2023 Toyota Highlander

The entry-level Highlander is the L. It has 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, LED taillights, rear privacy glass, and heated and power-adjustable side exterior mirrors. Step up to the XLE for a hands-free power liftgate, a power moonroof, and 18-inch alloy wheels, or to the XSE for a sport-tuned suspension, black roof rails, and a mesh front grille. The high-end Limited comes with power-folding side mirrors with puddle lights, LED fog lights, and LED daytime running lights. Choosing the Platinum will get you a panoramic sunroof and adaptive headlights.

Power for the 2023 Highlander comes from a 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder gas engine that puts out 265 horsepower. It works with Toyota's eight-speed automatic transmission and comes with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

The ride in the Highlander is smooth and comfortable. The suspension easily eats up road imperfections, and the responsive steering system makes it easy to handle and maneuver, even in tight parking lots. The new four-cylinder engine accelerates quicker than the V-6, and the sport-tuned suspension in the XSE quickens up the throttle response and transmission.

There's room for up to eight in the Highlander L and LE, while the higher-end terms have captain's chairs in the second row, reducing seating to seven. It comes standard with a power-adjustable driver's seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, and cloth upholstery, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel in the LE. Stepping up to the XLE adds heated front seats, simulated leather upholstery, and a power-adjustable passenger seat. The Limited upgrades to leather upholstery and adds ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and memory functions for the driver's seat.

Technology in the Highlander starts with a 7-inch digital gauge cluster in front of the driver, an 8-inch color touchscreen, a six-speaker stereo, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You'll also get satellite radio and Amazon Alexa. The Limited and Platinum both have a 12.3-inch touchscreen display and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and these are optional for the XLE and XSE.

Every 2023 Highlander comes with Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5+ group of safety features. It includes forward collision warning, low-speed automatic braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with a steering assist feature, and automatic high-beam headlights. Lane-tracing assist is also part of this bundle, and it comes with adaptive cruise control and a road sign assist system that will recognize certain road signs and notify the driver.

The LE adds a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert, and the Limited adds front and rear parking sensors. If you step up to the Platinum, it comes with a head-up display in addition to all the safety systems from the lower trims.