The thing is is that the ones who are not gonna like the removal of the V6 aew car enthusiasts. However, the amount of buyers who buy this don't even know what engine it has. They just know its gonna go.
Let’s see if the new engine can routinely hit 300k miles with normal maintenance like the V6 can. The minuscule bump in torque isn’t worth the buzz, drone, and vibration. No marked increase in fuel economy nor emissions, and a higher price.
I get the switch to a turbo 4, but the gas mileage difference is really negligible between this and the V6. Just looked up the specs - 20 city, 28 hwy, 23 combined vs the new turbo at 21 city, 28 hwy, 24 combined. Losing the reliability benefit of the V6, the smoothness, and the quietness makes me sad for the swap. For the average person though, they won't care and it's a car for them at the end of the day.
@@scriptedhuman True, we'll see with time. The V6 has been around for over 15 years and has proven very reliable over that time, with many vans and SUV's going in excess of 400-500k miles on stock engines. The 2.4T has big shoes to fill.
@@lambodp I expected more too, though I'd bet this was mostly done for a few other reasons: 1) to increase low-end torque 2) to reduce emissions (smaller engines heat up faster, meaning less time in the more-polluting warm-up phase). 3) to reduce engine noise (for auditory regulations and NVH reasons). I'll miss the 2GR, it's been a wonderful engine in all of the cars I've driven with it (including my dad's V6 Highlander Hybrid). But this engine will be more enjoyable to use when commuting because of that low-end torque, making it better suited to vehicles like the Highlander.
I drove a '22 with the V6 and a '23 with the new turbo on the same afternoon. No contest. V6 felt strong, quiet & smooth. 4C turbo was just gross & mismatched to the vehicle. Sounded terrible too. Not to mention first gen adoption, reliability, & extra concerns with a turbo in colder climates. Toyota didn't make the change because their engineers told them to or their customers were wanting it. They did it to meet regulations. All V6 Highlanders jumped in price the moment Toyota announced this change. I scooped up a low milage 22 and love it. Also "improved fuel economy" is a joke. The V6 vs the 4C Turbo has the same improvement listed for both city and highway MPG. That improvement for both categories is 1 MPG. Hard pass.
I had the same experience test driving the turbo 4 cylinder Grand Highlander. Despite the numbers on paper it was noisy, suffered from turbo lag and just didn’t feel as peppy nor responsive as the V6 in my 300 hp Durango. I also test drove the new Chevy Traverse which is WAY nicer than the Highlander for less money and its 4 cylinder turbo felt more refined than Toyota’s offering in the Grand Highlander.
I think Alex is underestimating the importance of a smooth, refined and quiet ride to the average consumer. IMO I think that's one reason his reviews are so popular because he's one of the only reviewers who includes decibel readings in his full reviews. Also, since Toyota kept the Hybrid engine option they should have just kept the V6. Anyone who ranks emissions as a primary concern over performance and refinement can choose the hybrid.
Love your videos! Please mention if the engine is direct injection or both port and direct or port only. I believe almost all Toyota vehicles are both which I believe is a highly underrated feature, the fact that i dont have to worry about carbon buildup on the intake valves is a huge plus for me!
At some point, I’d expect the 2.5+hybrid to become the “standard” Highlander and the 2.4T+Hybrid Max to be the “optional” engine. This is just the bridge to get there for the Highlander…note how Toyota has mostly removed the “hybrid” branding from its hybrid models.
Got a gas model two weeks ago. It's easily the most sophisticated and refined car/SUV we've ever owned, let alone a great Toyota. This is vehicle No. 6 for us from that company. We are only just getting acquainted, but so far we love ours.
Alex, As you have said in earlier reviews and said again today, the Highlander Hybrid is, was and will be the one to get. 🤩 Has anyone else noticed how much more 'traditional' and comforting Toyota's Hybrids seem with each new model introduction? 🤔
@@bfish9700 I want the option to delete the 3rd row. I don't need it, and I'd rather more cargo space, lower cargo floor, and cheaper. I'm tired of the whole 3 row thing. I don't know anybody who buys this type of vehicle if they really need 3 rows.
Love the Highlander NOT tue turbo, probably off the list or 22 model year, nothing like the old reliable V6 , you said it at the end the reliability will be the issue with the turbo. Nice video!!!
We own a 2013 with 145,000 miles. It’s not the best handling Highlander but it has been a reliable workhorse. 20 mpg mixed and as high as 26 on the highway all at elevations under 1,000 ft. We’ve driven some 4 cylinder turbo SUVs both Japanese and German models. Even the luxury brands are too noisy with turbo 4s. A v6 is just flat out less noisy. It’s sad how much you have to pay to get a quiet vehicle.
If Toyota put a “turbo” badge on the back of the Highlander, it would probably alienate most Toyota buyers. Most Highlander shoppers only know it has an engine, much less a turbo. I wish they turbocharged the 3.5L instead.
Pretty much anyone buying a Highlander (or almost any Toyota for that matter) won’t care what engine it has. The engine noise is unfortunate but my experience with pretty much any Toyota in the past decade has had a lot of engine noise anyway, including those with the 3.5 V6. Reliability remains to be seen. Toyotas of the past have been pretty reliable but turbocharged Toyotas of the past have had spotty reliability.
My wife 08 RX350 has 150K miles and engine is smooth sounding, ni ticking noise whatsoever. My 17 ES350is even quieter. I think oil change regularly is important. These 2 cars get an oil change every 6 months no matter what since birth.
I know people who will not buy a turbocharged vehicle due to reliability concerns, while for me a turbo would be of little concern IF the engine has been out for a bit and has proven itself.
The Toyota Highlander with the v6 hybrid is way a superior product to the 4 cylinder hybrid, when this new 4 cylinder is loaded with 6 passengers it will struggles to get going
Off my list bc of turbo..if Toyota sold previous v6 along w the new 4turbo..they wld see what smart consumers prefer.RELIABILITY .i dislike it when the manufacturer thinks they know what we prefer..like consumers r 5 y.o. children
IMHO, they don't care what we think when it comes to engines. They care about emissions and CAFE. But I agree, if I had the choice of the forced induction (turbo) I4 or the naturally aspirated V6, I would take the V6 because I keep cars 10-20+ years and want a reliable drivetrain. Of course I'd prefer a RWD SUV over FWD but I am not a big fan of the new Sequoia - I think they really messed up the cargo space and load floor. What a disaster. Plus a solid rear axle (vs IRS.) I sure wanted to *love* the Sequoia. Really and truly.
Alex, great review! Question - The 2022 Highlander has the button to turn off the auto start/stop on the center console. But it’s missing in the 2023. Did Toyota get rid of the button?
Now that you mentioned it, that same T24A-FTS engine, that requires Premium in the RX, or it will knock and get damaged - is magically tuned down, adjusted to thrive on cheap fuel - for poorer people to enjoy. Genius. Thank you for bringing it up 👍🏻
@@user-tb7rn1il3q 2023 RX350, same engine. Look up owner’s manual online if you do not believe me. I already checked it. I do not write what I did not verify.
@@rightlanehog3151 uhh, but why annoyance? In simplest words: high compression engine + high octane it was always like that due to laws of physics. They could cheat that with computers, adjust everything to work optimally on “worse” feed, but what is the point to design modern sophisticated engine then look for ways to make it ordinary. They played that years ago when same engine in Lexus took premium and in Highlander could do regular. Then they loosened Lexus too, to “use regular 87 or higher” - what you put in you get out. But it is plain bs, so at least in Lexus they now say feed it what it deserves. Thats the way I see it.
Nice quick review - hopefully these turbo engines aren’t plagued ( Honda 1.5 T in CRV comes to mind ) . At least Toyota tends to stand behind their products and offer fixes, and not deny obvious issues (yes, I’m talking to you Mr Honda)!
@@naveenthemachine I don't quite understand where the 500h comes in. For instance, my Rav4 Prime is good for 302hp (309hp with 97 fuel) so another 100hp would be easy to achieve. The primary let-down with the Rav4 is the motor over the rear axle. This could easily be bumped up to over 100hp in the Highlander meaning you would only need a relatively small motor upgrade of about 65 hp to get you to 400hp or more. The truth is, I rather like that my Rav4 Prime can easily hit 60 in 5.5 secs and even in pure EV mode you can chirp the wheels easily.
@@davidgapp1457 what I was saying is that if you want to get over 400hp with a PHEV you’d have to take the rx500h powertrain and add a much bigger battery pack. The RAV4 prime gas engine makes 184hp. But combined with the electric motors front and rear total combined power is 302
@@naveenthemachineThere has to be a balance between the gas and electric motors which is why I suggest they would need to bump both the rear axle motor and the engine power. The Highlander is about 14 inches longer and 3 inches wider than the Rav4. Also the Prime is not super efficient in terms of battery layout - Toyota had the chance with the 2023 Highlander to improve the layout and I think packing another 6kwhr of battery into the chassis would've been easy enough. So adding 65ph to the engine and maybe 45hp to the rear axle would not be that hard. However they chose the lazy path. But yes, Toyota is alway leery about conflicting with the Lexus range - this, in my opinion, is why Toyota refused to offer an engine option for the FRS (86) with a turbo (although I've driven aftermarket turbo FRS's and the vehicle totally comes alive with another 80hp). So I still think the Rav4 Prime with its half-opening backdoors, woozy steering and brakes is still more fun to drive than any (new) version of the Highlander.
Since when did the outgoing V6 feel underwhelming ?? Power always seemed adequate to me. You know what has “ underwhelming” power? The Kia telluride IMO…..
Glad we got into a ‘22 with a V6. I’m to scarred by unreliable turbocharged vehicles to jump in to the turbocharged craze now. Time will tell if things have changed
The potential reliability hit is the issue. Bullet proof V6 and geared 8 speed transmission meant the old Highlander could hit 300,000 miles regularly. I have an Avalon with this engine and it’s still going strong at 311,000 miles.
Dang it, just bought a 2020 limited. They completely improved the interior where my biggest gripes were. They moved the wireless charger where I thought they should originally put it and all the hvac controls all are controlled with physical knobs, nothing in the infotainment screen like they did in my 2020. Kudos Toyota, they fixed it, but should have gotten it right in the first place. 😢😊
Love your work Alex :-) I completely agree about torque being more important for most situations, but horsepower is down about 30 hp, which I would have *killed* for in my '65 GTO back in the '70's :-) Still, I'll take the extra torque of the turbo I4. I definitely agree with your remarks regarding the seeming lack of sound deadening to quiet the engine down. I guess that's why Lexus will be happy to sell you a TX (someday, which can't come soon enough for me!)
Alex was flooring the highlander which makes it noticeable that it's not as refined. Driving normally you the 4 banger won't feel much rougher than the v6.
Under aggressisve throttle the V6 will be smoother and more linear. For 90% of most people's driving under normal throttle input, the turbo will be smoother and stronger.
My 21 Higlander is falling apart at 25k miles. So much for “Toyota quality”. I wish everyone good luck with these tightly wound turbo vehicles being put out. You will never beat an NA motor for longevity and low maintenance cost.
But your 2021 doesn’t have a turbo engine? My wife’s 2008 RX350 AWD has 150K miles and it shifts and drive great. Asides from a failed water pump at 120K, it has been very reliable. On turbo engine, it is imperative to replace the oil every 6 months or 5000 miles.
@@jsfbay1 Front strut went out, covered under warranty, shifter boot broke off, door gasket/rubber trim separated, heat shield rattles near rear passenger door, fixed that myself, it sounds like it is getting an exhaust leak at 25k miles, getting louder by the day, it's an insane gas hog , doesn't get anywhere near the advertised economy, the transmission hunts for gears constantly, the drivers seat has a squeak every time you accelerate or stop, I could really go on and on. For a nearly $50k vehicle that I bought brand new and paid cash for I feel like I got hosed.
@@berninme I'm sorry to hear about all the issues. I'd be unhappy too. Hopefully you can get everything fixed under warranty - and if not, maybe check into lemon laws where you live? Very discouraging - I hope for your sake that it turns into a reliable vehicle soon. I drove a 2018 Highlander from the SF Bay Area to Los Angeles and back and it was solid with no noticeable issues. Of course I only had the car for five days so it's hard to say what else I would have noticed had I had it longer.
@@jsfbay1 we drove our 08 RX350 before with no issue. Planning to do the same this coming Christmas with the RX which just hits 152K miles, still runs and shifts like butter. I could drive my 17 ES350 but the RX have more cargo room. BTW, our cars gets oil change every 6 months no matter how many miles since birth. I believe it is the best and cheapest maintenance one can do for a car.
Purchased a 23 highlander, platinum, four-cylinder turbo, extremely impressed with its power, and I love the economy is only 1 mile better, 50% commission is better for environment. I traded in a Lexus GX, and couldn’t be happier with this vehicle… I have no doubt of Toyotas reliability!!!
I am all for turbos. However my 06 HL V6 awd gets 27-28 highway and 20-22 in around town mixed driving. So why pay 40k to get no real improvement over an older model?
Emissions is the main reason they went from the v6 to inline 4. That's why all manufacturers are doing this, it produces less emissions compared to v6.
Toyota is just phasing out the 3.5 transverse V6 engines. It's been long gone in the RAV4, the Sienna lost it 2 years ago, and now the Highlander, at least the Highlander got something instead of being left alone with a hybrid engine like the Sienna. let's see now what's going to happen with Camry V6.
Since this is the same engine from the current NX & RX with a minor detuning, I wonder if you could run an NX or RX 350 with this engine on regular gas instead of premium gas since it runs on regular in the Highlander.
This still on my list. Now that the beloved 2GR-FE is off the list, (have one and wont sell it ever) it would be interesting to see a head to head tow test with this Highlander and the Subaru Ascent.
There’s no way a turbo 4 can be smoother than an NA 6. I get why the industry is moving towards smaller force inducted engines but they’re NOT smoother.
Well done Toyota. You literally just made the pilot Palisade telluride that much more of a no brainer option. The highlander was already nonrecommendable but with this turbo and making it overpriced, the highlander is just a nonstarter Even the grand highlander lost badly in comparison to the Koreans and we haven’t even seen it yet
This thing makes pretty good torque and seems to have some drivability benefits over a naturally aspirated V6. Not sure why you only focus on the negatives.
@@ALMX5DP for instance I find zero negatives on the lc500. The is500 and gx460 have great sounding and smooth v8s. Yeah both are dated but the GX is bulletproof and thr is sounds fantastic For example the new crown coming out there are like zero positives about it and all negatives
Turbo charged gasoline engines are no big deal anymore, and Toyota should have offered a Highlander plug in hybrid (Prime), just like the RAV 4 Prime. That would have been a big deal, and would far outsell any turbo 4 cylinder engine that gets far less MPG's. Gas here in Northwest Oregon is over $5 a gallon for 87 regular gas, MPG is more important now than 0-60 mph times back in the days with cheap gasoline. If Toyota would have offered a 2023 Highlander Prime (plug in hybrid) AWD I would have been the first one the list at our local Toyota Dealer as we have a 2020 Highlander Hybrid model LE AWD that gets high 30's to low 40's mpg and can tow our 3,200 lb travel trailer as well without any issues. We also own a 2022 RAV 4 Prime model SE which we get 45+ miles on a charge and incredible 45+ mpg in hybrid mode with a depleted battery. Try finding a RAV 4 Prime at MSRP and you will be looking for a very long time, so there is a big demand for the prime feature (plug in hybrid) in all the Toyota model lines in my opinion.
I wonder if the lack of added sound deadening signifies an incoming redesign? Perhaps trying out a new engine on the old model like Nissan did with the Frontier to give them data for the next-gen Highlander?
I was looking at pricing. The hybrid looks nice but 54k for a MUCH smaller interior than Palisade which isn't as nice is a no go for me. They're basically selling a sorrento but charging 3 row money for it.
@@naveenthemachine - do you have insider information? We've talked to each other in other videos and if you're right about GH, then I won't wait to see it and just get a Palisade/Telluride (except they are as rare as hen's teeth and in the San Francisco Bay Area, they want two arms and a leg!!!)
If I replace the turbo in every 100k km - 150 k km as a precautionary maintenance, how much will be. Just like the hybrid, it costs so much to replace. If I drive it nicely and no harsh acceleration, the turbo and the engine may have longer life as V6. Am I right ?
Yes, the Lexus NX200t or IS already utilized the same turbo engine and it has been proven reliable. For turbo engine, it is imperative change the oil every 6 months or 5000 miles.
@@jml9550 Let's give the relatively new 2.0 turbo engine at least 5 more years to see how it compares to the typical long term reliability we expect from Toyota's naturally aspirated engines.
The power gains are nominal and at the expense of noise, vibration and harshness. I would give up better emissions in exchange for that smooth and reliable V6. Some of us actually get on the highway. I’m glad I was able to scoop up a 22’ V6. Toyota is downsizing engines and addling forced induction to transition into electrification.
They didn't have much of a choice. The V6 produced too much in emissions. Going to a turbocharged 4-cyl. makes sense, especially since nobody's buying a Highlander intending to get an enthusiast car anyway.
@@theconformist2399 It's so frustrating though that manufacturers are doing this, because turbo 4s can make so much more pollution (always run rich under boost) and can get much worse fuel economy. Lexus NX200s are super popular around here, and everyone knows the V6 RXs get better economy and are more reliable.
Toyota knows what they are doing with turbos, they have been making them for a long time going back to the 80s. They are putting the same turbo 4 in mutliple vehicles in their lineup. They wouldn't be doing that unless they know it will be reliable. Will there be a few issues here and there on earlier models? Probably but that comes with the territory with getting a brand new engine across all manufacturers, they know their reputation is on the line.
Good luck getting a hybrid highlander without a $3k market adjustment rate added on. Hopefully Toyota cranks more of the hybrids out so the dealers can stop gauging people
I have a 2021 xle awd and its silky smooth. Test drove the new 2023 2.4 non hybrid and to tell you the truth it's a HARD PASS for me. The engine is loud, rough and very unrefined. The engine sounds like its being pushed hard. My butt dynamometer tells me that the v6 is more powerful and faster to 60
I really want you to be wrong about the I4 turbo refinement, but I suspect you aren't. Do you know, does it have balance shafts or other mechanisms to help it be smoother? I've been a Toyota fan due to reliability primarily, but if they are boosting this 2.4L I4 20 psi or so, it better have a forged crank, forged rods, and forged pistons. And it better not be an "interference" engine (one where the pistons will hit the valves if the timing belt/chain breaks.) If you listen to Dave at Automotive Press, he swears by the 3.4L TT V6 as far as reliability. I hope he feels the same way about this 2.4L I4 turbo.
@@jsfbay1 I personally own a 2021 Highlander xle V6 awd. When I test drove the new 2.4L I4 turbo Highlander I was shocked the engine was so loud and rough compared to the V6. Just getting up to speed you can hear the 2.4 turbo engine being pushed harder than I would like. It just feels cheap. Definitely not what I am used to from the smooth revving V6 Highlander everyone has come to love. It's a Hard Pass for me. Kinda disappointed actually. I really wanted it to be just as good as the V6.
I may be dead before it happens, but if you can hang on, there's a Grand Highlander coming, well, someday 😞I agree with you on the 3rd row - pure emergency use only, not fit for humans (except, as Alex would say, your mother-in-law, lol!)
I wonder if you can delete all of these subscription features when ordering your car. Now, they’re charging you extra for a feature you have to pay extra for to have in your car. What a rip off!
The V6 is not superior I have a four-cylinder turbo platinum and it’s quicker than my 21 Lexus GX V8. It’s a Toyota product it’s reliability through and through.
@@naveenthemachine true but neither has a hybrid and that platform cannot do hybrid per some media outlets. Toyota is rumored to be bringing hybrid and plug-in hybrid with the Grand Highlander - that might be reason enough to wait for that?
@@naveenthemachine The Grand Highlander is a larger car - will have much more third row and luggage room. At least that was the rumor mill. This video is still about the current generation car with the newer base powertrain.
@@dongidongi I doubt it since the TNGA isn’t space efficient We thought the corolla and rav4 sequoia LX would have more space vs it’s predecessor. But that didn’t happen at all
I am absolutely not a car expert, but from what I understand is that turbos add complexity to the engine causing for more costly repairs, and a shorter engine life. It may be fun to drive, but will affect Toyota’s reputation for reliability. May not be the best choice if you plan on keeping your car for 200k + miles.
I can promise you most highlander buyers wont care or even notice the engine changed. Most buyers look at this and just see "reliable family transportation" and stop the thought right there.
We keep our cars forever, so prefer naturally aspirated--turbo implies maintenance issues down the road. I would go for the hybrid; Toyota hybrids are bullet proof.
I don't miss the 2gr-fe V6 or any other Toyota V6. Working on the rear bank, plugs,coils, or anything else that requires removing the plenum is a nightmare. Now I'm all A25A-FXS, yes that's the 2.5 L hybrid engine that you find in most Toyota recent models (and some Lexus too) such as Camry Hybrid, RAV4 hybrid, Avalon hybrid, Highlander Hybrid, newer Sienna and newer Venza, Lexus ES 300h too. Turbo!! No way.
@@gianfrancoa actually Lexus recommends 120K miles. Had the 6 plugs and 3 rear coils replaced at 120K miles on my wife 08 RX350. My mechanic charged me $300 labor for the job and I supplied all OEM parts. I wouldn’t do it myself for $300. Don’t have that skillset nor patience.
. Does it suck that toyota is going the turbo route? Yes. Theres positives and negatives to it. Positives is you get more low end torque and probably better mpgs if you dont have a heavy foot. Im fairly certain toyota wouldve kept the V6 and V8 in the tundra if it wasnt for emissions. What people dont see is Toyota is basically forced to do turbo 4 because of emissions... I bet they wouldve kept the V6 for a long time if it wasnt for that. Knowing toyota though, they will probably make these motors good still, and still be more reliable than the competition. More reliable than a naturally aspirated v6? Probably not but only time will tell. Also, I have a Camry TRD with the 3.5 V6. Beautiful motor but honestly I wouldnt mind more torque, its not that fast until you get the RPMS past about 4500.
long term it sounds like a turbo creates inefficiencies that were covered with the 6 cylinder engine. Reliability will suffer long term due to turbo maintenance. Could they have re-worked the 6 cylinder engine and added electric motors? to create a more environmentally friendly car? not sure. what becomes an issue is the amount of noise coming into the cabin because of the engine noise, should have done a better job at keeping the noise insulated, i would certainly expect nothing less from Toyota. Maybe its a wait and see, who knows. I own a 2011 MDX with SH-AWD, I am now shopping for a new car. I seem to find that 6 cylinder engines are a thing of the past, the turbo are in every manufacturers list from the Germans, Koreans, Japanese and soon it will make its way to American cars. the turbo was pushed to the sidelines in the 80-90, some cars had it but it was not popular. I had Mazda turbo, totally unreliable, now straight 6 cylinder. i am looking at highlander platinum 2022 and 2023 to test drive the difference and see if I should go down the Turbo path. would like to hear your feedback. I dont want to give up my MDX, torque vectoring is fun to drive but gas consumption is horrible, at best combined 18.5 miles on a good day!
Kia and Hyundai did the same thing with Sorento and Santa Fe. How do those compare? Personally, I just traded my 2015 Sportage for a 2019 Sorento V6, instead of getting a Turbo.
Unfortunately the answer is no. They should have at least kept the V6 as an option. I personally would not buy a turbo 4 cylinder. Only a naturally aspirated one.
@@naveenthemachineMy girlfriend has a 2016 Lexus is200T She’s a traveling nurse and put 388k miles on it so far. No turbo issues nor leaks. Toyota stress tests their powertrains more than any other brand. I’m sure it’ll be reliable before they mass produce it.
@@naveenthemachine Link to the issues with the new turbo issues? I’m sure Toyota Lexus will take care of those people that have any issues, they did to me and my family. We bought a first year Prius and it just gave out at 408k miles last year and the engine and transmission acted like the day we bought it. The generator went out and honestly we were wanting to get rid of the car so we didn’t replace it. We were in a position to have no car payment for many years and saved a lot of money.
@@naveenthemachine Yes, no reason to lie. The reason we bought that car is because our parents 98 Corolla hit 480k miles and our dads sequoia lasted 880k miles before they sold it. Original engine and transmission and air conditioning workin perfect. I just had a Uber Driver pick me up In Miami with 410k miles on his 2020 Corolla SE and he claims no serious issues, he drives 7 days 12-16 hours a day and changed his oil every 15 days and that car runs perfect. Like I said, I’m sure Toyota stress tested all their cars before putting it into mass production.
Turbo 4 banger is a terrible choice for an SUV. Refuse! It will make you nervous,insult your ears and make you want to throw up. To avoid all that you need V-6
The thing is is that the ones who are not gonna like the removal of the V6 aew car enthusiasts. However, the amount of buyers who buy this don't even know what engine it has. They just know its gonna go.
No
Let’s see if the new engine can routinely hit 300k miles with normal maintenance like the V6 can. The minuscule bump in torque isn’t worth the buzz, drone, and vibration. No marked increase in fuel economy nor emissions, and a higher price.
I get the switch to a turbo 4, but the gas mileage difference is really negligible between this and the V6. Just looked up the specs - 20 city, 28 hwy, 23 combined vs the new turbo at 21 city, 28 hwy, 24 combined. Losing the reliability benefit of the V6, the smoothness, and the quietness makes me sad for the swap. For the average person though, they won't care and it's a car for them at the end of the day.
The 2.4T makes vastly more low-end torque
There's no evidence to show that the 4 cylinder is going to be any less reliable.
@@scriptedhuman True, we'll see with time. The V6 has been around for over 15 years and has proven very reliable over that time, with many vans and SUV's going in excess of 400-500k miles on stock engines. The 2.4T has big shoes to fill.
@@CrazyWeeMonkey Quite true. I did expect the fuel economy benefit to be higher with the change though. 1mpg combined isn't that enticing.
@@lambodp
I expected more too, though I'd bet this was mostly done for a few other reasons:
1) to increase low-end torque
2) to reduce emissions (smaller engines heat up faster, meaning less time in the more-polluting warm-up phase).
3) to reduce engine noise (for auditory regulations and NVH reasons).
I'll miss the 2GR, it's been a wonderful engine in all of the cars I've driven with it (including my dad's V6 Highlander Hybrid). But this engine will be more enjoyable to use when commuting because of that low-end torque, making it better suited to vehicles like the Highlander.
I drove a '22 with the V6 and a '23 with the new turbo on the same afternoon. No contest. V6 felt strong, quiet & smooth. 4C turbo was just gross & mismatched to the vehicle. Sounded terrible too. Not to mention first gen adoption, reliability, & extra concerns with a turbo in colder climates. Toyota didn't make the change because their engineers told them to or their customers were wanting it. They did it to meet regulations. All V6 Highlanders jumped in price the moment Toyota announced this change. I scooped up a low milage 22 and love it.
Also "improved fuel economy" is a joke. The V6 vs the 4C Turbo has the same improvement listed for both city and highway MPG. That improvement for both categories is 1 MPG. Hard pass.
I had the same experience test driving the turbo 4 cylinder Grand Highlander. Despite the numbers on paper it was noisy, suffered from turbo lag and just didn’t feel as peppy nor responsive as the V6 in my 300 hp Durango. I also test drove the new Chevy Traverse which is WAY nicer than the Highlander for less money and its 4 cylinder turbo felt more refined than Toyota’s offering in the Grand Highlander.
First Lexus and now Toyota getting engine downgrades. Sad to see
I think Alex is underestimating the importance of a smooth, refined and quiet ride to the average consumer. IMO I think that's one reason his reviews are so popular because he's one of the only reviewers who includes decibel readings in his full reviews. Also, since Toyota kept the Hybrid engine option they should have just kept the V6. Anyone who ranks emissions as a primary concern over performance and refinement can choose the hybrid.
The sound makes all the difference, it’s the feeling…RIP 2GR series, I will hold on to mine until she dies
The V6 was far superior, this is now off my list.
Stopped watching it right when I heard the engine specs. So sad.
@@rxonmymind8362 u can blame the green fanatics
The 2.4 T is faster. Much better for passing other cars.
Love your videos! Please mention if the engine is direct injection or both port and direct or port only. I believe almost all Toyota vehicles are both which I believe is a highly underrated feature, the fact that i dont have to worry about carbon buildup on the intake valves is a huge plus for me!
I'm not Alex, but I'm 95% sure it's both.
@@jsfbay1 yes it has Toyotas D-4S system!
Reliable might not be the same as v6 engine
At some point, I’d expect the 2.5+hybrid to become the “standard” Highlander and the 2.4T+Hybrid Max to be the “optional” engine. This is just the bridge to get there for the Highlander…note how Toyota has mostly removed the “hybrid” branding from its hybrid models.
Got a gas model two weeks ago. It's easily the most sophisticated and refined car/SUV we've ever owned, let alone a great Toyota. This is vehicle No. 6 for us from that company. We are only just getting acquainted, but so far we love ours.
Alex, As you have said in earlier reviews and said again today, the Highlander Hybrid is, was and will be the one to get. 🤩 Has anyone else noticed how much more 'traditional' and comforting Toyota's Hybrids seem with each new model introduction? 🤔
Neither is the one to get. This is unfortunately a "fake" 3 row. So much less interior space than palisade.
@@bfish9700 I want the option to delete the 3rd row. I don't need it, and I'd rather more cargo space, lower cargo floor, and cheaper. I'm tired of the whole 3 row thing. I don't know anybody who buys this type of vehicle if they really need 3 rows.
Love the Highlander NOT tue turbo, probably off the list or 22 model year, nothing like the old reliable V6 , you said it at the end the reliability will be the issue with the turbo.
Nice video!!!
Thank you for the review, specially the driving insight, I was waiting for real world performance and you´ve delivered that.
Real World observation is You drive it.
@@mikewallace8087 Up until now all we had was numbers and speculations. But I know what you mean...
We own a 2013 with 145,000 miles. It’s not the best handling Highlander but it has been a reliable workhorse. 20 mpg mixed and as high as 26 on the highway all at elevations under 1,000 ft.
We’ve driven some 4 cylinder turbo SUVs both Japanese and German models. Even the luxury brands are too noisy with turbo 4s. A v6 is just flat out less noisy. It’s sad how much you have to pay to get a quiet vehicle.
If Toyota put a “turbo” badge on the back of the Highlander, it would probably alienate most Toyota buyers. Most Highlander shoppers only know it has an engine, much less a turbo. I wish they turbocharged the 3.5L instead.
Toyota has turbocharged 3.5l just not in highlander.
3.5 Tubro ??? Are you trying to create a sport suv ?😂😂 out of a HIGHLANDER ??
@@ruturaj47 I forgot about that. That would be sweet.
@@Natethegreat200c yes, it would be a sleeper. It would be a very Stellantis thing to do, so idk why you’re opposing that
@@garrettw99 it's a fwd architecture, it won't be able to use that much power.
Pretty much anyone buying a Highlander (or almost any Toyota for that matter) won’t care what engine it has. The engine noise is unfortunate but my experience with pretty much any Toyota in the past decade has had a lot of engine noise anyway, including those with the 3.5 V6.
Reliability remains to be seen. Toyotas of the past have been pretty reliable but turbocharged Toyotas of the past have had spotty reliability.
Time will tell.
My wife 08 RX350 has 150K miles and engine is smooth sounding, ni ticking noise whatsoever. My 17 ES350is even quieter. I think oil change regularly is important. These 2 cars get an oil change every 6 months no matter what since birth.
I know people who will not buy a turbocharged vehicle due to reliability concerns, while for me a turbo would be of little concern IF the engine has been out for a bit and has proven itself.
The Toyota Highlander with the v6 hybrid is way a superior product to the 4 cylinder hybrid, when this new 4 cylinder is loaded with 6 passengers it will struggles to get going
Thank you so much for this! Now only wish the dealers ask "regular" price.
Off my list bc of turbo..if Toyota sold previous v6 along w the new 4turbo..they wld see what smart consumers prefer.RELIABILITY .i dislike it when the manufacturer thinks they know what we prefer..like consumers r 5 y.o. children
IMHO, they don't care what we think when it comes to engines. They care about emissions and CAFE. But I agree, if I had the choice of the forced induction (turbo) I4 or the naturally aspirated V6, I would take the V6 because I keep cars 10-20+ years and want a reliable drivetrain. Of course I'd prefer a RWD SUV over FWD but I am not a big fan of the new Sequoia - I think they really messed up the cargo space and load floor. What a disaster. Plus a solid rear axle (vs IRS.) I sure wanted to *love* the Sequoia. Really and truly.
Alex, great review! Question - The 2022 Highlander has the button to turn off the auto start/stop on the center console. But it’s missing in the 2023. Did Toyota get rid of the button?
No the 23 4cyl has the button in the platinum trim
I have the 2024 Limited. It’s on it. However, the view button is not.
You should take it to Lake Tahoe. Where is at elevation, where the turbo will benefit over the V6
Now that you mentioned it, that same T24A-FTS engine, that requires Premium in the RX, or it will knock and get damaged - is magically tuned down, adjusted to thrive on cheap fuel - for poorer people to enjoy. Genius. Thank you for bringing it up 👍🏻
The RX does not require premium. Modern engines aren’t damaged by knocking.
@@user-tb7rn1il3q 2023 RX350, same engine. Look up owner’s manual online if you do not believe me. I already checked it. I do not write what I did not verify.
@@rightlanehog3151 uhh, but why annoyance? In simplest words: high compression engine + high octane it was always like that due to laws of physics.
They could cheat that with computers, adjust everything to work optimally on “worse” feed, but what is the point to design modern sophisticated engine then look for ways to make it ordinary. They played that years ago when same engine in Lexus took premium and in Highlander could do regular. Then they loosened Lexus too, to “use regular 87 or higher” - what you put in you get out. But it is plain bs, so at least in Lexus they now say feed it what it deserves. Thats the way I see it.
Nice quick review - hopefully these turbo engines aren’t plagued ( Honda 1.5 T in CRV comes to mind ) . At least Toyota tends to stand behind their products and offer fixes, and not deny obvious issues (yes, I’m talking to you Mr Honda)!
The 1.5T issue isn’t major. The solution is to use the GF6 oil for oil changes to make it better
I wish there were a Prime version of the Highlander. Maybe with around 400hp!
How would they achieve that? Unless they make a PHEV 500h powertrain but that would far exceed Lexus
@@naveenthemachine I don't quite understand where the 500h comes in. For instance, my Rav4 Prime is good for 302hp (309hp with 97 fuel) so another 100hp would be easy to achieve. The primary let-down with the Rav4 is the motor over the rear axle. This could easily be bumped up to over 100hp in the Highlander meaning you would only need a relatively small motor upgrade of about 65 hp to get you to 400hp or more. The truth is, I rather like that my Rav4 Prime can easily hit 60 in 5.5 secs and even in pure EV mode you can chirp the wheels easily.
@@davidgapp1457 what I was saying is that if you want to get over 400hp with a PHEV you’d have to take the rx500h powertrain and add a much bigger battery pack.
The RAV4 prime gas engine makes 184hp. But combined with the electric motors front and rear total combined power is 302
@@naveenthemachineThere has to be a balance between the gas and electric motors which is why I suggest they would need to bump both the rear axle motor and the engine power. The Highlander is about 14 inches longer and 3 inches wider than the Rav4. Also the Prime is not super efficient in terms of battery layout - Toyota had the chance with the 2023 Highlander to improve the layout and I think packing another 6kwhr of battery into the chassis would've been easy enough. So adding 65ph to the engine and maybe 45hp to the rear axle would not be that hard. However they chose the lazy path. But yes, Toyota is alway leery about conflicting with the Lexus range - this, in my opinion, is why Toyota refused to offer an engine option for the FRS (86) with a turbo (although I've driven aftermarket turbo FRS's and the vehicle totally comes alive with another 80hp). So I still think the Rav4 Prime with its half-opening backdoors, woozy steering and brakes is still more fun to drive than any (new) version of the Highlander.
The grand highlander is coming out actually with that much Horsepower.
I love how all the people in the comments are saying they won’t buy one, Toyota doesn’t care, it sells no matter what.
Wish the facia will be more in line with the Tacoma and Tundra
I agree. This fascia looks like a second-rate concept car from 2007.
Since when did the outgoing V6 feel underwhelming ??
Power always seemed adequate to me. You know what has “ underwhelming” power? The Kia telluride IMO…..
I wish they had continued with the V6
Glad we got into a ‘22 with a V6. I’m to scarred by unreliable turbocharged vehicles to jump in to the turbocharged craze now. Time will tell if things have changed
The potential reliability hit is the issue. Bullet proof V6 and geared 8 speed transmission meant the old Highlander could hit 300,000 miles regularly. I have an Avalon with this engine and it’s still going strong at 311,000 miles.
The V6 did 20/27, but in reality was much worse since it required high revs to make power.
Dang it, just bought a 2020 limited. They completely improved the interior where my biggest gripes were. They moved the wireless charger where I thought they should originally put it and all the hvac controls all are controlled with physical knobs, nothing in the infotainment screen like they did in my 2020.
Kudos Toyota, they fixed it, but should have gotten it right in the first place. 😢😊
Lots of complaints about the buzzy 4 cylinder! What say yee early adapters (guinea pigs)?
My first Toyota SUV! Amazing video Alex.
Love your work Alex :-) I completely agree about torque being more important for most situations, but horsepower is down about 30 hp, which I would have *killed* for in my '65 GTO back in the '70's :-) Still, I'll take the extra torque of the turbo I4.
I definitely agree with your remarks regarding the seeming lack of sound deadening to quiet the engine down. I guess that's why Lexus will be happy to sell you a TX (someday, which can't come soon enough for me!)
Looks good from the outside, inside dated compared to Telluride!!
What he doesn't tell you, is that the refinement of the V6 is far superior than a small 4 inline.
He does tell you that the 4 is not as refined as the 6, at 4:15
Alex was flooring the highlander which makes it noticeable that it's not as refined. Driving normally you the 4 banger won't feel much rougher than the v6.
Under aggressisve throttle the V6 will be smoother and more linear. For 90% of most people's driving under normal throttle input, the turbo will be smoother and stronger.
My 21 Higlander is falling apart at 25k miles. So much for “Toyota quality”. I wish everyone good luck with these tightly wound turbo vehicles being put out. You will never beat an NA motor for longevity and low maintenance cost.
But your 2021 doesn’t have a turbo engine? My wife’s 2008 RX350 AWD has 150K miles and it shifts and drive great. Asides from a failed water pump at 120K, it has been very reliable. On turbo engine, it is imperative to replace the oil every 6 months or 5000 miles.
Please share what has broken on it. Honestly. I'd like to know before buying a used one.
@@jsfbay1 Front strut went out, covered under warranty, shifter boot broke off, door gasket/rubber trim separated, heat shield rattles near rear passenger door, fixed that myself, it sounds like it is getting an exhaust leak at 25k miles, getting louder by the day, it's an insane gas hog , doesn't get anywhere near the advertised economy, the transmission hunts for gears constantly, the drivers seat has a squeak every time you accelerate or stop, I could really go on and on. For a nearly $50k vehicle that I bought brand new and paid cash for I feel like I got hosed.
@@berninme I'm sorry to hear about all the issues. I'd be unhappy too. Hopefully you can get everything fixed under warranty - and if not, maybe check into lemon laws where you live? Very discouraging - I hope for your sake that it turns into a reliable vehicle soon. I drove a 2018 Highlander from the SF Bay Area to Los Angeles and back and it was solid with no noticeable issues. Of course I only had the car for five days so it's hard to say what else I would have noticed had I had it longer.
@@jsfbay1 we drove our 08 RX350 before with no issue. Planning to do the same this coming Christmas with the RX which just hits 152K miles, still runs and shifts like butter. I could drive my 17 ES350 but the RX have more cargo room. BTW, our cars gets oil change every 6 months no matter how many miles since birth. I believe it is the best and cheapest maintenance one can do for a car.
Purchased a 23 highlander, platinum, four-cylinder turbo, extremely impressed with its power, and I love the economy is only 1 mile better, 50% commission is better for environment. I traded in a Lexus GX, and couldn’t be happier with this vehicle… I have no doubt of Toyotas reliability!!!
I have an older V6 Highlander 2013 and is quiet and smooth compare to my noisy V4 2021 RAV4. Is your 2023 Highlander noisy? Thank you.
😂
I am all for turbos. However my 06 HL V6 awd gets 27-28 highway and 20-22 in around town mixed driving. So why pay 40k to get no real improvement over an older model?
New vehicle with new features, plus Alex mentioned the driving feel and characteristic differences.
Emissions is the main reason they went from the v6 to inline 4. That's why all manufacturers are doing this, it produces less emissions compared to v6.
Toyota is just phasing out the 3.5 transverse V6 engines. It's been long gone in the RAV4, the Sienna lost it 2 years ago, and now the Highlander, at least the Highlander got something instead of being left alone with a hybrid engine like the Sienna. let's see now what's going to happen with Camry V6.
@@landshass2849 I'd wager the next iteration of Camry loses the V6. Or it could happen sooner, like next year. I would not be shocked at all.
@@jsfbay1 the Camrys due for a redesign in 2024. The 23 model still has the v6
Pretty sure the v6 engine will last longer than the new turbo?
Needs the V6 ENGINE
Most people don't even know what type of engine they even have...But you about to find out later on u have turbo and it's having problems😅
Since this is the same engine from the current NX & RX with a minor detuning, I wonder if you could run an NX or RX 350 with this engine on regular gas instead of premium gas since it runs on regular in the Highlander.
I thought new lcd configurable gauge cluster was coming for 2023. Is it only on top models or all models get analog gauges????
The full lcd cluster is on top two trims limited and platinum
This still on my list. Now that the beloved 2GR-FE is off the list, (have one and wont sell it ever) it would be interesting to see a head to head tow test with this Highlander and the Subaru Ascent.
There’s no way a turbo 4 can be smoother than an NA 6. I get why the industry is moving towards smaller force inducted engines but they’re NOT smoother.
For the 1000th time the I4 was NOT made for GAS MILEAGE. It was made for EMISSIONS.
Well done Toyota. You literally just made the pilot Palisade telluride that much more of a no brainer option. The highlander was already nonrecommendable but with this turbo and making it overpriced, the highlander is just a nonstarter
Even the grand highlander lost badly in comparison to the Koreans and we haven’t even seen it yet
This thing makes pretty good torque and seems to have some drivability benefits over a naturally aspirated V6. Not sure why you only focus on the negatives.
@@ALMX5DP because there are too many negatives and rightfully so
I fail to find negatives in the telluride or palisade or pilot
@@naveenthemachine of course you fail to find negatives in the vehicles you’re biased towards, lol.
@@ALMX5DP for instance I find zero negatives on the lc500. The is500 and gx460 have great sounding and smooth v8s. Yeah both are dated but the GX is bulletproof and thr is sounds fantastic
For example the new crown coming out there are like zero positives about it and all negatives
@@naveenthemachine that’s all evidence of your bias. I love the LC and GX but there’s plenty in the cons list as well as the pros.
wish this engine will make it to the sienna with AWD
Turbo charged gasoline engines are no big deal anymore, and Toyota should have offered a Highlander plug in hybrid (Prime), just like the RAV 4 Prime. That would have been a big deal, and would far outsell any turbo 4 cylinder engine that gets far less MPG's.
Gas here in Northwest Oregon is over $5 a gallon for 87 regular gas, MPG is more important now than 0-60 mph times back in the days with cheap gasoline.
If Toyota would have offered a 2023 Highlander Prime (plug in hybrid) AWD I would have been the first one the list at our local Toyota Dealer as we have a 2020 Highlander Hybrid model LE AWD that gets high 30's to low 40's mpg and can tow our 3,200 lb travel trailer as well without any issues.
We also own a 2022 RAV 4 Prime model SE which we get 45+ miles on a charge and incredible 45+ mpg in hybrid mode with a depleted battery. Try finding a RAV 4 Prime at MSRP and you will be looking for a very long time, so there is a big demand for the prime feature (plug in hybrid) in all the Toyota model lines in my opinion.
👍
The PHEV is already nearly impossible to find without a steep markup
I like this new one,i had a Subaru Forester Turbo and went two hundred thousand on it with no issues and you know the Toyota will be a better engine.
I have an older V6 Highlander 2013 and is quiet and smooth compare to my noisy V4 2021 RAV4. Is the 2023 Highlander noisy? Thank you.
I wonder if the lack of added sound deadening signifies an incoming redesign? Perhaps trying out a new engine on the old model like Nissan did with the Frontier to give them data for the next-gen Highlander?
I think it means they'd be happy to sell you a Lexus with more sound deadening 🙂
@@jsfbay1 or pick up the remaining 3.5 v6 Toyotas that are even quieter
@@naveenthemachine Indeed a reasonable idea :-)
This is why I’d still take the Pilot.
VTEC yo
Waited for years for a Highlander because they were a benchmark in their class for quiet and now they aren’t. Oh well.
Since when was Toyota a benchmark
I was looking at pricing. The hybrid looks nice but 54k for a MUCH smaller interior than Palisade which isn't as nice is a no go for me. They're basically selling a sorrento but charging 3 row money for it.
Even the rumored grand highlander is already a nonstarter. Because it too will suffer from poor interior space and we haven’t even seen the GH yet
@@naveenthemachine - do you have insider information? We've talked to each other in other videos and if you're right about GH, then I won't wait to see it and just get a Palisade/Telluride (except they are as rare as hen's teeth and in the San Francisco Bay Area, they want two arms and a leg!!!)
At our altitude, it's turbos or hybrid systems only.
What’s the point of the 4 if no gas mileage difference I love my v6 hi lander
If I replace the turbo in every 100k km - 150 k km as a precautionary maintenance, how much will be. Just like the hybrid, it costs so much to replace. If I drive it nicely and no harsh acceleration, the turbo and the engine may have longer life as V6. Am I right ?
Yes, the Lexus NX200t or IS already utilized the same turbo engine and it has been proven reliable. For turbo engine, it is imperative change the oil every 6 months or 5000 miles.
@@jml9550 Let's give the relatively new 2.0 turbo engine at least 5 more years to see how it compares to the typical long term reliability we expect from Toyota's naturally aspirated engines.
@@rightlanehog3151 sure, the 2.0T is still quite small in Lexus volume compares to the V6.
@@jml9550 I assume the NX is lighter than a Highlander so not a complete apples to apples comparison (i.e. more weight = more strain on the engine.)
@@jsfbay1 sure valid point. But Toyota can also beef up the engine to handle to additional load?
Concerned that the 4 cylinder engine will not tow well and will not be reliable. I guess I will have to look for a 6 cylinder suv.
Wonder how the turbo will do when there are 7 passengers in the car vs the v6
Much better. Drastically better. Torque is available way lower in the RPMs. Once people get a taste they will drop the V6 argument.
The Toyota Highlander won’t be able to Compete with the Honda pilot with it’s v6 engine and it will be the same for the RX vs the MDX.
The power gains are nominal and at the expense of noise, vibration and harshness. I would give up better emissions in exchange for that smooth and reliable V6. Some of us actually get on the highway. I’m glad I was able to scoop up a 22’ V6. Toyota is downsizing engines and addling forced induction to transition into electrification.
This is my next vehicle thanks for the info 😊
Wow Toyota is sure making really bad decisions with their vehicles. I wouldn’t buy anything but a NA vehicle.
I think the majority of vehicles now have forced induction.
They didn't have much of a choice. The V6 produced too much in emissions. Going to a turbocharged 4-cyl. makes sense, especially since nobody's buying a Highlander intending to get an enthusiast car anyway.
@@theconformist2399 It's so frustrating though that manufacturers are doing this, because turbo 4s can make so much more pollution (always run rich under boost) and can get much worse fuel economy.
Lexus NX200s are super popular around here, and everyone knows the V6 RXs get better economy and are more reliable.
Well Toyota has been screwing up everything lately
Toyota knows what they are doing with turbos, they have been making them for a long time going back to the 80s. They are putting the same turbo 4 in mutliple vehicles in their lineup. They wouldn't be doing that unless they know it will be reliable.
Will there be a few issues here and there on earlier models? Probably but that comes with the territory with getting a brand new engine across all manufacturers, they know their reputation is on the line.
hello i have a question about turbo 4 cylinder engines . are they capable of long term reliability when only driven short distances ?
I’d put this engine in my le Camry that would be fun
You can bet the next gen Camry will have this turbo
I owned 3 v6 engine vehicles. Tested 23 highlander turbo and loved it! Feels solid. People think they are smarter than the toyota engineers lol
Yep. As long as you change the oil regularly, the turbo is just as reliable.
Good luck getting a hybrid highlander without a $3k market adjustment rate added on. Hopefully Toyota cranks more of the hybrids out so the dealers can stop gauging people
I checked my two closest dealers. No 2022s left!
I have a 2021 xle awd and its silky smooth. Test drove the new 2023 2.4 non hybrid and to tell you the truth it's a HARD PASS for me. The engine is loud, rough and very unrefined. The engine sounds like its being pushed hard. My butt dynamometer tells me that the v6 is more powerful and faster to 60
I really want you to be wrong about the I4 turbo refinement, but I suspect you aren't. Do you know, does it have balance shafts or other mechanisms to help it be smoother? I've been a Toyota fan due to reliability primarily, but if they are boosting this 2.4L I4 20 psi or so, it better have a forged crank, forged rods, and forged pistons. And it better not be an "interference" engine (one where the pistons will hit the valves if the timing belt/chain breaks.) If you listen to Dave at Automotive Press, he swears by the 3.4L TT V6 as far as reliability. I hope he feels the same way about this 2.4L I4 turbo.
@@jsfbay1 I personally own a 2021 Highlander xle V6 awd. When I test drove the new 2.4L I4 turbo Highlander I was shocked the engine was so loud and rough compared to the V6. Just getting up to speed you can hear the 2.4 turbo engine being pushed harder than I would like. It just feels cheap. Definitely not what I am used to from the smooth revving V6 Highlander everyone has come to love. It's a Hard Pass for me. Kinda disappointed actually. I really wanted it to be just as good as the V6.
Yes, I like it and I love that engine.
It's off the list, because the 3rd row is too small :) Otherwise, I'd get the hybrid.
Time for a Sienna or Carnival then.
Just buy a sienna if you need a more roomy backseat... you can obviously rock a minivan since you don’t need to compensate for anything Mr. Long Dong!
@@ALMX5DP Pacifica
@@Natethegreat200c oh yeah Pacifica PHEV would be a great choice for the pure EV mode for sure.
I may be dead before it happens, but if you can hang on, there's a Grand Highlander coming, well, someday 😞I agree with you on the 3rd row - pure emergency use only, not fit for humans (except, as Alex would say, your mother-in-law, lol!)
I wonder if you can delete all of these subscription features when ordering your car. Now, they’re charging you extra for a feature you have to pay extra for to have in your car. What a rip off!
The V6 is not superior I have a four-cylinder turbo platinum and it’s quicker than my 21 Lexus GX V8. It’s a Toyota product it’s reliability through and through.
Easy to change the spark plugs!
Where is the Grand Highlander? Is that next year?
Why bother? The palisade and telluride both destroyed it in its development phase
@@naveenthemachine true but neither has a hybrid and that platform cannot do hybrid per some media outlets. Toyota is rumored to be bringing hybrid and plug-in hybrid with the Grand Highlander - that might be reason enough to wait for that?
@@dongidongi the hybrid still has the same compromises as a regular highlander
@@naveenthemachine The Grand Highlander is a larger car - will have much more third row and luggage room. At least that was the rumor mill. This video is still about the current generation car with the newer base powertrain.
@@dongidongi I doubt it since the TNGA isn’t space efficient
We thought the corolla and rav4 sequoia LX would have more space vs it’s predecessor. But that didn’t happen at all
Can't wait to see more Turbo's engine in Toyota lineups !
Takes more effort to maintain a turbo.
@@hulong0205 How so? What maintenance do you have to do for a turbo that you don't have to do for an NA engine?
@@asgnecco what ???
@@asgnecco Check out an authority , " driving 4 answers " . I think that man is an engineering Sultan .
I am absolutely not a car expert, but from what I understand is that turbos add complexity to the engine causing for more costly repairs, and a shorter engine life. It may be fun to drive, but will affect Toyota’s reputation for reliability. May not be the best choice if you plan on keeping your car for 200k + miles.
I can promise you most highlander buyers wont care or even notice the engine changed. Most buyers look at this and just see "reliable family transportation" and stop the thought right there.
We keep our cars forever, so prefer naturally aspirated--turbo implies maintenance issues down the road. I would go for the hybrid; Toyota hybrids are bullet proof.
I don't miss the 2gr-fe V6 or any other Toyota V6. Working on the rear bank, plugs,coils, or anything else that requires removing the plenum is a nightmare. Now I'm all A25A-FXS, yes that's the 2.5 L hybrid engine that you find in most Toyota recent models (and some Lexus too) such as Camry Hybrid, RAV4 hybrid, Avalon hybrid, Highlander Hybrid, newer Sienna and newer Venza, Lexus ES 300h too. Turbo!! No way.
Well, is not like you replace these every year. The interval is 100K miles for spark plugs.
I changed the spark plugs on a 2gr-fe recently. Removing the cowl, plenum etc was not nearly as scary as everyone makes it out to be.
@@gianfrancoa actually, if it's a turbocharged Toyota, the interval is 40k for spark plugs.
@@gianfrancoa actually Lexus recommends 120K miles. Had the 6 plugs and 3 rear coils replaced at 120K miles on my wife 08 RX350. My mechanic charged me $300 labor for the job and I supplied all OEM parts. I wouldn’t do it myself for $300. Don’t have that skillset nor patience.
. Does it suck that toyota is going the turbo route? Yes. Theres positives and negatives to it. Positives is you get more low end torque and probably better mpgs if you dont have a heavy foot. Im fairly certain toyota wouldve kept the V6 and V8 in the tundra if it wasnt for emissions. What people dont see is Toyota is basically forced to do turbo 4 because of emissions... I bet they wouldve kept the V6 for a long time if it wasnt for that. Knowing toyota though, they will probably make these motors good still, and still be more reliable than the competition. More reliable than a naturally aspirated v6? Probably not but only time will tell. Also, I have a Camry TRD with the 3.5 V6. Beautiful motor but honestly I wouldnt mind more torque, its not that fast until you get the RPMS past about 4500.
Front end is totally different from hybrid. I wish they looked the same. Hybrid not as sporty.
What model is this one?
long term it sounds like a turbo creates inefficiencies that were covered with the 6 cylinder engine. Reliability will suffer long term due to turbo maintenance. Could they have re-worked the 6 cylinder engine and added electric motors? to create a more environmentally friendly car? not sure.
what becomes an issue is the amount of noise coming into the cabin because of the engine noise, should have done a better job at keeping the noise insulated, i would certainly expect nothing less from Toyota. Maybe its a wait and see, who knows. I own a 2011 MDX with SH-AWD, I am now shopping for a new car. I seem to find that 6 cylinder engines are a thing of the past, the turbo are in every manufacturers list from the Germans, Koreans, Japanese and soon it will make its way to American cars. the turbo was pushed to the sidelines in the 80-90, some cars had it but it was not popular. I had Mazda turbo, totally unreliable, now straight 6 cylinder. i am looking at highlander platinum 2022 and 2023 to test drive the difference and see if I should go down the Turbo path.
would like to hear your feedback. I dont want to give up my MDX, torque vectoring is fun to drive but gas consumption is horrible, at best combined 18.5 miles on a good day!
Hey Alex this or the Nissan Pathfinder assuming trims are the same?
Pathfinder all day any day
Kia and Hyundai did the same thing with Sorento and Santa Fe. How do those compare? Personally, I just traded my 2015 Sportage for a 2019 Sorento V6, instead of getting a Turbo.
definitely OFF my list, due to lower long-term reliability, because of the turbo.
Unfortunately the answer is no. They should have at least kept the V6 as an option. I personally would not buy a turbo 4 cylinder. Only a naturally aspirated one.
I'd have been fine with the V6 turbo V4 Turbo makes no sense at all for me?!
Was this a quick take? Felt like the usual format of your review was missing here..
Just wait until he gets it back to his secret mountaintop compound for full analysis!😉
This is just a first drive 😊
The turbo everything is just annoying me
Why can’t we just have V6’s and V8’s ?
When comes to the hybrid ,you might has well just buy the RAV4 with the same engine and save all that thousands.
I will stay with my V6 2017 Highlander
Beautiful reliable vehicle
@@naveenthemachineMy girlfriend has a 2016 Lexus is200T
She’s a traveling nurse and put 388k miles on it so far. No turbo issues nor leaks.
Toyota stress tests their powertrains more than any other brand. I’m sure it’ll be reliable before they mass produce it.
@@naveenthemachine Link to the issues with the new turbo issues?
I’m sure Toyota Lexus will take care of those people that have any issues, they did to me and my family. We bought a first year Prius and it just gave out at 408k miles last year and the engine and transmission acted like the day we bought it. The generator went out and honestly we were wanting to get rid of the car so we didn’t replace it. We were in a position to have no car payment for many years and saved a lot of money.
@@xxk4rilsxx 408K!? 😳 that’s insane
@@naveenthemachine Yes, no reason to lie.
The reason we bought that car is because our parents 98 Corolla hit 480k miles and our dads sequoia lasted 880k miles before they sold it. Original engine and transmission and air conditioning workin perfect.
I just had a Uber Driver pick me up In Miami with 410k miles on his 2020 Corolla SE and he claims no serious issues, he drives 7 days 12-16 hours a day and changed his oil every 15 days and that car runs perfect. Like I said, I’m sure Toyota stress tested all their cars before putting it into mass production.
Turbo 4 banger is a terrible choice for an SUV. Refuse! It will make you nervous,insult your ears and make you want to throw up. To avoid all that you need V-6
Alex you are reaching, how are you going to convince your viewers that a four cylinder is better than a 6 cylinder,even worst it’s more expensive.