Why the 2026 Toyota Highlander Is Perfect for Families This Holiday

When it comes to navigating challenging road conditions, Toyota’s all-wheel drive (AWD) system stands out as a gamechanger. Whether you're dealing with wet roads, snow-covered highways, or uneven terrain, the benefits of Toyota AWD ensure a safer and smoother driving experience. For drivers in Ashland, WI, where unpredictable weather is the norm, understanding how AWD improves handling can make all the difference. Toyota AWD Explained Toyota’s AWD system is designed to provide optimal traction and stability by distributing power to all four wheels as needed. Unlike traditional two-wheel drive systems, AWD continuously monitors road conditions and adjusts power delivery to maximize grip. This proactive approach means that whether you're accelerating on a slippery incline or cornering on a rain-soaked street, your vehicle remains steady and responsive. For Wisconsin weather, where icy roads and sudden downpours are common, Toyota AWD explained in this way highlights its ability to adapt seamlessly to changing conditions. This technology not only enhances safety but also boosts driver confidence, especially during harsh winters. How AWD Improves Handling in Challenging Conditions One of the standout Toyota AWD benefits is its ability to improve handling on wet and uneven roads. By dynamically adjusting power between the front and rear wheels, AWD ensures that your vehicle maintains traction even when one or more wheels encounter slippery or loose surfaces. This feature is particularly useful for navigating rural roads or gravel paths often found around Ashland, WI. Additionally, Toyota’s advanced AWD systems are paired with features like Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC), which further enhance your ability to maintain control in adverse conditions. These systems work together to reduce wheel slippage and improve cornering stability, making every drive safer and more predictable. Why AWD is Perfect for Wisconsin Weather Wisconsin weather is famously unpredictable, with heavy snowfall in winter and frequent rainstorms during other seasons. For drivers in Ashland, WI, having a reliable AWD system can make commuting and road trips far less stressful. Toyota AWD benefits include superior performance in snow and ice, as well as enhanced stability on rain-slicked roads. Moreover, Toyota offers AWD across a wide range of models, from the rugged RAV4 to the versatile Highlander. This means you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with AWD without compromising on style or comfort. Whether you're heading to work during a snowstorm or exploring Wisconsin’s scenic backroads, Toyota’s AWD system ensures you’re prepared for whatever the weather throws your way. Ready to experience the advantages of Toyota’s AWD system for yourself? Visit Marthaler Toyota of Ashland in Ashland, WI today! Our team is here to help you find the perfect Toyota model equipped with AWD to suit your needs.

Back-to-school season brings early mornings, packed schedules, and many miles behind the wheel. When your family outgrows your current ride, explore the 2026 Toyota SUVs for families. Hauling kids, gear, or both is effortless with Toyota's SUV lineup, offering practical options for busy households. Stop by Marthaler Toyota of Ashland in Ashland, WI, to discover how our vehicles elevate your daily drive, and reach out to our team for more information. Why a Toyota SUV Makes Sense for the School Year When the school year ramps up, your vehicle becomes the family workhorse. The 2026 Toyota SUVs are designed with real life in mind, featuring spacious cabins, versatile seating, and modern technology. Standard features like Apple CarPlay© and Android Auto© keep everyone connected and comfortable. From quick drop-offs to weekend trips, Toyota's reliable lineup scales to meet your exact needs. The 2026 Toyota RAV4: A Practical Starting Point For smaller households wanting a nimble option, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 is a smart choice. It provides a comfortable cabin with seating for five and a generous cargo area for backpacks and sports equipment. The Toyota RAV4 is easy to park and navigate during busy drop-off times. Its available all-wheel drive and available 50-mile electric range on plug-in hybrid models make it a solid option for Wisconsin winters, giving families confidence on slippery roads. The 2026 Toyota Highlander: Room for the Whole Crew If your family needs more seats, the 2026 Toyota Highlander is worth a close look. This SUV offers seating for up to eight passengers, making it ideal for carpooling and road trips. The Highlander features a thoughtfully arranged interior with available second-row captain's chairs and easy third-row access. Folding the rear seats flat opens up useful storage space. It comes well-equipped with standard driver assistance features like pre-collision warning and lane departure alert. The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander: Maximum Space and Comfort For larger families prioritizing space, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander steps up the experience. It offers a longer wheelbase than the standard Highlander, translating directly into more legroom. Passengers enjoy 33.5" of third-row legroom, accommodating adults comfortably on long drives. This premium family SUV handles extra size with confidence. If your crew regularly fills all three rows, the Grand Highlander is built perfectly for that scenario. Your Family's Next SUV Is Waiting The right vehicle makes your family's daily routine smoother. The 2026 Toyota SUVs offer the seating, safety, and dependability that busy households count on. Families throughout Ashland, WI, can find the space and reliability required to take on the school year. Browse the current inventory at Marthaler Toyota of Ashland online to find the perfect fit for your crew today.

The 2026 Toyota Highlander builds on an already solid engineering pedigree, delivering a family SUV that feels purpose-designed for real daily use rather than imagined scenarios on a drawing board. It blends structural integrity, interior versatility, and advanced driver-assistance technology in a way that suits Ashland’s mixture of rural roads, winter weather, and busy family schedules. At Marthaler Toyota of Ashland, the focus remains on helping families understand the engineering choices that make this Highlander such a dependable long-term companion. Spacious Interior and Everyday Comfort The 2026 Highlander demonstrates how thoughtful packaging transforms a midsize SUV into a genuinely usable family tool. With seating for up to 8, the cabin layout prioritizes workable space rather than simply quoting numbers on a spec sheet. Legroom across all rows is shaped by intelligent floor height, seat geometry, and roofline design, giving adults and children space to settle without compromise. Cargo solutions are equally well resolved. The rear seats fold into a flat load floor in several configurations, supporting everything from school drop-offs to long-distance travel. Across trims, the layout offers over 136 cu. ft. of passenger volume, creating a cabin that feels bright, airy, and inherently practical. Comfort technology is integrated in a way that avoids distraction. An available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster places navigation directions, vehicle data, and safety alerts directly in the driver’s line of sight, reducing cognitive load. The optional panoramic moonroof introduces natural light and expands cabin ambience, with a power tilt/slide function and retractable sunshade for fine-tuned control. Advanced Safety and Connected Technology Family SUVs must do far more than transport passengers; they must actively support the driver’s situational awareness. Toyota Safety Sense™ 3.0 reflects that philosophy with improved hazard detection, lane-support behaviors, and adaptive cruise responses that feel less binary and more intuitive. In Ashland’s winter climate—snowpack, ice patches, and varying visibility—these refinements matter. Inside, Toyota’s latest multimedia architecture provides a seamless technology layer. The available 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen delivers rapid response, wireless Apple CarPlay®, wireless Android Auto™, and an upgraded JBL® audio system that keeps long journeys comfortable for every occupant. Additional rear entertainment options turn the Highlander into a genuinely family-centric environment on extended trips. Performance That Excels in Real-World Driving The engineering focus of the 2026 Highlander is straightforward: reliable, predictable performance with the right balance of power and efficiency. Two powertrains are available. The 2.4L turbocharged gas engine produces 265 hp and 310 lbs. ft. of torque, giving the Highlander the authority needed for merging, highway overtakes, and steep rural grades. Its torque delivery is smooth, avoiding the abruptness sometimes associated with modern turbocharging. Toyota’s suspension calibration—confident but not harsh—keeps the vehicle settled even when fully loaded. The hybrid variant prioritizes efficiency with an EPA-estimated 35 combined mpg, making it an appealing option for families covering significant weekly mileage. With available AWD, both powertrains maintain traction and predictability in rain, snow, and gravel conditions common across northern Wisconsin. Visit Marthaler Toyota of Ashland The 2026 Toyota Highlander offers a blend of structural capability, interior versatility, and refined technology that suits nearly every type of family use case in Ashland. At Marthaler Toyota of Ashland, the team is ready to guide drivers through trims, features, and configurations so the Highlander fits each household’s real-world needs with precision.