Five Things to Know About the 2020 Toyota Highlander

Published on January 30, 2020 in Previews by Germain Goyer

The all-new, fourth-generation 2020 Toyota Highlander premiered way back in April of last year at the New York Auto Show. This midsize SUV with seating for up to eight is positioned between the best-selling RAV4 and the rugged 4Runner in the company’s lineup.

Here are five things you need to know about the 2020 Highlander:

Gasoline V6

The new Highlander comes standard with a 3.5-litre V6 engine that produces 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. Gear shifts are handled by an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base trim offers front-wheel drive only; all the others feature all-wheel drive.

This powertrain allows the Highlander to tow up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds).

Hybrid

Unsurprisingly, the hybrid option returns for 2020. Derived from the system in the RAV4 Hybrid, it combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a pair of electric motors and a CVT in a more compact and more efficient package than the previous generation. The battery is located under the rear seat.

Total system output amounts to 240 horsepower. However, you have to sacrifice some towing capacity, as the Highlander Hybrid is rated at 1,588 kilograms (3,500 pounds).

Fuel Economy

The gasoline-powered 2020 Toyota Highlander achieves 10.3 L/100 km in a mix of city and highway driving according to Natural Resources Canada. It’s the same rating for FWD and AWD models, by the way.

As for the hybrid variant, combined fuel economy stands at 6.9 L/100 km, an improvement of 17 percent from the previous generation.

Pricing

Customers will find the base 2020 Toyota Highlander starting at $42,329, which includes freight and delivery charges. Adding AWD requires a premium of at least $3,500.

Meanwhile, the Highlander Hybrid is priced from $47,829. The most expensive model in the lineup is the Highlander Hybrid Platinum at $58,329.

Safety First

This is one super-safe SUV. Standard content includes Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, an advanced suite of active safety technologies such as a Pre-Collision System with Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist and Road Edge Detection, Automatic High Beams and Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

Don't miss our review of the 2020 Toyota Highlander!