While you have many choices than before for a 3-row midsize SUV, the 2020 Toyota Highlander is the most practical one. It can seat up to 8 people comfortably in its cabin and let’s not forget that the Highlander’s the first to start the trend of 3-row midsize SUVs. The 2020 Toyota Highlander presents 5 models, viz. L, LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum.
The Highlander is powered by a 3.5L V6 engine that produces 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft torque paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Hybrid offers a dynamic 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine paired with a Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) and a nickel-metal hydride battery. Toyota has done a great job in making this mid-size SUV so exhilarating to drive with its top-notch interior features.
What is new?
Toyota has fully redesigned the Highlander this year, where you get extra trunk space behind the third row. As part of the fourth-generation model, the Highlander now adds Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The base four-cylinder engine is now discontinued. Coming to the 2020 Toyota Highlander dimensions, the crossover is slightly longer than the previous-generation models and the interior quality is remarkably improved.
How well does it perform?
The Highlander performs remarkably well due to the recent transformations done by Toyota. It offers excellent handling and acceleration from the 3.5L V6, despite the 2020 Toyota Highlander dimensions being quite large. It weighs 4,145 lbs and still, it offers a high combined fuel economy of 23 mpg due to the slick 8-speed automatic.
The powerful V6 equipped model sports an amazing towing capacity of 5,000 lbs, while the hybrid can tow up to 3,500 lbs. The hybrid model sports an even increased combined fuel economy of 35 mpg. The Limited and Platinum models come with the all-wheel-drive system that offers a better road grip by allowing to brake the right and left rear wheels individually. It also features off-road and slick terrain modes to suit different road conditions.
Toyota Highlander Review and Trim levels
All trims are powered by the 3.5L V6 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, where a standard front-wheel drive is offered and all-wheel drive is optional.
Toyota Highlander L
The Toyota Highlander L trim starts at an MSRP of $34,600 and comes with quite a lot of equipment for a base model, where you get some advanced driver-assist features of Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.0. Standard features include Amazon Alexa, in-car WiFi hotspot, five USB ports, satellite radio, a six-speaker audio system. The prominent interior features include :
- A tri-zone automatic climate control
- An 8-inch touchscreen display
- Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
- Eight-way power-adjustable driver seat
- Proximity key
- Rearview camera
- Alloy wheels
Toyota Highlander LE
The 2020 Toyota Highlander LE starts at an MSRP of $36,800, where it adds blind-spot monitoring, power-lifting tailgate, LED fog lamps, extra infotainment features, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The most prominent features include
- Powerlifting tailgate
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- HD Radio
Toyota Highlander XLE
The XLE trim is priced at $39,600 and seats only seven people instead of eight, but you can add a second-row bench seat to seat 8 people. It comes with a 7-inch instrument cluster, second-row captain chairs, wireless charging, a moonroof, and simulated SofTex leather in the first and second rows.
- Larger driver display
- Moonroof
- Simulated synthetic leather seats
- Optional navigation system
Toyota Highlander Limited
The Limited trim starts at an MSRP of $43,650 and offers 20-inch wheels, cooled front seats, satellite navigation, leather-trimmed seats, and a premium 11-speaker JBL stereo, whereas the top Platinum trim adds a panoramic sunroof, an optional 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, head-up instrument display, and a digital side mirror. Prominent features include:
- An optional surround-view camera system
- Available second-row bench seat
- 120 V power outlet
- Hands-free power liftgate
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Heated steering wheel
Toyota Highlander Platinum
The top Platinum trim is priced at around $46,850 and offers every standard feature of the lower trims, while it adds rain-sensing windshield wipers, a head-up display, and adaptive headlamps. The second-row bench seat is not available, though.
- Larger alloys
- Second-row heated seats
- A 10-inch head-up display
- A panoramic moonroof
2020 Toyota Highlander Safety
All 2020 Highlander models come standard with
- Automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection
- Blind-spot warning
- Rear-cross traffic warning and rear park assist.
The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 includes a suite of advanced safety features including:
- Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection
- Full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control
- Automatic high beam
- Road sign detection
- Lane tracing assist and lane departure warning with steering assist.
2020 Toyota Highlander Warranty
The Highlander offers a three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty and a five year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The hybrid model comes with a hybrid-component warranty for 8 years or 100,000 miles. In addition, complimentary scheduled maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles is also offered.
Should you buy the 2020 Toyota Highlander?
The Toyota Highlander is a comfortable and high-performing three-row SUV, however, there is an aggressive competition posed by the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. The Honda Pilot and Volkswagen Atlas remain competitive, too.
Though the Highlander offers a spacious interior, it needs to offer better adjustment in the front and middle seats. The highlander has better second-row legroom than its key rivals. Considering its high fuel economy, top-notch infotainment, and standard safety features for all models, the Highlander is certainly the best value.
It is well equipped even in the base models, although the turbo engines of rivals may be faster than the Highlander. If spacious interiors, high mileage, and better equipment are what you seek, then the 2020 Highlander is hands down the best choice.
As a whole, the 2020 Toyota Highlander is the currently best midsize SUV in the market that offers tons of features to satisfy every customer’s needs. The new Toyota Highlander has better visibility, thanks to the exterior design and the position of the instrument panel. With top-class interior and safety features, you get a comfortable and safe ride for long journeys.
