If you’re ready to drive an SUV that is sport-tuned and drives with a smooth ride, then the 2020 Toyota Highlander might be the right model for you.
What 2020 Toyota Highlander specs should you know about?
Some notable specs for the 2020 Toyota Highlander include:
- Hybrid options
- A 295 horsepower 3.5L V6 (or 243 horsepower 2.5L hybrid V6) engine with the option of front- or all-wheel drive
- Excellent fuel efficiency at up to 29 mpg on the highway for standard models or up to 36 mpg for hybrid models
There’s no doubt that these performance metrics may have made you ready to make the purchase, but you know there’s more to know than just fuel efficiency and power. Here’s some more about the 2020 Toyota Highlander specs that are most important to consumers.
Get to Know the 2020 Toyota Highlander
The 2020 Toyota Highlander was an IIHS top safety pick in 2019, and Kelley Blue Book also rated it among the vehicles with the best resale values that year. It received an overall five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2020, making it a solid pick for people concerned about safety.
It received four stars for front crashes, five for side crashes thanks to side barriers and side poles, and four stars for rollover protection.
There was a single recall put out for the 2020 model in March 2020, because an improper fuel supply programming error could lead to the vehicle stalling out while in motion. Beneficially, the vehicle still has many safety features, like crash imminent braking, dynamic brake support and lane departure warning.
An SUV with Space and Drive: The Toyota Highlander
The 2020 Toyota Highlander is classed as a small sport utility vehicle and has front-wheel drive in basic models. It has a maximum horsepower of 295 @ 6600 and torque of 263 @ 4700. It has an automatic transmission, and it’s able to speed up from 0 to 60 in just 7.2 seconds. It’s able to do a quarter-mile run from a standstill in just 15.5 seconds.
Among SUVs, this model is one with a mind-boggling number of safety features. That’s why it received a five-star rating, overall, from the NHTSA.
Base models come with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, the Smart Key System with a push-button start (so you don’t have to fumble with your keys anymore) and three-zone automatic climate control. Amazon Alexa, Apple Car Play and Android Auto all work in the vehicle.
The base model has an estimated fuel efficiency of 21 mph in city and 29 on the highway. It seats eight, making it a good choice for families or those who need extra space for their gear.
All-season tires come standard on the Toyota Highlander, and a temporary spare is included. Bench seats are in the rear with a 60/40 split to make it easier to fit larger items into the SUV. Best of all, if you like to tow a motorhome or boat, you’ll love that this vehicle can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Notable Features of the Toyota Highlander
There are some excellent features that are included with the Toyota Highlander that you may appreciate. First, you have the option to get a hybrid version, so if you’re being eco-conscious, that upgrade might be a great choice for you.
If you have to worry about emissions standards in your state, you’ll like that it is considered an ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV 70)
Even if you go with the base model, the fuel economy is good. You can get up to 375.0 miles of range in the city and up to 519.1 on the highway, so long trips can happen without the need for too many fuel stops.
Some options you can add on include a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, a birds-eye-view camera and a perimeter scanner to help prevent crashes (and to assist when parallel parking). The vehicle comes with power-assisted ventilated 13.3-inch front disc brakes and electric power steering, so you can stay in control.
Finally, looking at some specific safety features, you may like that it comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which has a pre-collision system, pedestrian detection, lane departure warnings, steering assist, curve speed management, cyclist detection and other helpful risk-mitigating and crash-prevention features to keep you and your family safe.
Pros and Cons of the Toyota Highlander
Like any vehicle, the 2020 Toyota Highlander has some pros and cons. Some of the most notable include:
Pros:
- Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ to prevent crashes and injuries
- Standard V6 engine
- Standard Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, Android Auto
Cons:
- Higher pricing than rival vehicles
- Snug third-row seating
Like any SUV, the Toyota Highlander does have positives and negatives. Based on these, you should get a good idea of whether this vehicle will or won’t provide you with the features that you need to be safe and to get where you’re going.
Learn More at Vehicle History
If you think that a Toyota Highlander might be right for you, you can always learn more about these and other 2020 Toyota Highlander specs at Vehicle History.
