2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum review: should you consider this three-row family hauler?

2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum Our Take: The 2020 Toyota Highlander Highlander looks like a big SUV, but overall it's easy to live with as an everyday driver. All models are standard with a list of connectivity features like Apple Car Play, Android Auto, Waze, and SiriusXM. Appearance is another strong point of the 2020 Toyota Highlander, making it easy to maneuver around town. However, if you need every inch of cargo space, the Highlander may not live up to your expectations. Other three-row SUVs offer more space, but the Highlander, even with all-wheel drive, still beats them in fuel economy.

The Toyota Highlander is one of the best-selling three-row SUVs on the market. For 2020, the Highlander will get a complete redesign with new and important updates that should help it stay at the top of consumers' lists. But Kia and Hyundai are creating stiff competition with the Telluride and Palisade three-row family haulers, as is Honda with the all-new Pilot.

This week we drove a 2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum. Our test vehicle was equipped with all-wheel drive and a V6 engine.

Toyota Highlander: what's new for 2020?

The Toyota Highlander is completely redesigned for 2020 and offers increased cargo space behind the third row. Technology and connectivity updates for the new model year include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Waze. The previous four-cylinder engine is no longer available for the standard V6, and the new Highlander Hybrid promises better fuel economy.

Interior trim levels include L, LE, XLE, Limited and Platinum. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (PDF) is standard on every Highlander.

Features and options

The Highlander Platinum comes standard with LED headlights and fog lights, a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, and an eight-inch touchscreen with newly added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Platinum also includes tri-zone automatic climate control, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, second-row captain's chairs, heated leather front seats with greater adjustability, and a larger driver information display.

Our Highlander tester came with 20-inch wheels, navigation, ventilated front seats, and a premium JBL audio system, all of which we like. We also used the 12.3-inch touchscreen, surround-view camera system, digital rearview mirror, and projection display. All of these features will make the top-of-the-line Platinum model attractive to buyers.

How much does the 2020 Toyota Highlander cost?

Total manufacturer's recommended retail price, including destination, for our 2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum: $51,112. By comparison, the 2020 Toyota Highlander is priced from $34,600. Hybrid models start at $38,200.

This free and easy search tool* will help you find the best price on a new Toyota Highlander. Depending on local incentives and inventory availability in your area, you may be able to purchase at well below the manufacturer's recommended retail price.

2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum.

Interior features: Cramped at times

Platinum is the most luxurious of all Highlander trims. It offers an extra level of comfort with heated and ventilated leather seats, heated second-row seats, and a premium audio system. Up front, there's enough room for taller drivers, but the telescoping steering wheel could use a little more range.

The 2020 Highlander is longer than last year's model, adding more cargo space behind the third-row seats. The 2019 Highlander had 13.8 cubic feet of gear behind the third row, compared to 16 cubic feet for the 2020 model year change. That's more for the Highlander, but still behind competitors like the new Kia Telluride (21 cubic feet) and Hyundai Palisade (18 cubic feet). Likewise, we thought the third row in the Highlander was cramped, especially for adults.

If you need more cargo space, folding down the third-row seats with a 60/40 split opens up space to 48.4 cubic feet, and then folding down the second row raises it to 84.3 cubic feet.

Interior features: useful technologies

We were pleased to see Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration this year, as well as a new 12.3-inch display in the top-of-the-line Platinum versions. A rearview camera allows the driver to see even if the rear is loaded with extra cargo. The bird's eye view camera is sharp and can be rotated to see around the vehicle.

Toyota Highlander 2020: engine and transmission

The new Highlander is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. The V6 comes paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is available for the Highlander Limited and Platinum. An optional all-wheel drive system can send up to 50 percent of available torque to the rear wheels to counteract wheelspin when needed.

All-wheel-drive models come with a drive mode selection knob for different conditions on the console. Toyota officially calls this «all-wheel drive with dynamic torque vectoring with drive mode selection and transmission disengagement.» It's a long name, but we recommend all-wheel drive even if you don't live in colder climates or drive off-road.

2020 Toyota Highlander

EPA fuel consumption estimates for front-wheel-drive models are 21/29 city/highway and 24 combined. All-wheel-drive models get 20/27 city/highway and 23 combined. Against competitors equipped with all-wheel drive, the 2020 Toyota Highlander comes out on top in terms of fuel economy.

How much can the 2020 Highlander tow?

When properly equipped with the available V6 Highlander towing kit, the Highlander can tow a maximum of 5,000 pounds. The kit includes a heavy-duty radiator with engine oil cooler and Trailer Sway Control.

Toyota Highlander 2020 under the hood.

Driving dynamics: strong and stable

Driving the new Highlander at high altitude in Colorado gave us a good test of the vehicle in extreme conditions. We drove the new three-row SUV west of Denver at about 8,300 feet above sea level. The Highlander responds quickly when we hit the gas pedal, and we had decent power when it came to overtaking slower cars.

We like the Highlander's ability to handle twisty mountain turns as all-wheel drive and torque management systems manage body roll. When pushed hard, these systems help keep the three-row SUV stable and steady. Toyota says it applies power to the individual rear wheels to improve the SUV's handling, and we agree. We drove the Highlander on dry pavement, but when it snows, you get additional all-weather capability and safety.

The Highlander also offers good outward visibility, which is another key consideration for families driving children. All models come standard with Apple Car Play and Android Auto and offer additional features like Alexa in-car compatibility, Waze, SiriusXM, and Wi-Fi connectivity. We can see a family on the road using each of these features at some point, if not daily.

Conclusion: overall the right choice

The 2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum gets high marks for its added levels of comfort and new technology. It offers above-average fuel economy for a V6 engine with just under 300 horsepower. The extra cargo space behind the third row, while smaller than the competition, is another plus for those who may trade in their old Highlander for the new one. Overall, the 2020 Highlander feels confident on the highway, is safe on winding mountain roads, and offers plenty of connectivity technology for long trips.

Denis Flierl has worked in the automotive industry for over 25 years in various positions. All of his first-hand reviews are archived on our test drive page. Follow Denis on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy

Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.

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