Owner guide · Chicago Northside Toyota · Chicago, IL
Toyota Highlander Ground Clearance: 2026 by Grade
Ground clearance is the same on every 2026 Highlander, but the departure angle, wheels and all-wheel-drive systems are not. Here are toyota.com's figures for each grade, how the Highlander compares with the Grand Highlander and RAV4, and the drive modes for snow, mud, sand and dirt, read November 3, 2026.
8.0 in.ground clearance, every grade
18.1°approach angle
23.4° / 22.7°departure, gas / hybrid
16.7°ramp breakover angle
What is the Highlander ground clearance?
Toyota.com lists 8.0 inches of ground clearance for every 2026 Toyota Highlander grade, gas and hybrid. Approach angle is 18.1 degrees and ramp breakover 16.7 degrees on every grade; departure angle is 23.4 degrees on gas grades and 22.7 on hybrids.
2026 Highlander ground clearance and angles by grade
| Grade | AWD system | Ground clearance (in.) | Approach / departure (deg.) | Ramp breakover (deg.) | Wheels and tires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XLE | All-Wheel Drive (AWD) | 8.0 | 18.1 / 23.4 | 16.7 | 18-in., P235/65R18 |
| XSE | Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD | 8.0 | 18.1 / 23.4 | 16.7 | 20-in., P235/55R20 |
| Limited | Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD | 8.0 | 18.1 / 23.4 | 16.7 | 20-in., P235/55R20 |
| Platinum | Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD | 8.0 | 18.1 / 23.4 | 16.7 | 20-in., P235/55R20 |
| Hybrid XLE | Electronic On-Demand AWD | 8.0 | 18.1 / 22.7 | 16.7 | 18-in., P235/65R18 |
| Hybrid Limited | Electronic On-Demand AWD | 8.0 | 18.1 / 22.7 | 16.7 | 20-in., P235/55R20 |
| Hybrid Platinum | Electronic On-Demand AWD | 8.0 | 18.1 / 22.7 | 16.7 | 20-in., P235/55R20 |
From toyota.com's 2026 Highlander specifications page (dimensions, mechanical/performance and exterior listings), read November 3, 2026. XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum use the 2.4L turbo gas engine; the three Hybrid grades use the 2.5L hybrid powertrain.
Gas or hybrid: what changes
Toyota.com lists the same 8.0 inches of ground clearance, 18.1-degree approach angle and 16.7-degree ramp breakover angle for all seven 2026 grades. The departure angle is the one listed difference: 23.4 degrees on the gas XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum, and 22.7 degrees on the Hybrid XLE, Hybrid Limited and Hybrid Platinum.
Wheel size does not change the listed figure either. The XLE and Hybrid XLE ride on 18-inch wheels with P235/65R18 tires; the XSE, Limited, Platinum, Hybrid Limited and Hybrid Platinum use 20-inch wheels with P235/55R20 tires, and every one is listed at 8.0 inches.
Highlander vs. Grand Highlander and RAV4
| Model | Ground clearance (in.) | Approach / departure (deg.) | Ramp breakover (deg.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Toyota Highlander (every grade) | 8.0 | 18.1 / 23.4 (gas), 18.1 / 22.7 (hybrid) | 16.7 |
| 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander (every grade) | 8.0 | 16.9 / 22.3 | 16.8 |
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 Woodland | 8.5 | 20 / 24 | Not listed |
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 (other grades) | 8.1 | 19 / 23 | Not listed |
From toyota.com's 2026 Highlander, Grand Highlander and RAV4 specifications pages, read November 3, 2026.
Drive modes and traction aids by grade
| Feature | Availability |
|---|---|
| Multi-Terrain Select (Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt, Normal) | Standard on XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum; not available on hybrid grades |
| Drive Mode Select with Sport, Eco, Normal and Snow | Standard on XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum; not available on hybrid grades |
| Drive Mode Select with Sport, Eco, Normal, EV and Trail | Standard on Hybrid XLE, Hybrid Limited and Hybrid Platinum; not available on gas grades |
| Downhill Assist Control | Standard on XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum; not available on hybrid grades |
| Hill Start Assist Control | Standard on every grade |
From toyota.com's 2026 Highlander specifications page (mechanical/performance and safety listings), read November 3, 2026. A specific vehicle's window sticker lists its equipment.
Exterior size
Toyota.com lists an overall height of 68.1 inches, a width of 76.0 inches and a 112.2-inch wheelbase for every 2026 Highlander grade. Overall length is 194.9 inches, or 197.4 inches on the XSE. The turning circle is 37.4 feet.
Chicago Northside Toyota hours
| Department | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sales | Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun closed |
| Service | Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun closed |
From Chicago Northside Toyota's website, November 3, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Toyota Highlander ground clearance FAQ
What is the ground clearance of the Toyota Highlander?
Toyota.com lists 8.0 inches of ground clearance for every 2026 Highlander grade: XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum with the 2.4L turbo gas engine, and the Hybrid XLE, Hybrid Limited and Hybrid Platinum.
Does the Highlander Hybrid have less ground clearance?
No. Toyota.com lists the same 8.0 inches and the same 18.1-degree approach and 16.7-degree ramp breakover angles for the hybrid. The only listed difference is the departure angle: 22.7 degrees on hybrid grades against 23.4 on gas grades.
Do 20-inch wheels change the Highlander ground clearance?
Not on toyota.com's figures. The XLE and Hybrid XLE use 18-inch wheels and the other grades use 20-inch wheels, and all of them are listed at 8.0 inches.
Does the Highlander have more ground clearance than a RAV4?
No. On toyota.com's 2026 specifications, the RAV4 is listed at 8.1 inches (8.5 inches on the Woodland), slightly more than the Highlander's 8.0 inches. The 2026 Grand Highlander is also listed at 8.0 inches.
Is the 2026 Highlander all-wheel drive?
Every 2026 grade on toyota.com lists an AWD system: All-Wheel Drive on the XLE, Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD on the XSE, Limited and Platinum, and Electronic On-Demand AWD on the three hybrid grades.
What about the 2027 Highlander?
On November 3, 2026, toyota.com had no 2027 Highlander specifications page, so this guide covers the 2026 model. We will add 2027 figures when Toyota publishes them.
Shopping for a Highlander?
Visit Chicago Northside Toyota at 6042 N. Western Ave. in Chicago to talk through which Highlander grade fits you.
Sources
Ground clearance, angles, AWD systems, drive modes, wheels, tires and exterior dimensions are from toyota.com's 2026 Highlander, Grand Highlander and RAV4 specifications pages, read November 3, 2026. Address and hours are from Chicago Northside Toyota's own website. Image is illustrative.
- 2026 Toyota Highlander specifications: ground clearance, approach, departure and breakover angles, AWD systems, drive modes, wheels and tires, exterior dimensions by grade, Toyota, read November 3, 2026
- 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander specifications: ground clearance and angles, Toyota, read November 3, 2026
- 2026 Toyota RAV4 specifications: ground clearance and angles, Toyota, read November 3, 2026
- Address and hours, Chicago Northside Toyota, November 3, 2026
