What kind of four-wheel drive is the Highlander equipped with?
3 Answers
The Highlander is equipped with an on-demand four-wheel drive system. Taking the 2021 Highlander 4WD Elite Edition as an example, it is a mid-size 5-door 7-seater SUV with body dimensions of 4890mm in length, 1925mm in width, and 1715mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2790mm. The front suspension uses a MacPherson independent suspension, while the rear suspension employs an E-type multi-link independent suspension. The 2021 Highlander 4WD Elite Edition is powered by a 2.0T turbocharged engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, delivering a maximum power of 162 kW at 5200-5600 rpm and a maximum torque of 350 Nm at 1800-4000 rpm.
The four-wheel drive system on the Toyota Highlander is essentially an electronically controlled on-demand AWD. At its core, it relies on an electromagnetic multi-plate clutch at the rear to connect the rear axle. During normal driving, it behaves much like a front-wheel-drive vehicle, prioritizing fuel efficiency. But the system is quite smart—when it detects front wheel slippage, such as when starting on a rainy day or driving over wet surfaces, it can instantly transfer up to 50% of the power to the rear wheels to prevent wheel spin. To be honest, though, this AWD is mainly designed for urban rain, snow, or slippery conditions, as well as rough unpaved rural roads. If you're thinking about taking it on serious off-road mountain trails? Forget it—it's a completely different ballgame compared to hardcore off-road 4WD systems with locking differentials.
I've been driving my Highlander for a few years now, and I feel its four-wheel drive system is really well-suited for city driving. Most of the time, the system operates like a front-wheel-drive vehicle, which keeps fuel consumption low. But when the roads get a bit slippery—like in winter when the epoxy floors in the underground garage are wet, or during spring on muddy rural roads—it kicks in pretty quickly. The multi-plate clutch on the rear axle engages with a click, and the car stabilizes without skidding, saving me from a few near-side-slip situations. The downside is that the rear wheels need to slip a bit before the system reacts, unlike full-time four-wheel drive that's always active. This design is perfect for city driving and light off-road conditions. Thinking of taking it on desert dunes or deep muddy pits? Not a chance.
