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2026 One-of-a-Kind Verified

Toyota Highlander XLE 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder · SUVs

Trim: XLE XSE Base Platinum Hybrid XLE Hybrid Limited Hybrid Platinum

XLE (gas): The base gas trim with core safety, 265‑hp turbo engine, and 21/28/24 mpg.

$50 250

⭐ 4.9 · 142 reviews · Excellent Price

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Mileage1,247 mi

Horsepower265 HP

TransmissionAutomatic

Who is the 2026 Highlander XLE (gas, AWD) for?

The 2026 Highlander XLE is aimed at practical, safety‑focused families who want:

A reliable, mainstream three‑row SUV with standard AWD and strong crash‑test ratings.
Low hassle and strong resale value, with Toyota’s reputation for durability.
A comfortable, quiet ride and a well‑equipped cabin (XLE adds SofTex seats, heated front seats, power liftgate, larger screens, etc.).edmunds

It’s a good fit if:

You mostly carry kids in the third row and need occasional extra seating.
You prioritize safety tech, fuel efficiency, and low running costs over sporty handling or maximum cargo space.
You want a single, do‑it‑all family vehicle for daily commuting, school runs, and road trips without stepping into luxury‑brand pricing.

It’s less ideal if you regularly haul adults in the third row or need best‑in‑class cargo room; in that case, rivals like the Kia Telluride/Hyundai Palisade or Toyota’s own Grand Highlander may suit you better.

Why This Toyota Highlander

Why this Toyota is special

The customer now understands why it costs six figures.

Who should buy it (and who might not)

Good fit if: You prioritize reliability, safety, AWD, and low running costs, and you mostly need the third row for kids or occasional use. The hybrid is the sweet spot for fuel savings.motortrend+2
Think twice if: You regularly carry adults in the third row, need maximum cargo space, or want a more engaging drive and more style; in that case, rivals like the Telluride/Palisade or Toyota’s own Grand Highlander may suit you better.motortrend+1

The engine was built by renowned mechanic Jake Raby, the paint applied by Vintage Autohaus…

The Story

The story behind this Highlander

Every car has a soul. Here's the journey of this one.

Originally sold in California in 2026, this Highlander spent its early years as a sunny-day cruiser. In 2015, it was purchased by a master builder who envisioned a concours-quality restomod.

Over seven years, the car was stripped to bare metal, the chassis reinforced, and every component either restored or upgraded. The engine was built by renowned mechanic Jake Raby, the paint applied by Vintage Autohaus, and the interior stitched by Classic Leather Works.

Featured in VW Trends Magazine (2023) and winner of Best Custom Beetle at the 2024 SoCal VW Classic.

Build Timeline

The journey of a masterpiece

Seven years of craftsmanship, documented every step of the way.

2026 Built 2026

2073 Purchased by builder

2074 Body removed

2075 Metal work completed

2076 Paint applied

2078 Engine built

2079 Dyno tuned

2080 Interior completed

2081 Completed

2082 For sale today

Build Gallery

Restoration in photos

People LOVE restoration photos.

BeforeBefore

Rust RepairRust Repair

PaintPaint

EngineEngine

WiringWiring

InteriorInterior

Cost Breakdown

What it cost to build

Full transparency on every dollar that went into this machine.

$18 500

Engine: 4_CYLINDERTURBO

$12 000

Paint: Guards Red · Ceramic

$5 000

Wheels: Custom Mags

$8 900

Interior: Porsche Recaro · VDO

$6 500

Suspension: Adjustable beam · Bilstein

$50 900

Estimated Build Cost

$50 250

Selling Price

−$650

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How it stacks against rivals

Spec	2026 Toyota Highlander
Price	$50 250,00
Horsepower	265
Mileage	0
Build Quality Score	96/100

AI Expert

Ask The Toyota Expert

Instant, expert answers powered by Vochi's knowledge base. 2341 vehicles indexed.

Vochi AI · Toyota Specialist

Online · 2341 vehicles indexed

Hi! I know everything about this 2026 Toyota Highlander. Ask me about the engine, maintenance, cost, or anything else.

How much horsepower does it make?

This 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder stroker with FK89 cam and 48 IDA Webers produces 265 HP at the crank and 310 lb-ft of torque. It's dyno-tuned for pump gas and redlines at 7200 RPM.

🚗 Daily Driver? 💰 Maintenance Costs? ⚡ Horsepower? 🛡️ Insurance? ⛽ Pump Gas? 🔧 Reliable? ⚠️ Common Problems? 📊 Compare To Stock?

Runs on 91+ octane · 28,00 MPG combined

Oil change: 5W-30 · 3.5 qt · $85

Insurance estimate: $2 500/yr · Hagerty

Valve adjustment: every 3,000 mi · $280

Dyno sheet available · 265 HP / 310 lb-ft

Interactive Car

Click anything · AI explains it

Tap a part to learn more about what makes this Highlander special.

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Engine

The 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder stroker engine was built by Jake Raby with an FK89 cam, 48 IDA Webers, and MSD ignition. It produces 265 HP and 310 lb-ft of torque on pump gas.

AI Inspection

Condition score: 96 / 100

AI-powered inspection with detailed reasoning behind every score.

Body

Paint

Engine

Transmission

Suspension

Interior

Electrical

Undercarriage

96/100

Overall Condition · Excellent

No major issues · Well maintained

Body: No rust, perfect gaps✅

Engine: 180 PSI compression all cylinders✅

Trans: Smooth shifts, no grinding✅

Paint: Ceramic coated · No swirls✅

Documentation

Trust, documented

This is where trust explodes. Every receipt, every test, every detail.

Dyno Sheet

Compression Test

Leak Down Test

Paint Invoice

Restoration Receipts

Engine Build Sheet

Wiring Diagram

Original Window Sticker

VIN Report

Ownership

Annual costs & maintenance

What it really costs to own this Highlander.

Annual Costs

Fuel$2 100

Insurance$2 500

Registration$340

Storage$1,200

Five Year Cost$25 000

Maintenance

Valve Adjustment$280

Oil Changes$85

Brake Service$450

Tire Rotation$60

AI Maintenance Planner

🔧 Valve adj · 3k mi 🛢️ Oil change · 3k mi 🛞 Brake flush · 2yr ⚙️ Tune-up · 5k mi

Community

Latest questions

Real questions from owners, mechanics, and enthusiasts.

Can I run E85?

How long do Webers last?

Best oil for a 2332cc?

Valve adjustment tutorial

Should You Buy This Car?

Should you buy this Highlander?

Honest, transparent advice. No hype.

Buy this car if…

✓ You want a show-quality Toyota you can actually drive.
✓ You appreciate documented craftsmanship.
✓ You value reliability over chasing maximum horsepower.
✓ You want a car that turns heads and starts conversations.

This may not be the right car if…

✗ You're looking for a stock, numbers-matching restoration.
✗ You want modern safety features (airbags, ABS, etc.).
✗ You prefer an automatic transmission.
✗ You want a low-maintenance daily driver with no quirks.

Compare Trims

Highlander Trims

See how each trim variant differs – price, engine, features, and more.

Specification	XLE Current	XSE	Base	Platinum	Hybrid XLE	Hybrid Limited	Hybrid Platinum
Price	$50 250	$52 560	$55 010	$58 440	$52 120	$56 890	$60 310
Engine	2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder	2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder	2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder	2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder	2.0L 4 Cylinder Hybrid	2.0L 4 Cylinder Hybrid	2.0L 4 Cylinder Hybrid
Horsepower	265	265	265	265	243	243	243
Transmission	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Mileage	0 mi	0 mi	0 mi	0 mi	0 mi	0 mi	0 mi
Exterior Color	Pink	Pink	Pink	Pink	Pink	Pink	Pink
Interior Color	Black	Black	Black	Black	Black	Black	Black
Fuel Type	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas
Drive Type	AWD Torque Vectoring	AWD Torque Vectoring	AWD Torque Vectoring	AWD Torque Vectoring	AWD Hybrid eAWD	AWD Hybrid eAWD	AWD Hybrid eAWD

Click any trim button at the top to switch and see full details.