Review: 2020 Next Generation Toyota Highlander is All New from the Ground Up

2020 Toyota Highlander

© PHOTO BY SCOTT TILLEY

The all-new SUV offers a dramatic new design and sophisticated styling for the 2020 model year.

The Toyota Highlander is a mid-size crossover SUV produced by the Toyota corporation. It was first revealed to the media and the general public at the New York International Auto Show April of 2000. It later reached the North America dealer lots January of 2001. At the time, it was one of the first car-based mid-size SUV or mid-size crossovers. The first year sales for the Highlander were almost 87,000 units. In 2019, the Highlander's sales when combined with the hybrid model numbers almost reached the 250,000 units threshold. On April 17, 2019 the fourth generation Highlander was unveiled at the New York International Auto. It was revealed at the show that the Highlander would be now utilizing the highly successful Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K) platform. The Highlander will share this platform with other notable vehicles like the Camry, Avalon, Lexus ES, and Rav4.

Consider that it's January 2001, and America is one year removed from the Y2K scare. Napster is closed down, but Apple Computer releases its iTunes music platform. Mars Odyssey is launched, Microsoft releases Windows XP, and The Lord of the Rings and Shrek are big hits at the box office. And, oh, Toyota releases the original Highlander redefining the midsize family SUV. Many of the events of 2001 that were deemed important are long forgotten, but not the Toyota Highlander. The Highlander looked like a crazy experiment in 2001 by Toyota since most SUVs at the time were truck based, but the unibody structure with four-wheel independent suspension became an industry disrupter that has seen solid and consistent growth year over year to where it is now the best-selling retail model in the segment. Today a buyer has the option of five different grades to choose from starting with a new entry L grade. Each grade thereafter is distinctly different as are the buyers and their reason for buying a Highlander.

What is Old is a New Disrupter Again

For 2020, Toyota engineers have literally redesigned the Highlander from the ground up, making the new fourth generation as much of an industry disrupter like the original gen one especially when you fully understand the new ground breaking technology on the Highlander Hybrid. At the heart of the redesign is the new shared platform the Highlander is pinned on. For the 2020 model year, the Highlander will be moved to the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K) platform. This is a new modular unibody automobile platform that successfully underpins both sedans and SUVs like the Avalon, Camry, Lexus ES, and the Rav4. As you can see, it has the ability to accommodate different vehicle sizes and also front, rear, and all-wheel drive configurations.

Utilizing the new Global Architecture platform allows the Highlander to take on a bold and dramatic new design direction that will combine a powerful SUV presence with the sophisticated detailing of a luxury sedan. Other benefits will also allow the SUV to be more responsive while corning and provide an overall smoother quieter ride. In an era where sedans are shrinking, the Highlander will be a disrupter for sure. The reason the GA-K platform is able to provide a better overall ride experience is that it's an exceptionally rigid front-wheel drive chassis made from several grades of high-strength steel. The chassis also uses 785 inches of adhesive throughout the structure which is more than twice the amount (324 in.) used on previous chassis. The platform also utilizes laser screw welding on 120 different locations on the GA-K chassis to further solidify the already robust structure. This construction method is also shared with the flagship LS 500 sedan.

V6 or New-Generation Hybrid Powertrain

The new Highlander will provide a buyer not only 5 different grade levels to match their personality; it will also allow them to choose which power plant fits their life needs. The model I had for the week was the fully aspirated petro 3.5 V-6. This powerful engine is Toyota's innovated D-4S injection system that combines direct fuel injection with port fuel injectors to make sure efficiency, power, and emissions are at optimal levels no matter the conditions. This efficient system is able to produce 295 horsepower and 263 lb.-ft. of torque, so someone could to tow anything up to 5,000 lbs. in the luxury sedan comfort. #Disrupter

New Technology

At my age, the first thing about technology I care about is wheether the screen is big enough and crisp enough for me to see what's on it without too much effort. If that is as important to you as it is to me, then you will need to jump up to the platinum grade. It comes standard with a 12.3” touchscreen which is currently the largest in the segment. The other grades will offer an 8” touchscreen.

If you get a Limited or Platinum grade Highlander, it will come standard with the JBL Premium Audio System. This audio system has 1,200 watts of power that plays through 11 speakers in nine separate locations throughout the SUV. This premium sound system also offers the Clari-Fi® sounds system. This music technology takes music that is being played and rebuilds the lost details in the sound so that it will sound the way the music producer and artist had intended for it to be heard.

New Interior Styling

From the entry level L grade to the top-line Platinum grade, the Highlander will have the plushest accommodations ever. The design engineers took inspiration from luxury interiors you would find in many luxury sedans today to highlight a premium ambience. The padded surfaces are softer to the touch. The interior has a buttoned-up tailored look with accent stitching that runs throughout the cabin. Even the multimedia and HVAC controls blend seamlessly in an elegant and functional way.

Seating

The high-end tailored look continues with the four perforated leather-trimmed captain's chairs. This cabin's refined look is not something you expect to find in an SUV. For those trying to access the third row, the Highlander has large rear doors that allow super-easy access to the third seat. I am a tic under 6'2”, and I found it easy to access the third row while I was taking interior pictures. Also, the engineers were thinking about third row comfort when they included a third-zone climate control that ensures ample flow of warmed or cooled air.

If you were to utilize all the seats in the Highlander, you would quickly realize it still has 16 cu. ft. of carrying space behind the third row for things like multiple hockey travel bags, suitcases for weekend trips, or even a week's worth of groceries. If you don't need the third row, the seats are very versatile for any of your hauling needs. They can fold 60/40 or flat to maximize hauling.

Exterior

The new Toyota New Global Architecture allowed the engineers to start with an almost blank canvas to design and sculpt an SUV that will change people's perceptions as to what an SUV is now in the shrinking sedan world. The engineers came up with a new vehicle design that is modern and sophisticated while still being highly functional and family-friendly. It now has even greater aerodynamic efficiency that reduces more wind noise while enhancing vehicle stability

Safety

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 comes standard in all models in the 2020 Highlander. This comprehensive active safety system includes:

Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)
Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA)
Automatic High Beam (AHB)
(New) Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)
(New) Road Sign Assist (RSA)
Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection offers automatic braking capability under certain circumstances should the driver not react in time in a system-detected emergency situation. Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Parking Support Braking and Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS) are available depending on the model grade.

I was able to test drive the 2020 Highlander Platinum AWD in a wide variety of scenarios from metropolitan city environments to county, state, and interstate roadways. We did a four-hour round-trip drive to the lake the week we had it to see if it would make a good summer travel vehicle. I had no problem getting in and out of the vehicle; and once I was in I settled in, it was a comfortable ride. In all the driving conditions I mentioned, the Highlander had no problem meeting any demand I gave it. You might have this figured out before you roll into the dealership.

Do I get Hybrid or Gas?

Will you tow anything, or will you be a fulltime commuter? Yes gas; no hybrid.

Do you have concerns about fuel efficiency, or don't care? Yes hybrid; no gas.

Are you someone who wants to lessen carbon foot print? Yes hybrid or gas.

After you answer these few questions, you will pretty much know which power plant is right for you. If you are looking for a dual purpose vehicle that is not a truck or sedan, that will be a great and safe daily driver, that turns into a weekend adventure, you might want to make a call to a Toyota dealer and schedule you a drive.

The 2020 Highlander with the V-6 gas engine has been available on dealer lots since 18 December 2019.