Your 2014 Toyota Highlander tows up to 5,000 pounds if it has the 3.5L V6 engine, but the base four-cylinder model only handles 1,500 pounds. Only V6 trims, including Limited and AWD versions, reach the higher limit. The V6 delivers 270 hp, while the four-cylinder has just 185 hp, restricting trailer options. AWD doesn’t lower towing capacity, but payload drops with heavier trims. Always account for passenger, cargo, and tongue weight to stay under GVWR. Proper hitch setup, trailer brakes, and tow/haul mode improve safety. There’s more to deliberate for peak performance and load management.
Quick Tips
- The 2014 Toyota Highlander with the 3.5L V6 engine can tow up to 5,000 pounds, while the four-cylinder model is limited to 1,500 pounds.
- All V6 trims, including Limited and AWD versions, have a standard 5,000-pound towing capacity without requiring additional packages.
- The base four-cylinder engine produces 185 hp, restricting towing to 1,500–2,000 pounds and making it unsuitable for most travel trailers.
- Towing capacity depends on engine type, not drivetrain—FWD and AWD V6 models both tow up to 5,000 lbs.
- Always confirm trailer weight, hitch rating, and payload capacity to avoid exceeding GVWR and ensure safe towing practices.
What’s the 2014 Highlander’s Max Towing Capacity?
Depending on the engine, your 2014 Toyota Highlander can tow up to 5,000 pounds—or as little as 1,500 pounds if you have the base model.
The V6 engine, with 270 hp, enables the higher limit, while the 185-hp four-cylinder caps at 1,500 lbs.
Drivetrain doesn’t affect towing; both FWD and AWD V6 models tow 5,000 lbs.
Note that the V6 max towing capacity is close to but still under the Lance 1985 trailer’s GVWR of 5,700 lbs, meaning towing this trailer would exceed the vehicle’s rated limit when fully loaded. The vehicle’s towing limits also relate to safety regulations that can affect liability and compliance when towing.
Which Trims Can Tow 5,000 Lbs?
To reach the 2014 Toyota Highlander’s maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, your vehicle must be equipped with the 3.5-liter V-6 engine—this single component determines eligibility, regardless of trim.
All V-6 models, including Limited, standardly tow 5,000 lbs. Four-cylinder trims can’t.
Front-wheel drive or AWD, it doesn’t matter—only the V-6 delivers full towing capability.
Hybrids and other models typically use regular unleaded gasoline and have different performance and efficiency characteristics, including notably better fuel economy for city driving with hybrid fuel usage.
V6 vs. 4-Cylinder: How Engine Choice Affects Towing?
You’ll get a lot more towing power with the V6 engine, thanks to its 270 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque—numbers that easily handle the 5,000-pound maximum.
The 4-cylinder, at 185 horsepower, is limited to 2,000 pounds in most cases and can’t support heavy loads as efficiently.
Since AWD is only available on V6 models, you also lose added traction when pulling trailers with the base engine.
V6 Power Advantage
Step into the driver’s seat of a 2014 Toyota Highlander with the V6 engine, and you’ll immediately notice the difference in power delivery compared to the four-cylinder model.
You get 270 horsepower—85 more than the four-cylinder—plus 248 lb-ft of torque, letting you tow up to 5,000 pounds.
That’s 150 percent more than the base engine, giving you real hauling muscle.
Four-Cylinder Limitations
The V6 engine’s sturdy output makes heavy towing feasible, but choosing the four-cylinder model means accepting significant restrictions.
Your 2.7L four-cylinder maxes out at 1,500 lbs—far below the V6’s 5,000 lbs. This limit rules out most travel trailers, like the 3,660-lb Lance 1985. With no AWD and reduced power, your engine choice directly defines what you can safely tow.
Does AWD Reduce the 2014 Highlander’s Towing Capacity?
Even though all-wheel drive (AWD) often affects towing performance in some vehicles, it doesn’t reduce the 2014 Toyota Highlander’s towing capacity when equipped with the V6 engine.
You get the full 5,000 lbs rating whether in AWD or front-wheel drive. The system runs in front-drive until slippage triggers rear power, and no capacity drop is specified. Always confirm with your manual and hitch sticker. For cooling system guidance on similar vehicles, consult the manufacturer’s coolant capacity recommendations for accurate maintenance.
Payload and Weight: What You Need to Know for Safe Towing?
You’ll need to know your Highlander’s payload capacity—the total weight of passengers, cargo, and trailer tongue weight—since it directly affects safe towing.
Curb weight, or the vehicle’s weight when empty, varies by trim and engine, so a heavier setup like the Limited or V6 model means less available payload for added load.
Always subtract your passengers and gear from the max payload before hitching a trailer to stay within the GVWR and avoid overloading.
Proper wheel fastening is critical for safety; be sure lug nuts are torqued to the manufacturer’s specification (typically 76 ft·lb) and rechecked after 50–100 miles.
Payload Capacity Explained
While towing a trailer might seem like the main concern when hauling heavy loads, what you carry inside your 2014 Toyota Highlander matters just as much—this is where payload capacity comes in.
It’s the max weight of passengers, cargo, and tongue weight, calculated as GVWR minus curb weight. Trims range from 1,305 to 1,455 pounds. Don’t exceed it—handling, braking, and safety suffer.
Curb Weight Impact
A vehicle’s curb weight—the actual weight of the 2014 Toyota Highlander without passengers or cargo—plays a critical role in determining how safely and effectively it can tow. At 4,134 lbs, base models leave room for payload, but hybrid variants weigh 4,861 lbs, reducing available capacity. Heavier trims limit cargo and passenger weight when towing.
Always account for curb weight to stay within safe limits.
How to Tow Safely With a 2014 Highlander?
Before hooking up your trailer, make sure your 2014 Toyota Highlander is ready to handle the load, since proper preparation directly affects safety and performance.
Confirm your model’s towing capacity—up to 5,000 lbs for V-6 versions—and check hitch ratings, tire pressure, and payload.
Balance tongue weight, use trailer brakes over 2,000 lbs, and secure cargo low.
Activate tow/haul mode, drive below 65 mph, and increase stopping distance.
Manual-transmission Minis can be flat towed without drivetrain damage when properly prepared and set to neutral, so consider transmission type and setup when planning towing with small vehicles like a Mini flat towing.
Wrapping Up
You can tow up to 5,000 pounds with a 2014 Highlander if it has the V6 engine and proper towing package. Only V6 trims, like the Limited or SE, support that max capacity. The 4-cylinder model handles just 1,500 pounds. AWD doesn’t reduce towing limits, but payload matters—don’t exceed GAWR or GVWR. Always use a trailer brake controller and check your hitch class. Tow safely by distributing weight evenly and confirming all connections before driving.
