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What do our experts think of the 2024 Toyota Highlander? We look at interior quality, technology options, and more in our review.
2024 Toyota Highlander – toyota.com | Shop 2024 Toyota Highlander on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2024 Toyota Highlander?
The 2024 Toyota Highlander is back with 11 different trims, the choice of front or all-wheel drive, and hybrid as well as non-hybrid powertrains. This SUV is all about offering the most value for money and as many options as possible to cover just about any buyer. As such it comes standard with lots of tech, and safety equipment, and can be optioned to almost Lexus-luxury levels.
Toyota’s Highlander SUV receives just a few updates for the 2024 model year. They include the discontinuation of the base L trim along with the Bronze versions of the Hybrid and Hybrid XLE. New for 2024 are the Nightshade editions of the LE and XLE which add black trim. Finally, a hands-free power liftgate is now standard on the XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum.
Carsforsale.com Score
8/10
Powertrain
Score
8/10
Interior
Score
8/10
Technology
Score
8.5/10
Value
Score
7.5/10
The Breakdown
Very fuel efficient
Quiet ride
Excellent safety tech
Numb driving dynamics
Weak hybrid engine
Cramped cargo and third-row
An average SUV for the segment
2024 Highlander Specs
- 265 horsepower from base engine
- 310 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 11 available trims
- 16 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 84.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Available 12.3-inch infotainment screen
- Standard lane-keep assist
- Two years of free maintenance
- Towing capacity of 5,000 lbs
2024 Toyota Highlander Powertrain 8/10
The 2024 Highlander is available with two distinct powertrains. The first is a gas-powered turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. In standard form, it sends that power to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is a $1,600 option across the entire Highlander lineup as a package. We like the gas-only Highlander drivetrain even though it’s far less powerful than the V6 that was available on older Highlander models. The benefit is that it gets up to 21 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway.
The hybrid version is even better at sipping fuel though and gets 36 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. Of course, to achieve that, it ends up giving away performance. Despite the addition of electrification, this 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine makes 243 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. Those are low figures for any vehicle with three rows but somehow Toyota does a decent job of masking just how weak this engine is. The Highlander Hybrid can go from 0-60 mph in about 8 seconds which is, objectively quite slow, but not much worse than rivals.
Sadly, that’s about the last positive thing we can say about the driving dynamics of the Highlander. Overall, driving the Highlander is a boring and unengaging experience. Of course, for some, the idea of a car that isolates one from road feedback the way the Highlander does is a good thing. There’s no doubt that it is quite quiet inside of this SUV.
2024 Toyota Highlander Interior 8/10
That quiet interior does serve as a good reminder about what the Highlander is attempting to achieve. This is an SUV aimed at comfort and reliability above all else. As such, the front seats are supportive, spacious, and well-positioned. The center control stack blends physical and touch controls and the soft-touch surfaces feel great. The fit and finish are above average too. Higher-end trims look especially good since the larger infotainment system fits the space better.
The second row is also quite capable of seating two or three adults in either captain’s chairs or a bench configuration. Some trims even come with heated second-row seats and sunshades. Interestingly, the drivetrain plays a small role in this cabin’s interior space. Those who buy the hybrid get 2.3 inches of additional legroom in the second row. Non-hybrid versions subtract that and add 1.6 inches of legroom for the front passengers.
The third row is very cramped for adults but it’ll be perfect for tykes. Sadly, the addition of the third row limits cargo capacity which caps out at 16 cubic feet. For reference, that’s less than you’ll get in a Honda Accord sedan.
2024 Toyota Highlander Technology Features 8.5/10
Toyota offers two different technology packages in the Highlander starting with an 8-inch infotainment system and a 7-inch digital driver display.
The 8-inch display has a large black bezel but is largely problem-free otherwise. It reacts to touches quickly and still connects to Android, Apple, and Amazon devices seamlessly. The 7-inch display is shrouded by analog gauges and isn’t as configurable as we’d like. Nevertheless, it provides good information at a glance and offers good graphics.
Upper trim levels of the Highlander get a pair of 12.3-inch screens that stand in for the infotainment system and the driver information display. They look far better in the space and they offer better configurability. Integrated navigation and a wireless charging pad are available mid-way through the trim levels and both work well.
Toyota continues to impress on the safety front by offering many vital features as standard. They include forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Buyers who want even more can get a digital rearview mirror, a surround-view camera system, and a heads-up display. On top of all that, the Highlander scored five stars in crash testing with the NHTSA and it’s a Top Safety Pick + according to the IIHS.
2024 Toyota Highlander Trims & Pricing
LE – $40,665
The base Highlander comes with 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, a height-adjustable liftgate, keyless entry, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, an 8-inch infotainment system, a 7-inch digital driver information display, analog gauges, six speakers, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay, and 60/40 split-folding second and third-row seats.
Hybrid LE – $42,365
This Highlander simply adds the hybrid powertrain to the base LE features. It even has the same 18-inch wheels.
Hybrid LE Nightshade – $43,115
This trim adds black 18-inch wheels, a black grille, a black spoiler, and other black exterior trim along with grey seats in the cabin. Otherwise, it’s identical to the Hybrid LE.
XLE – $43,815
This trim gets a sunroof, roof rails, a hands-free liftgate, a wireless smartphone charging pad, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, faux leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, second-row captain’s chairs, and second-row sunshades. Buyers who prefer the bench seat can add it back for free.
XSE – $45,410
This trim adds 20-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, and interior ambient lighting.
Hybrid XLE – $45,515
This trim simply combines the XLE features with the hybrid engine.
Hybrid XLE Nightshade – $46,265
The Hybrid XLE Nightshade is a combination of the normal XLE features with the hybrid engine and the black and grey features of the Nightshade package.
Limited – $47,920
Consider this the first luxurious Highlander as it gets 20-inch wheels, real leather upholstery, power-folding mirrors, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a household-style power outlet, driver’s seat memory functions, a 12.3-inch infotainment system, a 12.3-inch driver information display, 11 speakers, parking sensors, and an intercom system.
Hybrid Limited – $49,620
You guessed it. This trim simply adds the hybrid engine to the Limited trim features.
Platinum – $51,120
Finally, the Platinum gets unique 20-inch wheels, adaptive headlights, a panoramic sunroof, a heads-up display, a digital rearview mirror, heated second-row seats, and a surround-view camera system.
Hybrid Platinum – $52,820
The Hybrid Platinum includes all of the same options as the Platinum trim and adds a hybrid drivetrain.
2024 Toyota Highlander Overall Value 7.5/10
Many years ago the Highlander would be a serious contender for the best value in this market but back then cars like the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Mazda CX-90 didn’t exist. Now that they do, Toyota is going to have to respond with something better than the Highlander. It’s already gone that in a way with the all-new Grand Highlander, but if it wants the original Highlander to be competitive again it’ll need to update the engines and the tech and maybe give this SUV something unique to help it stand out in a crowded field.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 8/10
2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid – toyota.com | Shop 2024 Toyota Highlander on Carsforsale.com
There’s no question that the Highlander is a perfectly fine vehicle but it’s not a leader in any facet. For those looking for average, it’s perfect but buyers typically want the very most bang for their buck and it can’t be had in the Highlander.
2024 Toyota Highlander FAQ
How much is the 2024 Toyota Highlander?
The Highlander starts at $40,665 and can cost as much as $52,820.
Does the 2024 Toyota Highlander have a hybrid engine?
The 2024 Toyota Highlander offers a hybrid powertrain.
Does the 2024 Toyota Highlander have a third-row?
Yes though it’s cramped so don’t expect to put adults back there.
