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The headline change is a brand new engine, and it’s a little bit of a head-scratcher.
Toyota has dropped the favored V6 from the Highlander lineup in favor of a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. It gives 265 horsepower – 30 fewer than the outgoing 6-cylinder.
If you happen to drove the 2 again to again, you most likely wouldn’t care. The brand new engine gives 309 lb-ft of torque, so it ought to really feel barely extra highly effective at neighborhood speeds. However, surprisingly, it’s no more fuel-efficient. The brand new engine will get precisely the identical 24 mpg mixed because the outdated one, Toyota says.
Highlander Hybrid fashions get the identical 243-horsepower powertrain as what’s at the moment provided. The Highlander Hybrid returns 36 mpg mixed in front-wheel drive (FWD) and 35 mpg with all-wheel drive (AWD).
There aren’t any vital exterior modifications. Inside, it’s a special story.
Each trim degree will get an even bigger driver’s instrument show. It’s nonetheless small on the L and LE trims, at 7 inches. However the tiny 4.2-inch display screen of prior years is gone. Larger trims get a 12.3-inch show.
All Highlanders get a brand new infotainment system. It’s nonetheless simply 8 inches on L and LE fashions, however a 12.3-inch model is non-compulsory for these two and commonplace on larger trims. It runs the identical working system as the most recent Lexus NX, including pure language recognition, over-the-air updates, and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto performance.
Designers additionally got here to their senses and moved the non-compulsory wi-fi telephone charging pad to a shelf in straightforward attain, slightly than hiding it within the middle console.
Different modifications embrace a foot-activated energy liftgate on XLE and XSE fashions and power-folding mirrors on Restricted and Platinum editions.
Toyota hasn’t introduced pricing for the 2023 Highlander. We don’t anticipate a major change from 2022’s $35,855 beginning worth.