The 2019 Toyota Highlander has a well-earned reputation as a family-friendly SUV with stellar marks for quality, reliability, and safety.
In the world of midsize 3-row SUVs, the Highlander falls short only in its rear-most seat, which is only fit for kids, and limited cargo space behind said seat. It also lacks popular tech features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
All but the base model employ a potent 295-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine and offer all-wheel drive. Toyota also offers a hybrid version, reviewed separately. The base Highlander comes with a 185-hp 2.7-liter 4-cylinder, but we don’t recommend this engine if you must regularly carry people and cargo.
Towing for the 4-cylinder maxes out at 1,500 pounds, while the V6 can pull up to 5,000 pounds.
If you’re shopping for a used Highlander, you might also want to consider competitors like the Honda Pilot that offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto or the Chevrolet Traverse with a larger third-row seat and cargo area.
2019 Toyota Highlander LE
This entry-level Highlander is nicely equipped and would be our choice for budget buyers if it weren’t for two things: a 4-cylinder engine with a front-drive-only platform.
The 185-horsepower 2.7-liter isn’t powerful enough to pull the Highlander with any authority, and its fuel economy is worse than the V6, at least on the highway. If your only purpose in getting a used SUV is for around-town trips and occasional weekend drives, this engine might work for you. Otherwise, we’d say try to find an LE with the optional V6, which also opens the door to all-wheel drive.
Out the door, the Highlander LE includes an impressive list of standard safety equipment, including front, front side-impact, driver’s knee, front-passenger cushion, and side curtain airbags.
Standard driver assists include pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, radar-based adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights.
Exterior features include 18-inch alloy wheels, windshield wiper de-icers, and heated outside power mirrors. Rear privacy glass covers the last two rows, and all windows are made of UV reducing glass. A rear wiper/washer and a rear spoiler complete the LE’s most notable exterior features.
The cabin features 3-row cloth seating for up to eight people, although realistically, we’re talking seven comfortably. The driver and passenger seats are manually adjustable, and the 60/40 reclining second-row includes a sliding feature that allows it to move fore or aft. The third-row seat is also a 60/40 configuration, making it easy to accommodate both cargo and people.
Two-row manual air conditioning is standard and includes third-row vents. The LE’s equipment list features driver and front passenger auto up/down power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, and a tilt and telescopic steering wheel with controls for cruise, audio, and Bluetooth phone connectivity.
Less noticeable but equally important features include a 24-liter center console with roll-top cover, eight cup holders, sliding sun visors with lighted vanity mirrors, an overhead console with map lights, a conversation mirror, and a sunglass holder.
The Highlander LE comes with two 12-volt outlets and five total USB outlets. A 6-inch touchscreen handles infotainment attached to an AM/FM/CD player and six speakers. Included is a rearview monitor, as are Siri Eyes Free and streaming Bluetooth technology.
When new, the 2019 Highlander LE had a sticker price of around $32,000 with the 4-cylinder engine and $34,000 with the V6. As the Highlander retains excellent resale value, it’s not likely you’ll find a low-mileage LE in good condition for much less than a few thousand off its original price.
The 2021 new-car shortage only increases the price of a used 2019 Highlander to almost what it cost new. To help find the best deal, try using the Autotrader classifieds page. Here you can search by region, mileage, options, colors, and condition. The page shows private party and dealer listings, including Certified Pre-Owned models.
A quick look at the classifieds reveals a wide variety of prices for a used 2019 Highlander LE. We spotted a 4-cylinder LE with less than 25,000 miles for $28,000, a V6 AWD with less than 30,000 miles for $29,000, and a Certified Pre-Owned V6 for $30,000. At the other end of the spectrum, we found identically equipped Highlanders in different parts of the country running as high as $3000 to $4000 over the above-listed prices. See 2019 Toyota Highlander LE models for sale
2019 Toyota Highlander LE Includes:
- Automatic emergency braking – Monitors for people or vehicles in front of the Highlander and warns the driver of an impending collision. If the driver fails to act, the system will slow or stop the Highlander automatically.
- Automatic high-beam headlights – Automatically illuminate in a low-light situation but will dim when detecting oncoming traffic.
- Windshield wiper de-icers – Heat up to help keep ice from building up on the wiper blades.
- Sliding second-row seat – More legroom for the second row or more cargo space with the third-row seat folded.
2019 Toyota Highlander LE Plus
Of the two trims, the LE Plus is preferable to the LE. It brings the V6 engine and better towing figures, plus more features.
In addition to the LE’s equipment, the LE Plus upgrades or adds foglights, a power liftgate with flip-up rear window, 3-zone automatic climate controls with second-row controls, fabric and vinyl seats, and an 8-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support.
The LE Plus also includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and start/stop engine cut-off feature. The standard audio upgrades with an 8-inch touch screen, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Scout GPS Link compatibility.
Pricing for a used 2019 Highlander LE Plus should only be a few thousand dollars more than the LE, and in many areas, maybe even less. The current shortage of new 2021 cars and SUVs has forced used car prices to the moon, but good deals are still waiting to be found.
You can expect a 2-year-old Highlander LE Plus with less than 30,000 miles to sell in the $30,000 to $33,000 range in a normal market. Add another $2,000 or so for AWD. See 2019 Toyota Highlander LE Plus models for sale
The 2019 Highlander LE Plus Includes:
- Power liftgate – Automatically opens and closes with the push of a button.
- Rear liftgate window – This flip-up rear window allows access to the cargo area without fully opening the liftgate.
- 3-zone climate control – Provides individual temperature settings for the driver, front passenger, and second-row passengers.
- Blind-spot monitor – Alerts the driver when vehicles enter or are driving in the Highlander’s blind spots.
2019 Toyota Highlander XLE
If we had a $35,000 budget cap, the XLE is the Highlander we’d be hunting down for a good deal.
Adding to the LE Plus’ standard content, the XLE brings 18-inch turbine alloy wheels, a power sunroof, leather upholstery for the first two rows, heated leather seats, and retractable second-row sunshades.
The infotainment system gains voice-activated satellite navigation, and the Driver Easy Speak system uses the Highlander’s speakers to help the driver communicate with passengers in the third row.
The XLE comes with chrome roof rails, second-row captain’s chair seating, 4-way power passenger seat, and Smart Key keyless entry with proximity sensor and push-button start.
The only options for the XLE are a second-row bench seat and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.
A quick look through the Autotrader classifieds shows a wide range of prices for a used 2019 Toyota Highlander XLE, from a low of around $32,000 to as much as $38,000. The price spread is the result of inflated used-car prices caused by the 2021 new-car shortage.
We expect as more new cars arrive on lots, the higher prices will come back to earth. When they do, a typical price range for a low-mileage Highlander XLE in good condition should run in the mid $35,000 range (give or take a few thousand based on location, the AWD option, and private party or dealer sale).
A Certified Pre-Owned XLE, which includes a complete inspection and extended time and mileage on its warranty, will run closer to $40,000. See 2019 Toyota Highlander XLE models for sale
2019 Toyota Highlander XLE Includes:
- Power sunroof – Allows more light and fresh air into the cabin.
- Satellite Navigation – Helps you find your way with simple instructions and map routing. It can be programmed using the touchscreen or voice commands.
- 4-way power passenger seat – Allows the passenger to find a more comfortable position.
- Second-row captain’s chairs – Gives second-row occupants more freedom to stretch out, as well as easier access for third-row seat passengers.
2019 Toyota Highlander SE
The SE is the sportiest of the Highlander trims, although it’s mostly just a cosmetic upgrade.
The SE features dark-black headlight accents, 19-inch black alloy wheels, dark-painted roof rails, and black exterior accents. A sport suspension improves handling but does make for a firmer ride.
Building atop the XLE’s features, the SE includes blue LED interior ambient lighting, black leather seating with red stitching, and seven-passenger seating. See 2019 Toyota Highlander SE models for sale
2019 Toyota Highlander Limited
The Limited is the ultimate Highlander. In addition to the XLE features, it adds memory for the driver’s seat and mirrors, heated and ventilated front seats, 19-inch wheels, rear parking sensors, a 10-speaker JBL audio system, and auto up/down power windows at all four doors. A saddle tan interior option is a nice break from the black, beige, and gray in the other trims.
Optional on the Limited is the Platinum Package that adds a panoramic moonroof, heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats, rain-sensing wipers, 360-degree bird’s-eye-view monitor, front and rear parking sensors, and puddle lights with Highlander logo.
When new, a fully-loaded Limited sold for close to $50,000. Looking at the Autotrader classified, we see current 2021 prices ranging from about $35,000 for a 2WD Limited to as much as $49,000 for a Limited Platinum with AWD. These are models in good to excellent condition with less than 25,000 miles.
As we’ve said previously, the shortage of new cars has pushed up pricing for low-mileage used cars, so these prices may not stay high once new-car production resumes in full. Be sure to use the Autotrader classifieds to shop around outside your area. You may be surprised to see how much money you can save by looking in a less-populated place. See 2019 Toyota Highlander Limited models for sale
2019 Toyota Highlander Limited Includes:
- Rear parking sensors – Senses objects behind the vehicle and emits a beeping tone to warn the driver. The rate of the beeping increases as you get closer to said object.
- Heated and ventilated front seats – Keep you cool in the summer, warm in the winter.
- JBL audio – An impressively efficient sound system that doesn’t require significant power to produce big sound.
- Available second-row heated seats – A nice upgrade for passengers who like to stay warm.
