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The 2023 Highlander is presented in six grades: L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. The aforementioned new engine, a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, makes 265 hp and 310 lb.-ft. of torque and works with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard in each trim, and all-wheel drive is optional. The maximum towing capacity across the board is 5,000 pounds. According to the EPA’s official fuel economy estimates, the FWD models return an estimated 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. For ’23 Highlanders equipped with AWD, the gas mileage ratings for both city and highway drop by one mile.
The eight-passenger L has heated side mirrors with turn-signal indicators, a windshield wiper de-icer, LED exterior lights, rear privacy glass, proximity entry (Smart Key), push-button start, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, illuminated vanity mirrors, an overhead console with a sunglasses holder and conversation mirror, 14 cup/bottle holders, and 60/40-split second- and third-row seats. The LE adds side mirrors with blind-spot warning indicators, LED fog lights, a power liftgate, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
Besides standard seven-passenger seating, the XLE gets a moonroof, roof rails, heated front seats, a power passenger seat, second-row captain’s chairs with fold-down inboard armrests, first- and second-row synthetic-leather upholstery (SofTex), an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, a wireless phone charger, and second-row sunshades. The sportier XSE welcomes a twin-tip exhaust, black exterior accents, LED-strip daytime running lights, and ambient interior lighting.
The Limited does without the black accents and twin-tip exhaust but is otherwise equipped like the XSE. Its other features of note are high-output LED fog lights, acoustic noise-deadening front side windows, power-folding and reverse gear tilt-down side mirrors with position memory and puddle lights, front door-sill scuff plates, a hands-free liftgate, first- and second-row leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, position memory for the driver’s seat, a heated steering wheel, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and a cargo-area tonneau cover.
The top-of-the-line Platinum adds adaptive front lighting, rain-sensing wipers, illuminated front door-sill scuff plates, a rear bumper scuff plate, a panoramic moonroof, a 10-inch head-up display, and heated second-row seats. Some of those amenities are optional for the less expensive trims, and the bench seat can be swapped back in on trims that get the captain’s chairs by default.
The Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ bundle of advanced driver-assist technologies is standard in the Highlander. It contains automatic high beams, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, and full-speed dynamic radar cruise control. Hill start assist is also standard across the board. The LE and higher get blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Limited and Platinum have front and rear parking sensors with reverse automatic braking. The Platinum is fully loaded with a surround-view camera system, which is available for the Limited.
The L, LE, XLE, and XSE get an infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a six-speaker sound system. The Limited and Platinum are upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen (this is optional for the XLE and XSE) and an 11-speaker JBL audio system with a subwoofer and amplifier (available for the XSE). For connectivity, all trims have five USB ports (one Type-A media and four Type-C charging); the Limited and Platinum also get a 120-volt power outlet is provided.
