AutoNSider Review | 2020 Toyota Highlander
How’s that, you ask?
Well first let’s just start with Toyota.
They’ve got the SUV “court” covered like a seven-player basketball team…with
vehicles ranging from the little CH-R on up to the legendary and aspirational
Land Cruiser.
The Highlander falls pretty much right in the middle of this selection
And even in the middle of the menu, the Highlander offers five levels of
trim…four of which come with Hybrid options…and all of which can be ordered
with AWD.
That’s a lot of choices to make, so let’s make it a little easier for you.
If you’re looking for three rows, Toyota’s choices start with the Highlander…and
in spite of being Toyota’s smallest three row SUV, there’s actually ample room
inside for 7 or 8.
And that’s where your choices continue. Just how much luxury…how many
features do you want?
Even the mid-$30’s entry-level “L” comes with 18” alloys, a 295 HP 3.5 liter six,
an 8-speed automatic, a smart key, push-button start, 5 USB ports, and Toyota’s
“Safety Sense”…which gives you pre-collision alerts, low-light pedestrian
detection, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alerts along with lane-
centering, road sign assists and automatic high / low headlights.
If you want AWD, it’s an extra $1,600. And if you want to go hybrid, you’ll need
to step up to an “LE”…and LE versions give you blind-spot and rear cross-traffic
alerts, LED fog lights and a height-adjustable power rear lift gate.
Going hybrid will substitute a 2.4 liter four for your 3.5 six…and will run $1,400
more than your gas-only version, but it’ll get you an EPA estimated 36 City and
35 Hwy MPGs…vs. the 21 City / 29 Hwy with the standard six.
If towing is your thing, the six will handle 5,000 lbs while the hybrid will tow 3,500.
Our test Highlander was an AWD Limited version…just touching 48K…and
bringing heated and ventilated leather to the party…along with 20” chrome
wheels, an 11-speaker JBL sound system, a hands-free rear liftgate, and parking
aids like “Birds-Eye” and Curb views + Perimeter Scan.
Loaded like this, our Highlander could have easily been mistaken for its more
upscale cousin, Lexus.
One surprise?
In spite of its three-row size, the Highlander is fairly easy to park. That, along
with its comfortable ride and decent acceleration and high 20’s gas mileage, are
all reasons that Toyota’s Highlander has, for years, been considered to be one of
the better vehicles in its class.
And for 2020, Toyota has just upped its game.
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