2020 Toyota Highlander Review

Car shoppers have more choices than ever for a three-row midsize SUV. But don't forget about one of the crossovers that started it all. The redesigned 2020 Toyota Highlander steps back into the mix with key changes that continue to make it a solid pick in the class.

The Highlander base trim is no longer stuck with an underpowered four-cylinder engine — the standard engine across the 2020 Highlander range is the same 295-horsepower V6 available in prior years. It's paired to an eight-speed transmission and will be good for 24 mpg in combined city/highway driving, according to Toyota.

But while one four-cylinder disappears, another appears. For 2020, the Highlander Hybrid gets a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that replaces last year's V6. While this new four-cylinder hybrid system generates less power than the former hybrid's V6 configuration — 243 hp compared to 306 hp — Toyota says the new hybrid returns far better fuel economy.

Fuel savings are further enhanced by the addition of an available front-wheel-drive configuration. Last year's all-wheel-drive-only V6 hybrid yielded 28-29 mpg combined (depending on trim), while the new hybrid nets 36 in FWD guise and 35 mpg with AWD.

Competition in the three-row midsize-SUV class has intensified over the last year. One model with a lot of hype surrounding it is the 2020 Ford Explorer, which sees a complete redesign of its own for 2020. While we aren't blown away by the new Explorer overall, we appreciate the wide range of engines that Ford offers.

New Korean entrants, the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade, are two of Edmunds' top-rated SUVs thanks to their vast amounts of passenger space, quality interior materials and low price tags. There's also the tried-and-true Honda Pilot and spacious Volkswagen Atlas.

We've had a limited amount of time testing the regular Highlander and the Highlander Hybrid. Both deliver the same smooth ride that exemplified the previous models. The Highlander stays composed on a variety of road surfaces, and coarse textures are almost totally dispatched without transmitting vibrations and noise to the passengers. The ride is serene even on trims with big 20-inch wheels.

While the V6 engine is unchanged, it continues to deliver ample thrust when asked. It's a rock-solid engine used in a variety of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, and our past experience has shown it has no problem getting the Highlander up to highway speeds when loaded with passengers and cargo.

The big question mark this year is the new four-cylinder hybrid. It replaces last year's V6 hybrid, giving up power in exchange for fuel economy. With just a driver and passenger on board, our test Highlander Hybrid felt quite a bit slower than the standard Highlander, and the response to throttle input seemed more sluggish. With seven additional people in tow, expect to plan well ahead when you need to change lanes on the highway.

Passenger room is largely unchanged for 2020. That means there's good head- and legroom in front, though tall occupants will immediately notice the lack of passenger seat-height adjustability. The high seating position ensures anyone taller than 6 feet will brush their hair against the headliner, which is less of a problem in models without the sunroof. (The sunroof comes standard on XLE trims and above.) The second row is sufficiently roomy, but tall riders will again notice the height pinch.

Unfortunately, the third row isn't any roomier than before. Headroom and legroom are both at a premium, even though the second row can slide forward a bit more than last year. The third row is strictly kids-only, and even if you do persuade adults to climb into the back, there's not enough shoulder room to sit three-across. The seat bottom is just off the ground, and most passengers will find their knees at chin level.

Toyota has chosen to play it safe with cabin design. The overall look and feel are similar to the previous model, though a few touches differentiate the generations. The storage tray below the dashboard is split into two distinct sections, for instance, and the door armrests are wider and more comfortable. The quality of interior materials is greatly improved, with the top-trim Platinum bearing a close similarity to the near-luxury variants of the Toyota Avalon sedan.

The standard 8-inch touchscreen is bright and attractive, while the top-line Platinum comes with a new 12.3-inch display that is the largest in the segment. Both feature Toyota's newest infotainment software, with the 12.3-inch touchscreen able to exhibit several customizable displays at once. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are finally supported, and all Highlanders provide five USB connections for keeping phones and other devices charged.

Small tweaks have made the 2020 Highlander both more and less practical than its predecessor. While the Highlander is a couple inches longer than its predecessor, the extra room has all gone to increase cargo capacity. Last year's Highlander could only hold 13.8 cubic feet of gear behind the third row — one of the smallest cargo holds in the class. The extra room increases the 2020 Highlander's carrying capacity to 16 cubes, which is more competitive though still far off from leaders in the segment.

On the other hand, under-dash storage no longer spans the entirety of the center console to the passenger door, and the center console opening is narrower than before. The increase in the second-row seat's sliding range theoretically makes the third row more livable, but only if second-row passengers have room to spare.