What is the clearance of the Highlander?
The Toyota Highlander typically sits about 8.0 inches (203 mm) off the ground across most trims, including hybrids.
Ground clearance is the distance between the road surface and the lowest point of the vehicle’s undercarriage. It influences how easily the SUV handles speed bumps, snow, gravel, and light off-road surfaces. This article explains the official height, how it applies across trims, and how it stacks up against rivals, with practical guidance for buyers.
Official clearance and trims
The Highlander’s published ground clearance sits at 8.0 inches (203 mm) for most current models in North America. This figure is generally consistent across gas and hybrid variants in recent years.
- Official ground clearance: 8.0 inches (203 mm) on most current Highlander models, including hybrid versions.
- Trim and wheel considerations: Toyota’s published figure remains 8.0 inches for standard setups; changing wheel sizes or tire profiles can cause slight practical differences in clearance.
- Not a dedicated off-road model: There is no high-clearance “off-road” Highlander trim; it remains a family unibody SUV rather than a rugged trail vehicle.
- Measurement context: The 8.0 inches is typically listed for the stock configuration with standard tires; aftermarket wheels or tires may modestly affect the actual clearance.
In practice, most buyers will encounter a near-constant 8.0-inch height, with only minor variation due to wheel/tire choices. This makes the Highlander comfortable for daily driving and light weather or gravel surfaces, but not designed for serious rock crawling or deep-water crossings.
Practical implications and comparisons
Understanding how 8.0 inches translates to real-world use helps in deciding whether the Highlander fits your daily routine or weekend excursions.
- Everyday practicality: An 8.0-inch clearance provides a good balance between on-road stability and the ability to clear speed bumps and rough pavement.
- Approach and departure angles: The height is adequate for urban driving and light-duty use but is not optimized for steep, off-road terrain.
- Snow, slush, and water: The clearance supports light winter driving but is not intended for deep snow or flood-level water hazards.
- Rivals: Some mid-size SUVs offer slightly higher or lower ground clearance depending on design goals; the Highlander sits in a middle range that favors comfort and efficiency over extreme off-road capability.
Overall, 8.0 inches of ground clearance positions the Highlander as a family-focused SUV that handles everyday roads and modest rough surfaces well, while leaving true off-roading to more rugged models.
Summary
The Highlander’s ground clearance is consistently listed at about 8.0 inches (203 mm) for current models, including hybrids. This height supports comfortable on-road performance and light-duty usage, with no dedicated high-clearance off-road variant. If you expect substantial off-road capability, you may want to compare with other SUVs designed for tougher terrain.
What's the ground clearance on a Toyota Highlander?
8 inches
Specifications for the Toyota Highlander:
Width: 76.0 inches. Height: 68.1 inches. Wheelbase: 112.2 inches. Ground Clearance: 8 inches.
What is the lawsuit against the Toyota Highlander?
Recent and ongoing lawsuits involving the Toyota Highlander address issues such as faulty door lock actuators, a potential transmission defect in certain models, and a claim that 2020-2021 Highlander Hybrids have fuel tanks that do not fill completely. Other recent lawsuits include an investigation into defective power liftgates and a separate class action settlement for a Bluetooth echo defect that affected some Highlanders.
Current and recent lawsuits
- Door Lock Actuators: A class action lawsuit was filed because many Toyota models, including the Highlander, reportedly have defective door lock actuators that may fail to engage properly. The lawsuit claims owners have been charged for repeated replacements, which Toyota allegedly considered "wear and tear" items.
- Transmission Defect: Lawsuits allege that certain Highlander models (2017-2022) equipped with the UA80 automatic transmission have a defect that can cause whining, erratic shifting, and premature failure. A Customer Support Program (CSP ZJC) was created but only covers a limited number of vehicles, according to Change.org.
- Fuel Tank Defect: A class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of owners of 2020-2021 Highlander Hybrids, claiming a defective fuel tank vent causes it to not fill to its capacity.
- Power Liftgate Defect: Some Highlander models (XU20, XU40, XU50, and Highlander Hybrid MHU28) are reportedly affected by a power liftgate defect that can lead to costly repairs, with the lawsuit alleging Toyota knew about the issue but did not issue a recall or warning.
- Bluetooth Echo Defect: A class action lawsuit over a Bluetooth defect that caused an echo on calls in certain Toyota models, including the Highlander, resulted in a settlement, notes this article from Unión Rayo and ClassAction.org.
How to proceed
- Identify your vehicle's details: Determine if your Highlander is included in any of these lawsuits by checking its model year, VIN, and the specific defect alleged.
- Gather evidence: Collect any repair invoices, service records, or documentation related to the defect.
- Contact an attorney: Speak to a lawyer who specializes in consumer or automotive class action lawsuits to understand your options and how you may be affected by an ongoing investigation or settlement.
- Check settlement websites: Visit official settlement websites if they are available for a specific lawsuit, as they often provide important information and instructions for potential claimants.
Is 11 inches of ground clearance good?
Challenging terrain, such as rock climbing, would require at least 11 inches of clearance from the differential housing. Sedans and hatchbacks generally have better fuel efficiency and handling characteristics due to how far they are from the ground.
Which Toyota car has the highest ground clearance?
The Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro has the highest ground clearance at 11.1 inches. Other models with high ground clearance include the Toyota Land Cruiser LC300 and the Toyota Fortuner, which have 9.26 and 8.86 inches, respectively. The Toyota Tacoma with the double cab also offers up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance.
Highest ground clearance Toyota models
- Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro: 11.1 inches
- Toyota Tacoma (Double Cab): 11.5 inches
- Toyota Land Cruiser LC300: 9.26 inches
- Toyota Fortuner: 8.86 inches
