All the Latest Details on the 2023 Toyota Highlander
The 2023 Toyota Highlander is packed with great new tech and features, a smooth exterior design, and is reasonably priced.
Written by Serena Aburahma
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The Toyota Highlander has been the best-selling mid-sized
SUV
for six years now, thanks to its efficiency and reliability. The gas-powered version has relied on the traditional V6 engine for a while, but it falls short on output and performance. For the 2023 Highlander, Toyota introduces a new engine with less power but more torque.
The 2023 Toyota Highlander also boasts new features and upgrades to stand up to its fierce rivals, such as the Honda Pilot, Volkswagen Atlas, and Ford Explorer.
Jerry
projects that the Toyota is in its final engineering process, and the car may come out of the factory this fall. Specs and features of the 2023 Toyota Highlander
The yet-to-be-rolled-out 2023 Highlander gets a new engine, ditching the old 3.5-liter V6 that delivered 295 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque.
According to
CNET
, it gets an upgraded turbocharged 2.4-liter I-4 that cranks out 265 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque. That's 30 fewer horses than its predecessor and a 17% increase in torque. On a brighter note, the peak torque figure reaches a lower engine rev. That's critical because the SUV gets more muscular to pull away from the spotlights and when pressing the acceleration pedal to overtake.
Well, now you know: torque is more important for acceleration urgency than horsepower.
Toyota hasn't made many changes to the car's exterior design, except for the new Cypress exterior finish and convenience features - such as the power, folding exterior mirrors, and the power tailgate now available for the XLE and XSE trims.
The latter also gets 20-inch black alloy wheels and other refined additions.
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What about the tech and cost of the 2023 Toyota Highlander?
Motor Trend
highlighted that the 2023 Toyota Highlander comes with bigger screens and gets more practicality. The base trim has a 7-inch infotainment system that replaces the old 4.2-inch screen. The premium Limited and Platinum models get a 12.3-inch touchscreen in place of the previous 7-inch unit. Each instrument cluster boasts four visual modes: Casual, Tough, Smart, and Sporty.
The vehicle vaunts other additional features; the top-spec trims come with a relocated Qi wireless charging pad that retracts to a shelf below the screen instead of the traditional location in the center console.
However, the flagship Limited and Platinum models have limited storage compared to the base models, but they make up for that with creature comforts.
Toyota is expected to roll out the 2023 Highlander in 11 trims, with prices ranging from $38,000 (for the L trim) to $51,000 for the high-sitting Hybrid Platinum.
However, we recommend the mid-range XLE trim level costing $$43,000. It offers more value, considering it features heated front seats, a power sunroof, wireless charging pad, among other bells-n-jingles.
Other should-know information about the 2023 Toyota Highlander
Being a high-end SUV that relies on a combustible I-4, fuel economy is an aspect that shoppers must critically consider when buying the 2023 Toyota Highlander. The car might have a new engine, but its fuel efficiency remains the same as the V6, with an estimated 24 mpg combined.
Here's the upside: the engine is more environmentally friendly, reducing NOx and NMPG emissions by 50%.
The increased thrust of the 4-cylinder engine is quite notable when moving the car from a stationary position, but you'll appreciate it best when the car brings out its muscle to overcome steep climbs.
Toyota also added torque vectoring to the car's AWD system to ensure optimum power distribution to each wheel, based on the one with the most grip, making cornering pretty efficient.
The premium models in the Highlander lineup have a towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs. and are equipped with Trailer Sway Control (TSC) that uses Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) to prevent the trailer's lateral movements and vibrations.
MORE: The Toyota Tacoma's Towing Capacity vs. Chevy Colorado and Ford Ranger
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