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Thanks: CarsPlus 2024 Toyota Highlander Starting at: $ Highs: Abundant standard safety tech, fuel-sipping hybrid powertrain option, quiet cabin with notable outward visibility. Lows: Generic styling and the handling to match, tight third row, short on cargo space after of the last row. Verdict: With room for eight, an available hybrid powertrain, and plenty of standard features, the 2024 Highlander delivers the basics but otherwise feels average and anonymous in a huge class filled with high-striving three-row family SUVs. Overview Past Toyota Highlanders have taken the shotgun approach to the mid-size SUV segment, offering myriad trims, standard and hybrid powertrains, and front- or all-wheel drive variants in order to cover the widest possible swath of buyers. The Highlander gets some relief for 2024 with the arrival of the larger 2024 Grand Highlander, which offers more third row and cargo room. This leaves the Highlander free to focus on its core mid-sized mission, which starts with dropping the base L trim from its crowded lineup and—sorry to disappoint—that’s about the extent of changes for 2024. It continues to deliver a smooth ride and acceptable handling characteristics as expected of a family-focused SUV; if it has a wild side, we’ve never experienced it. The interior is nicely equipped, again favoring useful, logical utility features above all else. The infotainment is intuitive, a host of driver-assistance features are standard, and the turbocharged four-cylinder and hybrid powertrains return decent fuel economy. The Limited and Platinum models do a good impression of a Lexus, with handsome leather upholstery, a premium JBL stereo system, and additional tech features. Still, the Highlander prioritizes middle-of-the-road sensibilities above all else. The Mazda CX-90 offers a far more stylized interior and better driving dynamics, while the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade deliver more luxury and third-row room. The Highlander, while thoroughly competent, is a less compelling alternative in comparison. What's New for 2024? The updates for 2024 are minimal. The base L trim has been discontinued, as are the Bronze editions of the Hybrid and Hybrid XLE. In their place are LE Nightshade and XLE Nightshade trims of the hybrid model. Additionally, the XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum trims now have a standard hands-free power liftgate. Toyota replaced the V-6 with a new turbocharged four-cylinder for the 2023 model year. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2024 Toyota Highlander starts at $ and goes up to $ depending on the trim and options. LE: $40,665 Hybrid LE: $42,365 LE Nightshade: $43,115 XLE: $43,815 XSE: $45,410 Hybrid XLE: $45,515 XLE Nightshade: $46,265 Limited: $47,920 Hybrid Limited: $49,620 Platinum: $51,120 Hybrid Platinum: $52,820 With the base L banished from the lineup for 2024, the XLE is an even more appealing value proposition and remains our trim of choice. In addition to the LE’s long list of standard kit, the XLE adds heated front seats, second-row captain’s chairs and sunshades, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and a power sunroof. All-wheel drive costs $1600, and we'd also spring for the Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation package, which brings in-dash navigation and an upgraded stereo system. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo The base LE model (remember, the L is dropped for 2024) can seat eight passengers, but second-row captain's chairs are available on XLE and above trims reducing the head count to seven. It's worth noting that due to packaging variations, the hybrid has 2.3 inches more second-row legroom than the gas model; the gas model, however, has 1.6 inches more driver and front passenger legroom. Although the passenger space is on par or slightly more generous here than in the CX-90, the Chevrolet Traverse remains the passenger-space king, its third row offering nearly six more inches of legroom than the Highlander. Cargo room is the same story, with only four carry-on suitcases fitting behind the Highlander’s third row compared to the Traverse’s six. Materials throughout the cabin have been improved over the previous-generation Highlander, and the design is basic but functional. Upscale Limited and Platinum models provide the most creature comforts with leather upholstery, a larger infotainment screen, ventilated seats, and more frills, but still fall short of the feature-packed Palisade and Telluride. Read More
