- Best-in-Class fuel efficiency with a manufacturer-estimated 6.7L/100 km combined fuel consumption for the Hybrid AWD model
- Best Highlander ever – redesigned from ground up with all-new TNGA-enabled style and performance
- Starting MSRP of $39,990
- Hybrid model competitively priced at $2,000 over the equivalent gas model
- New available Dynamic Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive with Driveline Disconnect and Multi Terrain Select
- All models extensively equipped – including Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, Connected Services by Toyota with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ compatibility
TORONTO, ON – December 18, 2019 – Those who are keen to take charge of their lives know exactly what they want in a vehicle. It’s more than transportation. It’s a valued resource. It takes them to new places – and helps them bring home more of what the world has to offer.
For those people, there’s only one vehicle: the all-new, 2020 Toyota Highlander. Available in a choice of a regular gasoline or advanced self-charging gasoline-electric hybrid powertrains, with a range of trim levels to suit every taste and budget, the new Highlander line-up is an order of magnitude above the model it replaces, and ready to re-define the segment it created.
“The Toyota Highlander’s history is one of success – leading the segment that it created in 2001 – and that provided us with a unique challenge: to create something better, when the bar was already set so high,” said Cyril Dimitris, Vice President, Toyota Canada Inc. “We’re excited to bring an all-new 2020 Highlander with a new level of style and capability. A competitive $2,000 premium allows Canadians to get behind the wheel of a Highlander Hybrid, which offers a best-in-class 6.7 L/100 kilometre fuel consumption.”
The first Highlander to be built using the revolutionary Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, the 2020 models enjoy many benefits over previous generations. Performance upgrades include enhanced agility, a tighter turning radius, and the smoothest and quietest ride yet.
The TNGA platform also liberates Highlander’s design, giving it a more powerful stance and a modern, sophisticated attitude – with body styling designed to turn heads while being highly functional. Attention to all elements of the design – from the broad-brush strokes on the panel to the details of side mirrors and tail lights – contribute to the 2020 Highlander’s aerodynamic efficiency, to reduce wind noise while enhancing both vehicle stability and fuel efficiency.
Accentuating the 2020 Highlander are five new colours: Magnetic Gray Metallic, Ruby Flare Pearl, Blueprint, Opulent Amber and Moon Dust – a striking blue premium paint. Carried over from 2019 are exterior paint colours Blizzard Pearl, Celestial Silver Metallic and Midnight Black Metallic.
Inside, Highlander expresses a complete, modern makeover. Toyota designers improved everything from the doors to the seating, including better seat-folding features to improve access to the third row. In the meantime, improved legroom makes everybody happier on long journeys. Highlander models with space for eight people feature a three-person bench seat in the second row, while seven-person models upgrade the second row with a pair of captain’s chairs. All occupants will delight in a cabin defined by premium materials and finishes, as the new Highlander offers its most plush accommodations to date, with softer padded surfaces and a more tailored look adopted from luxury sedans. When there’s cargo to haul, second row and third row seats stow quickly and easily to open up 454 L of versatile space.
The 2020 Highlander is impressively equipped with technologies that help simplify everyday life – starting with Connected Services by Toyota. Certain models also include Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect and Destination Assist. And every Highlander is compatible with both Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™.
Under the hood, the Highlander family offers a choice of powertrains:
- The Highlander gas models are built around a 295 horsepower, 3.5-litre V6 engine matted to a Direct Shift eight-speed automatic transmission. The combination delivers enhanced fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and responsive acceleration. The gas model is offered in a choice of front-wheel-drive and four all-wheel-drive configurations and are set up for impressive fun with a factory-fitted towing package enhanced with Trailer Sway Control and a 5,000 lb. towing rating.
- Highlander Hybrid models feature a new-generation self-charging hybrid-electric powertrain. This super-efficient system combines an Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine, high-torque electric motor/generators, a continuously variable transmission and delivers 243-net horsepower. Hybrid system batteries are more efficient, keeping their size small enough to fit under the rear seats so they take up no additional cargo or passenger space. This all-new hybrid system boasts a 19 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency over the previous-generation hybrid powertrain – even as it generates almost as much system horsepower as the new conventional gas-powered Highlander. The new hybrid is not only the most efficient Highlander to date – it’s also now more efficient than many gas-powered compact sedans and is expected to top the segment in fuel efficiency. All 2020 Highlander Hybrid models feature the added confidence of all-wheel-drive (AWD). In addition, the 2020 Highlander Hybrid models carry a starting MSRP that’s just $2,000 more than their gas-engine equivalents.
Safety is also front and centre, headlined by Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 – an advanced bundle of technologies that enhance driver capabilities. Other standard safety features include the Toyota Star Safety System, the Blind Spot Monitor System with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, a backup camera and a tire pressure monitoring system.
To cater to a wide variety of preferences and budgets, the gas-engine Highlander is offered in five models as follows:
The 2020 Toyota Highlander L (starting MSRP: $39,900) is a front-wheel-drive eight-person model riding on 18” alloy wheels. New gear this year includes an eight-inch touchscreen plus Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ compatibility, heated front seats, a 4.2” full-colour multi-information display, the Toyota Smart Key System with Push Button Start, LED headlamps, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and electronic parking brake.
The 2020 Toyota Highlander LE AWD (starting MSRP: $43,490) introduces many new features not found on the 2019 model it replaces. Enhancements for 2020 include Connected Services By Toyota Audio Plus with Safety Connect, a display audio system with eight-inch touchscreen and integrated Sirius XM Satellite Radio plus Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ compatibility, dual zone automatic air conditioning, heated front seats, a 4.2” full-colour multi-information display, Smart Key System with Push Button Start, LED headlamps, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, electronic parking brake, Stop and Star Engine System and Toyota’s Dynamic Torque Control AWD System with rear driveline disconnect.
The 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE AWD (starting MSRP: $45,990) builds on the LE grade, adding unique 18” alloy wheels, a power moon roof, seats, steering wheel and shifter clad in Softex material, a four-way power passenger seat, auto-dimming rear view mirror with Homelink system, chrome roof rails, a power lift gate and LED fog lamps. New this year, this model introduces Connected Services by Toyota Audio Plus with Remote which includes Safety Connect, Remote Connect and Service Connect and a seven-inch multi-information display, in addition to the new features introduced on the LE trim level.
The 2020 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD (starting MSRP: $51,690) builds on the XLE, with upgrades including 20” alloy wheels, a panoramic moon roof, leather-trimmed seats, heated and ventilated front row seats with a driver’s seat memory system, heated steering wheel, premium LED headlamps, and a 120v/100w power outlet. The Limited trim level then introduces many new features for 2020 – including an 11-speaker, 1200W JBL Surround Sound audio system with Clari-Fi, Connected Services By Toyota Premium Audio which adds Destination Assist and embedded navigation, a wireless charging system for personal electronics, a kick-type power lift gate, Dynamic Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive with Multi-Terrain Mode, and Intelligent Clearance Sonar with Rear Cross Traffic Brake system.
The 2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD (starting MSRP: $53,990) is a new trim level for Highlander – a seven-passenger model riding on unique Platinum grade 20” alloy wheels and introducing unique interior and exterior styling cues. This model builds on the Limited trim level, adding a digital display rear view mirror, heated second-row captain’s seats, rain sensing wipers, a 10-inch colour head-up display, a 12.3” touchscreen display and the additional safety of a panoramic view monitor.
Those seeking the advanced power, impressive efficiency and unrivalled technology of the Highlander Hybrid have four models from which to choose:
The 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE AWD (starting MSRP: $45,490) is a new trim level for this year. This all-wheel-drive eight-person model rides on 18” alloy wheels. It includes all of the features found in the gas engine LE model and adds LED fog lamps, a steering wheel and shifter clad in Softex, and a power lift gate.
The 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD (starting MSRP: $47,990) is the hybrid equivalent of gas engine XLE model. It’s priced at $2,960 less than the 2019 Hybrid XLE model, while offering additional standard features.
The 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited AWD (starting MSRP: $53,690) includes all the features found on the gas-engine Limited model, with the addition of two 110V, 1500W high-power outlets. Compared to its 2019 equivalent, the 2020 Limited model’s starting MSRP drops by $3,570.
The 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD (starting MSRP: $55,990) is a new trim level for Highlander Hybrid – an all-wheel-drive seven-person model riding on unique 20” alloy wheels. This model has an identical feature list to the gas-engine Platinum grade.
The 2020 Toyota Highlander goes on sale in January 2020 at Toyota Dealers across Canada. The 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid will go on sale early Spring. For complete and up to date details and specifications, visit www.toyota.ca/highlander.
About Toyota Canada Inc.
Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Toyota has sold over eight million vehicles in Canada through a national network of 287 Toyota and Lexus dealerships. Toyota is dedicated to bringing safety, quality, dependability and reliability to the vehicles Canadians drive and the service they receive. TCI’s head office is located in Toronto, with regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax, and parts distribution centres in Toronto and Vancouver. Toyota operates two manufacturing facilities in Canada. Having produced more than eight million vehicles, popular Canadian models built at these facilities include Toyota RAV4, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h hybrid. Recent investments at its facilities in Ontario will allow for increased production of the top-selling Toyota RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid models.
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