Actually the 4 cylinder turbo is surprisingly smooth, quiet and powerful. You can feel a slight difference in power delivery, but overall if someone did not tell me I would have hard time believing it was 4 cyl.
I like your comment about the 360 birds eye spin.....I'm not sure what that's all about. Me neither! I have a 2023 Highlander Hybrid and to me, it's annoying. I love the bird's eye but the spinning....I'm just not feeling it. Somehow I even get the bird's eye in my garage. I'm not sure how that works but I do like it! Nice review though. I love mine but have a few issues with the Infotainment system. If we could get this worked out I'd say it's probably one of the best vehicles I've ever owned.
Many definitely miss the V6 engine. I think Toyota should have left it as an option and see what people would choose. But they are being pressured by the EPA and other propaganda as well.
I just drove an xse turbo. It was noisy and not smooth at all. I have a 2012 sport v6. And it is so much better, ordering a hi hi platinum this summer. Not as powerful but alot smoother. And I hold my vehicles long enough to be worth the extra cost
@@MattTheCarguy I got a chance to drive a platinum with the turbo 4. IT WAS ALOT SMOOTHER !!! Not fast at all. But the transmission had more precise shifts and the engine noise was only apparent when hitting the throttle for an on ramp to the hiway. In 2.5 years I will let you know on the hybrid. Lol
@@xlthumper drove a turbo 4 as well and have the v6 with 8 speed. I will say the turbo 4 feels wayyy quicker in normal driving due to low end shove, but the v6 does still manage to feel punchier and way quicker while being smoother and sound better
They are not big on bells and whistles that's for sure. This time between Toyota and Lexus they are betting on 4 cyl. RX is only available in 4 cyl as well.
Toyota wants their products to last so they are not so interested in changing a product that's not broken Thus you have the longer wait for updates . Do it right the first time !!!! Look at how many recalls Ford had last year....they are in such a hurry to get things to market they skimp on quality.
That is true. But i would follow the money. As long as people are buying it they dont have to spend money on new production line etc. They used to be on 5 year model cycle. Now it seems like 7. Thanks for watching
Anyone pull a 2000lb aluminum fishing boat with the new 2.4ltr yet? Would like to see a video of the highlander performance pulling an aluminum boat...2000-2500lbs....
Not a huge fun of Highlander, and Toyota overall to be honest, but I'm very happy to own '21 Platinum. What we see here is just bad. Definitely will not go with Toyota in the future again.
@@MattTheCarguyHaving owned both, not that much difference in performance. The noise of the 4 was annoying at first, but it’s not that bad. the 4 handles hills, passing, and acceleration as well as the 6 did. The torque increase helps a lot at the low end.
There are low light LEDs in several areas that shine a very dim light into targeted areas, more or less where there is storage. It is not like mood lighting or string lights in more expensive cars like the Mercedes. Hope that helps
Just got mine a week ago upgraded from a 2011 Rav 4. Took it on our first summer trip to Big Sur. LOvED it ..
Thats awesome! Congratulations!
THanks, great review and very helpful!
Thank you !!
Thanks for the video, we are loving the Highlander. Just waiting for ours to show up.
Congratulations! Thank you for watching!
You have to put the car in forward to toggle on the parking camera and the ones underneath the mirrors
Thanks!
Did you feel any difference between v6 and this 4 cylinder turbo?
Actually the 4 cylinder turbo is surprisingly smooth, quiet and powerful. You can feel a slight difference in power delivery, but overall if someone did not tell me I would have hard time believing it was 4 cyl.
@@MattTheCarguy thanks for the quick response.. appreciated
No 6 cylinder makes it pretty much a city car only , it is disappointing that they are not offering a 6 cylinder
@@tt55k sucks that they did that I really want one but that 4cylinder is holding me back from getting it
I like your comment about the 360 birds eye spin.....I'm not sure what that's all about. Me neither! I have a 2023 Highlander Hybrid and to me, it's annoying. I love the bird's eye but the spinning....I'm just not feeling it. Somehow I even get the bird's eye in my garage. I'm not sure how that works but I do like it!
Nice review though. I love mine but have a few issues with the Infotainment system. If we could get this worked out I'd say it's probably one of the best vehicles I've ever owned.
@@lainey7972 lol true. Overall a great SUV.
For a $54K vehicle to have black fender trim and not color match is totally ridiculous.
At least they only left it around the wheels. Some manufacturers are going all around. But i agree, it would look much better all color coordinated.
Looked at them yesterday what a turn off
Highlander is overpriced
I'm turning in my camry and getting the xse or platinum I wish the had the red leather seats
I guess you can have them done aftermarket
I wanted to like the 23, I really did. I absolutely hate the new powertrain. It's slow. I bought a 22' platinum with 6500 miles instead.
Many definitely miss the V6 engine. I think Toyota should have left it as an option and see what people would choose. But they are being pressured by the EPA and other propaganda as well.
Isn’t about EPA,
I just drove an xse turbo. It was noisy and not smooth at all. I have a 2012 sport v6. And it is so much better, ordering a hi hi platinum this summer. Not as powerful but alot smoother. And I hold my vehicles long enough to be worth the extra cost
The one tested was surprisingly smooth and quiet. I hope you will like yours!
@@MattTheCarguy I got a chance to drive a platinum with the turbo 4. IT WAS ALOT SMOOTHER !!! Not fast at all. But the transmission had more precise shifts and the engine noise was only apparent when hitting the throttle for an on ramp to the hiway. In 2.5 years I will let you know on the hybrid. Lol
@@xlthumper drove a turbo 4 as well and have the v6 with 8 speed. I will say the turbo 4 feels wayyy quicker in normal driving due to low end shove, but the v6 does still manage to feel punchier and way quicker while being smoother and sound better
I want a Highlighter Prime !! (PHEV)
No news on that yet.
$60k out the door and have manual drop down seats? Toyota is always lacking on upgrades and options. We will see how this engine holds up too
They are not big on bells and whistles that's for sure. This time between Toyota and Lexus they are betting on 4 cyl. RX is only available in 4 cyl as well.
Hate to say it, but $60K is too much-overpaid.
Toyota wants their products to last so they are not so interested in changing a product that's not broken
Thus you have the longer wait for updates . Do it right the first time !!!! Look at how many recalls Ford had last year....they are in such a hurry to get things to market they skimp on quality.
That is true. But i would follow the money. As long as people are buying it they dont have to spend money on new production line etc. They used to be on 5 year model cycle. Now it seems like 7. Thanks for watching
Anyone pull a 2000lb aluminum fishing boat with the new 2.4ltr yet? Would like to see a video of the highlander performance pulling an aluminum boat...2000-2500lbs....
I would be interested in seeing a towing video as well.
Dealers still add body side pinstriping? 😂😂😂😂😂
the whole package and some pimp oil on the wheels 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks for a detailed walkthrough, very helpful!
@@stepanfurdei1995 you are very welcome
Yep...and $200 for nitrogen in the tires...$1500 for worthless LoJack...$300 for window etching that is equally worthless...etc etc.
Toyota/Lexus 360/Panoramic surround view honestly sucks, simulating on its own and not letting you pick the view you want.
I agree. they could do so much better!
Not a huge fun of Highlander, and Toyota overall to be honest, but I'm very happy to own '21 Platinum. What we see here is just bad. Definitely will not go with Toyota in the future again.
Is it because of the 4 cyl?
@@MattTheCarguy That too.
@@MattTheCarguyHaving owned both, not that much difference in performance. The noise of the 4 was annoying at first, but it’s not that bad. the 4 handles hills, passing, and acceleration as well as the 6 did. The torque increase helps a lot at the low end.
@@robertskelton3779 Thanks for that info! Always good to hear from the owners after real life test.
maybe you should check out the kia
Can you cover the ambient lighting at night?
I wish I had this vehicle for longer but I only had access to it for few hours during the day.
There are low light LEDs in several areas that shine a very dim light into targeted areas, more or less where there is storage. It is not like mood lighting or string lights in more expensive cars like the Mercedes.
Hope that helps