In the middle of its fourth generation, the 2023 Toyota Highlander is a three-row SUV with seating for up to eight people. It has a spacious and comfortable interior with plenty of standard features and attractive pricing, making it more affordable than some of the competition. Offered in gas and hybrid trims with front-wheel or all-wheel drive, there’s a Highlander family hauler suited to almost everyone. In addition to its welcoming interior, the Highlander has a comprehensive infotainment system, good standard safety and plenty of room for cargo.
There are six gas trims (L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum) priced from $37,755 to $50,610 and five hybrid trims (LE, XLE, Bronze, Limited and Platinum) priced from $41,455 to $52,010, all including a $1,335 destination fee. In addition, all-wheel drive is available across the full lineup for approximately $1,600 to $2,000, depending on the trim. This year, a new 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine for gas Highlanders makes it a more engaging SUV to drive. There’s also a new larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and enhanced safety features that keep it feeling modern and high-tech.
Full-size SUVs have largely displaced minivans as the vehicle of choice for families, so there’s lots of competition in the segment. The Kia Telluride has a more upscale interior with several off-road trims but no hybrid. The Ford Explorer has a comparable interior with gas, hybrid and performance trims. The Honda Pilot lacks a hybrid, but it has an off-road variant for those with more adventurous plans.
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Power for the gas lineup comes from a new 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Hybrids get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with two electric motors for 243 net system horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission. There’s also a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive on every trim.
In a competitive segment, the Toyota Highlander stands out for its ability to cover all the bases. While it may not excite in any single metric, it offers a choice of gas or hybrid powertrain, front-or all-wheel drive, seven- or eight-passenger capacity and a wide range of trims making it easy to find one that fits your needs. Even base trims are well-equipped, with the top-of-the-range Platinum trim providing an authentic premium experience.
The 2023 Highlander comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of safety features. It includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with automatic emergency steering and other advanced driver assistance features. It also has an available 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These features help make the Highlander a well-packaged offering with broad appeal for busy families.
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Performance: 12/15
The biggest change for the Highlander this year is a new 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It’s more powerful than the engine it replaces, but it’s still fuel efficient. This engine delivers 265 horsepower with 310 lb-ft of torque and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The previous engine was an aging 3.5-liter V6 rated at 295 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque.
Down slightly on power, the new engine makes more torque and can access that torque at a low 1700 rpm, whereas the old V6 couldn’t summon full grunt until a relatively high 4700 rpm. That means better low-end response and improved towing performance up to the 5,000-pound max tow rating. There’s no hesitation when you step on the accelerator, even if you’re searching for a bit of extra power for highway passing. Those who want better fuel efficiency also have the option of a hybrid.
Hybrids have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 243 net system horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission. Again there’s a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive on every trim with a lower maximum tow rating of 3,500 pounds. Though not as strong as the gas engine, this is still a solid performer with the bonus of better fuel economy to make it more affordable over the long term. A choice of front- or all-wheel drive is available across the trim range.
Fuel Economy: 15/15
The EPA has not yet released fuel economy estimates for the 2023 Toyota Highlander, but we do have Toyota figures. The 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with front-wheel drive gets a Toyota-estimated 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined with a drop of 1 mpg for all-wheel drive. Hybrid fuel economy is up to 36 mpg city, 35 mpg highway and 36 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and an even 35 mpg across the board with all-wheel drive.
Fuel economy for the Highlander’s gas engine is better than what’s offered by the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer or Kia Telluride by several mpg, depending on the exact configuration. Only the Explorer offers a hybrid, but the Highlander has it beat in fuel efficiency, the Explorer hybrid averaging only 25 mpg combined when equipped with a hybrid powertrain. If fuel economy is a priority, then the Highlander should be at the top of your list.
Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 14/15
The Toyota Highlander was a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), although the new engine-model hasn’t been tested yet. It received a top overall five-star out of five rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Standard safety includes Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ with pre-collision including pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with lane keeping assistance, automatic high beams, lane tracing assist, and road sign assist. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning is also standard, with available front and rear park assist with automatic emergency braking.
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Comfort & Room: 11/15
The Highlander is a roomy option with seating for up to eight people. Swap the second-row bench seat for captain’s chairs, and there’s seating for seven, but adults will appreciate the added comfort versus the bench seat. There are 38.7 inches of legroom in the second row and 28.0 inches in the third row on gas trims. The hybrid offers 41.0 inches in the second row and 27.7 inches in the third row. A 2.3-inch increase may sound small, but real-world scenarios make it a better choice for those who prioritize second-row passenger comfort.
The third row is small, as is typical, but it’s fine for kids, and it’s relatively easy to access, allowing even adults can climb back there for shorter drives. The first and second rows have comfortable and supportive seating with quality materials throughout that are still durable enough to handle kids, camping and the family dog. Standard features, including tri-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats and soft-touch surfaces in all the right spots make even the base trim appealing. The addition of leather seating surfaces, heated and ventilated front seats and heated second-row seats on higher trims helps give the Highlander a more premium look and feel.
Infotainment: 13/15
Infotainment in the Highlander includes a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four USB charging ports, six-speaker audio and Wi-Fi connectivity. Once you reach the middle of the Highlander lineup, feature availability improves, with the XLE adding an optional 12.3-inch touchscreen and standard Qi wireless charging. The XSE offers even more options, including an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system. Both optional upgrades are standard on the Limited and Platinum trims.
The smaller screen size on the base trims is still large enough for easy use, but the larger 12.3-inch screen is a welcome upgrade. It makes the Highlander feel more modern and simplifies multi-command actions and following complicated drive routes. In addition to having crisp, responsive touchscreens, the system can be activated by saying, “Hey, Toyota,” followed by natural language commands. It responds well and generally understands what you say on the first try, so you can keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel rather than being distracted by the touchscreen.
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Cargo Space & Storage: 9/15
You can never have too much cargo room when you have a family, so the Highlander provides plenty of storage cubbies throughout the vehicle, including a deep center console for tucking precious items out of sight. There’s 16 cubic-feet behind the third row, 48.4 cubic-feet behind the second row, and 84.3 cubic-feet behind the first row. Although impressive, the competition offers incrementally more space.
The Honda Pilot has 16.5 cubic-feet behind the third row but only has 83.9 cubic-feet overall. The Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride offer over 18 cubes behind the third row, making them an excellent choice for those with lots of cargo and a full load of passengers. They also present more overall cargo room with over 87 cubic-feet behind the front seats. Especially if you have plans for loading up with nothing but cargo, the Highlander is outclassed by the competition.
Style & Design: 8/10
Toyota is not a luxury brand, but the interior of the Highlander has a decidedly premium feel. Materials are high quality, from the dash to the seats, so it never feels cheap, even if you’re considering a trim lower in the lineup. There’s good attention to detail throughout, with soft-touch surfaces and attractive finishes employed extensively.
The design is open and airy, which makes it an ideal vehicle to take on family road trips and helps to keep the peace among the children on extended trips. The Highlander is a family car at heart, so it never gets too fancy. When the inevitable spills happen or muddy boots track across the seats, the Highlander can stand up to the wear. It provides a balance between visual appeal and comfort while still being hearty and durable—core attributes for any family vehicle.
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Is the 2023 Toyota Highlander Worth it? Which Toyota Highlander is the Best Value?
There are lots of choices when it comes to three-row SUVs, which gives the Highlander a lot of competition. However, what makes it stand out is its ability to offer something for everyone framed with pricing that aligns with the competition. The new gas engine is responsive, the ride is smooth and quiet and there’s a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. It has seating for seven or eight, a comfortable and roomy interior constructed of quality materials and a fully featured infotainment system. There’s a hybrid, too, for those who prioritize saving money at the pump.
Were we writing the check, we’d aim for the middle with the XLE ($43,155 gas, add $2,000 for AWD; $46,155 hybrid, add $1,600 for AWD, both including destination) and strongly consider adding the 12.3-inch touchscreen. While there are vehicles with performance engines and more room for cargo, the 2023 Toyota Highlander offers a solid mix of features families will appreciate.
How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2023 Toyota Highlander?
According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record can expect an average annual premium of $2,000 for the gasoline-powered Highlanders and over $2,100 to $2,250 for the hybrid trims, though this averages all 50 states. A Ford Explorer owner might pay around $1,900 for the regular version and $2,200 for the racy ST. The Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot run about $2,000. For a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.
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