Gallery 2023 Toyota Highlander Overview What’s new: The V6 engine has been swapped out for a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The top trims have a digital instrument panel and mirror that fold down automatically. Hands-free liftgates are now standard on the XLE trim and higher. A fourth-generation Highlander coming out in 2020 One of the market’s most well-known three-row midsize SUVs is the Toyota Highlander. It’s a good choice for growing families because it’s as flexible as a minivan but more fun to drive and easier to get around. The 2023 Highlander will be based on the current generation, which came out in 2020 with some minor changes this year. The most significant change is that the old V6 engine in the Highlander has been replaced with a turbocharged four-cylinder. It has fewer horsepower than the one it replaces but more torque. The new engine feels more powerful than a smaller four-cylinder engine in a car this size might make you think it would. The engine and automatic transmission with eight speeds work together to deliver power smoothly, respond quickly to changes in the throttle, and make it easy to speed up the SUV. Because the new four-cylinder engine gets slightly better gas mileage than the old V6, this is one of the more fuel-efficient three-row cars on the market. It makes much more noise than the original V6 when you speed up, which can be annoying. Inside, the digital information displayed in the Limited and Platinum trims goes from 7 to 12.3 inches, the same size as the main touchscreens. The XLE and XSE models in the middle range now have a 12.3-inch touchscreen as an option. This means buyers who want to save money can upgrade the entertainment system if they’re going to. Also, the hands-free liftgate, available only on higher-end trim levels before, is now standard on these cars. Lastly, all vehicles have standard wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. These changes for 2023 don’t fix the Highlander’s lack of space in the back, and they only change the bottom line a little. We recommend the Highlander Hybrid, discussed in a separate article on Invoice Pricing. The hybrid Highlander isn’t much more expensive than the regular Highlander, but it gets much better gas mileage. For non-hybrid models, the Toyota Highlander 2023 isn’t as good as the top-selling Kia Telluride or the similar Hyundai Palisade. The popular Honda Pilot will get a new look in 2023, allowing it to take the class lead back. In every way, the 2023 Highlander is a good SUV. Even though it drives smoothly and gets good gas mileage, it might need to be able to compete with our top picks in the class. A complete comparison test drive is the best way to determine which SUV fits your lifestyle best. Pros vs Cons Pros: A quiet and peaceful ride Easy to understand For a three-row SUV, it gets more miles per gallon than average. Cons: Only the third row has kids. Having little space for storage behind the third row. What is Invoice Pricing's Recommendation? We like the price and features of the middle XLE trim, so we recommend it. You can add heated front seats, faux leather upholstery, sunshades for the second row, and a wireless charging pad to the base trims for a small fee. It also has captain’s chairs in the second row, but you can switch them out for a free bench with three seats. Toyota Highlander Models The Toyota Highlander is a midsize SUV with three rows of seats that can hold up to eight people. In 2023, it will come in six models: L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. In mid level and higher trims, captain’s chairs replace the second-row bench, bringing the total number of seats down to seven. All versions have a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine that makes 265 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque. The front wheels are driven by an eight-speed automatic transmission paired with the machine. All trims can be bought with an all-wheel drive. We also look at the Invoice Pricing for each Highlander Hybrid separately. 2023 Toyota Highlander Video Review
