It appears that Toyota has begun to phase out its tried-and-true 3.5-litre V-6 engine. The 2023 Highlander three-row SUV swaps out that naturally aspirated motor for a new turbocharged 2.4-litre inline-four that produces 265 horsepower and 309 pound-feet of torque—a drop of 30 hp from the V-6 but an increase of 46 pound-feet of torque. Toyota claims that the four-cylinder will achieve the same 24 mpg combined as the V-6 in terms of its EPA ratings.
Expect the 2023 Highlander to go on sale later this year with a slight price increase, The new gas engine will again pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive.
Changes to the 2023 Highlander aren’t limited to just the powertrain, however. The digital information display on Limited and Platinum models grows from 7 inches to 12.3 inches, matching the size of the central touchscreen on those trims. The 12.3-inch touchscreen is now optional on the XLE and XSE, allowing price-conscious shoppers to still receive the benefits of the upgraded infotainment system. Those models also get the hands-free liftgate that used to come standard on more expensive levels.
Toyota is yet to release the latest pricing for the updated 2023 Highlander, but we think it will cost slightly more than the 2022 model starting at ₦18.6 million for the base L model and rising to ₦24.5 million for the Platinum.