Is Highlander getting a redesign in 2024?
The short answer: no. Toyota did not unveil a new, all‑new design for the Highlander in 2024. The model carried forward the styling and features from the 2023 mid‑cycle refresh, with incremental updates tied to that refresh rather than a full redesign.
To understand the question in greater depth, it helps to know how automakers structure product changes. A full redesign typically introduces a new generation with major styling and platform changes, while a mid‑cycle refresh updates aesthetics, technology, and trims within the same generation. Toyota’s Highlander followed the latter path for the 2023 model year, and those updates continued into 2024.
What happened with the Highlander in 2023 and 2024
Exterior styling
The 2023 refresh gave the Highlander a more modern face, including refreshed front styling, lighting treatments, and wheel options. For 2024, Toyota largely carried those updates forward, maintaining the refreshed look without introducing a new generation or a drastic rework.
- New front fascia and revised headlights that give the SUV a crisper, more contemporary appearance.
- Updated grille design and wheel options across trims to enhance curb appeal.
- Continued availability of fresh color choices and trim-specific accents.
- Exterior refresh details were targeted to create a sharper, more premium look without a complete redesign.
The 2024 Highlander thus presented a familiar silhouette with refreshed visual cues rather than an all‑new shape. This distinction—refresh versus redesign—helps dealers align production and pricing with consumer expectations while avoiding the risk and cost of a new generation mid‑cycle.
Interior and technology
Inside, Toyota pushed upgrades aimed at improving comfort and usability. The 2023 refresh expanded multimedia and convenience features, and 2024 models continued to offer those improvements with limited changes.
- Enhanced infotainment options, including larger touchscreen displays on more trims and improved smartphone integration.
- Upgraded materials and cabin design cues to feel more upscale without a wholesale interior redo.
- More standard and available technology features such as wireless connectivity and easier-to-use interfaces on several trims.
- Practical improvements like more USB-C ports, improved climate control interfaces, and refined storage solutions.
Overall interior updates focused on elevating perceived quality and ease of use rather than introducing a radical new cabin layout. The 2024 Highlander kept the refreshed interior feel established in 2023 while offering the familiar array of trims and options familiar to buyers.
Powertrains and efficiency
Toyota continued to emphasize practical efficiency and capable performance with the Highlander’s powertrain lineup. The 2023 refresh included refinements that carried into 2024, with emphasis on efficiency and smooth operation rather than a new engine family.
- Continued availability of a gasoline engine paired with an automatic transmission, paired with all‑wheel drive on several trims.
- Hybrid powertrain options that balance performance with better fuel economy, retained as a key selling point for families and daily drivers.
- Improvements to overall throttle response and refinement to reduce cabin noise during highway cruising.
- EPA‑estimated fuel economy figures that align with the refreshed efficiency targets of the model line.
In short, these powertrain and efficiency updates reflect optimization within the existing generation rather than a new engineering architecture. Buyers could expect reliable performance and solid efficiency without the risks or costs associated with a brand‑new platform.
Safety and driver assistance
Enhanced safety and driver aids were part of the refreshed Highlander strategy, with Toyota Safety Sense features becoming more widely standard across trims. The 2024 model year continued that trajectory, with ongoing improvements layered in through packages and options.
- Standard advanced safety tech across more trims, including automatic emergency braking and lane‑keeping features.
- Enhanced driver assistance options such as blind‑spot monitoring and rear cross‑traffic alerts on higher trims.
- Improved parking aids and optional tech packages that make urban driving easier for families.
The safety suite evolution reinforced Highlander’s appeal as a practical family SUV, balancing convenience with peace‑of‑mind features without a full redesign.
What to expect from Toyota in the future
Upcoming redesign timeline
There is no official announcement from Toyota confirming a full redesign of the Highlander for 2025 or 2026 as of now. Industry observers generally expect automakers to rotate new generations on multi‑year cycles, but exact timing depends on product plans, market conditions, and supply chain realities.
- Potential next‑generation Highlander timing could fall in a 2–4 year window from the 2023 refresh, depending on corporate priorities and market demand.
- Any future redesign would likely involve styling updates, a newer platform or improved underpinnings, and revised cabin architecture to reflect evolving tech expectations.
- Electrification trends may influence the lineup, potentially including more advanced hybrid or plug‑in hybrid options, aligned with Toyota’s broader electrification strategy.
Until Toyota confirms a formal redesign, the Highlander’s path remains tied to incremental improvements within the current generation. Buyers seeking the latest design language or cutting‑edge tech should monitor official announcements and the yearly model‑year updates from Toyota and local dealers.
Summary
In summary, the 2024 Highlander did not receive a full redesign. Toyota’s approach for 2023 established a mid‑cycle refresh with styling, tech, and safety updates that carried into 2024. While a future redesign is not officially scheduled for 2025, industry watchers anticipate a new generation could arrive within a few years, potentially accompanied by further electrification and platform upgrades. For now, the Highlander remains a refreshed, well‑equipped family SUV rather than a brand‑new design.
What is the difference between Highlander 2024 and 2025?
2024 model: 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with hybrid system. 2025 model: Refined hybrid powertrain offering improved torque distribution for smoother performance.
What is the lawsuit against the Toyota Highlander?
Recent and ongoing lawsuits involving the Toyota Highlander address issues such as faulty door lock actuators, a potential transmission defect in certain models, and a claim that 2020-2021 Highlander Hybrids have fuel tanks that do not fill completely. Other recent lawsuits include an investigation into defective power liftgates and a separate class action settlement for a Bluetooth echo defect that affected some Highlanders.
Current and recent lawsuits
- Door Lock Actuators: A class action lawsuit was filed because many Toyota models, including the Highlander, reportedly have defective door lock actuators that may fail to engage properly. The lawsuit claims owners have been charged for repeated replacements, which Toyota allegedly considered "wear and tear" items.
- Transmission Defect: Lawsuits allege that certain Highlander models (2017-2022) equipped with the UA80 automatic transmission have a defect that can cause whining, erratic shifting, and premature failure. A Customer Support Program (CSP ZJC) was created but only covers a limited number of vehicles, according to Change.org.
- Fuel Tank Defect: A class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of owners of 2020-2021 Highlander Hybrids, claiming a defective fuel tank vent causes it to not fill to its capacity.
- Power Liftgate Defect: Some Highlander models (XU20, XU40, XU50, and Highlander Hybrid MHU28) are reportedly affected by a power liftgate defect that can lead to costly repairs, with the lawsuit alleging Toyota knew about the issue but did not issue a recall or warning.
- Bluetooth Echo Defect: A class action lawsuit over a Bluetooth defect that caused an echo on calls in certain Toyota models, including the Highlander, resulted in a settlement, notes this article from Unión Rayo and ClassAction.org.
How to proceed
- Identify your vehicle's details: Determine if your Highlander is included in any of these lawsuits by checking its model year, VIN, and the specific defect alleged.
- Gather evidence: Collect any repair invoices, service records, or documentation related to the defect.
- Contact an attorney: Speak to a lawyer who specializes in consumer or automotive class action lawsuits to understand your options and how you may be affected by an ongoing investigation or settlement.
- Check settlement websites: Visit official settlement websites if they are available for a specific lawsuit, as they often provide important information and instructions for potential claimants.
What are the changes in the Toyota Highlander in 2024?
The 2024 Toyota Highlander XLE upgrades the LE trim level with unique 18” alloy wheels, power moonroof, LED fog lamps, a Softex-clad heated steering wheel, Softex-clad shifter, wireless charging dock for smart phones, power adjustable front row passenger seat, auto-dimming rear view mirror with integrated HomeLink, and ...
Is Highlander getting a redesign in 2025?
It's been five years since this latest Highlander generation debuted. For the 2025 model year little has changed, with just a minor tweak here and there to features and colors.
