After the resurrection of the Venza, the SUVfication of Toyota continues with the 7-seater Highlander mid-sized SUV. While the Highlander itself is not new—the nameplate has been around since 2000, the fourth-generation model marks the first time it’ll be made available globally.

Of course, Toyota Motor Philippines remains mum on any of their future product plans, but the 2021 Highlander could very well slot between the top-line Fortuner and the entry-level Land Cruiser Prado; a competitor to the Ford Explorer, Mazda CX-9, and upcoming Subaru Ascent/Evoltis. True enough, there’s a large P 1.077-million gap in case TMP can make the US-made Highlander to work.


Now, if TMP does decide to bring it in, the global spec comes with either a 3.5-liter V6 making 295 horsepower and 357 Nm of torque, or a 2.5-liter gasoline-hybrid with 244 horsepower and 325 Nm of torque. The hybrid option is pretty outstanding in that it can return a whopping 16.6 km/L! Moreover, the TNGA-K platform promises nimble handling, comfortable riding characteristics, and quiet cabin—things that can’t be matched by any pickup-based passenger vehicle.

The three-row Highlander also boasts of high levels of practicality. It’s a true 7-seater SUV with the second-row sliding as much as 180 mm ensuring that two adults can fit comfortably in the last row. This feature also gives them easy ingress/egress. Features include a power tailgate, a 12.3-inch infotainment display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, seat ventilation, and a digital rear-view mirror.


The Highlander’s Toyota Safety Sense package includes Pre-Collision System (PCS) with active steer assist to avoid collision, with pedestrian detection day and night, and bicycle detection during the day, Full Range Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), ACC with Road Sign Assist (RSA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Automatic High Beam (AHB) and Road Sign Assist (RSA).

Would you like TMP to bring in the Highlander, or are you happy with the pairing of the Fortuner and Land Cruiser Prado?