Here’s What the 2023 Toyota Highlander Gets Right
The Toyota Highlander is like the superhero of the SUV world, swooping in to save the day with its remarkable blend of style, space, and pizzazz. It’s the vehicular equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, ready to tackle anything from grocery hauls to cross-country road trips. With more seating options than a game of musical chairs at a family reunion, the Highlander welcomes passengers like a party host on a red carpet. And the 2023 Toyota Highlander price? Too reasonable! It might be worth a look, though.
Are Toyota Highlanders reliable?
When you consider the Toyota Highlander price, it is one of the more reliable midsize SUVs on the market. It has three rows of space and plenty of family-friendly features throughout the cabin. Toyota stays up-to-date with technology in the Highlander, and the infotainment system is easy to use. We are big fans after spending a week with the Highlander Limited in Cypress Green.
According to U.S. News and J.D. Power, the 2023 Toyota Highlander has a predicted reliability score of 81 out of 100. While that lands it in the “great” section, the Toyota brand has reliability under control. The 2023 Highlander continues with its dependable nature and is one of the more reliable options in the midsize SUV category.
| 2023 Toyota Highlander Trim | MSRP |
| L | $36,420 |
| LE | $38,820 |
| XLE | $41,820 |
| XSE | $43,415 |
| Bronze Edition | $45,980 |
| Limited | $46,075 |
| Platinum | $49,275 |
| Hybrid LE | $40,620 |
| Hybrid XLE | $43,620 |
| Hybrid Limited | $47,875 |
| Hybrid Platinum | $51,075 |
You can get into a reliable Toyota Highlander base model for $36,420, which is about average for the segment. A fully-loaded 2023 Highlander Platinum will run you $49,275. We had the Limited trim, and it was a good mix of additional features and creature comforts. The $46,075 Toyota Highlander price tag might be too high for some shoppers, which is understandable. For under $40,000, the base L and LE trims still come pretty well equipped.
Does the Toyota Highlander have comfortable seats?
After testing out all of the seats in our Toyota Highlander test vehicle, this SUV has comfort figured out. Toyota always takes a more driver-centered approach that is obvious from the driver’s seat. All controls are within reach, and the important ones are easy to locate. Since we had the Limited trim, the leather upholstery and ventilated front seats were a big hit. All of the seats in the cabin were comfortable and spacious, which is important for toting adults around.
It also has a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and an upgraded audio system from JBL. Perfect for blasting Taylor Swift’s newest re-recording, speaking from personal experience. The hands-free power liftgate was a major plus, allowing you to open the back door just by waving your leg around to open it. It takes some getting used to if you’ve never done that before (ask my neighbors). It can be added to other Toyota Highlander trims for a price.
Our test vehicle had captain’s chairs in the second row, which were easy to get in and out of. It also made it easier to climb into the third row. These can be swapped out from the factory for free if you need that extra seat. It brings the total seating down to seven, making the back row more usable. Those looking for a comfortable SUV might appreciate all of the different configurations that Toyota’s reliable SUV offers.
Does the Toyota Highlander get good fuel economy?
Depending on the Toyota Highlander price range you land in, all trim levels offer a pretty good fuel economy. Toyota uses a 2.4L four-cylinder turbo engine with front-wheel drive in most base trim levels. That works out to about 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, enough to keep you on the road for the work week. All-wheel drive is available, but drops the fuel economy to 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
If that isn’t quite enough, there are four hybrid powertrain options. These come with front or all-wheel drive and get around 35 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The Limited trim provided the promised fuel economy and was sometimes better. While there was some highway driving, most of our test route was city driving with plenty of air conditioning. The Highlander’s fuel economy estimates were accurate.
No matter how you plan to use the Toyota Highlander, it is probably a sensible choice. It won’t be the fastest SUV on the road or the biggest, but the midsize delivers on reliability, comfort, and fuel economy as promised. The biggest problem associated with the Highlander is having to choose between so many trim options. It could be worse.
