The 2020 Toyota Highlander hit the market with a new design, including an interior gaining more upscale details, significantly better comfort, and of course, more tech features in the cabin.
Going strong since 2001, the Highlander is the reigning mid-size SUV champ in North America since 2016, in terms of units sold. So Toyota knew this fourth-generation redesign needed to nail it, especially with strong SUV competitors like the Kia Telluride and new Ford Explorer nipping at the best-seller’s heels.
While the family hauler’s rounded corners and flared arches serve to break up its bulk on the outside, let’s take a closer look at the cabin. For our full 2020 Highlander review and pictures, check out our feature here.
Our interior impressions of the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited
Inside, Toyota has succeeded in its goal of enhancing the Highlander’s premium credentials with this new model. The upscale cabin, at least on our high-end Limited model, has convincing woodgrain trim, comfortable leather seats, an 8in infotainment screen and rock-solid build quality.
The newcomer has standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa connectivity.
There’s all the space you’ll need, too, particularly for passengers in the first and second rows, with a moon roof to enhance the cabin’s airy feel. Access to the third row is easier than average but adults still won’t want to spend long periods back there, even with the second row sliding a useful 180mm – 30mm more than the previous model – to give your knees some breathing space. Folding the third row flat frees up generous trunk space.
Our only minor niggles in this area were a second-row seat (the one-third split of the bench) that rattled over bumps when unoccupied, noisy rear air-con vents and doors that required a strong pull to close fully, as if the mechanism was over-damped.
Highlander’s seating capacity and options
Once Toyota decided to add a 3rd-row many years ago, that’s when Highlander sales took off. Here’s how shoppers can configure their 2020 SUV, per trim level:
| Trim level | Standard seats | Optional seats |
| L | 8 | – |
| LE | 8 | – |
| XLE | 8 | – |
| Limited | 7 | 8 |
| Platinum | 7 | – |
Standard features across all Highlander trim levels
Here’s a look at the standard features across all 2020 Highlanders. Of course, higher trims like Limited (seen in these photos) and Platinum, for instance, find better features replacing the standards found in the entry-level models. But here, we’re just pointing out interior features all Highlanders will receive, no matter the price point.
- Power Windows with Auto Up/Down in
All Positions and Jam Protection - Power Door Locks with Shift-Linked
- Automatic Lock/Unlock Feature
- 8 Cup Holders and 4 Bottle Holders
- Four USB Ports and Two 12V Outlets
- Front and Second-Row Seat Reading
Lights - Driver Easy Speak – Utilizes Microphone in Overhead Console to Amplify the Driver’s Voice and Broadcast it Through Rear
Speakers - Rear Passenger Seatbelt Reminder
- Front and Rear Energy-Absorbing Crumple Zones and Side-Impact Door
Beams
- Three-Zone Automatic Climate Control
with Air Filter, Separate Second-Sow - Soft-Touch Roll-Top Center Console (15L)
with Removable Utility Tray - Dual Sun Visors with Sliding Function and
Illuminated Vanity Mirrors - Six Tie-Down Cargo Hooks
- Digital Clock
- Driver and Front Passenger WhiplashInjury-Lessening (WIL) Seats
- Adjustable Front Seatbelt Shoulder
Anchors and Driver and Front Passenger Seatbelt Pretensioners with Force Limiters - Energy-Dissipating Interior Trim
- Control Panel, Individual Temperature
- Settings for Driver, Front Passenger and
Rear-Seat Passengers and Second- and
Third-Row Vents - Soft-Touch In-Dash Split Level Shelf
- Overhead Console with Conversation
Mirror, Sunglasses Storage, and Maplights - Child-Protector Rear Door Locks
- Driver and Front Passenger Seatbelt
Warning - Collapsible Steering Column
- Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
(individual tires) - Electronic Parking Brake (EPB)
2020 Toyota Highlander Pictures:
