The competition for three-row crossover customers remains fierce, and it’s only going to get hotter. Along with new entries like the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Ford Explorer, the 2020 Toyota Highlander is making a case following its debut at the 2019 New York Auto Show.
Highlander Hijinks:
Here’s how the updated Toyota stacks up to its newest rivals.
Gallery: 2020 Toyota Highlander
Powertrain
Despite the carryover nature of its gas-only powertrain – this is just last year’s 3.5-liter V6 and eight-speed automatic transmission – the Highlander acquits itself well. Among the newest competition from Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and Ford, the Highlander is roughly equal on output, towing capacity, and tow rating.
| 2020 Toyota Highlander | 2020 Kia Telluride | 2019 Honda Pilot | 2020 Ford Explorer | |
| Base Engine | 3.5-liter V6 | 3.8-liter V6 | 3.5-liter V6 | Turbocharged 2.3-liter I4 |
| Output | 295 hp / 263 lb-ft | 291 hp / 262 lb-ft | 280 hp / 262 lb-ft | 300 hp / 310 lb-ft (est) |
| Transmission | 8-Speed Auto | 8-Speed Auto | 9-Speed Auto | 10-Speed Auto |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 Pounds | 5,000 Pounds (est) | 5,000 Pounds | 5,300 Pounds |
| Fuel Economy | 22 MPG Combined | 21 MPG Combined (est) | 22 MPG Combined | T.B.D. |
| Hybrid Available | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Safety
But where Toyota distinguishes itself is with its active safety technology, adding the entire Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite to every Highlander as standard equipment. Engineers enhanced last year’s setup, which featured lane departure warning with steering assist, full-speed adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and automatic high-beam headlights, by adding traffic sign recognition and lane keeping assist. That should make roadtripping in this new Toyota less stressful on Mom and Dad.
Most of the competition offers a similar level of active safety gear, although they aren’t necessarily available as standard on every trim.
| 2020 Toyota Highlander | 2020 Kia Telluride | 2019 Honda Pilot | 2020 Ford Explorer | |
| Automatic Emergency Braking | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Pedestrian Detection | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Available |
| Blind-Spot Monitoring | Standard | Standard | Available | Standard |
| Lane Departure Warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Lane Keeping Assist | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Automatic High Beams | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Rear Seat Reminder | N/A | Standard | N/A | N/A |
Tech
The headlining tech feature on the 2020 Toyota Highlander is unquestionably its new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Boasting Toyota’s Entune infotainment operating system and paired to a 1,200-watt JBL audio system, the new setup has the goods on paper.
Rival Reviews:
What it also has are redundant, physical buttons, for quick switching between screens. There are also physical knobs for both the volume and tuning.
| 2020 Toyota Highlander | 2020 Kia Telluride | 2019 Honda Pilot | 2020 Ford Explorer | |
| Maximum Infotainment Size | 12.3 inches | 10.3 inches | 8.0 inches | 10.1 inches |
| All-Digital Instrument Cluster | N/A | N/A | N/A | Available |
| Top Audio System | 11-Speaker JBL | 10-speaker Harman Kardon | 10-speaker, unbranded | 14-speaker B&O |
| Physical Controls | Yes, volume and tune* | Yes, volume and tune* | Yes, volume* | Yes, volume and tune* |
| Wireless Charging | Available | Available | Available | Available |
| WiFi Hotspot | N/A | N/A | N/A | Available |
| # of USB Ports | T.B.D. | 6 | 3 | 4 |