Is there a 5 seat Toyota Highlander?
There is no five-seat version of the Toyota Highlander. The model line is built as a three-row SUV, offering seating for seven or eight depending on the configuration. The larger Grand Highlander follows the same three-row layout with its own options, but neither version is offered as a true five-seat vehicle. This article explains the current seating options and what to consider if five seats are a priority.
The Highlander sits between Toyota’s compact RAV4 and full-size Sequoia in the lineup, and its appeal is the balance of passenger space and cargo capacity. Toyota markets the Highlander primarily as a family-friendly, three-row SUV, with variations that tilt toward seven or eight passengers rather than a five-seat setup. The Grand Highlander, introduced to provide more cargo room and a larger footprint, maintains the same three-row concept but adds more overall space. Here’s what you need to know about seating in the current lineup as of the 2024–2025 model years.
Current Highlander seating options
Below is a look at how many people the Highlander and Grand Highlander can carry, and how the second-row seating affects total capacity.
- Standard Highlander: 8-passenger configuration with a three-row layout (front row: 2 seats; second row: 3 seats; third row: 3 seats). Most trims use a 60/40 split bench in the second row, accommodating eight total passengers.
- Highlander with captain's chairs: 7-passenger configuration (front row: 2 seats; second row: 2 captain's chairs; third row: 3 seats). This setup reduces maximum occupancy from eight to seven.
- Grand Highlander: 7- or 8-passenger configuration depending on trim, with options for a second-row bench or captain's chairs and a full three-row layout. The Grand Highlander emphasizes interior space and cargo capacity rather than a five-seat option.
- Five-seat Highlander: not offered. Toyota does not provide a five-passenger Highlander variant; the model line is designed around three rows for seven or eight riders.
In short, the Highlander family centers on three rows of seating, with seven or eight passengers depending on second-row configuration. Toyota does not publish a five-seat Highlander variant, and the Grand Highlander follows the same three-row principle with more space but still targets seven or eight occupants.
Is there a five-seat option within Toyota’s lineup?
If a five-seat arrangement is essential, several Toyota models outside the Highlander family offer five-passenger layouts with varying levels of space and cargo capacity. The following options are commonly configured for five passengers in today’s market:
- Toyota RAV4: five-passenger compact SUV with roomy rear seating and good cargo space.
- Toyota Venza: five-passenger midsize SUV with a comfortable, upscale interior.
- Toyota Corolla Cross: five-passenger subcompact SUV that emphasizes value and efficiency.
- Toyota C-HR: five-passenger subcompact SUV available in some markets with a smaller footprint.
- Toyota 4Runner: typically five seats (two front, three rear) with no third-row option in standard configurations.
These five-seat models offer alternatives if you don’t need a full three-row SUV and want to prioritize a simpler seating arrangement with potentially greater cargo or maneuverability in urban settings.
Summary
The Toyota Highlander does not come in a five-seat configuration. Both the standard Highlander and the Grand Highlander are designed around three rows, yielding seven or eight passengers depending on the chosen second-row setup. For buyers who specifically need five seats, Toyota’s RAV4, Venza, Corolla Cross, C-HR, or 4Runner provide suitable five-seat options. If three rows and maximum passenger capacity are desired, the Highlander lineup remains the practical choice, with seven- or eight-passenger configurations available across different trims.
Bottom line: no five-seat Highlander exists, but there are plenty of five-seat Toyota models to consider if that seating arrangement is your priority. Always verify current model-year specifications at your local dealer, as configurations can vary by market and trim.
