Toyota Highlander’s V6 replaced by a 4-cylinder turbo for 2023
The fourth year of a model on the market is often the occasion for the manufacturer to make changes. If they are often aesthetic, sometimes they are rather mechanical, as evidenced by the changes that the Toyota Highlander 2023. For this popular three-row midsize SUV, the 3.5-litre V6 is replaced by a 2.4-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder, the same one found at Lexus in the NX 350.
This new machine will therefore act as the standard engine for all versions of the 2023 Toyota Highlander. It offers 265 horsepower, a reduction of 30 horsepower compared to the 295 horsepower currently offered by the 3.5-liter V6 with injection. direct and multipoint. Nevertheless, the 4-cylinder offers 310 lb-ft of torque, a gain of 57 lb-ft (or 17%) compared to the V6. For the time being, the engine speed at which this data is delivered is not available.
The eight-speed automatic transmission is standard with this machine and the all-wheel drive allowing up to 50% of the power to be routed to the rear is still offered. For an all-wheel-drive model, fuel consumption remains essentially the same as with the V6. However, emissions of polluting gases and greenhouse gases are reduced. In addition, the towing capacity of 2,272 kilos (5,000 pounds) for this model remains unchanged.
The Toyota Highlander joins a growing number of three-row midsize SUVs that use a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. In the lot, there is the Subaru Ascent, the Ford Explorer, the Mazda CX-9 and the Volkswagen Atlas.
Mechanically, the rest remains intact. The hybrid version made up of a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder allowing a combined consumption of 6.7 litres/100 km is still offered for several equipment levels.
Other improvements
Even if aesthetic improvements could have been included, the manufacturer has instead bet on changes on board. All 2023 Highlanders will be entitled to Toyota’s new infotainment system, which is more user-friendly and modern. The most equipped versions, Limited and Platinum, will have a new 12.3-inch digital instrumentation, which replaces the 7-inch screen that took place between two analog meters. This new instrumentation screen can be customized according to four themes.
The entry-level LE version also replaces its 4.2-inch instrument screen with the 7-inch screen, for more convenience. As standard, the infotainment system consists of an 8-inch screen.
Other minor changes include the arrival of power-folding mirrors for the more expensive versions and the expanded availability of the hands-free opening tailgate.
Pricing for the 2023 Toyota Highlander will be revealed later this summer, some time before the vehicle is available from dealerships.
