The all-new for 2020 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid debuted at Canadian dealerships this spring. For the new year, and decade, we are very excited to take you through some of the Highlander’s head-turning interior & exterior design cues, suite of available technology, performance capabilities, as well as the multiple safety features of this new groundbreaking vehicle.

The 2020 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid are offered in a total of 9 available models, with 4 Hybrid models and 5 gas-powered models. We’re confident there is one to match your budget and lifestyle and family.

Top that off with Toyota’s durability and reliability, backed with an outstanding 8-year or 160,000 KM Hybrid Component Warranty, or a new extended 10-year or 240,000 Hybrid Battery Warranty. There’s never been a better time to drive a Toyota!

With that said, let us take you through some of the features the new 2020 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid has to offer.

All new for 2020, The Highlander serves up a bold, exterior design with a focus on a lower, wider stance. A sculpted, muscular design that showcases a strong road presence that immediately radiates capability in any situation but does so in a very modern stylish package.

But it’s not just all looks; the Highlander design delivers greater aerodynamic efficiency, contributing to greater vehicle stability.

The exterior design, however, is just half the picture. Open the doors and the first thing you’ll notice is a beautiful refined interior wrapped in total luxury and convenience and function. Flexible seating arrangements offer room for 7 or 8 passengers. Three-zone climate control ensures you and your group will travel in comfort, no matter what the outside environment dishes out.

For the driver, Highlander offers luxurious appointments, such as standard 8-way power adjustable & heated driver’s seat. A 10” head up display allows you to monitor important information while still keeping your eyes on the road. An available 12.3” large touchscreen, one of the largest in the segment, offers bright and clear centrally controlled convenience for easy viewing and simple operation.

With the choice of the Highlander Platinum model, you get the pinnacle of design elements, such as special Platinum coloured front bumper and rear fascia and a stunning unique 20”alloy wheel design. Additional interior padded surfaces, specially embossed and perforated leather trim round out the interior design highlights. Interior LED ambient lighting adds a unique feel to the cabin while creating a soothing environment to travel in.

When it comes to cargo, you’ll have more space than ever before, a full 60mm longer than the outgoing Highlander model! Fold the 60/40 split fold-flat 3rd seats to open up 40.6 cu. Ft. The available hands-free power liftgate makes loading and unloading a pleasure.

The available 3.5-litre V6 naturally aspirated gas engine puts out 295 HP in a perfect blend of power and efficiency. Riding on a new advanced platform helps it handle in a nimble manner, despite its larger size. The available 2020 Highlander’s transmission is an 8-speed automatic.

The fuel efficiency for the aforementioned engine is 8.5L/100km. Additionally, the new Highlander has up to 5000-LB towing capacity allowing you to take exactly what you want with you.

The Start-Stop engine comes to a full stop when you do, then instantly turns itself back on as you take your foot off the brake to help you save fuel and to keep emissions to an absolute minimum.

Heading off the beaten path, or perhaps a night on the town? Highlander has you covered with Multi-Terrain Select. So, if you’re heading back from a day of skiing with the gang and on your way to make your reservation at the best downtown restaurant, rest assured you’ll get there safely, quickly, comfortably and in total Highlander-style!

The system lets you choose between 4 “Terrain” Modes:

• Mud & Sand
• Rock & Dirt
• Snow
• Normal

In addition, the following systems can team up with the aforementioned systems for the ultimate performance in any conceivable situation.

• Vehicle Stability Control
• Hill Start Assist Control
• Downhill Assist Control

These days, Safety straddles both the Performance arena as well as the Technology arena, where the three elements meet in the middle of a Venn diagram. It’s hard to think of one without the other, so let’s highlight the salient Safety Features of the new Highlander. On one end, they’ll deter that little fender-bender, on the other, save your life, or the life of the people around you.

The Toyota suite of Safety Features is called Toyota Safety Sense 2.0tm (TSS 2.0). This advanced suite of safety features work in conjunction with the driver to ensure total awareness of your driving environment at all times.

Six distinct safety technology features round out the system, which includes available:

• Pre-Collusion System with Daytime/Low-Light Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, plus Daytime Bicycle Detection
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist and Road Edge Detection
• Automatic High Beam
• Full Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

These detection and emergency autonomous systems kick in when you simply can’t react quickly enough. This is where modern technology and safety come together to help protect you, as well as everyone around you.

When it comes to airbags, Toyota has you covered, with 8 strategically placed standard airbags. The 2020 Highlander features dual stage airbags for both driver and passenger. There’s also an airbag to protect the driver’s knees. Passengers have seat cushion and side curtain airbags for all three rows.

Standard on LE Grades and above is Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). These systems will add a heightened awareness while on the road, and while backing up your Highlander, certainly something we can all use. Rear Cross Traffic Braking (RCTB) not only warns of approaching cross traffic when reversing, but also can automatically apply the brakes when required.

At Toyota, we take your safety very seriously.