2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
🚙 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE – Overview
A stylish and practical three-row midsize SUV, the Highlander XLE brings a blend of comfort, family-friendly features, and Toyota’s trusted reliability.
🔧 Engine & Performance
- Engine: 3.5L V6
- Power: 295 hp / 263 lb-ft torque
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic; available in both FWD and AWD
- 0–60 mph: ~7.2 seconds
- Fuel Economy: ~20 mpg city / 27 mpg highway / ~23 mpg combined
🛋️ Interior & Features
- Seats up to 7 with optional captain’s chairs for the second row
- Leather-trimmed SofTex seats, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control
- 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4 USB ports
- Standard safety via Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (adaptive cruise, lane assist, pre-collision)
- Power moonroof, power liftgate, roof rails, and second-row sunshades
📐 Space & Practicality
- Passenger volume: ~139 ft³
- Cargo capacity:
- 16 ft³ behind third row
- 48 ft³ with third row down
- 84 ft³ fully folded
- Good legroom in front and second row; third row best for children or occasional use
🚗 Ride & Handling
- Built on Toyota’s sporty TNGA-K platform for improved chassis rigidity
- Smooth and comfortable on highways and city roads, with slightly floaty response on rough surfaces
- Steering is predictable and easy to use, though less sporty than rivals
👍 Pros & 👎 Cons
Pros:
- Powerful and responsive V6
- Spacious, well-designed cabin ideal for families
- Strong safety tech and driver assistance features
- Comfortable ride with minimal noise on smooth roads
- Good fuel economy for its size
Cons:
- Third row is cramped for adults
- Slight wind and road noise at high speeds
- Some rivals offer more refined ride or sharper driving dynamics
🧭 Real-World Notes
- Owners say the ride feels more like a well-tuned sedan than a bulky SUV
- Transmission fluid maintenance is important—some report whining sounds if overlooked
- High mileage (80k+ miles) is common and acceptable if service records are intact
✅ Final Verdict
The 2020 Highlander XLE is a reliable, comfortable, and feature-rich mid-size SUV that offers the perfect balance of practicality and performance. It’s ideal for family use, with a spacious interior and strong safety features. Just keep in mind the third row is best suited for kids, and regular maintenance—especially of the transmission—goes a long way.
