
It's time to experience The All-New 2020 Toyota Highlander
The all-new for 2020 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid debuted at Canadian dealerships this spring. For the new year, and decade, we are very excited to take you through some of the Highlander’s head-turning interior & exterior design cues, suite of available technology, performance capabilities, as well as the multiple safety features of this new groundbreaking vehicle.
The 2020 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid are offered in a total of 9 available models, with 4 Hybrid models and 5 gas-powered models. We’re confident there is one to match your budget and lifestyle and family.
Top that off with Toyota’s durability and reliability, backed with an outstanding 8-year or 160,000 KM Hybrid Component Warranty, or a new extended 10-year or 240,000 Hybrid Battery Warranty. There’s never been a better time to drive a Toyota!
With that said, let us take you through some of the features the new 2020 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid has to offer.

All new for 2020, The Highlander serves up a bold, exterior design with a focus on a lower, wider stance. A sculpted, muscular design that showcases a strong road presence that immediately radiates capability in any situation but does so in a very modern stylish package.
But it’s not just all looks; the Highlander design delivers greater aerodynamic efficiency, contributing to greater vehicle stability.
The exterior design, however, is just half the picture. Open the doors and the first thing you’ll notice is a beautiful refined interior wrapped in total luxury and convenience and function. Flexible seating arrangements offer room for 7 or 8 passengers. Three-zone climate control ensures you and your group will travel in comfort, no matter what the outside environment dishes out.
For the driver, Highlander offers luxurious appointments, such as standard 8-way power adjustable & heated driver’s seat. A 10” head up display allows you to monitor important information while still keeping your eyes on the road. An available 12.3” large touchscreen, one of the largest in the segment, offers bright and clear centrally controlled convenience for easy viewing and simple operation.
With the choice of the Highlander Platinum model, you get the pinnacle of design elements, such as special Platinum coloured front bumper and rear fascia and a stunning unique 20”alloy wheel design. Additional interior padded surfaces, specially embossed and perforated leather trim round out the interior design highlights. Interior LED ambient lighting adds a unique feel to the cabin while creating a soothing environment to travel in.
When it comes to cargo, you’ll have more space than ever before, a full 60mm longer than the outgoing Highlander model! Fold the 60/40 split fold-flat 3rd seats to open up 40.6 cu. Ft. The available hands-free power liftgate makes loading and unloading a pleasure.

Let’s take a peek inside the new Highlander to see what technology it has to offer.
When you choose the Platinum Grade Model, cutting-edge technology begins with the large high-def 12.3” touchscreen. All Highlander models offer both Apple Carplay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, instantly making things feel and look familiar. Easy access to all your music, playlists and podcasts, piped through an available 10-speaker JBL audio system, customized to your taste, making you feel right at home while on the road.
No one ever wishes for less convenience or no peace of mind, which is why Toyota is happy to provide 4 available Connected Services with the new Highlander. These include;
- Safety Connect
- Remote Connect
- Service Connect
- Destination Assist
Standard Backup Camera, Blind Spot Monitoring with RCTA, Auto High Beam, Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control as well as Qi wireless charging just to name a few, (or actually a lot) of the technology available on the new Highlander. Additional available technology options include:
- A JBL Premium sound system,
- A 10” Head Up display,
- Rain sensing wipers
- State of the art Digital Display rearview mirror and Bird’s Eye View camera
(Available on Platinum Grade)

The available 3.5-litre V6 naturally aspirated gas engine puts out 295 HP in a perfect blend of power and efficiency. Riding on a new advanced platform helps it handle in a nimble manner, despite its larger size. The available 2020 Highlander’s transmission is an 8-speed automatic.
The fuel efficiency for the aforementioned engine is 8.5L/100km. Additionally, the new Highlander has up to 5000-LB towing capacity allowing you to take exactly what you want with you.
The Start-Stop engine comes to a full stop when you do, then instantly turns itself back on as you take your foot off the brake to help you save fuel and to keep emissions to an absolute minimum.
Heading off the beaten path, or perhaps a night on the town? Highlander has you covered with Multi-Terrain Select. So, if you’re heading back from a day of skiing with the gang and on your way to make your reservation at the best downtown restaurant, rest assured you’ll get there safely, quickly, comfortably and in total Highlander-style!
The system lets you choose between 4 “Terrain” Modes:
- Mud & Sand
- Rock & Dirt
- Snow
- Normal
In addition, the following systems can team up with the aforementioned systems for the ultimate performance in any conceivable situation.
- Vehicle Stability Control
- Hill Start Assist Control
- Downhill Assist Control
Add Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD (DTV-AWD) with Rear Driveline Disconnect. This system can send up to 50% of engine torque to the rear wheels, then further distributes that power to the wheel that requires it most. When not needed, it’ll keep power to the front wheels to deliver a smoother ride and add to greater fuel efficiency.
With the Highlander Hybrid models, a dedicated electric motor is used for the rear wheels in which the vehicle can send 100% of power to the front wheels, or up to an even 50/50 split between front and rear. This all happens automatically and seamlessly to ensure the best possible traction capability at all times.
When it finally comes time to park your Highlander, your Highlander has you, and itself, completely covered with Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS). Standard on the Limited and Platinum models, your vehicle will issue an audible warning to alert you of potential obstacles and objects in and around your vehicle. Say goodbye to scrapped bumpers and nicked wheels.


These days, Safety straddles both the Performance arena as well as the Technology arena, where the three elements meet in the middle of a Venn diagram. It’s hard to think of one without the other, so let’s highlight the salient Safety Features of the new Highlander. On one end, they’ll deter that little fender-bender, on the other, save your life, or the life of the people around you.
The Toyota suite of Safety Features is called Toyota Safety Sense 2.0tm (TSS 2.0). This advanced suite of safety features work in conjunction with the driver to ensure total awareness of your driving environment at all times.
Six distinct safety technology features round out the system, which includes available:
- Pre-Collusion System with Daytime/Low-Light Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, plus Daytime Bicycle Detection
- Lane Tracing Assist
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist and Road Edge Detection
- Automatic High Beam
- Full Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
These detection and emergency autonomous systems kick in when you simply can’t react quickly enough. This is where modern technology and safety come together to help protect you, as well as everyone around you.
When it comes to airbags, Toyota has you covered, with 8 strategically placed standard airbags. The 2020 Highlander features dual stage airbags for both driver and passenger. There’s also an airbag to protect the driver’s knees. Passengers have seat cushion and side curtain airbags for all three rows.
Standard on LE Grades and above is Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). These systems will add a heightened awareness while on the road, and while backing up your Highlander, certainly something we can all use. Rear Cross Traffic Braking (RCTB) not only warns of approaching cross traffic when reversing, but also can automatically apply the brakes when required.
At Toyota, we take your safety very seriously.
Considering a hybrid? Then, consider the Highlander Hybrid.
To date, Toyota has sold over 13 Million Hybrid vehicles worldwide, so we know a thing or two about hybrids.
The 2020 Highlander Hybrid has Toyota’s renowned self-charging gas and electric powertrain, standard on all Hybrid models. The advanced regenerative braking system captures the energy produced under braking, transforms that energy back into electricity and subsequently stores it back in the hybrid batteries. The net result is that you never have to plug it in. It produces a Net Horsepower of 243 and offers a projected driving range of up to 967km.
Drive Mode Select has 4 different drive modes to suit your driving characteristics and situation.
- Normal Mode is ideal for everyday driving
- Eco Mode makes the most efficient use of gas and battery
- Sport Mode increases boost form the Hybrid system for more spirited driving circumstances
- EV Mode allows the use of only the electric power, specifically at lower speeds and for longer distances.
All Hybrid models feature a 2.5 Litre, 4-Cylinder Hybrid Synergy Drive.

*Efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented above, though pricing, equipment, or other details may change at any time without notice. For more information refer to Toyota Canada's website, or consult the vehicle's owner's manual.
*All-in price of a new 2020 Highlander LE AWD (BZRBHT A) is $45,461. All-in price includes freight and fees (PDE, EHF, OMVIC fee and air condition tax, where applicable). HST, licensing, registration and insurance are extra. Dealer may sell for less. †2.49% lease APR on a new 2020 Highlander LE AWD (BZRBHT A) for 48 months, equals 208 weekly payments of $99.40 with a $5,700 down payment or trade equivalent. Total lease obligation of $26,355.65 with incentive. All-in lease includes freight and fees (PDE, EHF, OMVIC fee and air condition tax, where applicable). HST, licensing, registration and insurance are extra. Dealer may lease for less. Based on maximum of 80,000KM. Additional KM charge of $0.15 for excess kilometres, if applicable. Vehicle must be leased, registered and delivered by March 1, 2021. ‡0.99% purchase finance APR on a new 2020 Highlander (BZRBHT A) for 36 months equals a weekly payment of $295.79 for 156 weekly payments with a $0 down payment or trade equivalent. Cost of borrowing is $697.18 for a total obligation of $46,158.18 (with incentive). All-in finance includes freight and fees (PDE, EHF, OMVIC, fee and air condition tax, where applicable). HST, licensing, registration and insurance are extra. Dealer may sell for less. Vehicle must be purchased, registered and delivered by March 1, 2021.