2024 Toyota Highlander First Drive Review, Colors, Interior – Don’t fix something that isn’t broken. When it comes to mid-cycle product updates, automakers frequently ignore this pretty simple expression. not the case with the Toyota Highlander 2024. Toyota listened to consumer complaints about the fourth-generation Highlander, made the necessary updates, and then called it quits. Some may criticize this strategy as being lazy in the competitive midsize SUV market, where the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade rule the roost, but when a business has as many devoted customers as Toyota, it’s only practical.
While the interior of the 2024 Highlander features some significant technological advancements and a new engine, the outside will remain the same. Toyota welcomed CarBuzz to test the updated Highlander and a few other new cars, and now we’re prepared to tell you whether the enhancements for 2024 are worthwhile.
2024 Toyota Highlander Redesign
Exterior And Interior Design
There was nothing objectionable or startling about the Highlander’s design that necessitated a significant redesign, yet we wouldn’t call it the prettiest or most daring three-row mid-size crossover either. The 2024 model maintains the same appearance as the current iteration, with important differences between some trims, such as the XSE (seen in white), which gets a distinctive front fascia and sporty black wheels. Cypress Green, a fresh hue that has been added to the palette, looks fantastic on the 2024 Toyota Highlander, in our opinion. Toyota will also provide a cool bronze-accented Bronze Edition, but it’s only accessible as a hybrid.
The Highlander’s cabin received the majority of Toyota’s attention throughout the update. Although the technology has advanced, the general layout has not altered. The latest infotainment software from Toyota, which now includes wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and intelligent voice command, is driven by an eight-inch touchscreen as standard. In higher trims, a 12.3-inch display is added, allowing media to be shown on the entire screen rather than only in split-screen. We’d consider this a victory, but in Toyota’s unfathomable genius, split-screen is no longer an option at all.
By upgrading to the Limited or Platinum trims, you’ll get a second gauge cluster display with a 12.3-inch screen with settings for casual, smart, tough, and sporty driving. The 11-speaker JBL audio system used by these theaters for media projection Upscale models of the 2024 Toyota Highlander replace the second-row bench with captain’s chairs, reducing the vehicle’s maximum passenger capacity to seven.
2024 Toyota Highlander Engine
Under the hood, the long-running 3.5-liter V6 engine from Toyota is the big story. It still exists in the Camry and a few other cars, but its time is running out. A 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque is used in its place. The torque has increased significantly from the previous 263 lb-ft but is still less than the previous V6’s 295 horsepower. According to Toyota, the turbo four-pot provides smoother acceleration with improved low-end response and aids the company in meeting higher emissions requirements.
A front-wheel drivetrain receives power from an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard or optional all-wheel drive. With front-wheel drive, fuel efficiency is rated at 22/29/25 mpg city/highway/combined, while with all-wheel drive, those ratings fall by one in each category. Even though there is just a 1-mpg gain over the V6, the engine downsizing was justified due to a 50% reduction in NOx and NMOG.
2024 Toyota Highlander Release Date And Price
Although the Highlander’s price is not the lowest in its class, it is often competitive. The base L model with FWD is priced at $36,420 (excluding destination and shipping). Following are the trim levels available for the gas-only Highlander, each of which offers FWD or AWD: LE ($38,820), XLE ($41,820), XSE ($43,415), Limited ($46,075), and Platinum ($49,275). Any of these models may be upgraded to AWD for a $1,600 premium.
Gallery of 2024 Toyota Highlander First Drive Review, Colors, Interior
