2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum Review

Today we take a look at the up-tiered, economical, and professional 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD. The Highlander has proved itself in the USA since first entering the market in 2001, increasing sales numbers to over 222,000 units in 2022 and adding hybrid models like this one to join the lineup of gas-friendly Toyota’s. For 2023, the Toyota Highlander is no longer available with the V6 and features new interior updates from customer feedback. The Toyota Highlander starts at $37,755 with 11 trim models with our $53,760 Hybrid platinum at the top with luxury that could be mistaken for a Lexus.
Timestamps
0:00 Intro
1:10 LandAirSea Sponsor
1:43 Exterior
4:50 Drivetrain
6:49 Interior
11:47 Drive
17:30 In Conclusion
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[@user-cn4ih4ro2u]

I leased a 2023, platinum, four-cylinder, turbo, extremely fast, and I like the fact that it saves on emissions. The interior is the Carmel color. It is so luxurious this car in the platinum has all the options including a digital rearview mirror of power folding mirrors, heated backseats, heated cold front seats with a 12.3 inch display has more options than my Lexus.

[@YellowRoseDrones]

I've got the 2023 Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition and I've already put 10K miles on it in the last 2 months. I'm very happy with it. That "trails" function came in handy when I went off road into the desert, out in the Big Bend Ranch State Park, on the dirt roads. The Bronze Edition has about 90% of the features that were explained here in the Platinum Edition. I don't care if my mirrors don't fold automatically. I don't care if my steering wheel doesn't heat up. All I can say, is it has been a joy to drive. Gas mileage ranging from 33 MPG to 39 MPG, depending upon how I drive it in normal mode. Sport mode gives you that extra oomph when you're trying to get up to Highway speed on a ramp. Otherwise I never use it.

[@ClassicCars_TV]

Nice!

[@alhilalyful]

What’s about wind noise when you’re driving? Is there any noise?

[@dianaarteaga9753]

Does the engine loud noise not bother you? I’m currently hating mine because of that 😣

[@NoQueso_]

Thanks! We can't wait to get ours shipped to us next week!

[@ClassicCars_TV]

Nice!

[@abeytusshar]

Excellent video. Keep it up.

[@ClassicCars_TV]

Thank you we appreciate that!

[@Redneckboy991]

I just ordered one of these. Platinum hybrid. The wait is up to 2 years. I think it's worth the wait.

[@52ru398]

2year?

[@Redneckboy991]

@@52ru398 Apparently the Highlander hybrid is in high demand. Also not many people ordering the platinum.

[@52ru398]

@@Redneckboy991 get a pre-contract now in Korea.

[@AgentMessiah]

Great video... ❤❤❤

[@ryanknap3015]

Tip to the highlanders, get oil change every 5k miles. Will make it last 500,000 miles. Dealership will tell u that it can go every 10k miles for oil. Don't do that, do every 5k.

[@aichan5235]

yes but for new cars. The first 5k miles u have to pay for your oil change lol.

[@ryanknap3015]

@@aichan5235 it's worth paying for it, some even get there first oil change at 1k miles then start the every 5k at the 10 k mark. Reason to get that first one so early, is if you got your car right from factory, if any larger or loose metal shavings come off during car break in period.

[@Amor1990]

The first oil change I’d do at 1000 miles. It’s usually dark cuz of all the new material in it and what not

[@Amor1990]

@@aichan5235So what?

[@aichan5235]

@@Amor1990 so nothing. I'm just letting you know that if you do 2 oil change per year on your newly bought car, they're not going to give it to you for free. Only the first 6 months of the year or the last.

[@smoothbrainacademy8401]

The console volume knob is for the passenger not the driver. The driver has one on the steering wheel. Not sure why you would prefer a knob when you can control it without your hand leaving the wheel.

[@Finney1964]

My thoughts exactly! I've watched 3 other reviewers, all found the volume knob to be an annoyance and didn't rationalize that it was for the passenger, lol.

[@cablebrain9691]

It was probably put there for the passenger, except that it’s no a big deal for the passenger to lean over while the car is in motion, it is however problematic for the driver to do that. And why should the driver, who is probably driving alone much of the time, be treated as a second class citizen, having to use annoying electronic volume “buttons” that are slower to react? I would never have them on a home stereo (except on a remote), and certainly don’t want to be required to use them in my car. Not a dealbreaker, but here’s another example of an auto-maker trying to find a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist, and instead, just mucking-up the works. I’ll bet that 9 out of 10 drivers would prefer the knob be close to them.

[@TheLanard]

I wish a passenger would touch that volume knob. They’d draw back a nub!

[@brianhaumontsr9030]

Can’t wait to get mine

[@ClassicCars_TV]

Nice!

[@bensieu2044]

👍👍👍 PerPect Thanks

[@5littletoes]

Can you cover the ambient lighting

[@ronbrando2254]

Would love to see a towing video with the hybrid.

[@wslee6]

Is this design only for 2023? If the grand version comes out soon, will this model be discontinued?

[@ydmutlu]

Unfortunately 2024 Grande Highlander not come in Europa.

[@craighazlett119]

Can the second row seats flatten out for larger cargo space behind the front seats?

[@johnniestockett2523]

Yes

[@kuljeetkaur6918]

Can you please elaborate more on awd and how it works .. we are not able to see usual awd switch

[@YellowRoseDrones]

I've got the bronze Edition, Highlander Hybrid 2023. The only switch they have on the transmission, was for sport, normal, and Eco. The bronze Edition had a switch for trails, for when you were off-road. AWD is on demand automatically on mine. I'm getting anywhere from 34 mpg to 39 mpg, depending upon how I'm driving.

[@avilesnba]

AWD - all wheel drive just means that all four wheels are always being powered by the motor. You can't switch this off. AWD usually means better handling especially in rainy and snowy weather. Otherwise you really shouldn't worry about it. Most cars are RWD (rear wheel drive) meaning that the motor powers only the two back wheels. Some cars have 4WD (4 wheel drive) meaning that the car is rear wheel drive, but can be switched to have all 4 wheels get powered by the motor. You would do this if you want to go off road, drive through mud, sand, etc. AWD is 4WD, but you can't 'turn it off'. That's just the way the car is made. I personally like AWD. Gives me more security while driving. Fun fact: all of Subaru's cars are AWD.

[@YellowRoseDrones]

@@avilesnba exactly. I wanted AWD because I wanted the better handling, especially in adverse weather conditions.

[@denisilyayev1878]

Are you Luka Doncic?

[@stefanknezevic...]

Nitpicking on the volume button in the drive thru... In the drive thru where your speed is 2 km per h you can bend over and reach it. Ok there

[@justinpineiro9176]

Great video. Just fyi, Qi is pronounced CHEE

[@ClassicCars_TV]

Thanks!

[@joeburr7537]

Sounds like he's out of breath talking?🤔

[@darrenchan4594]

is this car underpowered?

[@ClassicCars_TV]

I would not call the vehicle fast, but I don't think its under powered. You may notice some sluggishness with the vehicle fully loaded.

[@jtjt8331]

Car is Not under powered.. the turbo makes a huge difference

[@nkw3157]

Too bad I can't find one.

[@valentinvelikov798]

Very bored review to watch!

[@IkennaYoung-xj7cl]

Avalon is better than this highlander

[@GuruSan88]

2 Things They Do Not Tell You! ** Hybrid Is HORRIBLE!! ** ** BUYERS BEWARE! ** ** Do Not Buy The Hybrid!! *** Do Not Get Electronic Rear-View Mirror! ** I bought a brand new '21 Highlander Hybrid Platinum. There 2 things I found out after -- only if I knew prior -- I would not have bought this vehicle. (1) The Toyota dealership told me that they will not do undercoating due to an electrical panel/access, and/or some sort of electrical colour-wiring code that if sprayed undercoating, it would cause an issue to the mechanic if something needs to be fixed. Therefore, driving without undercoating is extremely noisy. Like coins rattling in an aluminum can. I live in the city of Calgary, not in the rural. And, we have 4 seasons here. The noise when driving in this car is absolutely ridiculous. (2) The electronic rear-view mirror: when driving at night, it displays "star burst" effect fr other vehicles' headlamps. I adjusted every angle and brightness. I brought it to the dealership, and they have no clue. It's been months now and they still have no answer. They said to me "when we get a model like yours come in for service, we'll look to compare". It's been months. Go figure. They probably are hoping that I would just forget. Either the electronic rear-view mirror display or the camera is a product of a very poor quality, or it's defective. It is annoying, nonetheless. I asked the shop manager to contact Toyota and do an inquiry regarding the electronic rear-view mirror display. He said Toyota would just tell him to do more testing. I don't know how many more tests Toyota wants to see, really. Because the dealership had my vehicles for days for test, and they agreed that there is an unusual "star burst" effect in the display. So, before you head to a Toyota dealership to purchase a Highlander Hybrid and/or pay that extra dollars for the electronic rear-view mirror option. Think about these issues!

[@xlthumper]

Damn man you are on every single video. We get it. You don't like it. But honestly. Your the only person with these issues.

[@GuruSan88]

@@xlthumper ...Man, when you invest +$60k, you certainly don't want to be the one gets bent. Or, at least in this case, should have been informed about these limitations. I was never informed, moreover, before buying, I had done my due-diligence by watching youtube review videos(both bad & good), not a single youtube reviewer mentioned about "no undercoating on Highlander Hybrid". I have sat in "old tanks" and they are not even road-noisy(loud) from gravel and all sorts on the roads. That is because they have undercoating. My Toyota dealership told me, specifically, that they will not do undercoating to my brand new 2021Highlander Hybrid Platinum. For couple of hundred bucks, you'd think they'd grab it in seconds, but no. Therefore, driving around can be very noisy. As for the electronic rear-view mirror, the display is absolute crap during driving at night. A Toyota shop manager suggested to me that I may want to turn the electronic rear-view mirror off...What kind of suggestion is that?...I paid extra to get that electronic rear-view mirror, and now you're telling me to not use it? Nonsense. I don't know -- and they still don't know why the star-burst effect on the display.

[@YellowRoseDrones]

I'm the proud owner of a 2023 Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition and I've got all of the features you're talking about. I have noticed, if I've got a vehicle behind me at night, that the electronic camera for the rear view mirror does have a tendency to have that nighttime visual effect you mentioned. But mine is fairly quiet on the road, a lot less noisy than what my 2016 Chevy Traverse was. I'm getting awesome fuel mileage, ranging between 33 mpg to as high as 38 mpg. Maybe they fixed some of the problems between 2021 and 2023? Anyway, I've owned it for almost 2 months, put 10K miles on it already, and I'm a very happy customer.

[@GuruSan88]

@Yellow Rose Drones Just 1 question: did you get undercoating for your brand new vehicle?

[@YellowRoseDrones]

@@GuruSan88 You know, I need to ask about that. I don't remember them saying that they had done that. I'm going in for my 10K oil change this afternoon and I will ask. I'll get back to you on this one.