2023 Toyota Highlander Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Toyota Highlander gets a new engine for the 2023 model year, along with new standard and optional features.

The Highlander has long been a fantastic family hauler for people not so warm to the idea of owning a minivan. It’s gotten more luxurious in recent years, and Toyota’s made upgrades to its technology that greatly improve the ownership experience. The Highlander is available in several configurations and a number of trims, including L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum.

What’s New for the 2023 Toyota Highlander

Toyota replaced the Highlander’s V6 engine with a turbocharged four-cylinder for 2023; it offers good power and torque, but no improvement in fuel economy. The Highlander is available with a 12.3-inch infotainment display for the new model year, and there are a couple of additional standard features for the top trims.

Design

The Highlander has moved away from its somewhat frumpy, rounded looks in years past to sharper, sportier styling. Though not indicative of actual performance, the 2023 Highlander’s styling further separates it from the minivan world and should entice buyers wanting a more muscular-looking family SUV.

Powertrain

Toyota replaced the previous model year’s 295-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front- or all-wheel drive (FWD or AWD). Acceleration is relaxed, and the SUV’s suspension system is tuned for comfort. That said, there isn’t excessive body roll, and the Highlander maintains confident handling in most situations. Steering is heavily assisted, which take some getting used to, but brake pedal feel and stopping capabilities are both confidence-inspiring.

Interior

The Highlander’s cabin is family-friendly, and in higher trims, it can be downright plush. Eight-passenger seating comes standard, but some models are available with second-row captain’s chairs that cut seating capacity to seven. Cloth upholstery comes standard, along with a power driver’s seat. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and leather upholstery are available. Though there’s good space across the first two rows, the third-row seats are considerably less spacious and should be reserved for kids on shorter trips.

Technology

Toyota equips an 8-inch infotainment display as standard equipment, but a 12.3-inch display is available. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with Bluetooth, multiple USB ports, three-zone climate control, SiriusXM radio, and more. Toyota finally improved its infotainment system for 2023, which brought a new, much easier-to-use interface.

Safety

The 2023 Highlander has a long list of standard safety tech that includes forward collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, rear-seat reminders, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and a rearview camera. Buyers can add blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, parking sensors, adaptive headlights, and a head-up display.

Pricing

The base 2023 Toyota Highlander starts at $37,755, including a $1,335 destination charge. Prices climb to more than $50,000 for the top Platinum model, but the good news is that Toyota doesn’t offer any added-cost options, so what you see is what you get with the Highlander’s multiple trims.