The 2023 Toyota Highlander is an excellent midsize 3-row SUV with seating for up to eight. It gets a lot of things right, especially safety. We expect the 2023 Toyota Highlander to start at around $35,500.
Since the Highlander’s appeal is primarily as family transport, potential buyers will be reassured by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) making it a Top Safety Pick+, the institute’s highest accolade. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also awarded the Highlander its maximum 5-Star overall score.
This generation of Highlander midsize SUV launched for 2020, so there’s plenty of up-to-the-minute technology. This year, Toyota has given the top two trims dual 12.3-inch displays, a feature that’s becoming increasingly popular from Mercedes-Benz down to Kia.
Then there are the usual Toyota traits of great build quality, reliability, and robust resale values. There’s an even more fuel-efficient version, the 2023 Highlander Hybrid SUV (reviewed separately).
2023 Toyota Highlander Pricing
A manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of around $35,500, plus a destination charge, is expected for the first of the 2023 Highlander SUV trims: the L with front-wheel drive. At the other end of the pricing spectrum, the Platinum should be close to $48K.
All-wheel drive is available at every trim level, costing either $1,600 or $2,000 (or thereabouts), depending on the trim level.
For context, the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Subaru Ascent, Nissan Pathfinder, Volkswagen Atlas, and Chevrolet Traverse are all in the mid-$30K range, with the Honda Pilot starting at around $38K.
Before buying a new Highlander midsize SUV, check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area paid for theirs. The Highlander performs well in the arena of resale values.
Driving the 2023 Toyota Highlander
From a performance perspective, there was nothing especially lacking in the V6 that powered the Highlander SUV up until this model year. Now the new turbocharged 4-cylinder unit develops more thrust, which you’ll feel when moving away from a standstill and when calling on maximum muscle to make it up steep climbs.
The sport-tuned suspension in the XSE version might bring a slightly mischievous glint to a driver’s eye when driving solo on back roads, but life in a 2023 Highlander is generally quite relaxed.
An optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) system includes Multi-Terrain Select with Mud & Sand and Rock & Dirt modes. Don’t mistake the Highlander for an off-roader, though.
From the XSE version and up, all-wheel drive also includes torque vectoring, distributing the right amount of power to each wheel, depending on which has the most grip, and tackling corners with utmost efficiency.
When all-wheel drive is not required, the system disconnects power going to the rear wheels, optimizing fuel economy. But it can kick back in again as soon as conditions dictate.
Interior Comfort
The quality of cabin materials is at the upper end of the mainstream midsize SUV category. Even though the 2023 Highlander is relatively pricey for its class, buyers shouldn’t feel short-changed. At the posher end of the Highlander range, the Limited and Platinum models have acoustic glass for the front side windows for extra sound insulation.
Eight occupants can fit into the L and LE trims. The XLE and Limited versions have a pair of captain’s chairs in row two, bringing the posterior count down to seven, but offer the option of a 3-person bench seat. Those captain’s chairs are non-negotiable in the XSE and Platinum variants.
Space in the first two rows is plentiful. Legroom for the second row is a generous 41 inches. It’s in the third row that legroom — 27.7 inches — things get tight.
One little change this year is that, where it’s fitted, the wireless charging pad moves to a more convenient spot. And speaking of convenience, every new Highlander 3-row SUV comes with eight cup holders, six bottle holders, and a concave conversation mirror to help the driver keep tabs on those in the back.
Exterior Styling
A careful corporate styling approach means the 2023 Highlander doesn’t make any visual statements that might be considered too bold. If it’s pleasing, great. If not, it’s probably still tolerable. From the XSE trim and up, there’s a little more swagger with 20-inch alloy wheels.
This year, Limited and Platinum trims gain power-folding side mirrors, which are nice to have in tight parking spots. Cypress, a fairly dark green, is a new paint choice.
Favorite Features
DUAL 12.3-INCH DISPLAYS
New for 2023 in the Limited and Platinum trims, one is for driver information, the other for controlling the infotainment system. The driver’s display has four different modes. It’s such a cool thing that we’ll forgive Toyota for giving these modes embarrassingly bad and nonsensical names: Casual, Smart, Tough, and Sporty — inspired by
the Spice Girls, perhaps.
JBL SOUND SYSTEM
Another feature in the two most expensive versions of the 2023 Highlander, sadly. But JBL is part of the same company that includes other illustrious audio brands like Harman Kardon and Mark Levinson. The latter is well known to Lexus owners.
Standard Features
The most affordable new Highlander SUV is the L trim, with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting, keyless entry/ignition, 3-zone automatic climate control, 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and cloth upholstery.
Driver assistance features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assistance, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams.
The infotainment system has an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, Amazon Alexa compatibility, one USB-A port, four USB-C ports, Bluetooth, and satellite radio.
Factory Options
A better choice would be the next-up LE trim, with blind-spot monitoring, LED fog lights, height-adjustable powered tailgate, remote start/lock/unlock (optional in the L), a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and Wi-Fi.
It isn’t until the XLE trim that roof rails are added, along with 18-inch alloy wheels, powered moonroof, wireless charging, heated front seats (now 10-way power-adjustable for the driver and 8-way for the passenger), simulated leather upholstery, and (new this year) hands-free tailgate operation.
The XSE brings a sport-tuned suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels, ambient cabin lighting, and torque vectoring with the optional all-wheel-drive system, but other differences are mainly cosmetic. Both the XLE and XSE are eligible for a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.
The Limited and Platinum models gain dual 12.3-inch displays, plus a heated steering wheel, heated/ventilated front seats, perforated leather seating surfaces (optional in the XSE), Driver Easy Speak (sending the driver’s voice through the rear speakers — optional in the XLE and XSE), 120-volt outlet, front/rear parking sensors with automatic braking, and an 11-speaker/1,200-watt JBL audio system.
Platinum raises the luxury game even higher with adaptive front lighting, rain-sensing wipers, panoramic roof, 360-degree camera system (optional in the Limited), head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and heated second-row seats.
Engine & Transmission
The V6 is no more. This erstwhile 3.5-liter unit has been a mainstay among Toyota engines, but the 2023 Highlander now has greater torque and lower emissions.
A turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine accomplishes this with balancer shafts to smooth out any vibrations. It makes 265 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque. That’s actually 30 fewer horses than before, but 46 more lb-ft, creating better thrust.
Toyota reckons average fuel economy will be about 24 mpg. An engine stop/restart function saves a little gasoline while idling.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) offered as an option. The transmission is an 8-speed automatic.
Maximum towing capacity is 5,000 pounds, the same as before.
2.4-liter turbocharged inline-4
265 horsepower
309 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A
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