“I bought a 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. I love that the hybrid feature brings good gas mileage and its AWD function does not hamper the gas mileage much. It still seats 6 people, yet has the seat-folding flexibility to increase the cargo area.”
2015 Toyota Highlander: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2015 Toyota Highlander is a carryover with no major changes. It returns with the same basic styling, trim lineup, engines, safety equipment, and cabin technology introduced for 2014.
About the 2015 Toyota Highlander
3rd generation (2014-2019), second model year after the full 2014 redesign.
Toyota positioned the 2015 Highlander as a family-focused three-row SUV that balances comfort, utility, and easy daily driving better than flash or sportiness. The brand leaned on its mix of roomy seating, a quiet cabin, practical storage, strong V6 performance, and an available hybrid for shoppers who wanted better fuel economy without giving up space. Its core appeal was simple: a useful, comfortable family hauler with Toyota’s reputation for long-term dependability.
The 2015 Highlander ranges from a practical eight-seat LE with a touchscreen and backup camera to more comfortable XLE and Limited versions with features such as leather seating, navigation, and second-row captain’s chairs. Limited Platinum models add a panoramic moonroof and driver-assistance features, while the Limited Hybrid pairs an efficient V6-based hybrid system with standard AWD.
2015 Toyota Highlander specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.7 Liter / V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter / V6, Hybrid, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter / V6, Hybrid, 3.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto 6Spd Seq Shft & Snow | Auto 6Spd Seq Shft & Snow | Auto 6Spd Seq Shft & Snow | Auto 6Spd Seq Shft & Snow / Automatic, CVT | Auto 6Spd Seq Shft & Snow / Automatic, CVT |
| Drivetrain | 2WD / AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas / Hybrid | Gas / Hybrid |
| MPG City | 18–20 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 19–27 mpg | 19–27 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 24–25 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | 25–28 mpg | 25–28 mpg |
| Horsepower | 185–270 hp | 270 hp | 270 hp | 270–280 hp | 270–280 hp |
| Torque | 184–248 lb-ft | 248 lb-ft | 248 lb-ft | 215–248 lb-ft | 215–248 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 2000 lb | 5000 lb | 2000 lb | 3500–5000 lb | 3500–5000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 83.7 cu-ft | 83.2 cu-ft | 83.7 cu-ft | 83.2 cu-ft | 83.2 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 27.7 in | 27.7 in | 27.7 in | 26.7–27.7 in | 26.7–27.7 in |
| Seats | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Alarm System | |||||
| Automatic High Beams | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Hill Descent Control | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| LED Daytime Running Lights | |||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||
| Roof Rails | |||||
| Front DVD Entertainment System | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Premium Audio | |||||
| Rear DVD Entertainment System | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||
| USB Ports | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||
| Rear Window Shades | |||||
| Remote Start | |||||
| Third Row Seat | |||||
| Tri-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | |||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2015 Toyota Highlander compared with the 2014 model?
No major product changes arrived for 2015. The Highlander carried over the design, engines, trim structure, safety equipment, and cabin technology introduced with the 2014 redesign.
Did the 2015 Toyota Highlander get a new engine?
No, the 2015 Highlander kept the previous year’s engine choices. These included a 2.7-liter four-cylinder in the gas LE, a 3.5-liter gas V6 in higher trims, and a V6-based hybrid system in the Limited Hybrid models.
Did Toyota update the 2015 Highlander’s styling or interior technology?
No meaningful styling or cabin-technology update was made for 2015. The exterior design and the trim-based touchscreen and audio hierarchy carried over from 2014.
What safety features does the 2015 Toyota Highlander have?
Every 2015 Highlander has a backup camera and hill-start assist, but there was no lineup-wide safety upgrade for this model year. Features such as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, and lane-departure warning were limited to specific upper trims or equipment packages.
How many people does the 2015 Toyota Highlander seat?
The 2015 Highlander seats up to eight people in trims with a second-row bench. Upper trims with second-row captain’s chairs have a seven-person layout.
2015 Toyota Highlander Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2015 Toyota Highlander.
4.3
2015 Toyota Highlander
(382 reviews)
“I wish the speed display was large digital numbers rather than the hard to read stick. Ten miles per hour is so squished together it is difficult to determine especially with a quick glance how fast I'm going.”
“I love the new Highlander! It is so easy to drive, despite its size. It is also one the the most comfortable cars I have ever been in. Toyota has really upped their game, their cars now a have a definite touch of luxury at an appropriate price.”