The Toyota Highlander: A Reliable and Spacious Midsize SUV for All Your Adventures

The Toyota Highlander has carved a niche for itself in the bustling midsize SUV market. Renowned for its dependability, comfort, and spacious interior, the Highlander is a popular choice for families and those seeking a capable adventure vehicle. This comprehensive look at the 2024 Toyota Highlander will delve into its features, performance, trims, and overall strengths to help you decide if it's the right fit for your needs.

Spacious Comfort for Passengers and Cargo

One of the Highlander's biggest draws is its impressive interior space. Offering seating for either seven or eight passengers, the Highlander provides ample legroom and headroom for all three rows. The second-row seats are comfortable and can be configured in a variety of ways to accommodate passengers and cargo. The third-row seat, while best suited for children, offers surprising legroom for occasional use by adults.

When it comes to cargo space, the Highlander delivers. With the rear seats folded down, you'll have access to a generous 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space, perfect for road trips, hauling groceries, or sporting equipment. Even with all seats upright, there's still a decent 16 cubic feet of cargo space, making it suitable for everyday errands.

Powertrain Options: Gas or Hybrid Efficiency

The 2024 Highlander caters to a variety of driver preferences by offering two distinct powertrain options: a traditional gasoline engine and a hybrid system.

• Gas Engine: The gasoline-powered Highlander features a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces a respectable 265 horsepower. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offers a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) for enhanced handling in various weather conditions.
• Hybrid Powertrain: Opting for the Highlander Hybrid brings a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors for a combined output of 243 horsepower. The hybrid system utilizes a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and, like the gas model, provides the option of FWD or AWD. The significant advantage of the Highlander Hybrid lies in its fuel efficiency, achieving impressive fuel economy ratings that are sure to appeal to eco-conscious drivers.

Packed with Technology and Safety Features

The 2024 Highlander boasts a modern and user-friendly technology suite. The centerpiece is the available 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen infotainment system. This system offers a variety of features, including Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ for seamless smartphone integration, navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM® satellite radio.

Toyota prioritizes safety in all its vehicles, and the Highlander is no exception. It comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, a comprehensive suite of active safety features that includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Trims and Pricing

The 2024 Toyota Highlander comes in a variety of trims to cater to different needs and budgets. Here's a quick rundown of the available trims:

• L: The base L trim offers all the essential features, including the aforementioned Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite.
• LE: The LE trim builds upon the L trim by adding features like an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and a sunroof.
• XLE: The XLE trim ups the ante with amenities like leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, and a premium sound system.
• Limited: The Limited trim boasts the most luxurious features, including a panoramic moonroof, a JBL sound system, and a head-up display.
• Bronze Edition (Hybrid only): This special edition on the Hybrid model offers a unique two-tone exterior color scheme and additional features like a heated steering wheel and a digital rearview mirror.

The starting MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) for the 2024 Toyota Highlander varies depending on the chosen trim and drivetrain. The gas-powered Highlander starts at around $41,000, while the Highlander Hybrid has a slightly higher starting MSRP of around $43,000.

Strengths and Considerations

The Toyota Highlander's strengths lie in its spacious and comfortable interior, capable powertrain options, impressive fuel efficiency for the hybrid model, and a long list of standard and available features. It's also renowned for Toyota's reputation for reliability and safety.