The Toyota Highlander has carved a niche for itself as a dominant force in the mid-size SUV segment. Renowned for its spacious interior, legendary Toyota reliability, and advanced safety features, the 2024 Highlander continues this legacy with subtle yet impactful updates. This in-depth guide delves into every aspect of the 2024 Highlander, making it easier for you to decide if it’s the perfect fit for your family’s adventures.
A Haven for Passengers and Cargo: Exploring the Highlander’s Interior Design
Step inside the 2024 Highlander, and you’re greeted by a sanctuary of comfort and spaciousness. Soft-touch materials and a sleek design aesthetic elevate the cabin experience.
Key Features for Passenger Comfort:
Flexible Seating Configurations: Accommodate your growing family or adventurous road trips with ease. The Highlander offers configurations with either 7 or 8 seats, allowing you to tailor the cabin space to your specific needs.
Temperature-Controlled Comfort: Beat the heat or winter chills with heated and ventilated front seats available on select trim levels. This thoughtful feature ensures year-round comfort for the driver and front passenger.
Tech-Savvy Cabin: Stay connected and entertained on the go. The infotainment system boasts a touchscreen display compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, keeping everyone in the car engaged.
Ample Storage Solutions: The Highlander caters to your storage needs with a variety of compartments and cubbyholes. Large center consoles and under-floor storage in the cargo area ensure you can pack all the essentials for your next outing.Striking a Balance: The Highlander’s Exterior Design
The 2024 Highlander’s exterior design exudes a sense of both ruggedness and elegance. A prominent front grille commands attention, while standard LED headlights enhance nighttime visibility.
Exterior Features That Make a Statement:
Alloy Wheel Options: Complement the Highlander's aesthetics with stylish alloy wheels that vary in size depending on the chosen trim level.
Panoramic Roof Bliss: Indulge in an airy and open cabin ambiance with a panoramic sunroof available on select trims. This feature adds a touch of luxury and allows natural light to bathe the interior.
Functional Roof Rails: Standard roof rails provide a practical solution for mounting cargo boxes or other accessories, making it easier to transport sporting equipment, luggage, or anything your adventures demand.
Energy-Efficient LED Headlights: Standard LED headlights offer excellent nighttime visibility while consuming less energy, contributing to the Highlander's overall efficiency.Powertrain Options: Balancing Performance and Efficiency
For the 2024 model year, Toyota has streamlined the engine offerings. Gone is the previous V6 option, replaced by a single, yet powerful, 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine delivers a robust 265 horsepower and 362 lb-ft of torque, translating to decent acceleration and improved fuel efficiency compared to the outgoing V6.
Fuel-Sipping Alternative: The Highlander Hybrid
Eco-conscious drivers can rejoice! The Highlander offers a compelling hybrid option that combines the same 2.4-liter gasoline engine with two electric motors. This ingenious powertrain setup results in a total system output of 243 horsepower while delivering significantly better fuel economy compared to the standard gasoline engine.
Confidence-Inspiring Capability: All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Unpredictable weather or challenging road conditions are no match for the 2024 Highlander. All-wheel drive is available on every trim level, providing enhanced traction and control for a more confident driving experience, especially on slippery surfaces or uneven terrain.
Safety First: Unwavering Commitment to Passenger Protection
The 2024 Toyota Highlander prioritizes safety, earning top marks from esteemed organizations like NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).
Standard Safety Features Keeping You Protected:
Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection: This advanced system can automatically apply brakes to help prevent collisions with pedestrians in your path.
Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist: These features work together to alert you if you unintentionally stray from your lane and can gently nudge the car back into position, promoting better lane discipline.
Automatic High-Beam Headlights: Enjoy improved nighttime visibility without the hassle of manually switching between high and low beams. This system automatically adjusts the headlight intensity based on oncoming traffic.
Intelligent Headlight Control: The Highlander takes night driving to the next level with intelligent headlights that swivel to illuminate curves and ensure optimal visibility on winding roads.Tech Savvy Features: Keeping You Connected and Entertained
The 2024 Highlander seamlessly integrates technology into your driving experience, ensuring everyone stays connected and entertained on the go.
Key Technological Highlights:
Infotainment System with Touchscreen Display: The centerpiece of the Highlander's tech suite is a user-friendly infotainment system featuring a touchscreen display. Navigate menus, access features, and connect your smartphone with ease.
Smartphone Integration: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility allow you to mirror your phone's interface onto the touchscreen display. Access your favorite music streaming apps, navigation tools, and more directly from the car's central hub.
Stay Connected on the Move: A Wi-Fi hotspot keeps everyone in the car connected to the internet, allowing passengers to stream content, browse the web, or stay connected to work or school.
Premium Sound System (Available): Elevate your audio experience with a JBL premium sound system available on higher trim levels. Immerse yourself in rich, clear sound that brings your music and movies to life.
Digital Instrument Cluster (Available): For a touch of futuristic flair, select trims offer a digital instrument cluster that displays essential driving information in a crisp and customizable format.Variants: Choosing the Highlander That Suits You
The 2024 Toyota Highlander caters to a variety of needs and budgets with its diverse trim level offerings:
L (Base Model): This entry-level trim provides all the essentials you need in a mid-size SUV, including standard features like LED headlights, automatic emergency braking, and a touchscreen infotainment system.
LE: The LE trim builds upon the L model, adding features like heated front seats, a moonroof, and an upgraded sound system.
XLE: The XLE offers a more luxurious experience with amenities such as leather-trimmed seats, a power liftgate, and a navigation system.
Limited: The Limited trim takes luxury a step further with features like a JBL premium sound system, a panoramic sunroof, and heated and ventilated front seats.
Platinum: The top-of-the-line Platinum trim boasts the most advanced features, including a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and driver's memory settings.Pricing: Finding the Perfect Fit for Your Budget
The 2024 Toyota Highlander caters to a range of budgets. The starting MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) begins around $40,000 for the base L trim level and can reach over $50,000 for the top-of-the-line Platinum trim with all-wheel drive and additional options.
Expert and Owner Opinions: Weighing the Pros and Cons
Experts consistently praise the 2024 Toyota Highlander for its:
Spacious and comfortable interior
Smooth ride quality
Excellent fuel economy (especially with the hybrid option)
Long list of standard safety featuresHowever, some reviewers note that:
The infotainment system can be somewhat clunky to navigate
The driving experience is not as sporty as some competitors in the segmentWhen it comes to owner reviews, satisfaction is generally high. Owners appreciate the Highlander’s practicality, reliability, and value proposition.
The Final Verdict: A Reliable and Feature-Rich Choice for Families
The 2024 Toyota Highlander remains a compelling choice for families seeking a reliable, comfortable, and feature-rich mid-size SUV. It offers a winning combination of spaciousness, impressive fuel efficiency (especially with the hybrid option), and top-tier safety features. While the infotainment system might not be the most intuitive, and the driving dynamics may not be the sportiest, the overall package offers exceptional value for money.