2017 Toyota Highlander Rolls Into New York Auto Show

It may not cause any palpitations from the enthusiast set, but there could hardly be a better time for Toyota to launch a refreshed Highlander. Crossovers of all shapes and sizes are the hottest sellers on dealership lots across the United States, and with three powertrain options including a hybrid, front- or all-wheel drive and six trim levels, chances are Toyota has a Highlander to fit the needs of just about any family.

A new eight-speed automatic transmission that replaces the previous six-speed unit is probably the most noteworthy update to the 2017 Highlander. It's mated to a 3.5-liter V6 that Toyota says is new, but power levels have yet to be announced. The base 2.7-liter four cylinder carries over from last year with a six-speed auto and front-wheel drive on LE models only. For 2017, the Highlander Hybrid continues on with its continuously variable transmission and standard all-wheel drive.

Look closely and you'll see that the front fascia has been redesigned for 2017, as have the taillights. Each trim level gets slightly different finishes for the grille, with the Limited and top-level Platinum getting the most posh look. A new SE model has unique 19-inch wheels, a dark finish for the grille and headlamps and a suspension that's retuned for a sportier feel. Three-row seating is a big selling point in this segment, and the Highlander continues to offer a choice between seven- and eight-passenger seating options. That's great, but, with five USB ports inside, as many as three passengers will be left to fend for themselves. What's this world coming to?

As you'd expect in a 2017 model, there's a full complement of advanced safety tech built into the Highlander. Automatic braking, lane-departure warnings, auto high-beams, Pedestrian Pre-Collision and radar-based automatic cruise control all come standard as part of the Toyota Safety Sense package. Highlander Platinum models get a useful Bird's Eye View Camera. Stay tuned for our live coverage of the New York Auto Show, and feel free to peruse the press release below for all the details on Toyota's latest Highlander.