2013 Toyota Highlander
Changes for the 2013 Toyota Highlander/Highlander Hybrid:
Further refining one of the country’s favorite three-row crossovers, Toyota has upgraded the audio choices for the 2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid by adding Display Audio as a standard feature on the former, then providing the latter with a standard Entune infotainment system with navigation. The automaker also simplifies things for customers for the new model year, introducing a new “Plus” model that bundles some of the top options offered on the 2013 Toyota Highlander.
Model Lineup:
Keeping in mind that all gas-only models are available in both two- and all-wheel drive, with the hybrid being AWD only, the 2013 Toyota Highlander is available in the following trim levels:
- 2013 Toyota Highlander—The foundation of the Highlander family wears color-keyed and power-folding outside mirrors, with matching door handles and a rear spoiler that also holsters an LED high-mounted stop light, and it rides on 17-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels. Inside, the comfortable cabin is decked out with power-adjustable driver and front-passenger seats, second-row seats with Toyota’s Center Stow technology and console, remote keyless entry, power door locks/windows, and a Toyota Display Audio sound system. It’s a fairly premium setup, boasting a 6.1-inch touchscreen, AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA playback, six speakers, a USB port, and Bluetooth wireless audio streaming.
- 2013 Toyota Highlander Plus—This selection packs all the features of the entry model, plus additional exterior enhancements like fog lights, heated outside mirrors, and a lift-up glass hatch. But the big changes come in the cabin, there the 2013 Toyota Highlander Plus is upgraded with a backup camera, premium easy-clean seating fabric, metallic interior door handles and second-row reading lights.
- 2013 Toyota Highlander SE—Leather-trimmed front- and second-row seats raise the comfort level in the SE model, which also sees style enhancements like metallic and leather interior trim; also standard for the driver is a leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio, phone and display controls. The 2013 Toyota Highlander SE serves up a power tilt/slide moonroof, too, with its own sunshade, while usability is enhanced with a powered liftgate with jam protection.
- 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited—A significant infotainment upgrade highlights the most premium member of the 2013 Toyota Highlander, courtesy of media resources like a Display Audio sound system, the brand’s Entune technology, voice-control navigation, nine JBL speakers (including a subwoofer), hands-free phone and audio streaming, HD Radio with iTunes Tagging, and a 90-day complimentary subscription to SiriusXM Radio. Seating also gets a further upgrade, with the first and second row trimmed in perforated leather, and the front seats featured a multi-stage heating system. Distinctive exterior features of the most premium member of the 2013 Toyota Highlander family include its chrome exterior accents and chrome roof rails, 19-inch alloy wheels (with a five-spoke design), and outside mirrors with puddle lights.
The 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is kitted out to match the Highlander SE fairly well, although the former boasts a standard Entune navigation system and some hybrid-specific design cues; the fuel-sipper can be ordered in the Limited trim, too.
Engines and Transmissions:
Three powertrains are available for the 2013 Toyota Highlander, with a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine as the jumping off point. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard in the Highlander and Highlander Plus, this powerplant can develop 187 hp and 186 lb.-ft. of torque. Offered in the Plus and SE, and standard on the 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited, is a3.5-liter V6 that serves up 270 hp and 248 lb.-ft. of torque, with that output coming through a five-speed automatic.
The 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrids also rely on a 3.5-liter V6, but it’s combined with a hybrid propulsion system incorporating two electric motors, nickel-metal hydride battery technology and a continuously variable transmission.
Fuel Economy Ratings:
Offered only in a two-wheel-drive configuration, the 2013 Toyota Highlander with a 4-cylinder engine posts an EPA line of 20 mpg city/25 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. The V6-equipped 2013 Toyota Highlander achieves grades of 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway/20 mpg combined in its 2WD setup, and notches marks of 17/21/18 in 4WD. The 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has been certified to reach 28 mpg in all phases of EPA testing.
Safety Ratings:
In terms of occupant protection, the 2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid were both rated as 4-star safety performers by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); the tale of the tape here: 4 stars in frontal and rollover testing and 5 stars for side-crash protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the 2013 Toyota Highlander a Top Safety Pick after it earned the highest scores in the institute’s testing for front-, side-, rear- and rollover-crash performance.
Technology Highlights:
The automaker’s Entune infotainment and connectivity system is one of the top technologies available in the 2013 Toyota Highlander, combining voice control of key features with access to popular mobile apps and services like the Bing search engine, iHeartRadio, Pandora, MovieTickets.com and OpenTable. Also on tap from the tech department are a full-function nav system, premium audio componentry from JBL, a rearview camera, air-filtered climate control, and Toyota’s Smart Key System.
