The 2023 Toyota Highlander.Doug Firby/The Globe and Mail
Toyota’s three-row SUV has been a family favourite since it made its debut in 2001. Now in its fourth generation, the 2023 Highlander has been refreshed with a new engine and an updated top-of-the-line Platinum model for travellers who want optimum comfort on those long vacation drives.
With modest off-road capabilities, the seven-passenger Highlander is made for, at worst, a little gravel on the way to the cottage. Pavement is its true home, and that’s where it shines with its emphasis on a quiet and cozy cabin. And indeed, the Platinum offers much in the way of comfort for drivers and passengers alike. Consider just a few of many features:
- Leather seats in a striking Glazed Caramel colour are heated and vented. The front seats are eight-way adjustable, and have lumbar support and memory settings for different drivers.
- A premium JBL sound system fills the quiet cabin with concert-hall level sound.
- A 12.3-inch speedometer/tachometer digital display is complemented with a head-up feature and 12.3-inch infotainment display.
- There’s tech galore, including USB and USB-C outlets, wireless charging and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
Toyota has also kept the advanced all-wheel-drive system it introduced in 2020. Available in the XLT and Platinum models, this system varies torque distribution between the left and right rear wheels to improve response on winding pavement. The technology makes the Platinum feel secure and well-planted through corners.
There’s much more – everything you would expect in a luxury family vehicle. And yet, for all its assets, the Highlander Platinum disappoints in a few key areas.
The car's leather seats come in a striking Glazed Caramel colour and are heated and vented.Doug Firby/The Globe and Mail
The first is performance. This year, Toyota has replaced the 3.5-litre V6 engine with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder. Horsepower drops slightly and torque is up marginally, which means it largely matches the power of the previous engine. Yet key competitors have at least 20 more horsepower.
Hard acceleration triggers a stress-inducing roar from under the hood of this 2,645-kilogram vehicle. With fuel economy not significantly improved over the V6, you may wonder how this engine is an improvement. A $1,200 hybrid option improves fuel economy dramatically and is probably worth the upgrade.
Toyota claims the Highlander can tow up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds). I’m sure it can, but it can’t be much fun with little reserve horsepower for passing.
Cargo capacity is also disappointing for a vehicle that aspires to replace a minivan. Space behind the third row is 453 litres, well below the Kia Telluride/Hyundai Palisade capacity of 594 litres and Honda Pilot’s 527 litres. Legroom in the third row basically rules out average-sized adults – 70.4 centimetres, well below the Telluride/Palisade’s 79.8 centimetres.
The exterior keeps the same lines as the 2020 refresh, recognizably Highlander and as inoffensive as it is uninspiring. One could imagine it virtually disappearing into the suburban landscape. The Platinum comes with its own polished-aluminum 20-inch wheels, an upgrade from lower trim levels.
For all these shortcomings, the Platinum is still a refined family vehicle that represents decent value in the mid-$50,000 price range, especially given Toyota’s hard-fought reputation for durability. Yet, several capable competitors offer more space, power and a healthy dose of extra driving fun. In this highly competitive field, the Highlander Platinum achieves not much more than a “meh.”
Tech specs
Modern, inoffensive and generic, the Highlander certainly won’t upset any of your neighbours. Nor will it inspire envy.Doug Firby/The Globe and Mail
2023 Toyota Highlander Platinum
- Base price/as tested: $53,890/$55,760 plus $1,930 freight and predelivery inspection
- Engine: 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
- Transmission/drive: Eight-speed automatic/all-wheel drive
- Fuel economy (litres per 100 kilometres): 11 city/8.4 highway
- Alternatives: Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-90
Looks
Modern, inoffensive and generic, the Highlander certainly won’t upset any of your neighbours. Nor, however, will it inspire envy. The LED headlamps are unchanged from the 2020 refresh, and the Platinum comes with 20-inch alloy wheels. It looks like one of those vehicles you see on TV where you can’t tell what the brand is. Take off the Toyota badge and it’s just another family-sized SUV.
Interior
The beautiful Glazed Caramel colour on the plush leather seats, with adjustable lumbar support, sets a classy note, accented by the subtle grey/tan wood accents on the door panels and console. Gauges are large and easy to read. Infotainment controls are mostly intuitive. A massive panoramic roof creates a sense of openness. At highway speeds, the interior is quiet enough to let you fully enjoy the premium sound system.
Performance
Adequate can be such a hurtful word, but it is the best we can say about the turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the only power choice offered in this large vehicle. It puts out 264 horsepower, down slightly from the V6 engine it replaces, but improves torque to 310 lb-ft. If you don’t mind the excited noises the engine makes when you push it to pass, it’ll get the job done.
Technology
A 12.3-inch speedometer/tachometer digital display is complemented with a head-up feature and 12.3-inch infotainment display.Doug Firby/The Globe and Mail
Toyota has loaded this vehicle with the kind of tech you expect in a premium family vehicle. In addition to its truly impressive Star Safety System (including smart stop, stability control, anti-lock brakes, traction control and electronic brake force distribution), the goodies include but are not limited to: head-up display, heated and ventilated seats, a digital rear-view mirror, folding side mirrors, a 12.3-inch touch screen display and hands-free power liftgate.
Cargo
The space is adequate for a typical family of four, but – alas – not as generous as some of its competitors such as the Telluride/Palisade duet.
The verdict
This is a good vehicle produced by a company with remarkably strong reliability ratings. But it is facing some daunting competition. It does offer a truly quiet ride and luxurious interior, but acceleration is mediocre, handling is not for those who seek the joy of driving and fuel economy is not measurably improved over the V6 engine the turbo-four replaces.
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