2020 Toyota Highlander Review | Family Road-trip Extraordinaire

Consider the Toyota Highlander a Lexus RX with a massive discount. It might not turn too many heads, but no other midsize SUV delivers this level of peace and tranquility.

Shop for the new 2020 Toyota Highlander on CarGurus: https://cargur.us/C7HnS

Midsize three-row SUVs are all spacious and powerful, but only the Toyota Highlander reaches the premium threshold for passenger comfort. Redesigned for 2020, the Highlander's revised styling and technology are secondary to its silent operation, soft ride, and cosseting interior. The upper trims feel and drive just like a Lexus, without the upcharge. There is nothing exciting about a Highlander, and yet, there is no other SUV in the $35,000 to $50,000 range that feels so effortless and tranquil.

The Highlander comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Unlike competitors that have turbochargers and four-cylinder engines with smaller displacements, this large V6 delivers brisk acceleration without any labor. It's also the powertrain in the Lexus RX, so that means it's smooth and practically silent at idle. The eight-speed automatic transmission makes full use of the engine's 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, though it takes a heavy foot to initiate a kickdown. It's a lazy lump, just like a Mercedes V6, but when prompted it'll hustle to speed.

The Highlander seats eight, or seven with the second-row captain's chairs standard on Limited and Platinum trims and a no-cost option on the XLE. Three-zone climate is standard. Upper trims have a 120-volt outlet for the rear, plus side window shades and a heated second row. Only the Platinum comes with the large panoramic moonroof. Cargo space is generous, too, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second, and 84 when both are folded. Six tie-down hooks help secure loose items, while the hybrid has a second 120-volt outlet in the cargo area.

Even though this is a new Highlander, Toyota still hasn't run its infotainment system through the wash in what feels like a decade. The maps aren't as detailed as competitors, there are no onboard apps (you have to use a connected phone in a slow, convoluted process), and the screen and 360-degree cameras are low-resolution.

A suite of electronic assists and safety features, called Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, is standard. It includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear emergency braking are optional. A driver's knee airbag and a special cushion airbag for the front passenger are standard.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet rated the 2020 Highlander. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded it a 2020 Top Safety Pick for scoring the top rating in all six crash tests, the optional headlights, and for emergency braking when tested against cars and pedestrians.

The 2020 Highlander starts at an MSRP of $34,600 for the base L. Of the five trim levels, the XLE is the best value in the low $40,000 range. Our Limited tester was $47,825. Fully loaded with extra-charge paint and destination, the Highlander tops out at $50,400—a very sound value considering how it drives and feels like a Lexus 100 percent of the time. Toyota includes two years of maintenance and roadside assistance. While the Highlander should handle better for a brand-new SUV, its quality, breadth of technology, and comfort more than make up for its shortcomings.

For more information on the 2020 Toyota Highlander, read Cliff’s full review on CarGurus: https://cargur.us/C7Hmn

Presenter: Clifford Atiyeh
Cinematography: https://www.VennCreativeMedia.com
Written review: Clifford Atiyeh

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0:00 Introducing the 2020 Toyota Highlander
0:51 Seating in the Highlander
1:52 Exterior Styling Impressions
2:29 Interior Impressions
3:21 Infotainment System and Safety Features
5:08 Driving Impressions
7:55 Fuel Economy
8:48 Compared to the Competition & Final Thoughts