Toyota Highlander receives tech and style updates for 2023

• Larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen
• New digital instrument cluster
• On sale later this year

The Toyota Highlander has received an update for 2023. The large seven-seat SUV, originally designed for the American market, gets a revised infotainment setup as well as a new gloss black alloy wheel finish.

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Pricing for the updated Highlander is yet to be announced, but in-line with current inflation, we expect there to be a marginal price increase when it goes on sale later this year. It currently starts from £55,210, and the Toyota Highlander is one of an increasing number of large mainstream family SUVs, with rivals including the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe and Skoda Kodiaq.

The headline change for the 2023 Highlander is the new infotainment system. Previously exclusive to US-spec cars, there is now a larger 12.3-inch central touchscreen that benefits from cloud-based navigation and functionality. This setup lacks the physical shortcut buttons of the smaller display, however it should go a long way to making the car feel up-to-date. If you’d rather not use Toyota’s operating system, you can connect your phone via wireless Apple Carplay and wired Android Auto.

Alongside the addition of the larger central screen is a new digital instrument cluster display. Also measuring 12.3 inches diagonally, this can display information regarding the navigation system and can change the overall look of the dials with the press of a button.

Finally, the update brings a new gloss black finish for the Highlander’s 20-inch alloy wheels. There is currently only one specification available for the Highlander: the lavishly-equipped Excel Premium model, powered by a 2.5-litre self-charging hybrid engine. This produces 244bhp, hauling the two-tonne SUV from 0-62mph in a respectable 8.3 seconds and returning around 40mpg. As standard, all cars get LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, perforated leather upholstery, an 11-speaker JBL sound system and a powered tailgate.

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