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With the 2022 Toyota Highlander, buyers can select a hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive. Plus, a newly available and sharp-looking Bronze Edition.
2022 Toyota Highlander – pressroom.toyota.com | Shop 2022 Toyota Highlander on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2022 Toyota Highlander
The biggest news for the 2022 Toyota Highlander is a new Bronze Edition trim. Only available with the hybrid powertrain, it offers a trim-exclusive Cement paint job, snazzy bronze 18” wheels and the option for all-wheel drive. The bronze theme continues inside with seat inserts and stitching, illuminated door sills and floor mats that all feature this color scheme. Other updates to the fourth-gen Highlander include the addition of a Wind Chill Pearl paint color and power-adjustability of the seat height and recline for front passengers.
The Breakdown
New Bronze Edition spruces up lineup
Any trim is available with AWD
Almost all trims available with hybrid
Full suite of driver-assistance aids is standard
Higher trims could be mistaken for a Lexus
Cargo volume is on the small side
2022 Toyota Highlander Specs
- 295 horsepower from base engine
- 263 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 16 cu-ft. of cargo capacity
- 84.3 cu-ft. of cargo capacity with seats down
- Rearview mirror shows live digital feed
- Automatic Collision Notification
- Hybrid battery pack covered up to 150,000 miles
2022 Toyota Highlander Powertrain
The 2022 Toyota Highlander comes standard with a 3.5-liter, V6 engine making 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The power is run to the front wheels normally, though all-wheel drive is an option on any trim level for $1600.
Toyota has been making hybrids for quite a while and that expertise is available on every 2022 Highlander except L and XSE models, for about $1400. It blends a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder gas motor with a pair of electric motors and battery pack for a combined 243 horses and 175 torques. Hybrid models use a continuously-variable transmission and add a rear-mounted electric motor when AWD is selected.
Independent suspension at all four corners ensures confident handling and XSE models receive a unique, sport tune to those bits. All Highlanders come with driver-selectable, vehicle modes that alter throttle mapping and steering programming to reflect the intention of Eco, Normal, Sport or Snow setup. All-wheel drive models also have Mud/Sand and Rock/Dirt modes while the Hybrid has an all-electric, EV mode.
2022 Toyota Highlander Fuel Economy & MPG
The hybrid powertrain is of course the fuel efficiency headliner but the standard V6 is no slouch. The EPA estimates it will achieve 21 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway in FWD setup or 20/27, respectively, with AWD.
Active grille shutters and regenerative braking are in use on hybrid models, attributing to its superior 36 mpg around town and 35 mpg on the open road with front-wheel drive. The city figure drops by 1 mile per gallon in AWD guise while the highway value stays at 35.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Depending on second row configuration, the 2022 Toyota Highlander can accommodate 7 or 8 passengers. Front row occupants will find heated and ventilated seating with the second row offering heat, on higher trims. Both the middle and rear sets of seats can recline a few degrees, or fold flat to open up 84 cubic feet of storage volume. Owners can reach Lexus-like levels of amenities with contrast-stitched leather, a panoramic glass roof and heated steering wheel.
Entertainment & Technology
An 8” touchscreen display handles infotainment duties on most trims, though the Platinum comes with a 12” version. Software from Apple, Android and Amazon is lineup standard but you’ll need a Limited model to hear the JBL stereo with its Clari-Fi tech and 11 speakers. Driver Easy Speak acts as a cabin PA system with a 10” HUD displaying vehicle info in color, on the windshield. All 2022 Toyota Highlanders are Wi-Fi enabled and come with 5 USB ports plus two 12V outlets, enough to keep everyone powered up.
Safety Features
Toyota makes all their best safety gear standard equipment on the 2022 Highlander like it’s Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of active-safety aids. It includes automatic high beams, road sign assist and dynamic radar cruise control. Eight airbags include a full side curtain and the available Safety Connect system brings an emergency assistance button, stolen vehicle locator and roadside assistance functionality.
2022 Toyota Highlander Trims & Pricing
L – $35,085
Though it’s one of the few Highlander trims without the option for hybrid power, entry-level L models can be had with AWD for about $1600, as can any other trim. As well, Toyota’s bundle of driver-assistance aids, Safety Sense 2.5+, is standard fare. LED front and rear lamps, 18” alloys and color-keyed side mirrors with heat, power-adjustability and integrated turn signals look smart outside.
Inside, cloth is the upholstery of choice with triple-zoned, automatic climate control and a second-row bench that slides and reclines. An 8” touchscreen display handles Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa functions with a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot ready to go.
LE – $37,285
The hybrid powertrain is an option on LE models for $1450 which – like any other trim – doesn’t change the model-level features versus the standard V6. With the LE, those features include leather on the steering wheel and shifter, LED fog lights and a power, height-adjustable liftgate. The Audio Plus system adds Service Connect which keeps owners up to date on maintenance schedules while the exterior mirrors add blind-spot monitoring.
XLE – $40,085
Cracking $40,000, the XLE Highlander brings a moonroof with interior sunshade, auto-dimming rearview mirror and power-adjustability to the front row seats. Those seats are covered in SofTex fabric and the second row drops the bench in favor of captain’s chairs. A wireless charging pad is housed inside the center console and the instrument panel sees a larger, 7” display with key vehicle details.
XSE – $41,680
The only other trim without the hybrid option, XSE models take the sporty approach with a chrome and gloss black exterior treatment plus 20” rims. An exclusive, twin-tipped exhaust and bumper treatment dress up the outside and a sport-tuned suspension suggests more athletic handling. Opt for the Cockpit Red Leather interior look for an aggressive, red and black leather design on the seats and door panels.
Hybrid Bronze Edition – $42,825 (est.)
New for 2022, the Bronze Edition only comes in hybrid configuration and a host of bronze-colored styling treatments inside and out. Additional amenities include rain-sensing windshield wipers, in-dash ambient lighting, a digital rearview mirror and hands-free, power liftgate. Hard to miss are the 18” wheels with a trim-specific bronze paint job.
Limited – $44,040
Highlander Limited brings a few additional driver-assistance aids like parking sonar and side mirrors that tilt down when the vehicle is in Reverse. Those mirrors also display Highlander-logo puddle lights while the fog lamps are of the high-output variety. Driver Easy Speak makes it easy for the driver to yell, I mean speak to rear seat occupants. There is also an upgraded JBL Audio stereo with 11 speakers and 1200W of beats.
Platinum – $47,240
Atop the Highlander trim ladder, Platinum models are loaded with a panoramic moonroof and adaptive front lighting with an auto-leveling feature. The infotainment screen jumps to 12.3” in size and a 10” color heads-up display pops up on the windshield. Seating is swaddled in leather upholstery with heat and ventilation applied to the front row.
Warranties
All new Highlanders come with 2 years or 25,000 miles of complimentary maintenance and roadside assistance. Hybrid components are warrantied for 8 years or 100,000 miles while the battery has 10 years/150,000 miles of coverage. The vehicle has a warranty term lasting 3 years or 36,000 miles and the powertrain is covered for 5 years/60,000 miles.
What we think
2022 Toyota Highlander – pressroom.toyota.com | Shop 2022 Toyota Highlander on Carsforsale.com
I like the 2022 Toyota Highlander. It has plenty of standard features, a host of optional niceties and a tremendous level of safety – an important component for the targeted demographic of parents with kids.
