The Highlander Gets More Pep and Additional Hybrid Trims for 2017

2017 Toyota Highlander (Credit: © Toyota)

The Toyota Highlander was certainly due for an update and the manufacturer will do just that for the 2017 model year.

The changes aren’t enough to call this a redesign, but they are certainly noticeable. Up front, the mods include thinner and longer headlights, a new nose with distinct upper and lower grille sections separated by a body-color strip, and new fog light surrounds. Other new features include more distinguished chrome grille and headlight bezels on the Limited and Platinum trims. Around back, the taillights get a light restyle, but the rest remains business as usual.

The cabin’s updates are a little more subtle. They include a new brown leather option on the Limited and Platinum trims, and four additional USB ports bringing the total to five ports in the model.

2017 Toyota Highlander (Credit: © Toyota)

Toyota also added a new, sportier SE trim level. This new trim gains 19-inch aluminum wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, dark-painted front grille, headlight bezels and roof rails, black-leather seats, silver accent stitching, patterned seat inserts, and a black front tray, dash inserts and door inserts.

The 2017 Highlander will also see a new, more potent version of the 3.5-liter V-6 engine. Unfortunately, Toyota didn’t elaborate on its output, but it did mention that this engine gains direct injection and stop/start technology to increase fuel economy and that it mates to a new eight-speed auto as standard. The four-cylinder model will remain mechanically unchanged while the hybrid will gain the new V-6 and two new trims: LE and XLE.

Full details will be available during its March 23rd debut at the New York Auto Show.