Set to debut at next week’s New York Auto Show, the Highlander also gains a freshened appearance to wrap around all that new hardware, as well as a sport-minded SE model and an expanded range of Hybrid trims.
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Releasing a selection of pictures of its updated big SUV, Highlander, known as the Kluger in Australia, looks nearly identical to the current vehicle but us said to have subtle exterior tweaks that include the addition of new upper and lower grilles and more chrome accents on high-spec models.
In the United States, the Highlander will also be offered with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and as a hybrid, with the hybrid variants adopting the new direct-injection V6. Together these changes should help keep Highlander at the top of the sales charts. The new SE trim’s darker grille treatment mirrors the dark headlight housing and roof rail colors, while SE-specific 19-inch wheels use black-painted highlights between silver spokes. Inside, the 2017 Highlander SE features exclusive black leather-trimmed seats with silver stitching and seat inserts, matching sash and door inserts, and a black front tray. Toyota says it’s not only more powerful than the outgoing V6, but more economical too, with an extended lock up range.
Visually, the 2017 Highlander gets a new grille design that is at least a little cleaner than the previous model’s. Charging personal devices will be more efficient as all Highlanders will add four USB ports for a total of five.
Inside, the Limited trim level now seats seven with its two captain’s chairs in the second row. For 2017, LE and XLE trim levels join the Limited and Limited Platinum as available trims on Highlander Hybrid models. The package includes pre-collision warning and braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Toyota will also throw Pedestrian Pre-collision into the mix, which uses both radar and a camera to help you avoid hitting people. When the system determines there is a possibility of collision it prompts the driver to brake with an audio and visual alert.
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The Highlander XLE grade will also adopt blind spot monitor as standard equipment. The 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid’s powertrain is unchanged, consisting of a 231-hp V-6 engine, a 68-hp electric drive motor, and a continuously variable transmission, with all-wheel drive as standard.
