Top 10 Features Of The 2023 Toyota Highlander

For seven years in a row now, the Toyota Highlander has been the top-selling three-row midsize SUV in America. It has without fail, delivered precisely what its customers want in terms of performance, cargo space, Toyota’s renowned reliability, amenities, and practicalities. The 2023 Toyota Highlander comes with a few changes that are enough to update it, without changing the car to the point where it would alienate its usual and loyal customer base.

Nevertheless, some of these changes are significant and set it apart, for better or worse, from the #1 selling Highlander of seven years past. In this article, we’ll go over the top features of the available trims, specs, and capabilities of the 2023 Toyota Highlander. We’ll also cover its design and interior, as well as features and starting prices for each trim.

RELATED: Why The Toyota Highlander Is The Best Hybrid SUV In 2023

10 The Big Change Is; No More V-6 On The 2023 Toyota Highlander

The 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four replaces the 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V-6.

Perhaps the most important and significant change in the 2023 Toyota Highlander’s specs is the downsizing of its internal combustion engine (ICE). The 295-horsepower, naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 from the outgoing model, is now replaced by a 265-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder ICE. While some might miss the linear power delivery, the sound, and the smoothness of the V-6, the new engine does deliver more torque where it matters most, at the low and mid-rpm range.

Maximum torque, which is 17 percent more than what the V-6 offered, is available from as low as 1,700 rpm, and up to 3,600 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the new turbocharged engine is snappier around town in normal daily use where it will have more available torque i.e. horsepower on the more used rpm ranges.

Specs and Features

This engine is also more fuel efficient and produces lower emissions than the outgoing V-6. When on full-on 0-60 MPH acceleration, however, it lost compared with the more powerful V-6 by 0.5 seconds. Aside from the turbocharged 2.4-liter ICE, the 2023 Toyota Highlander also has a hybrid configuration available. The hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder ICE with an electric motor for a combined 243 horsepower. As for gas mileage, both FWD and AWD offer an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 combined mpg.

9 The 2023 Toyota Highlander Exterior Design Gets A New Color

The exterior design of the 2023 Toyota Highlander remains basically the same, except for the availability of the Cypress Green color and Cement for the Bronze Edition, which is making a return for 2023. Other small exterior nuances are; some different front fascias depending on the selected trim. The alloy wheels come in 18-inch or 20-inch sizes and are sometimes painted or machine finished.

Overall Toyota took a conservative approach here since the design of this SUV is one of its strong points and part of the winning formula that has kept it at the top for so long. Full LED exterior lighting is standard on all 2023 Toyota Highlander trims, while the high-end Platinum trim gets the adaptive front-lighting system as standard.

8 There Are Several Trims Available For The 2023 Toyota Highlander

A 2023 Highlander Turbo XSE Wind Chill Pearl is parked in a driveway.

With both turbocharged and hybrid powertrains, there are several different trims available to choose from. The L trim is the entry model and only comes with the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine. It can be FWD or AWD. Its starting MSRP is $36,620. In the table below we break down all trims and 2023 Toyota Highlander prices.

2023 Toyota Highlander Price

RELATED: 10 Alternatives To The Toyota Highlander Hybrid

7 The 2023 Highlander Provides Some Towing Practicality

While not suited for heavy towing, the 2023 Toyota Highlander trims with the 2.4-liter ICE can tow up to 5,000 pounds while the hybrid can tow up to 3,500 pounds, and trailer sway control is standard on all trims. While 3,500 might seem a little light, the 5,000-pound towing capacity allows for some versatility for hauling around stuff like:

• A Rowboat.
• A Utility Trailer.
• A Small Travel Trailer.

6 Quality Materials Are Found On All 2023 Toyota Highlander Trims

A side interior view of the front row of a 2023 Highlander Turbo Limited.

The Highlander interior deserves praise as it makes for a spacious and comfortable everyday commuter. Toyota’s SofTex trim is standard on the XLE, XSE, and Bronze Edition. The picture above shows the front seats of the Limited trim with perforated leather, bringing an extra level of refinement. The Platinum grade brings exclusive embossed and perforated leather.

To further highlight the interior comfort, the 2023 Toyota Highlander has three-zone automatic climate control as standard on all trims. It features individual temperatures for the driver and front passenger and a third control panel to select the preferred temperature for the second row.

5 The 2023 Toyota Highlander Is Built With Noise Reduction In Mind

An interior shot showing the captain’s seats of the second row of the 2023 Highlander.

It starts once the driver and passengers close the doors. The Highlander has a sound-dampening system and soundproofing materials placed inside the cabin. All the ruckus from the outside world is left out of the accommodating and warm interior.

The top Limited and Platinum trims feature acoustic glass on the driver and front passenger windows. Loud noises can be distracting, as well as stressful if one is subject to it for longer periods. Toyota is bringing a touch of high-end luxury to the 2023 Highlander by ensuring it provides a quiet ride.

RELATED: 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander: Better Than The Standard Highlander And Sequoia?

4 Interior Space Is Generous, But The Third Row Is Best Suited For Kids

An interior shot of the 2023 Highlander Turbo Limited with the third-row seats down.

Driver and passengers have enough space inside the 2023 Toyota Highlander. Passenger volume without the moonroof option is 141.8 cubic feet (139.5 with the moonroof). The cargo volume behind the front, second-row, and third-row of seats is 84.3, 48.4, and 16.0 cubic feet respectively. Seating configurations are available for seven or eight people.

The third row sits three, but it’s a little tight and more suited for children. This is important to keep in mind if passenger capacity is the main point a buyer is looking for. The second row is where buyers can have either two separate, comfortable, and spacious captain’s chairs or a regular three-seat configuration.

3 Technology And Connectivity

Hybrid trims come with a standard 7.0-inch color LCD dashboard for the driver. Limited and Platinum trims come with a 12.3-inch Multi-Information Display for the driver, as well as the 12.3-inch central infotainment system. Standard on the Platinum grade is also a 10-inch color head-up display to help ensure the driver’s attention stays on the road ahead.

Toyota’s infotainment system has support for multiple user profiles and wireless connectivity via Android Auto and Apple Carplay. Music app subscribers will enjoy this connectivity along with the available JBL 11 speakers premium audio system. The wireless charger, standard on selected trims has been repositioned just below the infotainment system for ease of access. The cabin also features five USB ports so that the whole family can have their devices plugged in on those long road trips.

2 Toyota Active Driver Aids And AWD system

A rear 3/4 view of a 2023 Highlander Turbo XSE Wind Chill Pearl parked. 

To help prevent collisions the Limited and Platinum trims come standard with automatic braking, as well as front and rear parking assist. Improving the SUV’s dynamic behavior, the AWD system on the sportier XSE, the Limited and Platinum trims come equipped with the 2.4-liter turbo.

They feature dynamic torque vectoring in their AWD drivetrains along with a selector for different types of terrains. Another driver aid, hill start to assist control, comes standard on all 2023 Toyota Highlander trims, while downhill assist control is standard on all AWD 2.4-liter turbo models.

RELATED: The Best Three-Row Mid-Size SUV Yet?

1 Safety Is A Priority On The Toyota Highlander

A side-view shot of a 2023 Toyota Highlander

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has rated the Highlander as a Top Safety Pick+ a few times. This is helped by 2023’s Toytota Star Safety System and 8 airbags, including side curtains that cover all three rows. Standard on all models is Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5 which features:

• Pre-collision system.
• Lane departure alert.
• Automatic high beams.
• Dynamic radar cruise control.
• Lane tracing assist.
• Road sign assist.

Blind-spot monitoring comes as standard on the LE trim and up. The 2023 Toyota Highlander is well-equipped to maintain its place at the top of the sales chart. Its three-row mid-size SUV competitors, some of which are the Kia Telluride, the Hyundai Palisade, Nissan Pathfinder, and Ford Explorer, need to up their game significantly if they are to grab a bigger piece of the pie and maybe steal some sales from Toyota.