2023 Toyota Highlander
- Sold in the USA: 2017-Present
- 4th Generation: 2020-PresentÂ
- 2023 to onward: V6 Engine Discontinued
2023 Toyota Highlander Price in the USA:
| Highlander L | Starts at: 36,420 $ |
| Highlander LE | Starts at: 38,820 $ |
| Highlander XLE | Starts at: 41,820 $ |
| Highlander XSE | Starts at: 43,415 $ |
| Highlander LIMITED | Starts at: 46,075 $ |
| Highlander PLATINUM | Starts at: 49,075 $ |
| Highlander HYBRID LE | Starts at: 40,220 $ |
| Highlander HYBRID XLE | Starts at: 43,220 $ |
| Highlander BRONZE EDITION | Starts at: 45,780 $ |
| Highlander HYBRID LIMITED | Starts at: 47,475 $ |
| Highlander HYBRID PLATINUM | Starts at: 50,475 $ |
The 1st generation Toyota Highlander was introduced in 2000 at the New York International Auto Show and was one of the first mid-size crossovers in the United States. It offers a standard front-wheel-drive or an optional four-wheel-drive configuration. The latest fourth-generation Toyota Highlander was unveiled in 2019 in the United States and went on sale the same year. It is called Toyota Kluger in Australia and Toyota Crown Kluger in China. The fourth-generation Toyota Highlander offers increased cargo space, and Android Auto and Apple Car play interfaces are introduced in the infotainment system. It offers five trim levels in the United States. The latest Toyota Highlander is available at all Toyota dealers in the United States. It is similar to the previous year’s Toyota Highlander model, which offers LED projector headlights and a new XSE trim. The 2022 Toyota Highlander was unchanged, so customers had their eyes on the new model of Toyota Highlander. The 2023 Toyota Highlander was seen on roads for testing, and since then, people were waiting eagerly for the launch of the 2023 Toyota Highlander. It is expected to go on sale by the end of 2022 or at the beginning of 2023. The 2023 Toyota Highlander is different from the 2022 Highlander in power generation and technology. The 2023 Highlander will have the four-cylinder engine as a standard instead of the V6 engine (Discontinued), and its power generation will be 265 hp, and fuel economy will be equal to that of the V6. There will be a new 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch digital cluster in Limited and Platinum trims. The high-end trims offer power folding side mirrors and a hands-free power liftgate. It offers hybrid and non-hybrid powertrains, and the front-wheel-drive is standard and will be available in eleven trim levels. It provides excellent handling dynamics and smooth ride quality, while the interior is equipped with modern and easy-to-use technology.
Trims & Versions:
It is available in the following eleven trim levels:
L: it offers eighteen-inch wheels, heated mirrors, LED headlights, a six-speaker audio system, an eight-inch infotainment screen, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a power adjustable driver’s seat, three-zone automatic climate control system, and Toyota Safety Sense advanced safety features.
LE: it offers fog lights, a leather-covered steering wheel, a leather-wrapped shift knob, a blind-spot monitor, a rear cross-traffic alert, and height adjustable lift gate.
Hybrid LEÂ offers similar features as LE trim but a hybrid powertrain.
XLE: it offers seven passengers seating capacity, roof rails, a sunroof, a wireless charging device, heated front seats, 2nd-row captain chairs, leather upholstery, a navigation system, and a passenger seat with power adjustment.
Hybrid XLE: it offers all features of XLE but a hybrid powertrain instead of gasoline.
XSE: it offers twenty-inch wheels, sporty styling cues, chrome exterior accents, dual exhaust tips, sport suspension, and interior ambient lighting.
Hybrid XLE Bronze Edition: it offers a hybrid powertrain, eighteen-inch bronze wheel, Bronze Edition special seats, rain-sensing wipers, memory driver’s seat with ten-way power adjustment, bronze stitching throughout the cabin, bronze-colored door sills, power liftgate, all-weather floor mats.
Limited:Â it offers upgraded fog lights, a hands-free liftgate, leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, an eleven-speaker JBL audio system, ventilated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, memory function in the driver’s seat, 360-degree camera, household power outlet.
Hybrid Limited: it offers all features of Limited but a hybrid powertrain instead of gasoline.
Platinum: it offers adaptive headlights, automatic wipers, a panoramic sunroof, and head-up display, heated 2nd-row seats, and a digital rearview mirror.
Hybrid Platinum: it offers all features of Platinum trim except the gasoline feature and a hybrid powertrain.
Engine, Power & Transmission:
The latest Toyota Highlander offers gasoline and hybrid powertrains. It comes with a standard 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that generates 265 hp power and 309 lb-ft of torque. It offers an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid powertrain combines the 2.4-liter engine with two electric motors to generate 243 hp power and 175 lb-ft of torque, and this version offers continuously varying automatic transmissions. Both versions come with standard front-wheel-drive and optional all-wheel-drive.
Performance & Drive:
The 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine is introduced in the Toyota Highlander, and the V6 engine is discontinued. We expect the four-cylinder engine to deliver equally good performance as the V6. It will provide efficient performance from date nights to day trips and when moving around the town or going through highways. It delivers an impressive towing capacity of 5000 pounds. The all-wheel-drive models help you select between four driving modes to provide better traction and sense slippage so the traction can be improved to provide efficient performance. The dynamic torque vectoring system sends up to fifty percent of the power to the rear and distributes it equally between both wheels to improve responsiveness and maximum stability. The Highlander offers three driving modes: sports mode, eco mode, and normal driving mode chosen according to your requirement. The sport mode helps in providing better acceleration for highway drives, and the eco mode is selected to maximize fuel efficiency. The normal driving mode maintains a balance between fuel economy and performance and is chosen for everyday drives. The Hybrid version offers an additional EV driving mode that allows electric driving only for shorter travels. The Hybrid models offer a 1500W power outlet in the cargo space so you can power up your essentials in the car. The new turbocharged engine of the Toyota Highlander claims a combined fuel economy of 24 miles per gallon. The hybrid powertrain has 36 miles per gallon in the city and 35 miles per gallon on the highways with a front-wheel-drive configuration.
Exterior Design & Features:
The latest Toyota Highlander is not changed much in exterior design compared to the previous model. Its bold design attracts every eye and is even more captivating in Bronze Edition. The stylish LED headlights in Highlander come with an automatic high beam projector to provide better visibility.
The twin-tip exhaust in the XSE trim is the first twin-tip exhaust in Highlander. The twenty-inch wheels in high-end variants add more sophistication and sportiness to the Highlander’s appearance without compromising performance. The power hands-free liftgate senses the Smart key fob and opens the trunk automatically when you kick your foot beneath the rear bumper.
Interior Design & Features:
The Toyota Highlander is spacious yet comfortable. The base models L and the LE offer a seating capacity of eight passengers, and other trims offer seven seating capacities with 2nd-row captain chairs. The passenger space in Toyota Highlander is better than its rivals. The cabin’s quality is improved with better quality materials used. The cargo area can carry up to four suitcases behind the 3rd row. There is an 8-inch infotainment screen in most trims of Highlander, but the higher trims now offer a 12.3-inch infotainment screen compatible with Android Auto and Apple Car Play. It has satellite radio, Amazon Alexa, a wireless charging device, and three-zone automatic climate control.
Safety & Features:
The Toyota Highlander offers the latest safety features, some of which are listed below:
- Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection.
- Full-speed radar cruise control system.
- Lane departure warning with steering Assist.
- Lane tracing assist.
- Road Sign Assist.
- Automatic high beam headlights.
- Blind-spot monitor.
- Front and rear parking Assist.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
It offers overall competence and is equipped with luxurious interior trimmings. The hybrid system provides impressive fuel economy and an easy-to-use infotainment system.
Cons:
It offers limited space in the 3rd row and is only suitable for kids. The four-cylinder engine does not have improved fuel economy and will be equal to that of the V6 engine.
Major Competitors:
- Kia Telluride
- Ford Bronco
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Ford Bronco Raptor
- Hyundai Palisade
- Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS 600