Most owners hear 5,000 lb and assume it applies to every Grand Highlander. It does not. The 2.5L Hybrid, the version that gets 34 to 36 mpg, is rated 1,500 lb lower than the turbo trucks. This guide lists each rating from Toyota's manuals and what the manuals say about hitches, tongue weight and brakes.
Where these numbers come from. The "GCWR, TWR and Unbraked TWR" tables in Toyota's 2025 Grand Highlander (OM0E111U) and Grand Highlander Hybrid (OM0E112U) owner's manuals. TWR is the trailer weight rating, the most the loaded trailer may weigh. GCWR is the most the truck and trailer may weigh together. We did not read the 2024 or 2026 manuals, so we are not claiming those years match, though the 2.4L engine is the same.
Ratings by Engine
| VERSION | ENGINE | TOWING (TWR) | GCWR | UNBRAKED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | 2.4L turbo (T24A-FTS) | 5,000 lb | 10,600 lb | 1,000 lb |
| Hybrid MAX | 2.4L turbo (T24A-FTS) | 5,000 lb | 10,500 lb | 1,000 lb |
| Hybrid, 2WD | 2.5L (A25A-FXS) | 3,500 lb | 9,635 lb | 1,000 lb |
| Hybrid, AWD | 2.5L (A25A-FXS) | 3,500 lb | 9,750 lb | 1,000 lb |
Loading. The manuals list vehicle capacity weight (occupants plus luggage) of 1,245 lb on 7-passenger trucks and 1,410 lb on 8-passenger trucks. Your door-jamb label has the exact figure for your truck.
Tongue Weight, Hitch and Brakes
- Tongue weight: distribute the load so tongue weight is 9 to 11 percent of gross trailer weight. That is 450 to 550 lb on a 5,000 lb trailer, and 315 to 385 lb on a 3,500 lb trailer (our arithmetic).
- Weight distributing hitch: for the T24A-FTS turbo engine the manuals say to return the front axle to the weight it had before the trailer was connected, or, if you cannot weigh it, to restore front fender height.
- Hitch rating: Toyota says hitch assemblies have their own weight capacities and the lower number governs. It also says to use only the hitch position Toyota recommends and never mount a hitch on the bumper.
- Trailer ball size: class I uses a 1-7/8 in. ball, class II and III a 2 in. ball, and class IV a 2-5/16 in. ball.
- Trailer lights: the manual says to use the wire harness stored in the rear underbody. It also describes an auto cut-off that stops power to the trailer lights in an over-current event.
- Brakes: above 1,000 lb the trailer needs its own service brakes.
Gear
Links below are affiliate links: toyotadata earns a commission from VEVOR and, as an Amazon Associate, from qualifying Amazon purchases, at no extra cost to you.
| ITEM | USED FOR | BUY |
|---|---|---|
| Class III receiver hitch made for the Grand Highlander | Receivers are fitment-specific. Match the model year, and make sure the hitch is rated for the trailer | Shop on Amazon |
| Tekonsha Primus IQ proportional brake controller | Any trailer over the 1,000 lb unbraked limit. Wiring harness sold separately | Shop on Amazon |
| Grand Highlander brake controller wiring harness | Fitment-specific plug-in harness for the controller | Shop on Amazon |
| LED trailer light kit, 10 to 30 V | Replacement or utility trailer lighting, tested before every trip | Shop at VEVOR |
| Trailer hitch lock kit, fits 1-7/8, 2 and 2-5/16 in couplers | Locks the coupler at a campsite or parking lot | Shop at VEVOR |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a Toyota Grand Highlander tow?
5,000 lb with the 2.4L turbo (gas or Hybrid MAX) and 3,500 lb with the 2.5L Hybrid, per Toyota's 2025 owner's manuals.
Can the Grand Highlander Hybrid tow 5,000 lb?
Only the Hybrid MAX, which uses the 2.4L turbo. The 2.5L Hybrid is rated 3,500 lb.
How much can the Grand Highlander tow without trailer brakes?
1,000 lb on every version.
What is the Grand Highlander's GCWR?
10,600 lb for the gas truck, 10,500 lb for the Hybrid MAX, and 9,635 to 9,750 lb for the 2.5L Hybrid.
Related Guides
- Toyota Grand Highlander Maintenance Schedule by Mileage
- Toyota Grand Highlander MPG: Gas, Hybrid and Hybrid MAX
- Toyota Grand Highlander Oil, Tire Size and Fluid Specs
- Toyota Grand Highlander TSB List and Known Issues
- Toyota Grand Highlander Recalls: Every Recall 2024–2026
- Toyota Grand Highlander Problems: NHTSA Complaints
- Toyota RAV4 Known Issues: NHTSA Complaints by Year
- Toyota Towing Capacity Chart: Every Truck and SUV
Sources: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., 2025 Grand Highlander owner's manual and 2025 Grand Highlander Hybrid owner's manual, sections 4-1 and 8-1.
Keep reading
Toyota Grand Highlander Maintenance Schedule by Mileage
Toyota's schedule for the Grand Highlander is a service visit every 5,000 miles or 6 months, with the engine oil and filter changed every 10,000 miles or 12 months. Cabin and engine air filters are replaced at 30,000 miles, spark plugs at 40,000 miles on the 2.4L turbo (then 80,000 and 120,000), and engine coolant first at 100,000 miles or 120 months, then every 50,000 miles or 60 months. All-wheel-drive gas trucks also replace the rear differential and transfer case oil every 30,000 miles. Hybrids add an HV battery cooling intake filter check at each visit and a cleaning every 20,000 miles. Dirt and dust shorten the oil interval to 5,000 miles or 6 months.
Toyota Grand Highlander MPG: Gas, Hybrid and Hybrid MAX
The gas Grand Highlander is rated 22 to 24 mpg combined, the 2.5L Hybrid 34 to 36 mpg, and the Hybrid MAX 27 mpg. The EPA ratings are identical for model years 2024, 2025 and 2026. The front-wheel-drive gas truck gets 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined, the 2.5L Hybrid FWD 37 / 34 / 36, and the Hybrid MAX 26 / 27 / 27. At EPA combined, a 2.5L Hybrid AWD burns about 441 gallons over 15,000 miles against 652 for a gas AWD LE/XLE, a difference of about 211 gallons a year.
Toyota Grand Highlander Oil, Tire Size and Fluid Specs
The gas Grand Highlander takes 5.6 qt of 0W-20 oil, the 2.5L Hybrid takes 4.5 qt of 0W-8, and the Hybrid MAX takes 5.6 qt of 0W-20. Tires are 255/65R18 111H or 255/55R20 107V, at 35 psi cold front and rear, with a T165/90D18 compact spare at 60 psi. Wheel nut torque is 103 ft-lbf. The fuel tank holds 17.8 gal on the gas truck and 17.2 gal on the hybrids, and all versions take regular unleaded (87 AKI). Figures are from Toyota's 2025 owner's manuals.
Toyota Grand Highlander Problems: NHTSA Complaints
NHTSA holds 314 complaints on the Toyota Grand Highlander: 235 for the 2024 model year and 79 for 2025. The 2026 truck has none on file yet. The most-mentioned components are power train (67), engine (51) and fuel/propulsion system (47), after a large "other" bucket (80). About 35 complaint texts mention stalling, shutting off or losing power, and about 36 mention hesitation, jerking or lurching. Only 2 of the 314 mention the turbo, so the complaint data does not show a turbo failure pattern. Complaints are voluntary and unverified.