2022 Toyota Highlander review
Toyota Highlander highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Comfortable, quiet ride
- Nice power and EPA-estimated fuel economy from V6 engine
Cons
- Third-row seating is really only kid-friendly
- Hybrid's four-cylinder engine is unrefined when pushed
Mileage (EPA estimate)
20 city, 27 highway, 23 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
A crossover SUV with style and space.
The 2022 Toyota Highlander makes a strong case as a big, three-row crossover. Sure, it's not the biggest out there, and the third-row seats are really only suitable for kids. But its relative compactness is appealing on the road, where the Toyota feels more manageable than some of its rivals. The V6 engine is powerful and smooth, with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. All-wheel drive is an option through the lineup, and that slick transmission helps the V6 Highlander produce impressive performance backed up by solid EPA estimates. Those wanting more fuel efficiency could seek out the Hybrid model, which mates electric motors to a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive. But for all the Hybrid's gas-saving potential, the V6 is quite attractive for its smoother power and higher tow ratings.
Trim choices are extensive, but even the base level trim gets Toyota's suite of advanced driver aids. Indeed the Highlander is so generously equipped at the entry level there's little need to climb higher than the second-spot LE trim, which comes with everything you could possibly want. Toyota's Highlander, a good looker outside with a nicely finished interior, retains its status as a favorite family-hauling crossover. If you're looking for a capable all-rounder, look no further.
All Toyota Highlander years
What is new for the 2022 Toyota Highlander?
- The L trim now comes with Blind Spot Monitor as standard equipment.
2022 Toyota Highlander trims
L:
- 295-hp, 263-lb-ft of torque 3.5L
- Smart Key
- Cloth Seats
- Lane Departure Warning
- Third Row Seat
- Rear Defroster
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- Rear View Camera
- View our Toyota Highlander L inventory
LE:
- Includes all features available on the L
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid
- View our Toyota Highlander LE inventory
XLE:
- Includes all features available on the LE
- Leatherette Seats
- Sunroofs
- Front Seat Heaters
- Rear Sunshade
- View our Toyota Highlander XLE inventory
XSE:
- Includes all features available on the XLE
- Quad Seats
- Automatic Transmission
- View our Toyota Highlander XSE inventory
Limited:
- Includes all features available on the XSE
- Heated Steering Wheel
- A/C Seats
- Memory Seats
- Leather Seats
- 20 Inch Plus Wheels
- JBL Sound System
- View our Toyota Highlander Limited inventory
Platinum:
- Includes all features available on the Limited
- Head Up Display
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Rear Seat Heaters
- View our Toyota Highlander Platinum inventory
Toyota Highlander photos
5 reasons to buy the 2022 Toyota Highlander
1. Comfortable and spacious interior
A three-row crossover SUV is spacious by nature, and the 2022 Toyota Highlander more than maximizes the available space. The standard interior configuration includes seating for up to eight passengers, or you can shop for an XLE or higher trim model with available captain's chairs and seating for seven. Standard tri-zone automatic climate control and leather upholstery on Limited and Platinum trims add to the refined experience offered by the 2022 Toyota Highlander.
2. Packed feature list
If you're looking for a well-equipped crossover SUV, the 2022 Toyota Highlander has you covered. Even the base model includes features like an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and Amazon Alexa™ smartphone integration and a six-speaker sound system. The feature list only gets more impressive from there—the mid-range XLE trim adds a sunroof, wireless charging pad, and heated front seats, and the premium Limited trim adds a hands-free liftgate and an intercom for you to communicate with your passengers. There's no such thing as a sparsely equipped 2022 Toyota Highlander.
3. Plenty of driver aids
The impressive feature list on the 2022 Highlander includes a wealth of driver aids, which can help make even the toughest driving challenges a breeze. You'll get features like forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist on standard models. The LE trim includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and the Platinum trim adds front and rear parking sensors. No matter how tricky your commute or road trips, the 2022 Toyota Highlander can give you peace of mind to tackle challenges with confidence and ease.
4. Powerful engine
The 2022 Toyota Highlander has one engine option, but it's capable of handling whatever comes its way. The standard engine is a 3.5L V6 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available to further utilize that grunt. Despite all this power, that same engine with FWD gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg combined.
5. Bold styling
The 2022 Toyota Highlander features bold and sharp styling, with a big, bull-nose grille and swollen wheel arches. You certainly won't lose it in the parking lot, especially when you combine such striking features with a variety of exterior color options, ranging from subtle tones like Midnight Black Metallic and Cement to brighter colors like Blueprint, Ruby Flare Pearl, and Moon Dust. With a 2022 Highlander, you're guaranteed to turn heads on the street and stand out from the crowd.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2022 Toyota Highlander, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
The third generation of this versatile crossover SUV was introduced in 2016, and since then the Honda Pilot has only become more refined and better equipped. All Honda Pilot models since 2017 are powered by a 3.5L V6 engine producing 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. The Honda Pilot has a generous feature list, especially since the previously mid-range EX-L trim became the standard base trim on 2022 models.
Standard features on the 2022 Honda Pilot include:
Tri-zone automatic climate control
Power adjustable heated front seats and slide-and-fold second-row seats
Lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring
If you're looking for a luxurious crossover SUV, the Lexus RX 350 is a great choice. 2020-2022 models offer sharp styling along with all the spaciousness of an SUV. With 100 cu-ft of passenger volume inside, 44.1 inches of legroom in the front seats, and 38 inches of legroom in the rear seats, you and your passengers can stretch out and enjoy the ride. Plus, the 2020-2022 Lexus RX 350 has 18.4 cu-ft of luggage volume behind the rear seats, expanding to a useful 56.4 cu-ft with the rear seats folded.
Standard features on the 2020-2022 Lexus RX 350 include:
Power liftgate
Suite of driver aids
Eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
After a one-year hiatus, Nissan launched the fifth-generation Pathfinder for 2022 with a striking and rugged design to match its all-purpose abilities. Powering every 2022 Pathfinder is a 3.5L V6 engine producing 284 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available. The 2022 Pathfinder has an estimated towing capacity of 6,000 lbs. from its V6 engine, when properly equipped.
Standard features on the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder include:
Eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
Forward collision mitigation and blind-spot monitoring
Rear automatic braking
Shop with your budget in mind
Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Toyota Highlander an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Toyota Highlander 6th out of 32 among Midsize SUVs.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Toyota HighlanderToyota Highlander features and specs
XLE 2WD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- Fold-Away Third Row
- Front Seat Heaters
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leatherette Seats
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Air Conditioning
- Rear Defroster
- Rear Sunshade
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Sunroof(s)
- Third Row Seat
- Traction Control
- Full Roof Rack
- JBL Sound System
- Leatherette Seats
- Quad Seats
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
3.5L
Horsepower
295
Torque (ft-lbs)
263
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
17.9
Wheelbase
112.2"
Overall length
194.9"
Width
76"
Height
68.1"
Leg room
F 42"/M 41"/R 27.7"
Head room
F 39.6"/M 39.4"/R 36.1"
Front tires
P235/65VR18
Rear tires
P235/65VR18
Seating capacity
7
Max towing capacity
500/5000 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2022 Toyota Highlander FAQ
There are very few differences between the 2021 and 2022 Toyota Highlander. Both are part of the fourth generation of Highlanders, which began in 2020 and features a single engine option: a robust 3.5L V6.
There are nine exterior colors available for the 2022 Toyota Highlander: Blueprint, Celestial Silver Metallic, Cement, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Midnight Black Metallic, Moon Dust, Opulent Amber, Ruby Flare Pearl, and Wind Chill Pearl.
The 2022 Toyota Highlander is offered in front-wheel drive across all trims as standard, and all-wheel drive is available as an option on all trims. Shop for a model with all-wheel drive if you'd like to do some light off-roading or want extra confidence when winter comes.
More about the 2022 Toyota Highlander
Color options
Exterior colors:
Blueprint
Celestial Silver Metallic
Cement
Magnetic Gray Metallic
Midnight Black Metallic
Moon Dust
Opulent Amber
Ruby Flare Pearl
Wind Chill Pearl
Interior colors:
Black
Glazed Caramel
Graphite
Harvest Beige
Interior details
The 2022 Toyota Highlander provides three-row seating for up to eight passengers. XLE and higher trims have the option of replacing the second-row bench seat with captain's chairs, reducing the total seating capacity to seven. Cloth upholstery, 60/40 split-folding second- and third-row seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat all come standard. The XLE trim adds Softex® simulated leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable passenger seat. The Limited trim adds full leather upholstery and ventilated front seats, while the Platinum trim adds heated second-row seats.
All models offer 141.3 cu-ft of passenger volume, with 42 inches of legroom in the front-row seats, 41 inches for the second-row seats, and 27.7 inches for the third-row seats. Cargo volume starts at 16 cu-ft and increases to 48.4 cu-ft with the third-row seats folded flat, and up to 84.3 cu-ft with both second- and third-row seats folded.
Child seat details
The 2022 Toyota Highlander offers space for child car seats on the two second-row outboard seats, as well as on the second-row middle seat (on models without the available second-row captain's chairs). The Highlander has LATCH connectors for the outboard second-row seats and a tether anchor for the second-row middle seat.
Performance
The 2022 Toyota Highlander includes just one engine option across the range: a 3.5L V6 producing 295 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on all trims, with all-wheel drive as an available option. The 3.5L V6 engine with FWD or AWD gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined; engines equipped with stop-start technology get an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined.
Year comparison
2014-2019 Toyota Highlander (third generation)
The third-generation Highlander features a choice of two engine options: a 2.5L four-cylinder producing 185 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5L V6 producing 270 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque (2014-2016 models). For 2017-2019 models, power is increased to 295 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard across the range, with all-wheel drive available on V6 models. The mid-cycle update for 2017-2019 models also includes standard features like adaptive cruise control, 60/40 split-folding second- and third-row seats, and forward collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking.
2020-present Toyota Highlander (fourth generation)
Completely redesigned for the fourth generation, the 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander features dynamic styling, a 3.5L V6 engine standard across all trims, and features like tri-zone automatic climate control, an eight-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, and Toyota's suite of driver aids. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available.
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