(September 27, 2010) The 2011 Toyota Highlander will receive a rather substantial increase in MSRP over the 2010 editions according to information released by Toyota last week.

The 2011 Highlander will begin at $27,390 for the base four-cylinder two-wheel drive model; the SE V-6 two-wheel drive will be $33,150, while the Limited V-6 four wheel-drive model will be $36,345. 

The  Highlander Hybrid will range from $37,290 for the base model to $42,945 for the Limited model. 

The new prices represent a 5.6 percent increase for the four-cylinder model and a 2 percent increase for the SE V-6. The base hybrid version has been increased 6.8 percent.

Toyota says it has elevated the level of standard equipment in all models. All will now come with a 50/50 split third-row seat and rear climate control. All Highlanders will also receive standard Smart Stop Technology, Toyota’s brake override system.

Toyota also announced a slight price increase for the hybrid Prius for 2011. The Prius, celebrating 10 years of sales in the U.S., will have a range of $23,050 for the Prius Two model to $28,320 for the Prius Five model, an increase of $250, or 0.9 to 1.1 percent.  Those prices do not include destination charge.

The new Prius will begin arriving in showrooms in November.

The 2011 Highlander models began arriving at dealers on Sept. 24 and the  2011 Venza crossover will arrive at dealers in early October.