Hello, my name is Usman "Uzzi" Sultoni and I’m a product advisor here at Don Valley North Toyota, the
largest Toyota dealership in Canada.
Today I’ll be reviewing with you the all-new 2020 Highlander. This is
the fourth generation of this very popular SUV. With
a new decade, comes a new Highlander! It will be available in both gas and hybrid models.
Today we have the gasoline model which is available in 5 trims however, we’ll be
focusing on the top-of-the-line Platinum package right beside me.
Keep watching for an in-depth look at the exciting features that the new Toyota Highlander has to offer.
The exterior of the redesign has smooth and luxurious edges making the car look extremely luxurious
as well as elegantly aggressive. The changes you see here are not just cosmetic. The new
Highlander is built on a new platform called the Toyota New Global Architecture or TNGA
for short, which offers benefits such as enhanced agility, tighter turning radius, fuel-efficiency,
safety, and more.
One of the highlights features the full LED lights on the headlights and the blacked out
taillights, which is wrapped around the fenders and the quarter panels. On the Platinum trim only,
you get an exciting new addition: Adaptive Front Lighting! This means the lights will
move in the same direction as your steering wheel for better visibility in the dark. The
wheels have been upgraded to the available 20” alloys on the Limited and Platinum trims.
Along with previous 4 exterior colours, the 2020 model also offers 4 new exciting colours including
this Opulent Amber. When it comes to the Highlander’s cargo area, the 2020 model now offers 454L
or 16 cubic feet of space with the seats folded fully down. You can access this with the new convenient
automatic tailgate and the new available kick tailgate only on this Platinum package! Once opened, you can easily fit
a variety of items back here.
The TNGA platform has also focused on visibility being a crucial aspect for safety. For example,
they have effectively moved the side mirrors from the door, to the A-pillars for increased
visibility.
The Highlander is available with a front-wheel and all-wheel drivetrain. Because the winters
can get harsh in Markham and the GTA, the team at Don Valley North Toyota of course recommends
the all-wheel drive Highlander for peace of mind in wintery conditions.
What’s great about the Highlander is that even though it’s a large vehicle with a
large engine, it’s outstandingly fuel-efficient. The gas model has a 295-horsepower 3.5-liter
V6 engine. This gets 10.3L/100km, vs. the 2019 model rated at 11.2L/100km. That’s
almost an 11% improvement! This would not have been possible without the revamping of
the drivetrain, which you can find more information on down below. This covers Dynamic Torque Vectoring
AWD System with Drive Mode Select and Driveline Disconnect.
The upcoming hybrid model offers a 17% fuel efficiency improvement versus the 2019 hybrid
models. Check back soon for more information on the hybrid 2020 Highlander as it has many
different benefits and features for the upcoming model.
Perhaps the most impressive improvements were made in the interior.
As you may already know, the 2020 models offer both 8 seater in the L, LE, and XLE trims,
and 7 seaters in the Limited and this Platinum trim. This Platinum trim and the Limited trim
also offers middle row, captain heated seats, and front heated & ventilated seats which
makes the winters and summers a lot more comfortable for you and your passengers.
Speaking of the seating arrangements, the second row now has even more leg room. Access
to the third row has been improved to an easy-to-access system, with more than an inch added to moving
the middle row forward. This increases the space for a more convenient entry. The rear
seats now offer a self folding headrest when attempting to fold those seats.
As for convenience features, there are lots of storage spaces all around. There are 5 USB inputs
to charge your devices and to use the multimedia controls, as well as a Qi wireless charger right at your fingertips.
In this trim only, you get the most amount of natural lighting from the top, thanks to the panoramic
sunroof.
In my personal opinion, the most important changes that were made in the 2020 Highlander is the luxurious dash.
A lot of people, they say it gives them the vibe of the new RX350! Just look at it. This Platinum
trim offers a wood grain finish, in addition to the available 12.3” touch screen.
As for safety, perhaps the most revolutionary upgrades which
were made in the safety category of the last
decade is the Toyota Safety Sense, or TSS for short. The collection of sensors are designed
to keep the driver aware of their surroundings at all times, including objects, cars, pedestrians, and
cyclists!
In addition to TSS 1.0, the second generation TSS 2.0 includes: Full Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise
Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Cyclist Detection, and the all-new Road Sign Assist.
Many, including myself,
have already experienced what it's like to have an accident prevented before it happens,
thanks to all these safety features.
When it comes to tech, the Highlander comes with an 8” Entune screen or the available 12.3”
screen which includes Apple Carplay, Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, and the all-new Waze
& Amazon Alexa. In addition, there’s also the available Wifi Connectivity, which turns
As far as entertainment goes, it is truly impressive that there are 11 JBL speakers
with 1200 watts of power.
In addition to the 4” or available 7” driver information display, the Highlander
is also available with a 10” Head Up Display, so as you’re driving, you see all the information
right in front of you.
Another innovative addition is the Digital Rearview Mirror, available only on this trim.
You can activate it at any time to be able to see behind you, even if you have lots of
cargo that may block your vision of the rear windshield.
We invite you to Don Valley North Toyota, to experience the new 2020 Highlander for
yourselves!
They are available for test drives, and the hybrid Highlander will be available in the
coming spring. We are now taking orders, and depending on the availability, next day deliveries
are available only for gas models. Be sure to follow us on all social media platforms for more
information on the Highlander. Our links will be down below and my Instagram page.
Once again, this is Usman "Uzzi" Sultoni. Thank you for watching and see you later!