With the Highlander, things are always the same. The quality is good, reliability is excellent, while sales numbers are great. Also, some things are still missing, such as more space in the third row and a little bit more character. That’s why the 2023 Toyota Highlander is about to come with a major update if we can trust our sources. Unfortunately, the officials are still quiet about this.
The next year’s model is expected to bring a lot of changes. Among them, the biggest one will probably be a new version called Grand Highlander, which with features a longer wheelbase and more space in the third row. On the other hand, the standard model is expected to get new styling, along with a few more revisions. The powertrain lineup will probably remain the same, while there is always room for the new standard and available features.
We expect to see the 2023 Toyota Highlander sometime in the second half of 2022.
2023 Toyota Highlander Redesign
The 2023 Toyota Highlander will represent the fourth production year of the current generation and that’s why many expect to see a mid-cycle refresh. At this point, there is still no official confirmation but we presume that this update would bring typical changes. In other words, we would see a couple of styling changes, particularly at the front. Besides the new front fascia, the new model could also come with a couple of mechanical updates, especially in terms of the suspension setup.
Still, the biggest novelty will certainly be the introduction of a long-wheelbase version, which would come as the 2023 Toyota Grand Highlander. This model would come with a bigger distance between the axles, which in practice means more room for the passenger. We presume that the goal is to improve the third-row passenger room, which is currently one of the weakest points of the standard Highlander.
Interior
As we’ve just mentioned, the tight third row is one of the biggest drawbacks of the standard Highlander but we expect that the Grand Highlander would bring notable improvements in this aspect. On the other hand, the first two rows would probably offer the same amount of room, which is quite typical for the class. Of course, the cargo volume would increase notably as well. For reference, the standard model is good for about 16 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 48.4 cubic feet behind the second and 84.3 of the total cargo volume.
On the other hand, we don’t expect changes regarding dashboard design. The current model already looks pretty nice in this aspect, offering attractive aesthetics, nice materials and lots of tech features. The overall build quality is very good for the class.
Features
As we’ve just mentioned, novelties in this aspect are always possible. Still, we should keep in mind that the current model already stands pretty well in this aspect, so updates will probably be subtle. For reference, the current model comes standard with goodies like tri-zone climate control, an 8-inch touch screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, five USB ports, Bluetooth, satellite radio, a six-speaker stereo, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. Additionally, you can get goodies like a 12.3-inch touch screen, wireless device charging, navigation, 11-speaker JBL premium stereo, moonroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a universal garage door opener, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster display, ambient interior lighting, a household-style power outlet, panoramic moonroof etc.
When it comes to safety features, the current model comes equipped with forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, automatic high-beam headlights, lane trace assist, traffic sign recognition, a rearview camera etc. Also, there are upgrades like blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view parking camera system, adaptive headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a rearview mirror camera, and a head-up display.
2023 Toyota Highlander Engines
Under the hood, the 2023 Toyota Highlander will continue with two familiar powertrain options on the offer. Standard models will continue with a 3.5-liter V6, which puts out around 295 horsepower and which moves this large SUV with authority. Also, it comes in pair with a well-designed, smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission.
Of course, there is also a hybrid version, based on a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with a total output of 240 horsepower. Driving dynamics are pretty good, while we particularly like the fuel economy. This version returns around 36 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.
2023 Toyota Highlander Release Date and Price
We expect that the updated 2023 Toyota Highlander will arrive sometime in the second half of 2022. Base models should go around $37.000, while the new Grand Highlander will probably cost around 40.000 dollars. Key competitors are models like Ford Explorer, Chevy Traverse, Honda Pilot etc.