2023 Toyota Highlander; Why Does Launch Control Exist? | Talking Cars #394

2023 Toyota Highlander; Why Does Launch Control Exist? | Talking Cars #394 1

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This week, we discuss the new Toyota Highlander. Our experts share their first impressions of the three-row SUV and talk about how the Highlander sticks to what it does best, despite its 2023 refresh. We also answer audience questions about top tier gasoline and why the Genesis GV70 SUV comes with a launch control feature.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 – Intro

0:21 – 2023 Toyota Highlander

2:12 – Highlander trims

4:34 – Our first impressions

8:28 – Powertrain

10:19 – Interior/seats

12:18 – Infotainment system

13:27 – Cargo capacity

15:03 – Would you buy a Highlander?

16:48 – Question #1: What’s top tier gas and is it important?

20:50 – Question #2: What’s launch control and is it necessary?

LINKS:

2023 Toyota Highlander:

Top Tier Gasoline Worth the Extra Price; Study Shows:

Top Tier Detergent Gasoline Brands:

Why You Might Not actually Need Premium Gas:

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20 Comments on "2023 Toyota Highlander; Why Does Launch Control Exist? | Talking Cars #394"

  1. Don’t like turbo

  2. Get Hybrid

  3. Too big and heavy for 4 cylinder……same as Lexus RX 👎

  4. Right Lane Hog | January 13, 2023 at 3:44 PM |

    Now more than ever, why would anyone consider any Highlander other than the 35 mpg Hybrid? 🤔

  5. Sad the turbo 4 is unrefined. The old V6 was too, and it didn’t have enough torque. Was thinking about the rumored Grand Highlander but I think I’m done with Toyota. Dead reliable but that’s pretty much it.

    • Chezzyperson 33 | January 13, 2023 at 4:08 PM |

      If you like the smoothness of the V6 get 2023 Pilot because Grand Highlander will have turbo too

    • I have the v6 and its smooth and strong. It is also fairly quiet, way better than the new 4.

  6. Give me a Highlander any day of the week vs a Telluride or Palisade. The reliability of the Toyota vs any Hyundai product makes it a no brainer in my opinion, not too mention I kind of hate it when engines tend to catch fire as is the case with Hyundai/Kia.

  7. t glottalization. I cannot stand the way she pronounces the work “important.” otherwise helpful as i wan the highlander. Isn’t the Grand Highlander coming and worth a mention?

    • Chezzyperson 33 | January 13, 2023 at 5:20 PM |

      It’s coming in less than a month and will shock the Traverse, Enclave, Grand Cherokee L

    • What is it with people not being able to pronounce “T.s” bu-ens, Impor-ant. Drives me nuts. Ruined the video for me!

  8. I Loved the 3.5 V6 that I had in my 11 Rav 4WD Limited. It was a fast small SUV.

  9. Eric Stolowitz | January 13, 2023 at 4:38 PM |

    The interesting that the new 2023 Honda Pilot, Honda upgraded its V6 to a DOHC. But Toyota changed their engine for the non hybrid Highlander to a turbo 4. Another item getting into the 3rd row is a lot easier in the pilot than the highlander

  10. We’re keeping our 2017 XLE AWD. The new generation of Highlander gave up too many features, and now gave up the excellent 3.5 V6

  11. Kia and Hyundai may look good, but unreliable and with all their issues right now, i wouldn’t touch one.

  12. 4 cylinder and a turbo… thats a no from me!!
    Straight 6 is the way.

  13. Looks like CR got the new engine but a trim with the old AWD system. One with a new 2.4 Turbo + new TV-AWD system could have helped with driving experience rating. Especially on that poor weather that TV-AWD would have been a different experience. Since old Dynamic Torque Control AWD does not shift power left to right. That’s why its important to test one with a Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD.

  14. Gotta love the $1500 they paid for $200 worth of accessories

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