First Drive! 2023 Toyota Highlander Turbo Limited AWD 

Just bought the AWD Platinum, traded in a V8 Lexus, and very impressed with the turbo getting on the highway… excellent engine

Who is noticing that the early 2000s color of red and green are finally making a comeback???

I just drove a 22 and 23 back to back. The 2023 with the 4C Turbo did feel zippy. It also felt like it was really working hard to meet my demands on the system. I just kept thinking about reliability. I don't like being a first-gen adopter of anything. The 2022 with the V6 felt leagues better. Silky smooth & quiet. Did Toyota want to make this change this year? No, they are being forced by emissions laws. That should tell you something. It was a no-brainer for me to go with a low milage 2022. Give me the tried & true V6!

That green and beige combination is absolutely stunning. I suspect finding that color combination on lots will be nearly impossible.

Great review Ryan ! I like the idea of turbo’s, but for those of us who drive our vehicles for as long as possible, turbo’s simply won’t last as long as a naturally aspirated engine. I bought a “college car” back in 83, (it was originally my grandmas commuter car. It was a 78 Corolla). My sister bought it from my grandparents in 81 for her college car, as her 73 Celica was wore out. In 2 years my sis put 50K miles on it, so in 83 when I got it, it had 71K miles. After graduate school I had a LOT of student loans, so I kept driving my bare bones Corolla. Vinyl seats, vinyl floor, no pwr steering, 4 spd manual. It was a 2 Dr, white with tan interior. I changed the oil every 3K miles, the transmission grease and rear differential every 30K miles. The original water pump went out at about 200K, so I replaced the pump and radiator. I changed all the belts and hoses at their scheduled time. I continued to drive that Corolla until it finally died in 02. I replaced it with a Camry. I kid you not, that 78 Corolla died at 488K miles. The drivers seat was so wore out that I put a phone book in it and a pillow on top and then seat covers over that. The vinyl flooring was wore down to the metal. I’m quite sure that I could have shaved my face as the gears in the rear end were probably sharp enough. I tore out the rear seat and stuffed dense foam underneath the seat and then reinstalled it. This way, I didn’t have to hear the rear end HOWL, LOL. I drove my Camry until 2011 and my needs changed and I needed a 4WD so I replaced it with a Rav 4WD Limited with a 3.5 V6. My Rav only has 104K miles currently, so I’ll be driving it until I turn 70. I’ll probably replace it with a Lexus RX or NX hybrid. Last November my wife’s 18 year old Camry needed to be replaced so I bought her an Outback for her commuter car. We know the Subie won’t last as long as our Toyota’s, but the AWD in the Outback is far superior over my Rav.

Thanks Ryan, enjoyed hearing your thoughts on the 23 Highlander!

My wife drives (so I get to sometimes) a 2019 Mazda CX-9. The turbo four cylinder powerplant is great. It's quiet, smooth, and fuel efficient on the freeways but has plenty of passing power and ability to accelerate up hills with the strong torque figure, starting below 2,000 RPM. I have never once wished it had a V6. If I was towing or off-roading I would have purchased a body on frame SUV, not a FWD crossover. This Highlander is going to be great for families like mine.

Great review!

Greetings from Puebla, Mexico. Excellent videos. 💖

Love the camera features.

Leased a 23 4cyl turbo very powerful no turbo lag platinum with the Carmel interior is more luxurious than my 22 Lexus GX

Ur reviews R awesome 😍😍😍

Love the green metallic.

Ryan, Your off road run with the Hybrid in an earlier review showed it had more than enough capability for most people. The 35 mpg and 3,500 lbs tow rating seal the deal. Glad to see that rich green color is being shared across the Toyota lineup 😁

I know you were just visiting here, but you should research for some of the great offroading my state offers. I look forward to driving more of your backroads next time i come to WA. The BDR loks especially interesting.

What is the second row seat configuration? 2022 was suppose to have captain seats in the limited but did not. Does the 23 have captain seats. I’m hoping so because they said they are suppose to and I just ordered a limited

Do you think the turbo will be less reliable compared to the prior year V6s?

Still like my 2nd gen Highlander more than the new ones, it’s got full-time 50/50 AWD and I’ve added an aftermarket head unit for Apple CarPlay. Don’t need any more than that. I want a new vehicle, but with my 2013 at 60k miles I don’t NEED to upgrade any time soon and definitely don’t want to lose the superior AWD system.

This SUV is great off roadways. Its smooth drive and easy to drive on the roads.

I’ll be keeping our 19 platinum hybrid we ordered in 19 pearl/black with AWD.Love the 3.5 and not a fan of the new bodies.We’ve got plans for ours.

I'm happy to read this engine is port/direct injected.

How do you think this vehicle will do in Death Valley roads like the trip you took in your 4runner?

Love that green

Is it google map built-in in this 2023 model or in house Toyota map?

I will be back for the off-road episode.

Was in the market and intentionally bought 2022 limited with larger screen, to get v6 with torque vectoring AWD. Drive in New England in all weather to get to work, best car and AWD system for the price. (Lexus, Acura, Germans yes but at higher initial and long term cost). This is the best long-wheelbase German sedan built by Japanese and disguised as a family suv that runs on 87 octane that you can buy for under $50k 😂

Will all limited(s) will have panoramic view for backup camera? Or need to add on the top (by customer)? I ordered limited and still confused about panoramic view! Should i call my dealership to add it in my build?

IMO The change to 4cyl turbo base engine is Toyota’s way of buying down their brands total carbon footprint. Pay less penalties, which is massive for a producer like Toyota. All this powertrain is going to do is push the popularity of the hybrid even more. I can see Toyota completely transitioning this engine out of the highlander / Lexus sooner than expected. With a focus on hybrid and electrification as soon as it becomes more economical to build at a larger scale.

I love the green

Pretty car. Hopefully soon you can test it in snow. I'm not asking you to get it stuck without a chase vehicle or take foolish chances. But enough snow or dirt road driving that you can share impressions and maybe we can get an idea. On a side note,even though I think I might know maybe someday you can explain the difference between vectoring AWD and non vectoring AWD. While I think I know I'm not completely confident that I'm accurate on it.

How does it compare to an Ascent? When I got my Ascent 3 years ago it was just so much better to drive and size wise compared to the pokey small Highlander.

The XSE trim also has Torque vectoring awd. Also limited & platform has folding mirror's.

Not Happy Toyota! You also broke my heart with The Tundra. A 6 cylinder Turbo instead of The Tried and True V-8. A smaller motor with a turbo makes me feel they won't last as long as previous years.

Great review! Does CarPlay completely fill the screen, or is it tiled like the previous generation?

Great initial drive on this one, Ryan.

you called it crossover, and here in europe its one of the biggest SUV you can get, if you dont want to import from USA Great reveiew of an updated version

Hi Ryan, when will your Toyota Crown review be out? Looking forward to your opinion on it.

I just invested in my 4th Highlander. Purschased a 2023 on 1/21. I like the 4-cyl turbo. It's smoother, more torque, and better mpg. I went with the XLE even though the last 3 were the limited.

That color is awesome. I'd love to see it offered on a 4runner, especially since Army Green is now gone.

Will this come to Australia?

Whats the transmission on this Highlander? The cx9 has a 6 speed and the Ascent has a CVT.

Very good car sir❤

They’re following the footsteps of the Mazda now

Would be nice to see if the Highlander's dynamic torque vectoring awd can make it where the Rav4 TRD Offroad failed? Wish it was good as i-VTM4 on Honda but looks like i-VTM4 is far better. May be should do a Highlander dynamic torque vectoring awd vs Honda Pilot i-VTM4 vs Subaru Ascent Symmetrical AWD for viewers. Toyota may not like it I guess.

Car mommy and cool single men love this vehicle. Its not so fancy to get it stolen and plain enough to park in the street. Consumer Reports highlights reliability!

A Turbo Hybrid would be nice !

"Hey Toyota" you forgot to say Simon Says LOL

Won't the increased torque help it offroad? It'll have more torque at the back wheels

Nice that you can now get a powerful engine at the base level. 5 years ago, we went with the Honda Pilot over the Highlander because we could get the ability to tow 5000lbs and AWD in the EX trim level for $36K OTD. The Highlander would have been $39K for the same capability. Having driven both the Pilot AWD and Highlander AWD, the Honda is better in the ice and snow. Tires make a big difference for snow, but both had highly rated (not OEM) tires. The Highlander still got around, but the AWD system didn't seem to be as squared away as the Honda's, which was on top of things at all times. Haven't compared pulling boats up the launch ramp, but again, no drama with the Honda AWD system. I think a FWD version of either make would probably struggle on a wet boat ramp, at times. I hope Toyota puts this engine and AWD system in the Taco in the near future.

5000 ponds towing wow that's the same as my 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0 125hp diesel .👍😑

This engine will likely go into next gen 2024 Tacoma as well

You don't mention if you are running the Highlander in ECO, Normal, or Sport mode while driving it. And you failed to mention to the new features it has like the cluster gage and the Qi charger new placement, etc.

I like that color and it's a fantastic car but the front end is just so boring. Nothing an after market grill couldn't fix up.

Has this 4 cylinder turbo had any sort of prior use in either Toyota or Lexus models…. as in 5+ years of use?

I haven't finished the video yet. Let's comment about it Eh see what I did

Good direction with turbo and 8 speed NON CVT tranny, touch screen only is not for me after getting use to super intuitive and practical Mazda control knob set up ...

🤞 Looking forward to this engine in the next gen Tacoma 🤞

There’s no deciding toyota sells all their units

I’ll watch this but I’d rather see a Toyota Siena AWD. And still waiting around for a Honda Odyssey

Wondering if Toyota will put this engine in the all new 4Runner ?

Only things that keep me from buying the Highlander. Toyota needs to go back and offer remote start standard and free after the trial run. You have to go with a Platinum or Limited (optioned out) to get real leather seats. I don't like the no split screen option. They are better options now available with the new Pilot and you do get more with a Platinum Pathfinder.

I know a person who has a Highlander V6 and when he was shopping for a vehicle, he was interested in the equivalent Mazda. His mechanic recommended getting a V6. He ended up with the Highlander. The turbo engine probably won't last as long. My work van is a MB SPRINTER and at 100 000 kms it needed a new turbo. Turbos give you power but longevity is questionable.

Ouch on that price though. Seems steep for that trim of Highlander.

is it premium fuel now?

Toyota can put a 3 cylinders turbo engine in the Highlander and a sluggish transmission than what it already has and people will buy it and reviewers will praise it.

I own a honda pilot v6 with a 9 speed, i really like the v6 powerplant, but this new toyota highlander with a turbo has got my attention, i will wait for the new pilot though i heard they are keeping the v6 and upgrading the transmission to a 10 speed.

I think Toyota made a mistake not keeping the V6 as an option, that 4 cylinder engine is good if you want to drive kids to school but not hauling a camping trailer or a boat uphill.

Thanks for the review. Looking forward to the offroad test. Strange how "limited" as it relates to Toyotas, means more nicer stuff/higher end options than the entry level more budget friendly version comes with. Normally the word "limited" would mean the exact opposite. Limited on the # of extra capabilities. Similar to what goat now means. The goat use to be the person you blame when all is lost or when your team snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory. Now goat means greatest of all time. Can't wait for dumb to mean smart and rich to mean poor.

I think the Subaru Ascent is smoother and has a better off road system.

Nothing about engine noise??? Clearly Toyota did not make the decision based on what is best for the consumer.

I wish you would have remarked about engine and road noise. You never seem to discuss when you do a road test. Also I wonder if you have 4 people and luggage.

paid more for a 2022 to avoid the 4 cylinder turbo. turbo is only good for about 100k miles if you're lucky.

Love highlanders, but can’t stand seating position, not being having anywhere to really rest your arms/elbows comfortably when holding the wheel. Same for the awesome Camrys. Guess it’s a Toyota thing??

Mazda and Toyota working together maybe is a cx9 engine

👍

Where’s the 2023 Kia telluride off road?

the funny thing is toyota will tell everyone 10k oil changes. they have been pushing it for a while now. can't wait to see these engines around 80k plus miles. it's going to be intresting.

I wish it has a v12 rather than the 4 banger turbo Grow up guys🤣 just buy the old one if you want the v6.

i like xse v6 295h spoty suv mor then turbo

The 2020-2022 had a Split View on the 12.3 inch display and everyone hated it and badged Toyota for it. Now they get rid of it and now y’all reviewers won’t stfu about it.

Engine noise seems to be very loud. Not refined like the v6.

Eh, wouldn't be my first choice for anything honestly. I've lost a lot of respect for Toyota as nowadays you're just paying for the tech as their reliability is on par with most other brands.

It’s a Camry on a lift!

Adding stress and strain on a 4-cylinder engine with a turbo is a horrible way to address the regulations put on US auto industry. It will lead to less reliable engines in both the Hilander and the Tundra that got rid of the v8 and replaced it with a turbo 6 cylinder. Toyota reliability is on the brink of extinction with these moves.

Why not measure 0-60 and compare this turbo to v6?

Not sure how this is possible...40K USD in the US, whereas in Europe the same car is over 60-65K USD...

MPG ??????????????????

Load it up with passengers and tow a small trailer and the Toyota will struggle, IMHO.

Nice review 👌 I just got a 22 Toyota Highlander XLE AWD V6 and I love it, I will not buy a turbo engine! Not reliable 😒

No interior review???

Toyota's doing it right with all these hybrids! Too many expensive EVs these days that people are not ready for.

Damn they made the grill uglier. I was looking at one. The grill, room and the engine spec is a no for me. I’ll hold on to my 19 Pilot touring for abit, natural aspirated v6

Giving up the smooth V6 for the junky turbo four is such a move down market. Pass.

I wouldn’t tow any big trailer with a FWD-biased vehicle. RWD is best.

Dear Toyota, put this damn engine in the rav4

They going to ruin the Tacoma with this engine? prob yes.

I feel like this car just got uglier, but I can't figure out why. Looks like a big Corolla Cross. Great video, though, as always!

So one more mpg get out of here. Not worth it and if you have to justify turbo with stupid less emissions not worth it. I can see the 6th gen 4Runner is going to be a disappointment like the tundra.

Turbo is a lot less reliable than the V6. They should have just made turbo as optional and kept V6 in.

That's not smog above those cities, it's smug and it's very well deserved considering how many coal burners roll around those places.