There are a number of changes planned for the 2023 Highlander that will enhance comfort, technology, and power. The Toyota Highlander is one of Toyota’s best-selling models and is its mainstay. Therefore, there won’t be much surprise when Toyota unveils the new Highlander in 2023. But modifications to the engine compartment may spark your curiosity a little.
In place of the V6 engine, a 4-cylinder turbo will power the 2023 Toyota Highlander, but the popular SUV from the company will mostly remain intact. The Highlander now has a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces less power but better torque for a hefty SUV. According to Toyota, this will enhance carbon dioxide emissions while reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by about 50%.
A variety of new improvements to the Highlander are available for 2023. With every trim, customers receive the new Toyota Cloud Navigation and Intelligent Assistant. A longer 3-year trial is now available for Remote Connect for remote engine starting! With upcoming SUVs on the way, let's find out more about the 2023 Toyota Highlander.
2023 Toyota Highlander Runs Leaner And Cleaner Engines
The new 2.4-liter inline-four with a turbocharger is rated at 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. As opposed to the old, V-6s had 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. This results in a loss of 30 horsepower but a gain of 47 lb-ft. Stop-start now comes as a standard feature.
With either front- or all-wheel drive, the new gas engine will mate to an eight-speed automatic transmission. They also used this same engine in the Lexus NX350, which produces 317 pound-feet of torque and 275 horsepower. Similar to the former V6 engine, the turbo inline-4 has a 5,000-pound towing capacity. Moreover, Trailer Sway Control is a standard feature on all Highlander models, even the Hybrid.
According to Toyota, the crossover will be able to achieve a combined fuel economy rating of up to 25 MPG thanks to the turbocharged engine. This is only a 1 MPG improvement over the previous 3.5-liter V6. Toyota highlighted that the turbo is more environmentally friendly due to a 50% reduction in NOx emissions.
2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Is Untouched
For 2023, the Highlander Hybrid’s powertrain will not change. All-wheel drive is still provided by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine coupled to a pair of electric motors, one driving the engine and the other the rear axle. The whole system output is 243 horsepower, and the EPA evaluates the combined MPG to be 36. There is an electric-only driving mode available, and the vehicle has a 3,500-pound towing capacity.
Dynamic Torque Vectoring, Drive Mode Select, and Driveline Disconnect are all features of the performance-oriented system. All-wheel drive is additionally available on the Highlander Hybrid Limited and Platinum versions. Lower trims of AWD (L, LE, and XLE) have the ability to transmit up to 50% of the available torque to the rear wheels.
2023 Toyota Highlander Technology Advancement And Cargo Space
A bigger, 12.3-inch media screen is now included with the 2023 Highlanders on Platinum and Limited grades. On these two variants, this screen sits on either side of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. There are four different graphic modes included with it: Sporty, Tough, Smart, and Casual.
On XLE and XSE, which include standard 8-inch monitors, the 12.3-inch multimedia display is optional. A 7-inch instrument cluster is present in the L and LE models. The optional 11-speaker, 1,200-watt JBL audio system, remains the same. Standard power-folding mirrors come with the Limited and Platinum trims. Higher trims also come with a power liftgate that is hands-free and a new 360-degree view of the car.
In all models, wireless charging is now located up front near the center console. Also, the driver and passenger can connect to the internet at the same time via their Bluetooth devices thanks to dual phone connectivity. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and an AT&T Hotspot allows for up to 5 devices to connect to 4G.
In terms of appearance, the XSE has 20-inch black wheels and a new Cypress Green color. The Highlander looks essentially the same everywhere else, though. There are 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row of the Highlander. Further, it can increase to 48 cubic feet if we fold the third seat and 84 cubic feet when the second and third rows are closed.
2023 Toyota Highlander Safety Features And Price Hike
The 2023 Highlander has a wide selection of driver assistance functions, including adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, automated emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, and others, to enhance safety. The Highlander LE and above trim levels are the only ones that come standard with a blind-spot monitor and cross-traffic warning. They covered every Highlander by a 3-year/36,000-month baseline new-car warranty from Toyota. Also, plus two additional years or 25,000 miles of standard maintenance.
This month will likely see the start of the 2023 Toyota Highlander’s arrival in American dealerships. Toyota will offer it with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, as well as conventional and hybrid engine options. Prices for the Toyota Highlander have increased by a couple of hundred dollars for all models, and all-wheel drive is an extra $1600. Starting at $37,755 for the L trim with FWD and going up to $52,560 for the Platinum trim with AWD.