Quick Spin: 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum | The Daily Drive | Consumer Guide® The Daily Drive

2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum in Ruby Flare Pearl (a $495 possibility)

2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD

Class: Midsize Crossover

Miles pushed: 281

Gasoline used: 7.3 gallons

Actual-world gas economic system: 38.5 mpg

Driving combine: 40% metropolis, 60% freeway

EPA-estimated gas economic system: 35/34/35 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)

Gasoline sort: Common gasoline

Base value: $50,200 (not together with $1120 vacation spot cost)

Choices on check automobile: Ruby Flare Pearl paint ($425), carped flooring mats/cargo mat ($318), cargo cross bars ($350), common pill holder ($99)

Value as examined: $52,512

Fast Hits

The good: Glorious gas economic system; lengthy checklist of consolation and comfort options; stylish cabin trim

The great: Nice trip and driving manners; good cargo quantity and passenger area in first and second rows

The not so good: Third-row seats are greatest fitted to youngsters

Extra Highlander value and availability info

CG Says:

Toyota’s Highlander 3-row midsize SUV was redesigned for 2020, and for 2021 it’s primarily carried over save for the addition of a sporty XSE mannequin that features sport suspension and steering tuning, distinctive 20-inch wheels, and unique sporty styling touches inside and outside. You’ll be able to take a look at our Highlander First Spin report right here, and our street check of an everyday gas-engine Highlander Platinum mannequin right here.

The Highlander’s redesign for 2020 netted it barely swoopier physique styling, together with pronounced bodyside bulges that flare over the rear wheel openings. Roof-mounted cargo cross bars are a $350 possibility.

Our topic this time round is the Hybrid model of the top-line Platinum trim degree. The Highlander’s redesign caused a big change within the hybrid model—the earlier V6-based gasoline/electrical powertrain was dropped in favor of 1 with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes a complete of 243 horsepower. That’s down from the earlier Highlander Hybrid’s 306 hp, however the brand new Hybrid’s fuel-economy rankings are considerably higher: 35 mpg metropolis/34 freeway/35 mixed with all-wheel drive and 36/35/35 with front-wheel drive, in comparison with 30/28/29 for the 2019 Highlander Hybrid (which got here solely with all-wheel drive).

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Within the top-line Platinum fashions, the Highlander’s cabin is properly trimmed and properly outfitted with consolation and comfort options. Useful real-time economic system readouts within the gauge cluster help in driving effectively.

And, we handily topped these EPA numbers in our personal exams—we averaged 38.5 mpg in a 281-mile check that consisted of about 60 % freeway driving. The hybrid powertrain is splendidly clean. It’s typically simple to neglect you’re driving a hybrid, however for the tender electric-motor whir in low-speed driving or steady-speed cruising round city. Different noises aren’t fairly as serene, nevertheless—although it’s properly muted more often than not, the engine groans a bit gruffly when accelerating. Like virtually all Toyota hybrids, the Highlander Hybrid’s gauge shows embrace useful “eco-coach” readouts and a powerflow monitor that help in growing an environment friendly driving fashion.

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The Highlander’s Qi wi-fi charging pad is situated within the heart console, beneath a roll-top cowl. This retains it nestled out of the best way when charging, but in addition makes it much less handy to entry the storage bin and tray beneath it.

A flipper swap on the console permits the driving force to decide on between Sport, Regular, and Eco drive modes. Sport mode dials in faster throttle response, but it surely doesn’t markedly change the driving character. Eco mode dials again throttle response and HVAC-system settings within the curiosity of gas economic system, but it surely doesn’t have a drastic impact on driving character both. There’s additionally an EV Mode button that permits pure-electric driving at low speeds for brief distances when circumstances allow, and a Path Mode that modifications the throttle, transmission, and all-wheel-drive system settings for improved traction and management in low-speed off-road driving.

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There’s nice area for adults within the Highlander’s second-row seats, however the third row is greatest fitted to youngsters.

Just like the acceleration, the Highlander Hybrid’s brakes are laudably clean and simple to modulate. Brake-pedal really feel is superb, with nearly not one of the non-linear really feel that usually plagues hybrid-vehicle brake programs, which use electric-battery regeneration to gradual the automobile (in live performance with the brakes themselves).

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There’s 16 cubic ft of cargo area behind the Highlander’s third-row seats.

There’s lots to love concerning the automobile surrounding that glorious hybrid powertrain as properly. Regardless of a couple of hard-plastic trim items right here and there, the Platinum fashions’ trim is convincingly stylish. Our check automobile was outfitted with rich-looking “Glazed Caramel” leather-based upholstery that was properly accented by “silvered” wooden, satin-finish steel, and silver carbon-fiber-look trim.

One Highlander characteristic carried over from the previous-generation mannequin is a slim storage shelf that runs alongside the passenger-side and center-console space of the dashboard, although it’s now break up into two segments. The cabinets present helpful small-items stash area, and there’s a pass-through within the heart shelf in order that machine cords will be looped right down to plug into the 4 charging ports within the heart console.

The Qi wi-fi charger is housed within the center-console storage bin, which makes use of a considerably unconventional roll-top lid. This association retains the cellphone out of the best way whereas it’s charging, but in addition makes it a bit much less handy to entry the storage bin itself—it’s a must to flip up the charging pad to get to the remainder of the storage bin.

Check Drive: 2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum

Cargo quantity grows to 48.4 cubic ft when the third-row seats are folded, and 84.3 cubic ft when each the second and third rows are folded to create a clean, degree load flooring.

There’s good stretch-out area within the Highlander’s second-row seats (in addition to separate local weather controls and heated seats), however the panoramic sunroof’s housing can minimize into headroom for extra-tall passengers. The Highlander’s third-row seats are OK for youths, or tweens and adults below six ft tall, if the second-row passengers co-operate by sliding their seats ahead. Some three-row midsize SUV opponents, such because the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, and Kia Telluride, are higher within the passenger-space division, as is any minivan, however the Highlander’s passenger area is greater than respectable total.

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The hybrid powertrain pairs a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with two electrical motors for a complete output of 243 horsepower–sufficient for respectable acceleration. Platinum fashions come commonplace with 20-inch alloy wheels.

No matter trim degree, the Highlander Hybrid instructions a value premium of $1400 over a comparable non-hybrid Highlander. Contemplating the Hybrid’s vital enhance in gas economic system and all-around drivetrain refinement, that strikes us as a good deal.

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For an affordable value premium over its non-hybrid kin, the Highlander Hybrid delivers excellent gas economic system with little detriment to everyday-driving functionality and refinement.

Hearken to the Shopper Information Automotive Stuff Podcast

2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum Gallery

(Click on under for enlarged photos)

Shopper Information Automotive Stuff Podcast, Episode 57; 2021 Shopper Information Greatest Buys