The 2009 Toyota Highlander offers a choice of three powertrains, three trim levels and front or all-wheel drive. The base Highlander ($25,705) comes with the 2.7-liter four cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter V6 ($27,600). The Highlander Sport ($30,000) and Limited ($33,070) come standard with the 3.5-liter V6. The all-wheel-drive models all have the 3.5-liter V6, and are available in base ($29,050), Sport ($31,450), and Limited ($34,520) trim. Highlander Hybrid models come standard with all-wheel drive and are available in base ($34,700) and Limited ($41,020) trim.
The Highlander comes standard with cloth upholstery; air conditioning; three-row seating for up to seven passengers; a 40/20/40 second-row seat with a removable center section that can be stowed under the first-row center console; a fold-flat third row; AM/FM/CD with six speakers and MP3; power windows, door locks, and mirrors; remote keyless entry; cruise control; variable intermittent wipers; rear defogger with variable intermittent wiper; rear spoiler; tilt/telescope steering wheel; two front and one cargo-area 12-volt power outlets; fog lights; and 245/65R17 tires on alloy wheels.
Hybrid models get Toyota's Smart Entry System that includes keyless entry and starting, a 3.5-inch multifunction display screen that includes a rear backup camera, a clock, tire-pressure display, air conditioning readout, and outside temperature and trip computer information, in addition to all the hybrid-related features. Also, base Hybrids come standard with two seating rows; the third row is optional.
Sport models add 245/55R19 tires, sport-tuned suspension, opening rear glass, a rear tonneau cover, cargo area levers to fold the second-row seats, and the multi-function display.
Limited models upgrade with leather upholstery, 10-way power adjustable driver's seat and four-way power front passenger's seat, front dual-zone automatic climate control, and Homelink universal transmitter, foldable power outside mirrors with puddle lamps. Limited models also come with opening rear glass, a rear tonneau cover, cargo area levers to fold the second-row seats, and the multi-function display. Limited models ride on the standard suspension, but they get the 245/55R19 tires and 19-inch wheels.
Limited Hybrid models come with the same features as the Limited.
Options include leather upholstery ($1,490 for two rows, $1,840 for three rows), a navigation system in combination with a JBL audio system ($2,530), front dual-zone climate control ($375), automatic rear air conditioning ($585), heated front seats ($440), upgraded JBL audio with nine speakers and a Bluetooth hands-free cell phone link ($630), sunroof ($850), power rear tailgate ($400), rear DVD entertainment ($1,700), several other options, and numerous packages that combine individual options.
Safety features on all models include dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags for thorax protection, head-protecting curtain side airbags that cover all three seating rows, a driver's knee airbag, active front headrests, tire-pressure monitor, antilock brakes, traction control, antiskid control, and hill-start assist. Hill descent control is standard on AWD models.