2022 Toyota Highlander Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision
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The Toyota Highlander has played a crucial role in shaping the market for three-row SUVs. It was introduced in 2001 and quickly established a benchmark for what family-oriented crossovers should offer. The Highlander, which was launched in 2020, is now in its fourth generation and still delivers a mix of a versatile three-row interior and the reliability and value that Toyota is renowned for.
Since then, the three-row SUV market has become one of the most competitive segments. As such, if you’re looking for a three-row that provides solid reliability and comfortable ride quality, the 2022 Toyota Highlander is worth looking into.
If you’re interested in this three-row SUV, know that it has its share of benefits and drawbacks. So today, we talk about the 2022 Toyota Highlander pros and cons. Is this three-row SUV going to meet your needs? Let’s find out.
What We Love: 2022 Toyota Highlander Pros
Below are some of the best reasons why the 2022 Highlander might be worth your investment:
Lots of Trim Options
Options are always good, and the 2022 Highlander has them in spades, trim-wise. The Highlander has several trims, including the LE, XLE, XSE, Bronze Edition, Limited, and Platinum. Each trim offers unique features, such as the sport-tuned suspension in the XSE and the premium sound system in the Limited trim. Unique to 2022, the Bronze Edition features distinct bronze-color wheels and rain-sensing wipers.
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Powerful and Fuel-Efficient V6
The 2022 Toyota Highlander has two engine options: a V6 and a hybrid motor. However, the standard engine is a 3.5-liter V6 that is certainly a standout, capable of producing 295 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque. This engine is widely praised for its balance of power and efficiency, offering a fuel economy of 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway for the front-wheel-drive variant.
Comfortable and Quiet Interior
As a family-oriented SUV, the 2022 Highlander excels in interior comfort. The seating arrangement is spacious, with ample legroom and headroom in the first and second rows. The third row, however, is more suitable for children or short trips due to its limited space (more on this later). The interior also boasts a range of small storage spaces, making it practical for family use.
The Highlander’s cabin is notably quiet, thanks to its design that reduces road and wind noise, complemented by a low-noise engine. This serene cabin experience makes it an excellent choice for long, peaceful drives.
Plenty of Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
You can’t have a three-row family SUV without the proper safety features and driver-aid technology. Thankfully, the 2022 Toyota Highlander is equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance features. It includes Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5+ suite, which offers advanced functionalities such as a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, and automatic high beams.
Additionally, the Highlander provides a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert and front and rear parking assist with automated braking on higher trims.
Tech To Keep Boredom Away
The last thing you want is to have bored occupants while on a long road trip. Fortunately, the 2022 Highlander delivers just the right amount of infotainment features. The 2022 Toyota Highlander features an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard, with an optional upgrade to a 12.3-inch display. The user-friendly system offers clear graphics and intuitive navigation and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
HOW LONG DO TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS LAST?
If you’re interested in this car, it’s critical to think about its lifespan. You might wonder - how long do Toyota Highlanders last?
What We Don’t Love: 2022 Toyota Highlander Cons
For the other half of this 2022 Toyota Highlander pros and cons guide, we talk about the weaker areas of this SUV:
Cramped Third-Row
The 2022 Toyota Highlander offers a seating capacity for up to eight people, but this can vary depending on the trim and configuration. If you opt for the second-row captain’s chairs, the capacity is reduced to seven. In terms of space, the Highlander provides ample room in the first and second rows, with the front offering 42.0 inches of legroom and the second row offering 41.0 inches. However, the third row is noticeably tighter, common among many midsize three-row SUVs. The legroom in the third row is less generous and might be more suitable for children or shorter trips.
Compared to rivals like the Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer, the 2022 Toyota Highlander’s third-row space is more limited. The Pilot, for instance, offers greater third-row legroom, making it a better choice for those needing more space in all rows. The Explorer also provides more third-row room than the Highlander.
Limited Cargo Space
If cargo space is your priority, there are better options than the 2022 Highlander. The cargo space in the 2022 Toyota Highlander is quite adaptable, changing as you adjust the seating. With all seats in use, it has a modest 16 cu-ft of cargo area. However, the space expands significantly to 48.4 cu-ft when you fold down the third row. For maximum cargo capacity, folding the second and third rows opens up 84.3 cu-ft of space.
That said, the Highlander’s cargo space is competitive but not class-leading compared to its competitors. For instance, the Honda Pilot offers slightly more room, with about 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 83.9 cubic feet.
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Not The Best Value Proposition Compared to Rivals
In terms of value, the 2022 Toyota Highlander is a mixed bag compared to its rivals. While it offers Toyota’s renowned reliability and a strong suite of standard safety features, it’s priced slightly higher than some competitors. It doesn’t necessarily lead in standard features or interior luxury compared to other third-row midsize SUVs like the Honda Pilot or Ford Explorer. These competitors often provide similar or better features and space at a comparable or lower price point.
That wraps up the 2022 Toyota Highlander pros and cons. The 2022 Toyota Highlander is a family-friendly SUV that offers comfort, safety, and efficiency. Ideal for those who value reliability, it has some interior and cargo space limitations. It would help if you compared these factors with similar SUVs to ensure they meet your specific needs.
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