2023 Toyota Highlander Ditches the V-6, Adds Tech, Raises Prices
compete with: Ford Explorer, Honda Passport, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Volkswagen Atlas
Motors: New 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque (gas versions); 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and 243-horsepower alternator (hybrid); Front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive
Hit Agents: Later October
2023 Toyota Highlander Ditches the V-6, Adds Tech, Raises Prices The Toyota Highlander 2023 will take the streets without one of its defining features for more than a decade, replacing its gas-powered 3.5-liter V-6 with a new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that’s now standard on every non-hybrid Highlander. Toyota says the four-turbo engine will give the Highlander similar capabilities to its V-6 predecessor while significantly reducing emissions. The automaker is also upgrading both standard and available interior technology for various trims, bringing the Highlander’s interior more in line with what we’ve seen from other recent Toyotas. The 2023 Highlander will cost anywhere from $565 to $2,065 more than the 2022 model, depending on the trim level.
2023 Toyota Highlander Ditches the V-6, Adds Tech, Raises Prices
What hasn’t changed for 2023 is the Highlander’s exterior design. However, there is a nice new Cypress Green exterior paint option, shown in these photos. The Bronze Edition and XSE both date back to 2023 as well. Seating in the three-row SUV remains for either eight passengers with second-row seats or seven with second-row captain seats, which are standard on higher trims.
The gas-only Highlander’s towing capacity is still 5,000 pounds with the turbocharged engine, and all Highlander versions (including the hybrid) come standard with trailer sway control.
Toyota says the turbocharged engine will be EPA-rated at up to 25 mpg combined, which would be a slight improvement over the V-6’s maximum 24 mpg combined. Importantly, the automaker says the new engine will reduce nitrous oxide and non-methane emissions by up to 50% compared to the V-6, and CO2 emissions are also reduced.
2023 Toyota Highlander Ditches the V-6, Adds Tech, Raises Prices
The 2023 Highlander Hybrid retains its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and twin electric generators, producing an overall system output of 243 horsepower and rated at 36 mpg combined. The Highlander Hybrid has a towing capacity of more than 3,500 lbs.
Every version of the Highlander is available with front or all-wheel drive. The gas-powered Highlander L, LE and XLE trims get a less advanced AWD system, while the XSE, Limited and Platinums get a more advanced system with additional torque vectoring and driveline separation capabilities for improved fuel economy.
2023 Toyota Highlander Ditches the V-6, Adds Tech, Raises Prices
A 12.3-inch touchscreen is also standard on the Bronze Hybrid and available on the XLE and XSE—the latter two come standard with an 8-inch touchscreen. Both screens are touchscreen as standard. The trim under the Limited and Platinum versions comes standard with a 7-inch dashboard screen between actual gauges — a carryover from 2022 for the XLE and XSE, but an upgrade on the 4.2-inch screen on the 2022 L and LE.
Pricing and release date
Toyota says the 2023 Highlander will go on sale later this month. AWD remains a $1,600 option for 2023 models. Full price, including destination, is below:
gas only
- L: $37,755 (an increase of $565)
- fairy: $40,155 ($765 extra)
- XLE: $43,155 ($765 increase)
- XSE: $44,750 (an increase of $765)
- Limited: $47,410 (increase of $2,065)
- Platinum: $50410 (increase of $1,065)
hybrid
- fairy: $41,555 (an increase of $665)
- XLE: $44,555 (an increase of $665)
- Bronze Edition: $47,115 (increase of $1,900)
- Limited: $48,810 ($965 increase)
- Platinum: $51,810 ($965 increase)
Prices for the 2023 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid are competitive with and, which is quickly becoming the gold standard for three-row SUVs.
