2023 Toyota Highlander HYBRID XLE

Description

Just imagine a quiet pre-dawn highway, the city lights fading in the mirrors as the sky starts to lighten. In a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE finished in Midnight Black Metallic, that scene feels calm, controlled, and wonderfully easy. This is an SUV designed to carry family, gear, and expectations without feeling bulky or complicated—and to do it with hybrid efficiency that takes the stress out of watching the fuel gauge. Under the hood, a 2.5L I-4 engine works in concert with Toyota’s hybrid system to deliver 186 horsepower while keeping consumption impressively low, with rated city mileage of 6.7 L/100 km and 6.8 L/100 km on the highway. The hybrid system uses both a hybrid electric motor alternator and starter, plus nickel metal hydride battery technology, and auto stop-start operation to quietly maximize efficiency in the background.

A CVTi-S continuously variable transmission with sequential shift control and overdrive works with Drive Mode Select so you can tailor the drive to conditions or preference, while automatic full-time all-wheel drive and traction-focused technologies keep you confident when weather or road surfaces are less than ideal. The cabin layout is straightforward and thoughtful, but what really defines the daily experience is the way this Highlander connects your digital life to the SUV. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration sit at the heart of the 8-inch touchscreen, turning the primary display into a familiar, app-based control center. When you connect an iPhone via Apple CarPlay, your maps, messages, calls, and audio are mirrored clearly on the main screen, letting you use Siri, listen to podcasts, or respond to messages with voice commands while keeping your hands on the heated SofTex-wrapped steering wheel.

The interface feels natural, especially if you’re already used to Apple’s ecosystem—music and navigation follow you from phone to vehicle with no fuss. Android users receive equal attention. Android Auto wireless mirroring brings Google Maps, Waze, Spotify, and other compatible apps directly onto the vehicle’s touchscreen with a smooth, intuitive layout. Voice assistance via your Android device helps you search for destinations, adjust playlists, or place calls without needing to touch your phone. The combination of Bluetooth audio streaming, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, standard-grade six-speaker sound, and speed-sensitive volume makes it easy to enjoy long drives without constant manual adjustment, while front wireless smart device charging and five USB ports help keep everyone’s devices powered. Comfort is a major strength. The Highlander Hybrid XLE seats three rows with a practical mix of SofTex leatherette and durable materials.

Heated front bucket seats with 8-way power adjustment for both driver and front passenger, plus 2-way power lumbar for the driver, help tailor the seating position. The second row offers a 60/40 split, manual recline, fore/aft adjustment, and a fold-forward seatback, while the third row features a 60/40 split bench that folds manually into the floor. All three rows get height-adjustable head restraints for a safer, more supportive feel. Climate control is handled by automatic dual-zone front controls and a separate rear climate system with its own controls, ducts under the rear seats, and overhead/headliner vents. Toyota Assistant voice-activated climate control allows you to adjust settings without taking your hands off the wheel, and Remote Connect with a three-year trial includes remote-activated interior climate preconditioning so you can cool or warm the cabin before stepping inside. Design details reinforce its modern, polished persona.

The Midnight Black Metallic paint is complemented by body-coloured bumpers, door handles, and mirrors with integrated turn signals, along with a black grille framed by metal-look trim and chrome side window accents. LED low and high-beam projector headlights, LED brake lights, LED fog lamps, and Automatic High Beams provide both visibility and a contemporary look, while a rear lip spoiler and roof rails add a subtle functional edge. The 18 x 7.5-inch machined alloy wheels with painted accents and P235/65R18 all-season tires strike a balance between style and long-distance comfort. Inside, soft-touch SofTex leatherette on the seats, door trim, gear shifter, and steering wheel is paired with metal-look and chrome accents, a leatherette and metal-look instrument panel insert, and full carpeting with floor mats (plus vinyl/rubber secondary mats for extra protection).

The cabin is built for family life with 14 beverage holders, multiple door bins, seatback pockets, overhead console storage, a conversation mirror, a locking illuminated glove box, and concealed cargo area storage with tie-downs. Technology and driver aids are extensive. The 7-inch gauge cluster display provides hybrid system information including traction battery level, ECO feedback, and power/regeneration status, plus essential warnings such as low tire pressure and fluid levels. The Toyota App offers mobile access features, while Safety Connect and Service Connect (both with long trial periods) deliver emergency SOS, vehicle tracking, and service interval information. Smart Key with hands-free access, push-button start, keyfob remote start, power liftgate with auto-latch, and HomeLink garage door integration streamline everyday use. Safety systems are comprehensive.

Eight airbags protect occupants across three rows, including front, side, curtain, driver knee, and front passenger seat cushion airbags. Active driver assistance includes Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Lane Tracing Assist/Lane Change Assist, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, a Pre-Collision System with Intersection Support and low-light pedestrian/bicycle detection, Vehicle Sway Warning, external acoustic pedestrian alert, evasion assist, trailer sway control, and a rearview camera. All-speed ABS, electronic stability control, hill start assist, brake assist, regenerative braking, and Downhill Assist Control work in the background to support safe, predictable dynamics. With only 64,260 kilometres on the odometer and hybrid fuel efficiency that’s ready for long commutes or family road trips, this pre-owned 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE in Midnight Black Metallic offers a rare blend of three-row practicality, connected technology centered around Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Toyota’s well-known hybrid refinement—all in an SUV that feels as composed in daily traffic as it does on the open road.