2023 Toyota Highlander AWD Hybrid Review and Off-Road Test

We take the new 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid on an adventure to find High Steel Bridge in Washington State. But first, we check out all the features and then see if the all-wheel drive system is any good on our off-road course.
#newcar #toyota #roadtrip
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Introduction
00:37 - Features
11:20 - Off-Road Test on Chicken Run
16:57 - Road Trip (Flooding!)
26:45 - Off-Road Driving
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[@jonathantyler6318]

By far the best real-world review of the 2023 Highlander Hybrid, I watched the whole video and it felt like we were with you on the road trip. It was useful to learn how it handles difficult road conditions. The drone shot at the end was epic!

[@lucybluemoon51]

I’m only slightly afraid of heights - but that last shot of you close to the edge of the bridge and the drone zooming out was spectacular and terrifying. Thanks for that

[@stuartjohnson3397]

This is exactly the review I was looking for! Many videos compare the Highlander and the 4 Runner and basically say the Highlander is only good for neighborhood cruising but this shows that it is still quite capable on moderately rough roads to access a trailhead.

[@profdata1701]

The wife and I purchase a Highlander XLE five days ago and we love it. We previously had a 2020 toyota, TRD 4x4 Off Road We were averaging about 16 in the city in 18 on the highway on the truck. We traded it in for this highlander. We're averaging 18 to 23 in the city. We love the dual climate control. She usually likes it hot and I like it cooler. We like how the interior is laid out. The seats are very comfortable, both front seats are power Just two 😢 days ago I was pulling on to the interstate, and a semi changed lanes, and I had to floor it. The Turbo immediately kicked in, there was no turbo lag.

[@Pinazojr]

Probably best video I seen in a long time. Congrats !!🎉🎉

[@davepalmer1739]

I went to the High steel Bridge for the first time last weekend. Took a 70 mile tour of the forest roads afterward.

[@ElG-]

This is one of my favorite reviews. Definitely covers the abilities of the vehicle. I was surprised at how well the vehicle functions. Thanks for the information.

[@storey13]

Love that your auto reviews take us to some of the most beautiful areas of the continental U.S. I just got a GX 460 last month. I'd love to take it up there to the Pacific NW one day.

[@elvina667]

i live in Washington myself and i didn’t even know places like these existed , that’s why I like watching ur videos

[@alexa9771]

amazing footage, sound, production, good job!

[@stephaniecryer7578]

I visited the High Steel Bridge in my Forester Wilderness and it's absolutely breathtaking in person. Having lived in Texas my whole life, I've never seen anything like it. Definitely a must-see for anyone who enjoys this kind of thing.

[@bradw.3981]

Fabulous, informative, thorough video!! Thanks for posting! I test drove this hybrid vehicle last month and was extremely impressed in so many ways. Will be ordering one soon.

[@MechayaAlta]

What a great video. Between your channel and CR, choosing a car during the pandemic is easier. Problem is in the Pacnw, hybrid Toyota wait time is at least 6-8 months. I just factory ordered an Outback Onyx 2.5 with a 2-3 month wait. I factory ordered since I didn’t want a sunroof or GPS, just a wireless charging pad for Apple car play use. Oh yes, without a sunroof, a bit more headroom for sleeping!

[@SD-ol9os]

Great video! Loved the bridge and the views 🤩

[@the_king0749]

Really nice car. Keep up the good work. love your channel !

[@NFAA-NotFunnyAtAll]

It's awesome to see a new location! I just drove to High Steel Bridge in the snow two days ago. I helped turn around a BMW 530 stuck on NF-23, then met a RAV4, Tucson, and Model Y that got stuck at the NF-2340 junction. I threw the chains on my '16 Honda HRV with snow tires and dug my way to the bridge, plowing a path with my air dam and bumper the entire way. A perk of having so much snow was that I didn't notice any of those potholes.

[@JoseFlores-lj6by]

I’m so glad I bought my Highlander hybrid. Thanks for the review.

[@michaelneild5133]

WHEN I SAW THE THUMBNAIL PICTURE OF THID VIDEO, I WANTED TO SAY,"DON'T JUMP!!" I REALLY ENJOY THESE VIDEOS!!! EVEN THOUGH I WOULD NOT BE INTERSTED IN GETING A CROSSOVER VEHICLE, YOU STILL MAKE IT FUN AND ENJOYABLE TO WATCH!!! I AM PRIMARILY A FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE GUY!!! HAVE A GREAT DAY, SIR!!!

[@Jonah-in-Boise-ID]

Enjoyed the video. Thanks!

[@sairamreddy8272]

Very informative video keep it up and expecting more this kind of videos ❤.

[@ayhamsaati7476]

What an awesome video and review thank you very much!

[@bighatgaz]

Nice video, great production, well done team

[@saydsawadogo6]

This one is one of the best car review in the world I'm at my fifth time watching this review Thank you for this video and the others

[@j.m.8025]

Great videos and chickens)

[@jimmypowell7508]

What was your actual MPG for the road trip? - Great video !!

[@jsac3939]

Amazing video!!!

[@Jcruzer70]

The height of that bridge!! 😱😱😍😍

[@sophaman9193]

Thanks for sharing your video reviewing a 2023 highlander hybrid i owned a 2022 venza hybrid limited I love it good on gas very comfortable and quiet lexus like interior take care bye from milton Ontario Canada 🇨🇦

[@fernandovargas7562]

Cool video dude … great machine

[@abdulhaleemalkhotani7843]

you earned a sub for that ending :)

[@rromancunard]

Oh, is a other flagship of Toyota 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏼👏🏽👏🏾👏🏿 Thanks for share 🙏🏼 🥇🎖🏅🏆💎 Also the landscape is very beautiful great value added 🌄🏞🏔✨️👍🏻.

[@michaelbuchweitz1987]

You forgot to mention the Subaru Ascent. Love it!

[@NoQueso_]

Very cool to see a lot of WA state areas that I know. We can't wait to get our 2023 Highlander Platinum on Sat!

[@fightsandfinance7570]

How are you liking it? Lol

[@Zanderthelab]

Dude Nick looks exhausted!!

[@fernandomontano-sg7kq]

C' mon man! My civic can do that 😂 Love your videos keep up the good work 👍🏼

[@davidhypes5228]

Beautiful scenery and an impressive bridge. I looked up it’s stats and it is 685’ long and 375’ high which is cool for a railway bridge. If you want to see a really impressive bridge though, come to WV and see our New River Gorge Bridge, which is part of the country’s newest National Park. When it was built, it was the longest steel arch bridge in the world. It is still the longest in the Western Hemisphere and the third highest in the U.S. It is over 3030’ long and 876’ above the New River!

[@brojitsu]

Almost Heaven.

[@wlam3]

Awesome review! Can you test the Subaru Ascent?

[@dukekelloway5328]

Always wondered why Ryan tested all vehicles off road. Now I know. He has Apple Maps which is notorious in my province for sending come from aways off on old woods roads that haven't been used for years by anything other than ATVs and snowmobiles.

[@timvilleneuve7244]

How does the hybrid do towing. Is the system able to regenerate while towing at all, or is the gas engine doing all of the work once the batteries are depleted? Thanks for the review and great video!

[@robervin9107]

❤ I’m so happy angel nick was with you for this adventure. I don’t like you going by yourself anymore it’s scary lol 😂

[@dltafrc17]

having a grand cherokee right now i need something good on gas again and im gonna be starting a family within the next couple of years probably. this and the pilot are definitely top choices

[@user-ym6tg1ve7g]

amazing video thank u. and how's your take on new grand highlander?

[@drivingsports]

We’re filming it in May.

[@jsfbay1]

Does Toyota let you put a moving map on the MID? That would be cool, although at least you get the turn-by-turn directions. And did I hear you say that there is satellite navigation to back up the cell phone nav (Apple CarPlay) when cell service goes away?

[@nathanpeduzzi9377]

I’d really like to see you do a review on the new Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition. I just bought mine and I’m in love with it.

[@seanrobertson5887]

Hey my mom grew up on A farm in the valley about 5 minutes before the steel bridge, great spot to go!

[@seanrobertson5887]

At 24:58 you drive by Deyette rd, that's my family!

[@uritaub5441]

Amazing bridge!

[@NimnoXVideos]

Looking forward to the Grand Highlander review, especially the Hybrid Max

[@jonathantyler6318]

The same powertrain is currently in the 2023 Lexus RX500h, which as 366 hp/406 lb-ft combined. It would have been nice to have it available in the HH, but I imagine it wouldn't be popular for the typical HH buyer since its turbo-hybrid setup only achieves 26 mpg combined, also the added cost would push into the Lexus's price point. The lower trim Grand HH will come with this engine and the turbo-hybrid will be for the higher trims, I imagine the lower Grand HHs will be way under powered.

[@jsed8399]

Great review. I think I will be going with the new Honda pilot V6 and larger size.

[@GomOutdoors]

Convinced me I want AWD instead of 2WD on a new highlander now! Thanks for the video.

[@user-american-promenade]

Nice video

[@KYFHOme]

Owned the 2022 HH XLE for a year now. The HH is comfy and is a great highway cruiser for sure. The weakest thing on the car is probably the front wipers in slush and snow. Ice builds up under the blades even using the built-in special heaters for the wipers and they can't get a clean wipe.

[@richeyrich2203]

Or ceramic your windshield. It helps. And then a bottle of de-icer is always a help

[@elliotwave9589]

he said in the video that he tried this course with the forester.. ive seen it with the outback but for some reason cant find it with the forester. Idk if you guys can send a link to that video.. but awesome videos. I keep forcing my parents to watch them so they understand what their outback can do. Thanks as always

[@elliotwave9589]

never mind i watched it again.. he said forester wilderness.. he meant sabaru wilderness. thats my fault. once i heard the forester had done this.. i wanted to watch the video. But no worries haha

[@farcinue]

How does the hybrid do with mountainous interstate drives? Would the turbo four be better for long road trips?

[@jsfbay1]

That bridge looks so scary to me! As someone who is deathly afraid of heights, along with having a fear of a bridge that is how many upteen years old deciding to fall apart at the least little earthquake....

[@SilverScarletSpider]

please do a comparison of the non-hybrid V6 Toyota Highlander and the V6 Honda Pilot.

[@jsfbay1]

People are already taking delivery of '23 Pilots. I hope you get one soon (preferably the Trail Sport) to test on some trails.

[@emilsalman7263]

Thank you for another great review, how does the Toyota Highlander compare to the Subaru ascent?

[@robertlucas8104]

Exactly my thoughts! They both seem like direct competitions. I think the ascent can tow more but I’d really like to see if they solved that third row space problem. Both have a turbo 2.4L mated to a cvt. Both seem really nice family cars, too. Highlander just has the hybrid option as a bonus.

[@leilaalexandralopezramirez7626]

which exterior color do y’all love between the wind chill pearl or moon dust for the toyota highlander?

[@ibazulic]

Here's me thinking to buy the 2024 model :-) This video kinda pushes me towards that decision :-D Lovely!

[@formanaliuzdenoff6323]

afcoze we're joy them..your videos.. and Nick..ahh so so cool blood guy))

[@Maggie-gz1fp]

Thank you so much for your review. It is really amazing. May I ask the maximum height of person that the third row could fit?

[@Maggie-gz1fp]

Or may I know your height? So I know that. Thanks

[@gk9417]

Would the trail mode work for heavy snowfall driving 🤷✌️👍🇨🇦

[@WiseTreee]

How would it compare with Pilot non tail sport??

[@Kiss__Kiss]

17:35 Not to be confused with Chip 'N Dale Rescue Rangers. lol

[@Arrowoverland]

Wouldn’t be the skokomish river and Shelton without flooding. Always loves checking out high steel bridge

[@MikeyD64]

What was the name of the protocol that enables turn by turn? Was explaining this to someone else, wanted to research it. CARTs protocol?

[@gosman949]

How was that tricky little CVT transmission?

[@timanderson6111]

Alrighty, then! For me, the best part of these videos is how personal Ryan is as a presenter. He is not trying to sell you a car... nor is he attempting to steer (Yep! This is a pun!) you away from its purchase. He merely points out the pros and cons for a particular ride. For this video, he is (almost) having waaaay too much fun! "Whoa! That's a lotta water!" Remember, donuts in the snow? (kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYa3nqaHotWVnpY go to 25:04) As a family car with the parental units wanting to show their offspring that they also know how to have fun "off-roading," this might just be the vehicle for them. I don't remember Ryan telling us how high the High-Steel Bridge is, but it is 375-feet. Keep 'em coming, Ryan! I do still have my eye on the Ranger, however! Just sayin'!

[@cheapercharlie]

23:31 0-60 matters to me stepping out onto a highway. this is disappointing but to the plus side it didnt drone like the sienna.

[@user-pb5co8tt2b]

I hope someday I buy this car and ride it with my family

[@cheapercharlie]

🐔🏃 i love the name of the easier course.

[@goodguy392]

Woow amazing so lo

[@skiwildcat7]

a lot of the time I just watch these reviews for the beautiful PNW scenery and this is one of them 😊 though the Highlander looks quite nice too!

[@DanielAcostaAZ]

The low hanging exhaust concerns me the most.

[@ALMX5DP]

Interesting how Toyota markets the power output, not divulging total system torque and not having separate outputs for FWD and AWD despite AWD being the same with only the addition of an extra electric motor on the rear axle. I guess they just tune it so the electric motor(s) only put out a certain amount regardless of if it's one or two of them providing power.

[@elicooper4031]

Question: would hybrid Highlander’s gas engine have enough horse power for continuous uphill driving like from Sierra foothill to Lake Tahoe in Northern California? I often see some older hybrid cars like Prius having problems in this stretch.

[@-dodup-5970]

It has a lot more power than a prius so it should be fine for those

[@-dodup-5970]

Ive taken my hybrid highlander up many mountains and its been fine, havent noticed any changes or even a struggle

[@elicooper4031]

@@-dodup-5970 THANK YOU!

[@-dodup-5970]

@@elicooper4031 no problem, newer hybrids are great cars especially from toyota

[@cue03]

How does this compare to the new Pilot Elite? Which one will be better on those trails? Or maybe it will need to be the TrailSport with its higher ground clearance on those off road trails vs the Elite against the Highlander. I actually think it will be Grand Highlander vs Pilot.

[@jonathantyler6318]

I think the Pilot Elite has more power with the V6 285 HP and 262 lb-ft of torque with an estimated MPG: 19 city / 25 highway. That's a big mpg difference, but some people will prefer the V6 at the cost of mpg. Also, it's my opinion that Pilot buyers gravitate more towards a utilitarian view with the Pilot's more spacious cabin which has fewer luxuries compared with the HH Platinum.

[@cvue009]

05:15 nice~

[@codedaemon3215]

Thanks for the great video. Between Subaru Outback and Toyota Highlander which one you think is best for off road and in highway drive ?

[@drivingsports]

The Outback is better off-road. Both are great on the highway.

[@MagicNash89]

The Toyota is great in the city, because of the hybrid, great fuel economy and quiet drive. Subaru not so much, their hybrid - if you even get the hybrid - is not nearly as good in the city.

[@chrisinsocalif]

I have a small RV I want to tow (dry weight 3410 lbs, max 4500) and curious about towing with a turbo 4 cylinder with electric vs a 6 cyl. Anyone have experience or expertise in this area?

[@Garapati9999]

Still brakes are tight for hybrid highlanders???

[@deevpavel]

Тойота как всегда на высоте. Ник не реально крут, как герой из боевика 80-90 годов

[@user-tk7km1sr7e]

How come I do not hear the pedestrian warning sound that all hybrids make when moving slow and in reverse?

[@Eugen-E]

The first official Level 3 autonomous driving system was on Honda Legend (Acura RLX) in Japan, not Mercedes Benz.

[@naknakvv-vq8zu]

I like Highlander

[@Car_conversati0nz]

I'm pretty sure you can set the camera to auto so you don't have to turn it on every time

[@rightlanehog3151]

Ryan, If you swap out the 20" rims for 18s, the 35 mpg Highlander Hybrid gets 10/10 on the Sensible 3 Row CUV scales. The big question with the debut of the Grand Highlander is whether waiting lists for ordinary Highlander Hybrids diminish or stay the same. 🤔

[@Z9R.]

I'm going to be getting a regular Highlander hybrid anyways. I like the smaller design and I have no need for the extra space.

[@supriyasou3722]

I feel stupid to not have bought a 2020 version in the inventory for 36k when I had the chance..it was an LE though.

[@AliAlslaman]

Yea, get the XLE. It got everything you need.

[@curseknight5]

I know its been 8 months ago or more when you tested this vehicle, what did you think about the braking feel in this vehicle? I hear some cars are still hit and miss with the blended braking feel like the current nx350h.

[@cazablocki]

I'm going to be blunt, its great...till its not. most the time you cant tell a transition or any issues, but everyone once in a while it feels like you lose all brakes for a split second and its un-nerving.

[@cartwheels4amile]

Whoa did we just see the old Driving Sports TV Subaru Legacy project car 9:32

[@drivingsports]

Yup

[@KevinLin145]

like for the chickens

[@hobbytake2845]

Hey Ryan, I am not seeing the drone listed in the equipment creds, what are you using? Wow factor footage around the bridge, seriously wow!

[@drivingsports]

We need to update that list, it's a DJI Mavic 2S. Still the best price/performance IMHO. Though we just added a DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro to the kit as well.

[@agerautimate8272]

Dude , is 2.5HEV better than 2.0T ? in offroad.

[@nightryder21]

Damn... It took the minivan but a minivan look from the pilot.

[@beanapprentice1687]

There are actually 3 electric motor/generators. 2 in the front & 1 in the rear.

[@JoeBuck-uc3bl]

It is BRUTAL that you can’t get it without 3rd row seating!!

[@rachaelportillo8897]

Thoughts on this car being the family hauler in winter to the mountains? Not to go true off-roading or adventuring. Mainly over snow, the hills when needed

[@drivingsports]

Great family hauler. Just be sure to have decent tires.

[@rachaelportillo8897]

@@drivingsports the next challenge is which tires. No one loves having chains but a true 3peak tire will go against the mpg. Trying to find a good future family car with some versatility n MPG. Feels like most cars are all action with trash mpg or all family n no true adventure

[@srm6130]

The Goodyear eagle is a horrible tire lol. Brutal that such a pricey suv comes with them

[@normaspirated]

Interesting. So the highlander will still have a 3rd row even though the grand highlander will be released at the end of this year.

[@romairoblackstock5100]

Toyota also has the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander for those who may want more interior space and cargo capacity so just wait for the availability of that

[@drivingsports]

We’re filming that in April.

[@jlucguerrier]

Do the 2023 Rav4 Hybrid Woodland edition offroad test. Please and thanks!!

[@drivingsports]

We've been trying to get one, but they haven't sent it up to our local fleet yet.

[@jlucguerrier]

@@drivingsports we just got ours and I love it. I've got a 2016 Trail Premium 4Runner so we got my wife the Woodland. We'd stop by for you to test it but we're all the way in Virginia. I can't tell you how much I love your reviews. This should be a 10 million sub channel hands down. Great great work always!