Toyota has given the Highlander midsize SUV a lightweight refresh for 2023, specializing in adjustments beneath the pores and skin to keep up aggressive standing out there.
The large change for Toyota’s bread-and-butter household SUV in 2023 is the departure of the V-6 engine in favor of a turbo 4-cylinder. Time marches on, and gas economic system is king within the present market, even in a three-row SUV.
Overview
Toyota constructed and bought 264,128 Highlander SUVs in America final yr. That’s greater than a number of manufacturers might handle with their complete line-ups. The Highlander is the sine qua non of suburban household life, and if you happen to don’t personal one personally, chances are high somebody who does. As a mainstay of the model, Toyota strikes rigorously with the Highlander, maintaining the mannequin updated and enticing.
In addition to the brand new engine bundle, the 2023 Highlander has been up to date with bigger infotainment and driver data screens and different inside and exterior facilities. But for essentially the most half, the issues that make the Highlander a touchstone for worth and attraction stay the identical.
Exterior
The factor concerning the outdoors of the Highlander, for individuals of a sure age anyway, is which you can’t escape noticing the massive decrease entrance grille appears just like the face of the unique Cylons from the Nineteen Seventies Battlestar Galactica TV sequence. When the Highlander is introduced in white, there’s additionally a definite Star Wars storm trooper vibe.
Now that we’ve planted that visible in your head, we’ll say the brand new Cypress Green colour out there for 2023 is gorgeous, and it bucks the development of monochromatic SUVs that make our lives boring. It’s a pleasant medium inexperienced that doesn’t look garish, however reminds us that actual life has colour, and your automotive could be painted in one thing apart from silver — trustworthy!
Interior
The inside of the Highlander stays principally the identical. It’s snug, spacious and quiet on the street. The base L and LE trims supply fabric seat surfaces, whereas the mid-level XLE and XSE trims use SofTex “synthetic leather.” Limited trim comes with perforated leather-based whereas the highest Platinum grade will get you embossed perforated leather-based.
In the again, the L and LE trims supply a second-row bench seat, yielding 8-passenger capability. The XLE and Limited grades have Captain’s Chair buckets for 7-seat functionality. Buyers can even select a second-row bench seat in any trim however Platinum.
For cargo capability, you get 16 cubic ft behind the third row, 48.4 cubes with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic ft with all of the rear seats down.
Powertrain
The largest change for the 2023 Highlander is that after 20 years of service and growth, the venerable GR-series 3.5-liter V-6 engine is disappearing from the choice checklist. As with many different autos earlier than it, the Highlander’s V-6 has been changed by a turbocharged 4-cylinder. However, this doesn’t characterize a lack of energy or drivability.
The new 2.4-liter engine delivers 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, which is a 17% improve in contrast with the V-6 engine’s torque ranking. Plus, the brand new engine additionally improves gas effectivity, returning as much as 25 MPG in mixed driving. The new engine can be cleaner, providing greater than a 50% discount in NOx and NMOG in comparison with the V-6. The turbo-4 shall be normal on all Highlanders.
Power is handed to the wheels through an 8-speed automated transmission, or a CVT if you happen to purchase the associated Highlander Hybrid. Buyers have a alternative of front-wheel drive or two completely different AWD techniques, based mostly on trim stage. For the extra fundamental L, LE and XLE fashions, the elective AWD system can ship as much as 50% of accessible torque to the rear wheels to assist counter wheel slip when mandatory.
The dearer XSE, Limited and Platinum fashions supply a complicated AWD system with dynamic torque vectoring, drive mode choose and driveline disconnect options. In addition to governing torque distribution between the entrance and rear wheels, the torque vectoring system will actively handle torque distribution between the left and proper rear wheels. Then when AWD shouldn’t be wanted, akin to throughout regular freeway cruising, Driveline Disconnect routinely disengages drive to the rear wheels and stops the driveshaft’s rotation, serving to to scale back gas consumption.
Safety and Technology
The 2023 Highlander comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which is now somewhat downrev since model 3.0 is on the market on extra completely refreshed fashions just like the Corolla. But it’s nonetheless an excellent system with adaptive cruise management and superior driver help. TSS 2.5 is normal on all 2023 Highlanders.
However, dashboard tech has been considerably upgraded. If you purchase one of many two prime trims of the 2023 Highlander, you’ll be taking a look at a a lot greater set of screens. In the Limited and Platinum trims the previous 7-inch driver data show is out, changed by a brand new 12.3-inch display with 4 completely different visible modes. You can select Casual, Smart, Tough or Sporty mode. The prime trims additionally get an extra 12.3-inch display for infotainment.
The 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is elective on XLE and XSE trims, which have an 8-inch display as normal. These two trims proceed to make use of the 7-inch driver data display. On the bottom L and LE grades, the 7-inch display replaces the older 4.2-inch display for enhanced usability.
If you get the Qi-compatible wi-fi charger, it has moved from the middle console to a middle dashboard shelf beneath the audio multimedia touchscreen. Our fashionable telephone take a look at, an iPhone 13 Pro Max with a protecting case, was capable of match and cost with the system. Sadly, that isn’t the case with each new car.
Driving Impressions
The factor concerning the Highlander is that it’s a household automotive. There’s no level in making an attempt to scramble up a mountain path or climb over a rock. Sure, it could actually in all probability do these issues if you wish to, but when that’s your jam, you’ll be taking a look at a 4Runner or a Tacoma. A fairly easy gravel path to a campground might be essentially the most any Highlander shall be requested to sort out in the actual world.
As a household automotive, the Highlander is a superb performer. It’s quiet on the street, predictable, and has sufficient energy to go a slow-moving car with out undue concern. The Highlander handles velocity bumps, tough roads and the rhythmic pounding of ill-maintained highways with nice aplomb; you may hardly really feel it by means of the steering wheel.
Most importantly, the Highlander’s steering is predictable and reassuring. The brakes have loads of energy to get you stopped earlier than the TSS 2.5 has to kick in. This is a car you may belief to hold your youngsters, and their mates.
2023 Toyota Highland Specifications
Dimension | L: 194.9 inches/W: 76 inches/H: 68.1 inches/Wheelbase: 112.2 inches |
Weight | 4,155 kilos |
Powertrain | 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine; 8-speed automated transmission and all-wheel drive |
Fuel Economy | 21 mpg metropolis/28 mpg freeway/24 mpg mixed |
Performance Specs | 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque |
Price | Base worth: $37,755; As examined: $40,155, together with $1,335 vacation spot cost. |
On-Sale Date | Available now |
Wrap Up
The 2023 Highlander shall be arriving at Toyota sellers any day now, with a beginning MSRP of $36,420 for the bottom L trim with front-wheel drive. The LE begins at $38,820, XLE at $41,820, and XSE at $43,415. At the highest finish, the Limited FWD begins at $46,075 and the Platinum at $49,075. If you need AWD, that can value $1,600 extra on L, LE, and XLE trims, and $1,950 extra on XSE, Limited, and Platinum trims. Destination charges of $1,335 are utilized to all normal costs.
Any Highlander that matches your funds is an efficient alternative, however the further tech within the Limited and Platinum trims shall be necessary if you happen to’re shopping for a car to final 10 years or extra. Between the 2, we’d in all probability go together with Limited, because the Platinum doesn’t add something we are able to’t reside with out.
Given that by the point you configure a Limited, you’re pushing near $50,000, that looks as if an inexpensive compromise. Or, it might be sensible to decide on the cheaper XLE or XSE trims, and use the choice checklist to improve the tech.
2023 Toyota Highlander — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is greater, Toyota 4Runner or Toyota Highlander?
The Highlander is greater, with 4.7 inches extra size and extra inside area due to its unibody building.
How lengthy will a Toyota Highlander final?
Typically greater than 300,000 miles. At 15,000 miles per yr, that’s 20 years.
What is the towing capability of a 2023 Toyota Highlander?
The 2023 Highlander will tow as much as 5,000 kilos.
Source: www.thedetroitbureau.com