2026 Toyota Highlander XLE: Green Brook Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: 2026 Toyota Highlander XLE
The XLE is the new entry point to the Highlander lineup — $46,270 MSRP before the $1,450 delivery fee — now that the old LE trim is gone. Standard all-wheel drive, Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, an 8-in touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights, and seating for up to eight all come without an options list to climb. Choose the gas 2.4-liter turbo (265 hp) or step up roughly $1,050 to the 2.5-liter hybrid, which trades a little punch for an EPA-estimated 35 mpg city instead of 21. For a Green Brook family cross-shopping three-row SUVs, this is the trim where the math starts.
The base trim that inherited the flagship's safety suite
Retiring the LE trim didn't just raise the starting price — it raised the starting content. The XLE runs the same Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 package as the $53,925 Platinum: pre-collision detection with pedestrian recognition, lane departure alert with steering assist, dynamic radar cruise control, and road sign assist. What separates XLE from the trims above it is comfort trim and screen size, not safety hardware. The touchscreen is 8 inches here versus 12.3 on Limited and Platinum, and the seats are cloth rather than leather, but the drivetrain underneath — turbo four or hybrid four, your call — is identical to what a Platinum buyer gets.
Standard AWD is the headline change for every 2026 Highlander, and it matters most right here at the entry trim, where past model years sometimes shipped front-wheel drive as the default and made you pay extra for traction. That's gone now. Every XLE that leaves the lot handles a wet on-ramp or an unplowed side street the same way the top trim does.
Gas turbo or hybrid: the real 2026 XLE decision
This is the one trim-level choice that actually changes how the vehicle drives and what it costs to run. The 2.4-liter turbo four makes 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed automatic — plenty for merging onto Route 22 with a full third row. The hybrid trades some of that punch for efficiency: an EPA-estimated 35 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, nearly identical numbers front to back, which tells you the hybrid system does most of its work in stop-and-go traffic rather than open highway cruising. One recent Empire Toyota of Green Brook buyer chose exactly that path: "Eduardo helped me all the way throughout the sales process. I got the Highlander Hybrid that I was looking for. All [Empire Toyota of Green Brook] staff was courteous and friendly." For a commute built on jughandles and traffic lights rather than open miles, that's the trim to ask about.
Who lands on the XLE
The XLE draws buyers who want the full Highlander experience — three rows, real cargo room, the complete safety suite — without paying for leather and a bigger screen they might not use daily. It's also where the sales floor sees the most side-by-side cross-shopping against other three-row SUVs, because the price gap to a comparable competitor trim tends to close once AWD and TSS 3.0 are counted as standard rather than options. A recent XLE buyer described exactly that kind of careful, informed purchase: "I was at the [Empire Toyota of Green Brook] today to purchase [a] Toyota Highlander XLE. I was assisted by Kelvin Mangual (Finance Manager) and Enrique Matos (Sales Advisor). Both were outstanding and informative salesmen... they had a great knowledge of the vehicle and its amenities" — Eli Nyamongo.
One planning note: because XLE is now the volume trim rather than a stripped-down base car, popular colors and the hybrid powertrain specifically can move fast. Checking live inventory before you visit saves a wasted trip if your exact configuration is between allocations.
Frequently asked questions
What does the 2026 Highlander XLE cost?
$46,270 MSRP for the gas turbo, roughly $47,320 for the hybrid, plus the $1,450 delivery fee, then New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax, title, and registration. The pricing & leasing guide covers the full breakdown and this month's offers apply on top.
Does the XLE come with all-wheel drive?
Yes, standard — on both the gas and hybrid versions. There's no front-wheel-drive 2026 Highlander at any trim level, XLE included.
Should I get the XLE or step up to Limited?
The roughly $4,455 walk to Limited buys a panoramic moonroof, leather seating, and the larger 12.3-inch touchscreen — comfort and tech, not safety or capability. If those don't move you, the XLE is the sharper value with an identical drivetrain and safety suite underneath.
Is the XLE Hybrid worth the extra cost?
For city and stop-and-go driving, generally yes — the roughly $1,050 premium pays back quickly at 35 mpg city versus 21 for the gas version. Highway-heavy commuters will see a smaller gap and may prefer the gas turbo's extra low-end response.
Does the XLE include free maintenance?
Yes. ToyotaCare covers factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, plus 24-hour roadside assistance for two years with no mileage cap, on every new Highlander sold. The service guide explains the visit rhythm at the Route 22 service center.
The bottom line
The XLE is what happens when a "base" trim inherits everything that actually keeps a family safe and comfortable. What you're skipping versus the trims above it is leather and a bigger screen — not capability, not safety, not even drivetrain choice. For most Green Brook households cross-shopping the three-row segment, this is the trim that makes the spreadsheet easiest to close, and Empire Toyota of Green Brook can usually park an XLE next to a Limited so you can judge the gap yourself.
MSRP figures exclude the $1,450 delivery, processing and handling fee plus taxes, title, registration, and dealer-installed options; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Fuel-economy figures are EPA estimates; real-world results vary. Equipment and availability can change with configuration and production timing; confirm current details with Empire Toyota of Green Brook. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Empire Toyota of Green Brook.