The Toyota Highlander has long been a celebrated name in the midsize crossover SUV segment, renowned for its safety, performance, and comfortable driving experience. For families seeking a reliable and spacious vehicle, the Highlander consistently delivers. The 2019 Toyota Highlander Le trim specifically offers a fantastic entry point into this acclaimed lineup, blending essential features with Toyota’s legendary dependability.
Building on its reputation, the 2019 Highlander received notable enhancements, especially for the LE, LE Plus, and XLE grades. These upgrades refine the exterior aesthetics and further solidify the Highlander’s position as a top choice in its class. Let’s dive into what makes the 2019 Toyota Highlander LE a compelling option for your family.
What’s New for the 2019 Highlander LE?
Toyota listened to its customers and refreshed the Highlander for the 2019 model year, focusing on exterior styling. For the 2019 Toyota Highlander LE, the most prominent change is the addition of a stylish black bodyside rocker panel. This subtle yet effective upgrade adds a touch of modern sophistication to the LE’s appearance, giving it a more dynamic and grounded stance on the road. This enhancement is shared with the LE PLUS and XLE trims, creating a cohesive and updated look across these popular grades.
Image alt text: Side profile of a black 2019 Toyota Highlander LE showcasing the new black bodyside rocker panel, emphasizing the vehicle’s updated exterior design.
This exterior refinement ensures that the 2019 Toyota Highlander LE not only offers practicality and reliability but also looks the part of a modern and capable SUV.
Toyota Dependability and Design: A Winning Combination
When you choose a Toyota, you’re choosing a legacy of quality, dependability, and reliability. The 2019 Toyota Highlander LE is no exception. Toyota’s reputation for long-lasting vehicles is a major draw for Highlander buyers, who also appreciate the vehicle’s sleek and strong design.
The front grille on the LE trim features a silver-painted finish, providing a clean and classic look. LED taillights come standard across all Highlander grades, enhancing visibility and safety on the road. The overall design of the 2019 Toyota Highlander LE is both functional and attractive, appealing to families who need a vehicle that can handle daily life while still looking good.
Image alt text: Close-up of the silver-painted front grille on a 2019 Toyota Highlander LE, highlighting the vehicle’s refined and dependable design aesthetic.
Uncompromising Safety Features in the 2019 Highlander LE
Safety is paramount for families, and the 2019 Toyota Highlander LE prioritizes it with a suite of advanced safety features. It comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies. TSS-P includes:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/ PD): Helps detect a preceding vehicle or pedestrian and may apply automatic braking to mitigate or avoid a frontal collision.
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/ SA): Alerts you if the vehicle drifts from its lane and can provide gentle steering correction.
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC): Maintains a preset distance from the vehicle ahead, automatically adjusting speed to maintain a safe following distance.
- Automatic High Beams (AHB): Automatically switches between high and low beams depending on the presence of other vehicles to optimize visibility for all drivers.
In addition to TSS-P, every 2019 Toyota Highlander LE is equipped with a standard backup camera, making parking and maneuvering in reverse safer and easier. These standard safety features provide peace of mind, knowing that Toyota has prioritized the well-being of you and your family.
Image alt text: Infographic showcasing the Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) features available in the 2019 Toyota Highlander LE, emphasizing the vehicle’s commitment to safety and driver assistance technologies.
Family Power and Fuel Efficiency
The 2019 Toyota Highlander LE is powered by a capable 3.5-liter D-4S Injection V6 engine. This engine delivers a great balance of power and efficiency, perfectly suited for the demands of family life. Paired with a Direct Shift –8-speed automatic transmission, the Highlander LE provides smooth and responsive performance.
Even with its V6 engine, the 2019 Toyota Highlander LE offers respectable fuel economy. For all-wheel drive models, EPA fuel economy estimates are 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, making it a practical choice for daily commutes and longer road trips.
To further enhance fuel efficiency, the 2019 Toyota Highlander LE (and other V6 gas models excluding the base LE) includes a Stop and Start Engine System (S&S). This system automatically shuts off the engine when you come to a complete stop and restarts it seamlessly when you lift your foot from the brake pedal. This feature helps save fuel in stop-and-go traffic, contributing to overall efficiency.
Room for Everything and Everyone
Space and versatility are crucial in a family SUV, and the 2019 Toyota Highlander LE excels in these areas. It comfortably seats up to eight passengers across three rows, making it ideal for larger families or those who frequently carpool. Despite being just a few inches longer than a midsize sedan, the Highlander LE boasts a generous cabin volume of up to 158.7 cu. ft.
Access to the third row is made easy thanks to a one-step second-row sliding seat function on both the driver and passenger sides. Even third-row passengers enjoy a standard recline function, enhancing comfort on longer journeys.
Cargo space is also plentiful in the 2019 Toyota Highlander LE. Even with all three rows of seats in use, you still get 13.8 cu. ft. of cargo space behind the third row. Folding down the 60/40 split fold-flat third-row seatbacks expands the space to 42.3 cu. ft., and with the 60/40 split fold-flat second row also lowered, you get a massive 83.7 cu. ft. of cargo capacity. This makes the Highlander LE incredibly versatile for hauling groceries, sports equipment, luggage, and everything else a busy family needs to transport.
Image alt text: Interior shot of a 2019 Toyota Highlander LE showcasing the spacious three-row seating and ample legroom, highlighting its family-friendly interior design.
A Comfortable and Quiet Ride
Toyota understands that comfort is key for both driver and passengers. The 2019 Toyota Highlander LE is built with a super-tight body structure, combined with a finely tuned MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension. This combination results in an exceptionally smooth and comfortable ride, even on less-than-perfect road surfaces.
Sound-control features further enhance the cabin experience. Hydraulic engine mounts, acoustic-type windshield glass, a dash silencer, and extensive body sealing work together to minimize noise intrusion, creating a quiet and relaxing environment inside the 2019 Toyota Highlander LE.
The interior of the LE trim features premium fabric upholstery, providing a comfortable and durable seating surface. A soft-touch instrument panel and silver-painted accents add a touch of refinement to the cabin. The roll-top center console provides a large and comfortable armrest for the driver and front passenger, and its inner storage box is spacious enough to hold larger items.
Dynamic Torque Control All-Wheel Drive (AWD) for Confident Driving
While the 2019 Toyota Highlander LE comes standard with front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive is available for those who need enhanced traction and control, especially in challenging weather conditions. The Dynamic Torque Control AWD system is a sophisticated feature that helps the Highlander LE confidently navigate various slippery situations.
This system actively manages torque distribution to the rear wheels based on input from various sensors, including vehicle speed, steering angle, and throttle angle. It can automatically shift to AWD when needed, such as during acceleration or when wheel slippage is detected. The system can vary front-to-rear torque distribution from 100:0 to 50:50, optimizing traction and stability.
Under normal cruising conditions, the system remains in front-wheel drive to maximize fuel efficiency. For more challenging low-speed situations, an AWD LOCK switch allows you to maintain a 50:50 torque split at speeds up to 25 mph. This advanced AWD system provides added confidence and control behind the wheel of the 2019 Toyota Highlander LE.
Toyota Value in the LE Grade
The 2019 Toyota Highlander LE is designed to offer exceptional value. As a “mono-spec” grade, it comes well-equipped with a comprehensive list of standard features without the need for option packages. Key standard features on the LE trim include:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Entune Audio system with a 6.1-inch touchscreen display
- Bluetooth® phone and music streaming
- Integrated backup camera
- Seating for eight with second- and third-row 60/40 split fold-flat seats
- Heated side mirrors with turn signal indicators
- Windshield wiper de-icer
- Tow Package on V6 models
- Five USB ports for charging electronic devices
This extensive list of standard equipment ensures that the 2019 Toyota Highlander LE provides everything you need in a family SUV, without compromising on essential features or breaking the bank.
Conclusion: The 2019 Toyota Highlander LE – A Smart Choice for Families
The 2019 Toyota Highlander LE stands out as a smart and practical choice in the midsize SUV segment. With its enhanced exterior styling, renowned Toyota dependability, comprehensive safety features, capable performance, spacious interior, and excellent value, the Highlander LE is perfectly positioned to meet the needs of modern families.
If you’re looking for a reliable, safe, and versatile SUV that won’t let you down, the 2019 Toyota Highlander LE deserves a spot at the top of your list. Visit your local Toyota dealer to experience the Highlander LE and discover why it continues to be a favorite among families across the country.
