Toyota’s Highlander is one of the most popular three-row mid-sized SUVs with seating for up to eight. It gets many things right, especially with its safety features. It is an excellent choice for families as it provides versatility similar to a minivan but is usually easier to maneuver and fun to drive. The vehicle has received multiple accolades for its safety attributes. Keep reading to learn more about the salient features of this SUV.

Choosing from the available variants
The Toyota Highlander has six trim variants – Platinum, Limited, XSE, XLE, LE, and L. The Toyota Highlander prices start at $37,755, including the destination. However, the price for the Platinum variant stands at around $50,410.

Engine, performance, and transmission
The Highlander has a 2.4 liter, four-cylinder engine that generates 265 hp. It pairs with the eight-speed automatic transmission, and you can choose from the all or front-wheel drive. In the Hybrid variant , the two electric motors and the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine team up to deliver 243 hp. The model has a continually variable automatic transmission (CVT), and you can choose between the all-wheel and front-wheel drive.

Employing Toyota’s hybrid expertise, the powertrain offers buyers something more fuel efficient than the standard model without compromising performance. In the hybrid model, the vehicle goes from 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds. Its handling could be better, but it is stable and ideal for a family- chauffeur duty.

Real-world MPG and fuel economy
Its turbocharged engine is good for 24 mpg, but naturally, the Hybrid models will have better ratings than the gasoline-only version. The front-wheel drive models earn 35 mpg on the highway and 36 mpg in the city.

Cargo and passenger capacity
You get eight seats across three rows in the Highlander LE and L variants. In the other trims, the second row can seat seven. You can get the second-row bench seat on the Limited and XLE variant at zero added price . With all the rows up, Highlander provides a sedan-like cargo space of 16 cubic feet. When you fold its third row, it opens up 48.4 cubic feet. However, if you put down both the rear rows, the Highlander can accommodate up to 84.3 cubic feet. Hence, Highlander is indeed one of the most cargo-friendly midsized crossovers.

Connectivity and infotainment
The car has a standard 8.0-inch infotainment system in most of its trims. However, Platinum and Highlander Limited have a 12.3-inch display. In addition, they also have a secondary 12.3-inch screen that works as a gauge cluster. Mid-range XSE and XLE offer an option to opt for the 12.3-inch infotainment system while still employing the analog gauges from the lower-end variants. Another crucial infotainment feature in the car is the JBL 11-speaker audio system. The vehicle also allows Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay integration for all models. In addition, the 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and SiriusXM satellite radio are also available. Its wireless charging pad is optional and integrates with the dashboard underneath the infotainment display.

Safety features
Every Highlander has various safety attributes like automatic high beams, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and road sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring is also engineered with the cross-traffic rear alert in the LE and above variants. The surround-view camera is standard on Platinum and optional on the Limited ($850). Lastly, the head-up display and review camera is unique to Platinum.

The Highlander is worth a try if you need a versatile mid-sized SUV with a bevy of driver assistance, tech features, and a nice interior. However, you can find many other great options in this jam-packed and competitive segment. The Highlander is a good SUV with comfortable and spacious seating in the first two rows, an upmarket cabin, and an updated infotainment system rich with features. Its handling and ride are composed, and the turbo-four engine also earns accolades for high torque. The SUV is also ideal for long road trips because it can handle off-road terrain. Contact the nearest dealership or book a test drive to understand the vehicle’s features better.