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Identifying the First-Gen Ford Mustang2020 Toyota Highlander: Boldly Redesigned Inside and Out
With an all-new redesign, the 2020 Toyota Highlander offers more standard features and amenities than ever before, making it a true SUV-class competitor.
2020 Toyota Highlander – pressroom.toyota.com | Shop 2020 Toyota Highlander on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2020 Toyota Highlander
The 2020 Toyota Highlander gets an all-new redesign that focuses on more style for the outside and more technology on the inside. Toyota upgraded its safety with its latest Advanced Driving Assistance System (ADAS) suite.
The only four-cylinder engines that will be available for 2020 will be on the hybrid trim levels, which now get better gas mileage than the previous Highlander hybrids. The standard four-cylinder was dropped from 2019 on all non-hybrid trim models, those will receive the V6 engine carried over from last year.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will now be available along with some other great technologies. The Highlander itself is 2.4 inches longer than the 2019 models. Toyota claims it for more third-row passenger space or cargo space, but some complain that the third-row is still pretty cramped.
The Breakdown
More advanced safety features
V6 standard on all non-hybrid options
A hybrid that is only $1,400 more
Better looking exterior
Nicer interior materials
Third row is still a little cramped
Third row cargo area isn’t great
Too much going on in the dashboard
2020 Toyota Highlander Specs
- 295 horsepower from base engine
- 263 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 84.3 cu-ft. of cargo capacity
- Towing capacity of 5,000 lbs
- 8-inch touchscreen display
- Toyota Safety Sense 2.0
- 36 month/36,000 mile Bumper-to-Bumper
2020 Toyota Highlander Powertrain
All non-hybrid 2020 Toyota Highlander trim models come with the same 3.5-liter V6 engine mated up to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on most models with an all-wheel-drive option. Pumping out 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque is good enough to get this mid-size SUV from 0-60 in roughly 6.7 seconds.
The hybrid Highlander LE, XLE, and Limited trim models come with a 2.5-liter Atkison-Cycle I4 that uses two electric motors and an eCVT transmission to get 243 total horsepower. That is a decrease in power from the 2019 3.5-liter hybrid, but the gas mileage is much better. And thanks to the electric motor setup, you almost feel power instantly throughout the whole powerband. In fact, for a four-cylinder pushing this mid-size SUV, it still does a respectable 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds. These Highlanders also come with a standard front-wheel-drive and an all-wheel-drive option.
Towing & Payload
Towing capacity comes in right around where the rest of the mid-size SUV class ranks. The 2020 Toyota Highlander will tow up to 5,000 pounds. That towing capacity puts it right in the middle for its class. Not the worst, but you’re still limited.
2020 Toyota Highlander Fuel Economy & MPG
We’ll praise the best first. The 2020 Highlander hybrid models get an EPA-estimated 36 city / 35 hwy for fuel economy numbers. The 3.5-liter non-hybrid models come in at an EPA-estimated 21 city / 28 hwy / 24 combined mpg, which is still better than the 2019 non-hybrid Highlanders.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
The interior room for the Highlander is decent, except for the third-row seating, you pretty much have to be a kid to be able to sit back there with comfort. Front-row passengers will get to enjoy 40.4 inches of legroom, and second-row passengers will get a comfy 41.0 inches of legroom, whereas the third-row passengers get 27.7 inches of legroom.
Cargo volume comes in at 16.0 cu-ft behind the third row and 48.4 cu-ft. behind second-row when third-row seats are folded down. With both rows folded down flat, you get a nice 83.3 cu-ft. of max. cargo volume.
Entertainment & Technology
The standard flush 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system comes on all trim models except for the Platinum or upgraded lower-trim models. The 8.0-inch touchscreen is surrounded by shortcut buttons and easy-to-reach turning knobs. Standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa come along with a free 3-month trial subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio. Three USB ports are located around the cabin and an easy-to-read 4.2-inch gauge cluster is standard.
If you move up in class to the Platinum, you will get a 7.0-inch gauge cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment center, a wireless device charging port, a 1,200-watt JBL premium audio system, and an available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Some of these options may be available on other lower-trim models.
Safety Features
Coming standard with all the 2020 Toyota Highlander trim models is the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. This suite of Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) includes Forward Collision Warning with Automatic Braking and Pedestrian Detection, Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Departure Warning, sign reading capability, and Adaptive Cruise Control. On higher trim levels, Blind-Spot Monitoring with Cross-Traffic Alert, and Surround-View Camera system may come standard or can be added on as an option.
2020 Toyota Highlander Trims & Pricing
L – $35,775
Base 2020 Toyota Highlander comes with a standard 3.5-liter V6 connected to an 8-automatic transmission with front-wheel drive. All that power roles on 18-alloy wheels, and to add to the styling of the Highlander, LED headlights and taillights are included. On the inside, you receive an 8.0-inch infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa.
Also coming on the inside is automatic climate control with three zones, a power driver’s seat, a 4.2-inch gauge cluster, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite with Advanced Driving Assistance System (ADAS) features.
LE – $37,975
This Highlander trim comes with LED fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a Blind-Spot Monitoring safety system, and a power liftgate. The hybrid model comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with (eCVT) automatic transmission.
XLE – $40,775
This Highlander may be the sweet spot of the bunch. The XLE trim comes with a 7.0-inch gauge cluster, navigation system display, leather upholstery, heated front seats, power adjustments for the front passenger, second-row captain’s seats, a moonroof, and automatic headlights and high beams.
Limited – $44,825
Stepping up to the Limited Hybrid, you’ll enjoy a little more of a luxurious feel on the inside with ambient interior lighting, wood trim throughout the cabin, ventilated front seats, and a JBL premium audio system. On the outside, you will get to hit the streets with 20-inch wheels, upgraded headlights and running lights, and for easy access, you get a hands-free power liftgate.
Platinum – $48,025
A little bit more expensive, but this Highlander brings the goods with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a head-up display, upgraded leather, a digital rearview mirror, heated second-row seats, a panoramic moonroof, surround-view camera system, adaptive headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and upgrade stylish 20-inch rims.
Warranties
2020 Toyota Highlander warranties are as followed: Bumper-to-Bumper 36 months / 36,000 miles, Powertrain 60 months / 60,000 miles, and Roadside Assistance 24 months / unlimited distance. For certified pre-owned, check with the dealers as options may vary.
What we think
2020 Toyota Highlander – pressroom.toyota.com | Shop 2020 Toyota Highlander on Carsforsale.com
For a mid-sized SUV, the 2020 Toyota Highlander walks in some big-sized shoes. Whether you are looking for a hybrid or a V6 version, they’re both very good choices. And if hybrids are your thing, you only have to fork over an average of $1,400 more for a vehicle that will save you big on gas in the long run.
