Toyota Highlander

After a full redesign for the 2020 model year, the Toyota Highlander will head into the 2022 model year mostly unchanged. This is Toyota's three-row crossover SUV that's bigger than the RAV4 but not as cumbersome to drive as the brand's truck-based Sequoia SUV. The

We also like the Highlander's comfortable seats, smooth ride quality and strong V6 engine. But this Toyota is held back by its cramped third-row seating and smaller cargo space behind those seats. If cargo space is a priority, it's worth checking out the impressive Kia Telluride (and related Hyundai Palisade) as well as the Honda Pilot or Volkswagen Atlas. Still interested? Check out our Expert Rating below to get our in-depth take on the ups and downs of the Highlander.

Which Highlander does MatoCar recommend?

Toyota hasn't released all the info for the 2022 Highlander, but we think little will change as it moves into its third model year. Given that, the XLE trim should work out well for most Highlander shoppers. It has all the necessities found on the L and LE plus some desirable extras such as heated front seats, simulated leather upholstery and second-row sunshades.

[Editor's note: The following information is based on last year's 2021 Highlander. We expect the 2022 model will have a similar lineup, and we'll update this section once we have complete information.] The Toyota Highlander is a midsize three-row SUV with seating for eight passengers. Midgrade trims and above swap the second-row bench for captain's chairs, reducing capacity to seven passengers. All models are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine (295 horsepower, 263 lb-ft of torque) that is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels. All-wheel-drive is available on all trims as an option. There's also a Highlander Hybrid that we review separately on MatoCar.

There are six trims: L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum. Note that some of the Highlander's extra features on the upper trims are offered on supporting trims as options.

The base L trim comes well appointed with feature highlights that include:

LED headlights
Heated mirrors
Remote keyless entry and ignition
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Tri-zone automatic climate control
Second- and third-row 60/40-split folding seats
8-inch infotainment touchscreen
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa smartphone integration
Six-speaker audio system
Onboard Wi-Fi hotspot
Emergency communications (Toyota's Safety Connect)
Toyota's Safety Sense suite of advanced safety features:

Frontal collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Automatic high beams
Lane tracing assist (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Traffic sign reader

The LE trim adds a handful of convenience and safety features such as:

Foglights
Height-adjustable power liftgate
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)

The seven-passenger XLE upgrades the Highlander with:

Roof rails
Sunroof
Wireless charging pad
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Simulated leather upholstery (SofTex)
Heated front seats
Second-row captain's chairs
Second-row sunshades
A larger driver information display

The XSE trim represents the sporty choice in the lineup and adds:

Unique sporty styling cues
Sport suspension
Interior ambient lighting
Navigation system

Stepping up to the Limited trim adds plenty of luxury items that include:

Front and rear parking sensors
Hands-free liftgate
Leather upholstery
Ventilated front seats
Additional front seat adjustments and memory functions
Heated steering wheel
Household power outlet
Intercom system that broadcasts the driver's voice through the speakers
11-speaker JBL audio system

At the top of the range, the Platinum goes all-in with:

Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
Automatic wipers
Panoramic sunroof
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out the back even with a fully loaded cargo area)
Heated second-row seats
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Highlander and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
12.3-inch touchscreen