2023 Toyota Highlander Review: New Upgrading (Images, Video)

Categories: Reviews

The 2023 Toyota Highlander boasts several noteworthy improvements, from its exterior and interior to its engine. This promises to be one of Toyota's key vehicle lines.

Introducing the Toyota Highlander

The 2023 Toyota Highlander is a luxury SUV that has garnered a lot of media attention and captured the interest of car enthusiasts since its debut at the New York Auto Show in 2019. Launching its new generation at a time when the SUV war is in full swing, the 2020 Toyota Highlander had to face off against formidable rivals such as the Mazda CX-9, Ford Explorer, and Honda Pilot.

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The 2023 Toyota Highlander boasts several noteworthy improvements, ranging from exterior and interior design to its engine. It promises to be one of Toyota's flagship models this year.

Let's explore with Carcover to see what improvements the Toyota Highlander has made!

2023 Toyota Highlander Overview

The Toyota Highlander 2020 marks the fourth generation with significant changes. Developed on the TNGA-K platform, the exterior still retains many details of the previous generation, specifically the third generation. However, the intricate and rigid lines have been removed, replaced by a more soft and youthful design language.

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The new generation Toyota Highlander is also equipped with modern technologies and provides optimal performance, which the company spared no expense in providing. The ability to save up to 17% on fuel compared to the previous version is also one of the advantages of the 2023 Toyota Highlander.

Common issue on Toyota Highlander

Recently, the Toyota Highlander 2023 has received feedback that the car is prone to stalling when driven at high speeds. This issue has been confirmed by the manufacturer to be due to a programming problem in the ECU, leading to fuel supply system malfunction, and the engine is unable to receive fuel. To resolve this issue, only updating the ECU is needed.

In addition to the above issue, even in luxury car segments like the 2023 Toyota Highlander, there are cases of worn tires, unresponsive brakes, or vehicle corrosion over long-term use. Customers should regularly bring their cars to the dealership for inspection and early solutions.

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See also 2024 Toyota Fortuner Review

2023 Toyota Highlander Exterior

Front of the car

The 2023 Toyota Highlander attracts attention from the very front of the car thanks to the pair of headlights that are tilted to the sides, accompanied by a grille and a softly rounded trapezoidal air vent. The logo is located in the center of the car, with two chrome wings on either side that exude a powerful aura. The air vent is sleekly designed to hug the LED fog lights. Below that, the diffuser gives the entire front of the car a rugged and powerful look.

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Body of the car

The soft and delicate lines that run along the car provide a very pleasant visual experience when viewed from the side. The wheel wells are designed in a square-round shape with a dark paint finish that highlights the shiny 5-twin-spoke wheels. The size of the wheels varies from 18 to 20 inches, depending on the version.

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Also may you like our product Toyota Highlander Car Covers

Rear End of The Car

The rear end of the car is designed to be simple, compact yet capable of creating a favorable impression. The standout feature is the cluster of taillights combined with sophisticated LED technology, providing high visibility. The glass is made opaque to ensure privacy for the customer, and the sloping roof at the back is also highly appreciated.

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2023 Toyota Highlander Colors

The 2023 Toyota Highlander offers up to 7 eye-catching and impressive color options include: Sliver, Gray, White, Black, Blue, Brown and Red. Customers can choose their preferred color based on their personal taste or even according to feng shui. Here are some of the standout color options available for the 2023 Toyota Highlander.

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2023 Toyota Highlander Sliver
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2023 Toyota Highlander Gray
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2023 Toyota Highlander White
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2023 Toyota Highlander Blue
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2023 Toyota Highlander Black
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2023 Toyota Highlander Brown
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2023 Toyota Highlander Red

2023 Toyota Highlander Dimensions

Like many other SUVs in its segment, the 2023 Toyota Highlander has a mature and imposing appearance, but is also luxurious. The 2023 Toyota Highlander has specific dimensions of 4,889 x 1,925 x 1,727 (mm). The wheelbase is 2,789 mm. With these dimensions, it's easy to predict that the interior cabin will be very spacious.

Exterior Equipment Included

In addition to the aforementioned exterior descriptions, the 2023 Toyota Highlander is also equipped with shiny chrome trims around the windows, which adds a luxurious and modern touch to the car. The small door handles, painted in the same color as the body, create a seamless and impressive impression.

See also 2024 Toyota GR Supra Review

Toyota Highlander 2023 Interior

Seating System

With the immense size of the 2023 Toyota Highlander, it's easy to imagine an incredibly spacious interior cabin. That's exactly the case, as the 2023 Toyota Highlander offers 3 rows of seating with the option for 7 or 8 passengers.

All seats are leather-trimmed, and all 3 rows come with their own separate heating thanks to the automatic 3-zone climate control system. The driver's seat is power-adjustable in 8-10 directions, while the front passenger seat is power-adjustable in 4 directions. The top two rows of seats also come with cooling and heating functions to ensure the most comfortable experience during your journey.

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2023 Toyota Highlander seating system

Steering Wheel and Dashboard

The luxury and modernity of the Toyota Highlander 2023 are evident from the moment you step into the driver's seat. The three-spoke steering wheel is wrapped in luxurious leather and features sleek aluminum buttons for convenient use. The dashboard is particularly interesting, designed in three tiers like a staircase. Supporting the touchscreen display is a shining aluminum strip that adds refinement to the entire cockpit.

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The three-spoke steering wheel is wrapped in luxurious leather and features sleek aluminum buttons for convenient use

2023 Toyota Highlander Cargo

The Toyota Highlander 2023 boasts a fairly spacious luggage compartment that can accommodate many items for users. The standard luggage capacity is 456 liters, which increases to 1,150 liters when the third-row seats are folded. In case you need to carry more items, you can fold both rear rows, giving you up to 2,076 liters of luggage space. Actually, the previous version had a slightly larger capacity of 2,370 liters, but this doesn't make much difference.

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The standard luggage capacity is 456 liters, which increases to 1,150 liters when the third-row seats are folded

Amenities Highlander 2023

The amenities of the 2023 Toyota Highlander are not disappointing. The standard version is equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, while the highest luxury version has a screen up to 12.3 inches. This is the largest touchscreen that competitors in the same segment have not caught up with. On a luxury vehicle like this, of course, it cannot lack features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wifi, or Qi wireless charging port. The JBL sound system with 11 speakers and a power of up to 1200W provides an excellent sound experience.

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The amenities of the 2023 Toyota Highlander are not disappointing

In addition, the 2023 Toyota Highlander is equipped with a 3-zone automatic air conditioning system, with each row having its own temperature control to ensure the most suitable temperature for each individual.

2023 Toyota Highlander Performance

2023 Toyota Highlander Engine

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V6 3.5L engine that produces a maximum output of 295 horsepower and a peak torque of 356 Nm

The 2023 Toyota Highlander comes with two engine options

  • The first is a V6 3.5L engine that produces a maximum output of 295 horsepower and a peak torque of 356 Nm. Power is transmitted through an 8-speed automatic transmission with a wider gear ratio than the previous generation's CVT, resulting in fuel savings of up to 17%.
  • The second engine option is a combination of a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor that generates 240 horsepower. With this option, it can be seen that it is less powerful than its predecessor.

Both engine options offer customers a choice between front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

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The second engine option is a combination of a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor that generates 240 horsepower

Driving Sensation

With two equipped engines, the Toyota Highlander 2023 provides the driver with a very authentic and powerful driving sensation. However, this is not the best option if customers have high requirements for off-road capabilities. The 2023 Toyota Highlander is integrated with three driving modes including Normal, Eco and Sport for a more exciting driving experience on many roads.

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With two equipped engines, the Toyota Highlander 2023 provides the driver with a very authentic and powerful driving sensation

2023 Toyota Highlander Safety Features

No one spends billions of dollars to bring home a car that doesn't meet the necessary safety standards. The 2023 Toyota Highlander is equipped with all the necessary safety features that a luxury car should have. Specifically:

  • Adaptive cruise control system at all speeds;
  • Lane departure warning with steering support;
  • Forward collision warning;
  • Emergency automatic braking;
  • Pedestrian detection system, sign recognition;
  • Lane keeping assist system.
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The 2023 Toyota Highlander is equipped with all the necessary safety features that a luxury car should have

Conclusion

Pros and cons - Should you buy it or not?

Advantages:

  • Luxurious and modern exterior;
  • Quality interior and convenient equipment;
  • Powerful and stable operation;
  • Authentic driving experience;
  • Fuel-efficient;
  • Full safety equipment.

Disadvantages:

  • The third row seat doesn't provide as much comfort as the first two rows.
  • The vehicle is limited when driving on rough and difficult terrain.
  • The engine of the standard version is inferior to its competitors in the same segment.

Should Buy or Shouldn't Buy

It must be said that the 2023 Toyota Highlander is a desirable luxury SUV. The weaknesses of the previous generation have all been replaced with new upgrades. Toyota spared no expense in equipping this vehicle with modern technology and features to make buyers feel that they are getting their money's worth. If you have the means to own a luxurious and spacious vehicle for transporting a large family or carrying a lot of cargo, then the 2023 Toyota Highlander is certainly not a bad choice.

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The Toyota Highlander 2023 is facing fierce competition with rivals such as the Mazda CX-9, Ford Explorer, and Honda Pilot on the market. Overall, these car models are equally good, with each having strengths in certain aspects while being inferior in others.

In terms of exterior design and interior space, the 2023 Toyota Highlander shows its superiority compared to its competitors. It's evident that the new platform has been effective. However, regarding the engine, the 2023 Toyota Highlander is modest compared to other cars in the same segment, especially in the standard version.

Video Toyota Highlander 2023 Review


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