota Audio Multimedia with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, plus an available 12.3-inch touchscreen and 11-speaker JBL® Premium Audio.
• Confidence Systems: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and available Panoramic View Monitor on Limited (standard on Platinum).
• Open-Air Ambience: Available Panoramic Glass Moonroof with sunshade and one-touch front power tilt/slide function on Hybrid Platinum.

For many shoppers, questions focus on how the safety and driver-assistance systems work in the real world. Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard on every Highlander Hybrid, bundling Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Automatic High Beams. Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is also standard, supporting confident lane changes and easier backing in crowded lots. Available features raise situational awareness even further: the Panoramic View Monitor provides a rotating 360-degree perspective around the vehicle for easier maneuvering, and a digital rearview mirror maintains a clear rear view even when the cabin is fully loaded.

Heart City Toyota keeps the process simple with clear, hands-on walkthroughs of features like drive modes, EV Mode, wireless charging, and USB placement, so everyone knows how to make the most of the cabin from day one. With a product team serving Mishawaka, Goshen, and Warsaw, you can expect local road-tested insights on how Electronic On-Demand AWD pairs with the hybrid system to keep the ride smooth and secure in every season.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How does Electronic On-Demand AWD work on the Highlander Hybrid?

The system uses a dedicated rear electric motor to power the rear wheels when extra traction is needed, engaging and disengaging seamlessly to support confident handling without driver input.

Can the Highlander Hybrid seat eight?

Yes. Hybrid XLE and select Limited models offer an optional second-row bench seat, increasing capacity from seven to eight, while other configurations feature second-row captain’s chairs for seven-passenger comfort.

What technology upgrades are available?

Shoppers can add a 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen, an 11-speaker JBL® Premium Audio system, a digital rearview mirror, a Panoramic View Monitor, and on Hybrid Platinum, a 10-inch color Head Up Display and a Panoramic Glass Moonroof.

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