Shopping for a vehicle is a tricky game of chess, and if you have a boisterous amount of trim levels to look through, it can be a hard decision to make. You may face this if you’re looking at a Toyota Highlander for sale, given the number of trim levels this model comes in. Hybrid variants make for more than half of this list, so realistically, there are only five trim levels you need to know about: the LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. We have the scoop on all of them, so let’s get into it!

The Highlander LE

The 2024 Highlander’s base trim is the LE. The LE sets the stage and delivers an immaculate performance that will capture the minds of anyone who begins their shopping journey at the bottom of the list. With the LE, nothing about this “base” model feels cheap or lacks quality; instead, the base Highlander is an excellent culmination of features that make it a fantastic value.

The powertrain that comes with every gas-powered Highlander is a turbocharged 2.4L I-4 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. What the turbocharged 2.4L I-4 engine coming standard means is the LE outputting 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Highlander comes in FWD but is available in AWD for greater traction.

An 8.0-inch infotainment center comes standard with the 2024 Highlander LE. In this infotainment center is world-renowned software like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 7.0-inch Multi-Information Display is standard, too, and around the cabin are a total of five USB ports. Comfort is one of the highlights of the Highlander, and the LE is no exception, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat—and thanks to three-zone automatic climate controls, more people can cater their row to their preferred temperatures.

What also makes the 2024 Highlander LE a more appealing base model than most is that the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 driver assistance suite comes standard. In addition to these features—like the Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert, Lane Tracing Assist, etcetera—you also get a Blind-Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert standard. Regarding base models, it doesn’t get any better than the LE.

The Highlander XLE

With the LE being such a fruitful trim, the XLE goes far to warrant being the one-up, and it all comes down to a dash of luxury. For example, SofTex-trimmed seats in the first and second rows come standard, so instead of cloth, you now have a high-quality seating material that’s the perfect balance between real leather and cloth. With SofTex, you have a material that’s not only somewhat indiscernible from genuine leather but one that’s easier to clean.

What’s also different between the LE and XLE is the latter uses a more customizable and versatile ten-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and power lumbar support is added for good measure. Like the LE, the XLE has seating accommodations for up to eight passengers. Also coming standard with the 2024 Highlander is a wireless phone charging pad, and an available 12.3-inch infotainment center can replace the 8.0-inch one found in the LE. Ultimately, the XLE is a solid upgrade over the LE.

The Highlander XSE

The XSE is the Highlander trim that isn’t for the faint of heart. What we mean by this is that off-roading capabilities take center stage with the XSE. It all starts with the 20-inch wheels and the sport-tuned front suspension with a stabilizer bar; there’s also a trailing-wishbone rear suspension, and who can say no to that twin-tip exhaust in the back? Complementing its lofty ambitions is a sleek and sporty aesthetic unlike any of the other trims, including a specially designed front grille, spoiler, bumper, and more.

The XSE also has a Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD system, which is a specially designed take on AWD that has more in common with 4WD thanks to an independent torque distribution to each rear wheel, which greatly enhances traction in off-road scenarios. The XSE trim also has roof rails installed by default, and LED headlights also come standard. Although the XSE lowers the seating capacity from eight down to seven, the XSE allows for optional amenities like genuine leather seats and a premium eleven-speaker sound system from JBL.

The Highlander Limited

The Limited trim adds even more premium features. In addition to all of what we’ve mentioned so far, the Limited has even more you can look forward to—especially with tech. The Limited trim has a 12.3-inch Digital Gauge Cluster, so instead of old-school analog gauges, all of your statistics—like speed, mileage, fuel efficiency, and RPM readings—will be digitized on your dashboard.

Standard with the Limited are genuine leather seats for the first and second row; this is the first trim of the bunch that has them built in by default. The ten-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support comes standard, along with the eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. What’s different with the driver’s seat, however, is that the one in this trim has memory functions: you can save your preferred adjustment and return to it after someone else has used your car and moved your chair.

The Limited goes further and has some interesting features that differentiate it from the other trims we’ve discussed. A panoramic view monitor comes standard with the Limited, which allows you to have more camera angles you can view through your infotainment center, including front, side, and back. When put together, you have a better understanding of your surroundings on the road, which helps you succeed in safe travel. With the backup camera, the Limited also uses grid lines to help with reversing out of a parking space.

The Highlander Platinum

It’s rather easy to sum up the 2024 Highlander Platinum. This is the priciest trim, but it is deserving of its name, “Platinum,” for not only does it include features like the 12.3-inch Digital Gauge Cluster, the excellent 12.3-inch infotainment center, and the standard leather seats for the first and second row—among others—but it has even more to give.

What does the Platinum trim have that the others don’t? Firstly, a 10.0-inch head-up display; this is a projection that appears on your windshield, only visible from your position—and thanks to its transparent design, it won’t get in the way of your visibility, nor will it be distracting enough to steal your attention off the road. You’re more likely to be distracted looking down at gauges—digital or otherwise—than refocusing your eyes on the numbers projected on your windshield.

The Platinum trim also has a panoramic glass roof, which adds heaps of natural light to your cabin—and thanks to the power-tilt/slide function, you can let fresh air in, too. With the Platinum trim, you’re also getting LED fog lights and rain-sensing windshield wipers, and the height-adjustable power liftgate makes a world of difference in times when your hands are full but you need access to the back of your car.

Which Highlander Trim Calls to You?

Now that you know about the selection of trims for the 2024 Highlander, it’s time to hunker down and decide which one suits you best. With that said, your decision should wait until you’ve spent some time sitting inside a Highlander and you’ve taken it for a test drive. If you’re buying a new 2024 model, choosing your trim is a crucial choice, so we hope this guide has provided you with some insight!