2020 Toyota Highlander: These Are The Top 10 Unexpected Features We Discovered!

The Hybrid model nets a remarkable 36 mpg combined

The Toyota Highlander is the best-selling three-row crossover in the U.S., but it’s now facing more competition than ever before. Not just from its perennial rivals like the Ford Explorer or Chevy Traverse, either. With the recent addition of the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, the new 2020 Toyota Highlander has to fight harder to remain on top. So, does this fourth-generation model bring its A game? Toyota brought us to San Antonio, Texas to try it out and see just how its changed from the previous model, and we count down the top 10 surprising features we discovered.

Improved fuel economy for Highlander Hybrid

Apart from the welcome updates to the interior, adding a new touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa support, one of the most welcome changes to the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid we tested is the fuel economy. For gas models, there is a slight bump in fuel economy, as the 3.5-liter V6 engine remains with 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque on tap. However, the Hybrid model returns a combined 243 horsepower and — more significantly — a remarkable 36 Combined mpg according to manufacturer estimates. Provided that figure holds true in real-world testing and EPA estimates, that represents a 24 percent improvement over the old model’s 29 mpg.

Pricing

While the new features in the 2020 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid are nice, there is a price to pay for the updates. The new model starts at $34,600 excluding destination. That’s a $2,770 price hike over the 2019 model. However, it’s worth noting these models do hold their value well against some of the competition.

Toyota’s destination fee adds on $1,120 to the base price, while all-wheel drive adds between $1,600 and $1,950 depending on the model.

TrimGas FWDGas AWDHybrid FWDHybrid AWD
L$34,600$36,200——
LE $36,800 $36,800$38,200$39,800
XLE $39,600 $41,200$41,000$42,600
Limited$43,650$45,600$45,050
$47,000
Platinum$46,850$48,800$48,250$50,200

Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for a full review of the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid coming next Wednesday, December 18.