2022 Toyota Highlander

We would recommend picking the 2022 Toyota Highlander LE trim over the base model as it comes with more safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and LED fog lights for better visibility. If you want a more luxurious vehicle you can make do by going one level up with the XLE.

The gasoline 2022 Highlander arrives at the dealership with 6 trims, including the sporty XSE trim. For 2022, Highlander's lineup starts at $35,205 for the base L with FWD and goes up to $49,510 for the top of the range Platinum AWD. All grades are available with either FWD or AWD. Launched in 2021 and continuing for the 2022 model year, the Highlander XSE starts at an MSRP of $42,000 for the FWD variant and comes with specially tuned handling suspension, unique exterior styling, and exclusive interior trim.

Toyota offers 2022 Highlander with ample options to suit varying buyers and some of the Highlander's premium features on the upper trim levels are available on entry-level trims as options. This midsize three-row SUV offers to seat eight passengers and you can swap the second-row bench for captains chairs in the midrange and higher trims. For 2022, the Toyota Highlander will continue to include standard Toyota Safety Sense (TSS 2.5+), an advanced suite of active safety systems.

2022 Toyota Highlander Trims and Configurations>>

Ultimately, the Highlander serves its purpose as a versatile and easy-driving SUV - Motortrend

The 2022 Highlander offers a quite powerful base engine, which is the 3.5L V6 generating 295 horsepower. The power is routed through the eight-speed automatic transmission to either front-wheels or all-wheels depending on the trim you choose. The Highlander's 0-60 time is rated at 7.3 seconds for the FWD variant while the all-wheel-drive model clocks 6.7 seconds. For buyers looking for fuel-efficient midsize SUVs, Highlander's lineup includes a Hybrid variant that combines a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine with 2 electric motors for 243 hp.

The Highlander's handling has improved and the body roll is well contained for its size. Toyota's available torque-vectoring AWD system can distribute torque to each of the rear wheels for a more engaging driving experience apart from extra traction. The car rides smoothly, and so you’ll have to have a relaxing ride rather than a thrilling one.

While all the SUVs in the competition reflect similar performance outputs, the Ford Explorer leads a bit ahead of all due to its turbocharged engine. The Toyota Highlander follows its lead and lands in the second position. Some competitors are faster than the 2022 Highlander and even stop quicker than it is in the emergency braking scenarios. Still, the Toyota Highlander is one of the easy-to-drive SUVs.

2022 Toyota Highlander Specifications>>

The 2022 Toyota Highlander FWD variant gets EPA estimated 21 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. The all-wheel-drive Highlander returns 20 MPG city and 27 MPG on the highway. This 1 or 2 MPG advantage over the rivals gives the Highlander an edge in the SUV segment. The Highlander comes equipped with a moderately-sized fuel tank, rated at 17 gallons.

Most of the Highlander's competitors offer bigger fuel tanks, which results in a better driving range. However, this Toyota is efficient for daily driving and highway cruising, considering it comes with a standard V6. 

Practical, comfortable, and stylish, the 2022 Toyota Highlander is a family SUV with its eye on the mid-size prize - Car and Driver

The 2022 Highlander's interior offers practicality in all trims with exclusive sportier interior styling in the XSE trim. You get seating for eight in the L and LE while the XLE and above trims come standard with a Captain’s Chair second row with seating for seven. The large rear doors offer easy access, while the third-row access isn't problematic.

With all seats up, Highlander offers 16.0 cu. ft. of cargo space behind the third row. With 60/40 split third-row seatbacks folded, capacity increases to 48.4 cubic feet, and then folding the second row raises that to 84.3 cu. ft. Inside the Highlander XSE, you get exclusive interior styling adorning black SofTex-trimmed seats, ambient lighting, and a carbon-fiber finish on the instrument panel. Upscale Limited and Platinum models offer more creature comforts but it is relatively less than the Kia and Ford.

The materials used for the construction of the interiors are top-notch. No quality compromise has been done. You’ll find the features to be exceptionally pleasant. The cargo space might not be that big behind the rear seats but if you need to carry more stuff along, you can always fold up the seats flat. 

The base Highlander L trim comes equipped with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and 4.2-inch gauge cluster display. The upper trims enjoy a 12.3-inch touchscreen and 7.0-inch gauge display. Smartphone integration including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, along with Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi hotspot comes standard. For 2022, USB ports have been updated for both front and rear. two Type-C USB ports plus 1 Type-A port are located at the bottom of the center stack. Some trims also get a wireless charging pad in the front row.

Toyota's Highlander isn't especially noteworthy in the design department - CarBuzz

The way Toyota has styled the 2022 Highlander’s exteriors is impressive, to say the least. The 2022 Toyota Highlander carries over its bold design, with the L, LE and XLE trim boasting a black front grille with silver-colored paint surround, while the Limited and Platinum models get a black grille with chrome-colored trim, LED fog lights, and 20-inch alloy wheels. The top-range Highlander Platinum trim further distinguish itself with a silver-colored painted front bumper and rear fascia and a unique 20-inch wheel.

Adding the athletic appeal, the Highlander XSE machined-faced 20-inch wheels with black accents. Highlander's design is also highly functional with greater aerodynamic efficiency. For 2022, Toyota adds Wind Chill Pearl to the exterior color palate (replacing Blizzard Pearl). When the car was updated in 2020, it got better in terms of its curviness and polishing. If you’re not too keen on the exteriors of your car, you might as well excuse the disproportionate tires of the Highlander. However, most people would love the car as is.

The Highlander is one of the lightest vehicles in the segment, with curb weight rated at 4,145 lbs for the base model. In the class, the Explorer's dimensions surpass every other car. Key exterior features include -

• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Auto leveling LED headlights
• Optional twin-tip exhaust
• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Black signature grille
• Power folding heated side mirrors

2022 Toyota Highlander Dimensions>>

As it's pretty early, the upcoming model of the 2022 Toyota Highlander has not been tested for safety ratings by the NHTSA or IIHS.In crash testing, the NHTSA gave the 2021 Highlander the highest five-star overall safety rating. The IIHS gave the 2020 Top Safety Pick + award to the Highlander trims equipped with curve-adaptive LED headlights. All Highlander models are equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), a suite of advanced driver-assist and safety features. The XLE models also come with rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring. And the Limited models come with automatic braking and front and rear parking assist. The Platinum models also get adaptive headlights with auto-leveling.

There are many available standard safety features in the Highlander such as a:

• Reverse camera 
• Eight airbags
• Traction and stability control
• Tire-pressure monitoring system 
• Lane departure with steering assist
• Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection 
• Full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control
• Lane tracing assist
• Cyclist detection and road sign recognition.

2022 Toyota Highlander vs 2022 Kia Telluride

One can’t ignore the number of awards and honors the Kia Telluride has won amongst the SUV segment. After all, the car offers a tech-packed package that makes the enthusiasts happy. It sure is an advanced SUV but it’s also a reasonable option.

You won’t find many complaints with the Kia Telluride per se. And when it comes to performance, the Telluride does great there too. Though the Highlander isn’t very far behind. But when it comes to reliability, you may want to go for the 2022 Toyota Highlander.

2022 Toyota Highlander vs 2022 Hyundai Palisade

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade and the 2022 Toyota Highlander are way too similar, perhaps because they come from the same parent. However, you’d find some points of comparison in both.

While the Palisade comes out as expensive, the Telluride will be available at a cheaper cost. In fact, the Telluride also comes with lots of features and a supreme infotainment system. The Highlander, on the other hand, offers only great ride quality and better standard safety features.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander is undoubtedly a potential contender in the three-row midsize SUV segment. The vehicle is a highly reliable and capable driver. But it somewhere lacks comfort and feature compared to the rivals such as Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride. The Highlander XSE and Hybrid models are good additions to keep Toyota in the race. For those looking for a sporty Toyota SUV, XSE trim offers much better dynamics and looks while the Highlander Hybrid targets fuel efficiency. For 2022, we welcome the Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition which offers unique styling and premium features. Once on sale later this year, the 2022 Highlander will start at an MSRP of $35,205.