“Toyota RAV4’s big brother, the V6 is replaced by a straight-4 turbo…Highlander U.S. 2023
2.4-liter straight-4 turbo outperforms 3.5-liter V6 by 17% in maximum torque
Two types of AWD systems available
12.3-inch multi-information display in front of the driver
Monday, May 16, 2022, 18:00
Toyota Highlander 2023 model year
On May 11, Toyota Motor Corporation’s U.S. division announced the 2023 model year of its midsize SUV, the Toyota Highlander. The current Highlander is the fourth generation model and will be introduced in the spring of 2019. In the U.S. market, the SUV will be positioned above the RAV4.
◆2.4-liter straight-4 turbo outperforms the 3.5-liter V6 by 17% in maximum torque
In the 2023 model year, the conventional 3.5-liter V6 gasoline naturally aspirated engine is replaced by a downsized 2.4-liter inline-4 gasoline turbo engine. It draws maximum output of 265hp and maximum torque of 42.7kgm. This is 17% more than the maximum torque of 36.4 kgm of the conventional 3.5-liter V6, while reducing the displacement by 1.1 liter.
The new turbocharged engine, which is standard equipment on all gasoline-powered vehicles, reduces NOx and NMOG (non-methane organic gas) in exhaust gas by more than 50%. Compared to the conventional V6 engine, CO2 emissions have also been reduced. As for fuel economy, it will be the same as the conventional V6 and is expected to achieve 24 MPG (approx. 10.2 km/liter) in combined mode. To reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, a stop-and-start engine system was adopted. When the vehicle comes to a stop, the engine also stops, and as soon as the driver’s foot leaves the brake pedal, the engine restarts.
◆The new turbo engine has a towing capacity of up to 2.2 tons, and is equipped with Trailer Sway Control (TSC), which uses VSC to control the movement of trailers when towing campers and other vehicles.
◆Two types of AWD systems available
The models with the new turbocharged engine have a choice of FWD or two types of AWD systems as a drive system. The optional AWD system can redirect up to 50% of the torque to the rear wheels when it detects front wheel slip.
The Turbo Platinum grade offers Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD, a performance-oriented AWD system. This AWD system features drive mode switching and a disconnect function. In addition to controlling torque distribution between the front and rear wheels, this advanced system uses special couplings to distribute torque between the left and right rear wheels.
When AWD is not needed, such as when cruising on the highway, the rear wheel disconnect function automatically de-allocates the drive torque to the rear wheels and stops the rotation of the propeller shafts to reduce fuel consumption.
◆12.3-inch multi-information display in front of the driver
The Limited and Platinum grades come standard with two 12.3-inch multi-information display (MID) screens. These 12.3-inch displays feature glare-reducing screens. Both grades replace the 7-inch TFT meter screen in front of the driver with a 12.3-inch full-digital instrument cluster, and introduce four different visual modes: casual, smart, tough, and sporty.
The 12.3-inch center touchscreen in the center of the dashboard is optional on the XLE and XSE grades. These two grades will continue to have the 7-inch TFT instrument screen as standard. The L and LE grades replace the existing 7-inch TFT with a new 4.2-inch TFT.
For the 2023 model year, Cypress is added as a new body color. Harvest Beige and Glazed Caramel were added to the interior colors. These replace the previous Noble Brown and feature black as an accent color, the company says.
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