The Toyota Highlander is made by Toyota Motor Corporation and assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana (TMMI) in Princeton, Indiana, one of Toyota’s most important North American production facilities.
The Highlander is known as Toyota’s three-row midsize SUV, offering space for seven or eight passengers, a smooth ride, Toyota’s reputation for long-term reliability, and a position in one of the most competitive segments of the North American vehicle market.
The Highlander is produced by Toyota Motor Corporation, the Japanese automaker headquartered in Toyota City, Japan. The Highlander has been assembled in Princeton, Indiana, since 2009, making it one of the most American-built three-row SUVs in its class.
Knowing where the Toyota Highlander is made helps buyers understand its Indiana manufacturing origins and how it compares to competitors in terms of domestic production.
This article covers the Highlander’s manufacturing location, the Indiana plant, the current generation details, and how the Highlander compares to the Kia Telluride and Ford Explorer.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Where Is the Toyota Highlander Made?
The Toyota Highlander is assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana (TMMI) in Princeton, Indiana. The Princeton plant has been Toyota’s dedicated Highlander assembly site in North America since 2009.
TMMI is one of Toyota’s largest North American plants, producing the Highlander, Sienna minivan, and Venza in the United States. The plant employs approximately 7,000 associates and covers over 7.5 million square feet across its campus.
Some Highlander models for the Japanese domestic market are produced at Toyota’s plants in Japan, but all North American market Highlanders are assembled in Princeton.
What Generation Is the Current Highlander?
The fourth-generation Toyota Highlander launched for the 2020 model year and continues in updated form through 2025 and 2026. It rides on Toyota’s TNGA-K platform, the same architecture used by the Camry, Avalon, and several other Toyota models.
The current Highlander is available with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as the standard powertrain and a hybrid version combining a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder with two electric motors. The Highlander Hybrid offers significantly improved fuel economy over the turbocharged version.
Full configurations and current pricing are at Toyota’s official Highlander page. The Highlander Crown edition, a more premium variant, was introduced in recent model years as a top-of-range option.
Is the Toyota Highlander Made in the USA?
Yes. The Toyota Highlander sold in North America is assembled at the Princeton, Indiana plant. The Indiana campus is one of Toyota’s major US manufacturing investments and has been producing Highlanders for the American market since 2009.
The Highlander’s V6 engine was previously manufactured at Toyota’s engine plant in Huntsville, Alabama. With the transition to the turbocharged four-cylinder for the fourth generation, engine sourcing has evolved, but the final vehicle assembly remains in Indiana.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana has been operating since 1996 and represents one of Toyota’s first major US manufacturing investments outside of its original Ohio facilities.
Toyota Highlander vs Kia Telluride vs Ford Explorer: Who Makes Each?
All three are popular three-row midsize SUVs but from different manufacturers. The Highlander is made by Toyota, an independent Japanese company. The Telluride is made by Kia Corporation, a South Korean company majority-partnered with Hyundai Motor Group. The Explorer is made by Ford Motor Company, an independent American company.
The Telluride, assembled in West Point, Georgia, has repeatedly won segment comparisons for value and features at its price point. The Explorer, assembled in Chicago, has the longest nameplate history of the three. The Highlander leads in resale value and long-term reliability reputation.
All three are built in the United States, a competitive distinction in a segment where some rivals such as the Volkswagen Atlas and Honda Pilot are also US-assembled.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where Toyota Highlanders Are Made
Is the Toyota Highlander made in the USA?
Yes. The Toyota Highlander is assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana (TMMI) in Princeton, Indiana. It has been produced there since 2009, making Indiana the exclusive North American production location for the Highlander.
What plant makes the Toyota Highlander?
The Toyota Highlander is made at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana plant in Princeton, Indiana. TMMI also produces the Toyota Sienna and Venza at the same facility. The plant opened in 1996 and employs approximately 7,000 workers.
How many rows does the Highlander have?
The Toyota Highlander has three rows of seating, with standard seating for eight passengers in the base configuration or seven passengers in configurations with second-row captain’s chairs. The three-row configuration distinguishes it from Toyota’s two-row SUVs like the RAV4 and Venza.
Is the Highlander being replaced by the Grand Highlander?
No. Toyota added the larger Grand Highlander to its lineup in 2024 as an additional model above the standard Highlander, not as a replacement for it. The Grand Highlander offers more interior space and a more powerful standard engine while the standard Highlander continues in production alongside it.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.