– Northridge, California
The Toyota Highlander was one of many first three-row crossovers to market, and as one of many phase’s elder statesmen, it’s a preferred selection for patrons. This mid-size providing could also be shorter and fewer spacious than the Honda Pilot and Kia Telluride, however fortunately, the 2023 mannequin has a brand new, turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder that gives extra torque than each its predecessor and a few key rivals.
The 265 horsepower underhood could appear to be a letdown relative to the 2022 Highlander’s 295, however the turbo makes a wholesome 311 pound-feet of torque, a quantity that the groaning outdated V6 may solely dream of. The brand new crossover additionally will get Toyota’s newest infotainment system – one other large improve in comparison with 2022 – with carryover inside high quality and driving refinement. However it’s arduous to disregard the Highlander’s comparatively excessive value, in addition to the scant rear-seat headroom and iffy cargo capability with all seats in place.
Regardless of a drop in energy, the 2023 Highlander’s new turbocharged four-banger is far more pleasing.
The Good: Though I favored the pre-facelift Highlander’s styling and high quality inside, its dated V6 and indecisive eight-speed transmission made it a irritating mount for freeway inclines and two-lane passing zones. That’s not the case. Regardless of a drop in energy, the 2023 Highlander’s new turbocharged four-banger is far more pleasing. It has an 47 further items of torque. Better of all, the engine hits that 310-lb-ft peak at simply 1,700 rpm, which gave me extra confidence when merging than the outdated Highlander did. It’s additionally extra environment friendly and cleaner-burning than the outdated V6, and a 5,000-pound tow score is commonplace.
The transmission, retuned to make the most of the brand new engine, additionally displays higher habits. Smoother downshifts on acceleration and fewer searching when climbing a grade make the brand new Highlander much more comfy.
Talking of consolation, the Highlander retains its spectacular match and end relative to the category, with soft-touch cabin supplies in every single place I used to be more likely to contact. The padded knee bolsters and decrease door panels are an particularly good contact – some automobiles low cost out down low, however not the Highlander. There are additionally a number of locations to stash telephones and wallets, together with two slim cabinets on the dashboard and hearty, Stanley-sized cupholders.
And the outdated Highlander’s Entune infotainment system is lastly useless, with the latest Toyota software program taking its place. Within the case of my Restricted tester, the brand new multimedia system exhibits up on a crisp, vibrant 12.3-inch heart touchscreen, with an identically sized digital instrument cluster. The steering wheel buttons used to manage the gauges are a bit complicated, however the heart show is responsive and far improved over Entune. One criticism: I want the toolbar on the left facet of the display screen didn’t disappear when utilizing wi-fi Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Higher but, simply give me a house button.
Headroom for anybody within the second or third rows is a bit tight because of the Highlander’s slinky-for-its-class roofline.
The Dangerous: There’s simply 16.0 cubic ft of cargo room with all seats in place, which is down on the Kia Telluride by 5.0 and the Honda Pilot by 2.6. Headroom for anybody within the second or third rows is a bit tight because of the Highlander’s slinky-for-its-class roofline. The glossy design additionally pinches the facet home windows to the detriment of each outward visibility and passenger claustrophobia.
That wouldn’t be an enormous deal if the Highlander weren’t additionally some of the costly choices within the phase. Its $38,015 beginning value with vacation spot is correct according to the likes of the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Kia Telluride, however costs go up precipitously as you add options. The Restricted I drove price $50,210 with an optionally available 360-degree digital camera, which is extra you’d spend on the Telluride SX that comes with niceties like heated and ventilated second-row seats and twin sunroofs.
The Verdict: Toyota is aware of the Highlander is a bit too small for households that use their third rows recurrently, which is why the Grand Highlander exists. However some people could worth the smaller crossover’s extra parking-friendly measurement and flowing design. Add in a pleasing inside, much-improved expertise, and newfound on a regular basis muscle, and it’s not arduous to see why the 2023 Toyota Highlander is such a stalwart.
