2023 Toyota Highlander Gets a Turbocharged Engine, New Screens, New Liftgate

For the 2023 design 12 months, Toyota declared that its midsize Highlander SUV would be obtaining a amount of upgrades, most notably a new turbocharged engine that tends to make extra power than the outgoing V6. It also gets new touchscreens and a arms-free of charge electric power liftgate possibility.

In its fourth technology due to the fact 2019, the Toyota Highlander has been a preferred alternative in the 3-row SUV section given that it went on sale in 2001.

Not significantly changes on the styling front. The XSE trim is differentiated with black roof rails, mirror caps and window moldings. The hybrid Bronze Version, additional to the lineup past year, receives the Cement shade as an distinctive. It’s also obtainable in Wind Chill Pearl or Midnight Black Metallic.

But the most sizeable adjust coming to the 2023 Toyota Highlander is the new normal turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which combines with an 8-pace computerized transmission for 265 horsepower and 309 pound-ft of torque.

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That replaces previous year’s 3.5-liter V6, while the business estimates that the gasoline SUV will keep its fuel financial system rating of 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the freeway.

The Highlander Hybrid sees the eight-velocity is swapped out for a continuously variable transmission. With the electric motor, Toyota suggests that it will get 243 horsepower. It also returns an impressive 36 miles for each gallon combined and can tow 3,500 lbs ..

Front-wheel drive is conventional, with two types of all-wheel travel (AWD) accessible as selections. A basic AWD system obtainable on the gas-run L, LE and XLE splits available torque among the front and rear similarly.

The XSE, Restricted and Platinum trims are upgraded with Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD that normally takes a far more lively part in selecting what wheels want electrical power and when.

Within, the cabin remains stalwart with not numerous changes to the appointments. Woven cloth seats are typical even though consumers can come across SofTex and perforated leather trims as they shift up the trim line.

The Confined and Platinum variants afford passengers ambient LED cabin lights.

On the tech entrance, the Highlander will come common with twin 12.3-inch screens for the gauge cluster and infotainment display screen on Restricted and Platinum trims. The gauge cluster arrives with 4 diverse visual modes: Relaxed, Wise, Challenging and Sporty.

Toyota has also altered the locale of the wireless charging pad that will come with the XLE trim and better, shifting it from the centre console box to the instrument panel shelf, and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Vehicle are typical.

Formerly only obtainable on the Restricted and Platinum products, a fingers-no cost power liftgate has been included to the XLE and XSE grades.

Toyota Protection Sense 2.5+ is conventional throughout the trim line, which arrives with the firm’s newest array of security characteristics like lane tracing assist, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection and lane departure inform.

The business didn’t launch a timeline or pricing specifics for the 2023 Highlander. A 2022 gas-driven model starts at $38,055, when the hybrid edition commences at $39,555.

Other choices to contemplate when hunting at a Highlander incorporate a 2022 Kia Telluride, a best-seller in the phase which has an opening MSRP of $33,390. For people on the lookout for hybrid opponents, a 2022 Ford Explorer makes use of a hybrid motor on its Minimal trim, which starts off at $51,545.