Thursday, 21 November 2024

Family-friendly, tech-savvy Toyota Highlander remains a strong midsize SUV offering Featured

Posted On Monday, 04 March 2024 00:54 Written by
Rate this item
(1 Vote)
The Toyota Highlander is a solid all-around three-row SUV for families. The Toyota Highlander is a solid all-around three-row SUV for families. Photo courtesy of Toyota

For families shopping for an SUV that will serve their needs, the Toyota Highlander has long been on the list of vehicles to consider, in part because it can hold up to 8 passengers and lots of cargo.

This three-row midsize SUV isn’t the class-leader in all areas (some rivals are more luxurious, and have more third-row space, for example), but collectively it delivers an excellent experience that has led to it being a top seller in the segment for many years.

A full redesign of the Highlander hasn’t happened since 2020, but there was a change in the engine offerings starting with the 2023 model, which carried over to 2024. The new engine is a turbo 4-cylinder instead of the V6 offering that had been offered prior. And the new Highlander features an updated tech system that delivers an excellent user experience.

There are a ton of major vehicles in this segment — including Kia Telluride, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer and more. Read on to see how the Highlander holds up in this very popular and competitive category of three-row family haulers.

LOOKS

Starting out front, the Highlander features a bold, attractive front grille with well-designed headlamps that will draw some positive attention. It also features sharp wheel designs.

My Highlander test vehicle featured 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with adaptive front lighting, LED fog lamps, rain-sensing windshield wipers, hands-free power liftgate, plus a panoramic view moonroof with sunshade.

One option was running boards that were helpful for entering and exiting the vehicle.

Moving inside the Highlander, you’ll find a comfortable, roomy and versatile interior. Only the third row lacks room, so save it for the kids. Depending on the setup on the middle row, you can sit 7 or 8 people in the Highlander.

There’s a slick dashboard up front with cutting-edge tech. It’s among the best looking in the segment, and all controls are easy to use. Seating and interior materials are high-class compared to many rival midsize SUVs.

Center console controls allow you to adjust drive modes, and there are touch controls for climate. One unique feature is a hidden storage shelf in the dashboard for the front passenger. There’s also a large center console storage bin for small item storage.

Cargo space is adequate for a family’s needs, with 84 cubic feet available with both rear rows down. There are 48 cubic feet behind the center row, and 16 cubic feet behind the back row. (Note: The larger Toyota Grand Highlander offers 98 cubic feet of space if you need even more room)

Lifting and putting down the third row is done easily with levers and a pull rope. It’s also easy to move second-row seats forward to get into the back row.

Other interior highlights include:
— Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
— Leather upholstery
— Heated steering wheel
— Heated and ventilated power front seats
— Driver seat with memory settings
— Option for heated second-row captain’s seats
— Three-zone heating and cooling

HOW’S THE RIDE?

The Toyota Highlander is powered by a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Together they deliver 265 horsepower and 309 pound-feet of torque. 

For what is primarily going to be a family vehicle, this level of power is plenty adequate and delivers a comfy, smooth ride, but don't expect extreme power. 

You can also choose a hybrid version of the Highlander that pairs a gas engine with an electric motor, delivering 243 horsepower.

My vehicle was an all-wheel drive offering, but the Highlander also comes in front-wheel drive.

The Highlander’s 0-to-60 time is respectable, in the mid 7-second range. It handles corners well for a larger ride, and a ton of drive modes are offered, including: Eco, Normal, Sport, Mud and Sand, Rock and Dirt, and Snow, which will be welcomed by Highlander owners in states that often face inclement weather.

One side effect of the move to the four-cylinder engine: There’s a slight whiny sound when you’re pushing the engine at highway speeds. Nothing too extreme, but it’s noticeable.

On the plus side, the Highlander does a great job keeping the ride smooth even when road features may be a bit unsmooth, and it handles itself well on twisty roads.


TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

The Highlander features an easy-to-use infotainment system centered around a 12.3-inch touchscreen with clearly labeled controls, well-designed climate controls below the touchscreen controlled by physical buttons and dials. The system is so simple, even your grandma can figure it out.

The touchscreen features separate menus for navigation, radio and phone connections, and voice commands are among the most responsive I've seen on today's new vehicles. You almost never have to repeat yourself.

A wireless phone charger is nicely hidden in the dashboard, and there’s an impressive JBL 11-speaker stereo system that sounds bold, loud and clear.

The system is compatible with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility, and includes three free months of satellite radio, and multiple USB ports for charging throughout the vehicle.

The Highlander’s safety systems are solid, led by the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ package that features:

— Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection (brakes to prevent collisions)
— Full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control (maintains distance to vehicle ahead)
— Lane departure alert with steering assist
— Lane tracing assist
— Automatic high beams
— Road sign assist

Adaptive headlights are a bonus safety feature, and they swivel as the driver turns the wheel for better visibility in curves.

The lane departure alert can be a bit sensitive, but I’d prefer that to it being too lax.

There’s also a 10-inch head-up display that is quite helpful and keeps the driver’s eyes on the road.

Other safety features include a blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert, front and rear parking assist with automatic braking, panoramic view monitor, and a LATCH system for child seats.

With all that in place, it’s no surprise that government safety ratings are also at the highest levels.


MPG


The official fuel mileage numbers on the all-wheel-drive Toyota Highlander I tested were 21 city/28 highway/24 combined. Those numbers go up to 22/29/25 on the front-wheel-drive Highlander.

You can also opt for a hybrid version of the Highlander that will get you 35 miles per gallon, a significant improvement that will lessen your trips to the gas pump.

In my real-world testing, I averaged 21 mpg driving the Highlander, but I wasn’t driving to maximize fuel mileage, so it’s possible to achieve better numbers.

Even with the non-hybrid, you’re getting better fuel mileage than many of the key midsize SUV rivals battling the Highlander. So fuel efficiency is another area where the Highlander delivers.
 

PRICE

The Toyota Highlander I tested was priced just over $54,000, and was the top Platinum trim level. Price range on the vehicle starts around $40,000, so there is a variety of trim levels to choose from in that range, depending on your budgets and features that matter most to you.

They start off with the base LE trim, and go up through the XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum trim. Hybrid versions are offered on most trim levels if you want to boost your miles per gallon.

The entry price is slightly steeper than most rival midsize SUVs, but the higher up you go in the trim levels, the more similar the pricing gets vs. rivals.

Warranties are also solid, including
— Overall bumper-to-bumper warranty: Three years or 36,000 miles
— Powertrain warranty: Five years or 60,000 miles
— For hybrid versions, hybrid-component warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles
— Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 25,000 miles (not offered by all rivals)


BOTTOM LINE

The Toyota Highlander delivers a smooth drive that will be powerful enough for most families, and is a comfortable and versatile three-row SUV. Top that off with its user-friendly tech setup, plus Toyota safety and reliability, and it competes extremely well in the midsize SUV segment.

===

AutoTechReviews.com can be found on Twitter @AutoTechReview, or stay updated at the AutoTechReviews Facebook page. Follow AutoTechReviews on Instagram at @Autotechreviews. Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu



Additional Info

  • Vehicle: Toyota Highlander     
  • Price as tested: $54,372 (starts around $40K)   
  • Best feature: Easy-to-use tech, roomy interior, smooth ride, fuel efficiency   
  • Rating: 4 out of five stars     
  • Who will want this vehicle?: Midsize SUV buyers seeking a reliable, versatile, tech-savvy ride
Matt M. Myftiu

Matt Myftiu has been a journalist for two decades with a focus on technology, NASCAR and autos.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Leave a comment

Make sure you enter all the required information, indicated by an asterisk (*). HTML code is not allowed.

Search Reviews by Make

AutoTechReviews  is your home for In-depth reviews of the latest cars, trucks, and SUVs; information on all the emerging vehicle technology; and breaking news from the world of NASCAR and other motorsports.