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Toyota unveiled its new 2020 Highlander at the New York International Auto Show this week. There’s plenty for Highlander fans to get excited about, but there’s also a treat for Android nerds: the SUV comes with Android Auto compatibility standard. In a more simplified form, this means by downloading an Andoid App or certain Android Apps to your device, the new Toyota Highlander is designed to connect and sync with that Android device. Toyota only recently started adding Android Auto support to its trucks and SUVs. Android Auto will be available on the new Highlander at all trim levels, controllable via a large, in-dash touchscreen.
Toyota’s Fourth Generation SUV Redesigned from the Ground Up offers Best-in-Class MPG for Hybrid
17 Percent Fuel Economy Improvement Over Current Gen Hybrid with Estimated 34 MPG Combined
Bold, Chiseled New Design
New TNGA-K Platform Enhances Driving Refinement
Standard Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay®, SiriusXM®, Waze and Amazon Alexa Compatibility
Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 Standard (TSS 2.0)
Available with 7- or 8-Passenger Seating
Choice of V6 or New-Generation Hybrid Powertrain
New Available Dynamic Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive with Driveline Disconnect and Multi Terrain Select
Largest in segment 12.3” multimedia display
April 17, 2019
Jack Hollis, Press Conference Remarks
Toyota is on a major roll with new SUVs, especially the next-generation three-row 2020 Highlander debuting at the New York International Auto Show. Arriving in Toyota dealerships towards the end of the year, the Highlander petrol model will arrive in December 2019 and the Highlander Hybrid will make its way to customers in February 2020.
Just as the first RAV4 launched the compact crossover SUV segment 22 years ago, the original Highlander redefined the midsize family SUV when it arrived in 2001. At a time when most midsize SUVs were truck-based, the Highlander’s unibody structure with four-wheel independent suspension quickly became the template for a new segment of more comfortable and family-friendly SUVs. After adding a third row, the Highlander not only grew in size, but is also now the best-selling retail model in the segment since 2016.
The 2020 Highlander delivers renowned Toyota value in a choice of five grades, starting with a new L grade, then layering amenities and technology in LE, XLE, Limited and the top-of line Platinum. (The Hybrid is offered on all but the L grade.)
The 2020 Highlander offers cutting-edge entertainment and connectivity for all ages through its intuitive and versatile multimedia system, including a new 12.3-inch touchscreen display on the Platinum grade and 8-inch on the other models. The available new JBL Premium Sound System delivers a whopping 1,200 watts of power to turn any music source into a mobile concert.
Looking sporty does not come at the expense of practicality in the 2020 Highlander. The L and LE grades come standard with a second-row bench for seating for eight, while the XLE and Limited grades come standard with a Captain’s Chair second row with seating for seven and the option of a second-row bench for seating for eight. Finally, the Platinum grade will come standard with a Captain’s Chair second row with seating for seven. Either way, the large rear doors provide easy access, while versatile seat folding features make it easy to enter the third row. And, passengers in the third row stay comfortable thanks to standard three-zone climate control that ensures ample flow of warmed or cooled air.
With all seat rows in use, Highlander offers 16.1 cu. ft. of carrying space behind the third row. Folding the 60/40 split fold-flat third-row seatbacks opens the space to 40.6 cu. ft., and then folding the second row increases that to 73.3 cu. ft. The versatile cargo area makes the most of its additional length with side surfaces and pockets shaped for maximum space usage.
All-Wheel Drive Gets Smarter
The 2020 Highlander gets a grip on any road with a choice of front-wheel drive or three different available all-wheel drive systems — two for the V6 models and a unique AWD system for the Highlander Hybrid. For the Highlander Gas L, LE and XLE models, the optional AWD system can send up to 50 percent of available torque to the rear wheels to counter wheel slip when necessary.
