2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD 3-Row SUV: The Hype Mom Car
Natalie Merola
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You’ll sit pretty in the Moon Dust-colored 2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD SUV.
It is versatile, leather trimmed, and capable of carrying all of life’s precious cargo from children to groceries from here to there. It’s for the stylish, trendy moms like me who aren’t willing to convert to a van, but also cannot fit everything into a sedan anymore. Say hello to the hype mom SUV! The 2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD SUV has a 3.5L V6 automatic engine that’s all-wheel drive, and it can reach those high lands with its multi-terrain select at the touch of a dial. Whether you’re pulling up to curbside or taking a trip with the family to social distance, you’ll find this space useful and encouraging.
Priced at about $51,000, the 2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD is a 3-row SUV that scores a combined 23 mpg, which is decent fuel efficiency for its size. In the city, it averages about 20 mpg and 27 mpg on the highway.
Related: Everything you need to know about the 2020 Toyota Highlander 3-Row SUV
There are plenty of spaces to stow away accessories, sanitizer, masks, and other things on the go. ?: Natalie Merola
There’s a Place for Everything in the Highlander, and I’m a Neat Freak All about It
There’s a little nook on the passenger side of the dashboard for masks, sanitizer (when in the SUV— don’t leave that here!), sunglasses, and whatever additional handhelds or accessories you may need when on the road.
If that wasn’t enough, you can keep your phone and the temptation of looking at it at bay while it charges wirelessly within and inside of the armrest storage. If you prefer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you can plug in and connect. I think the combination between the driver wirelessly charging their phone and the passenger navigating and playing music via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is a smart move, Toyota. (Good looking out for the everyday scenarios that happen when driving around town or on a long road trip!)
Related: Finally, the Plug-in Hybrid SUV We’ve Been Waiting For: Meet the Toyota RAV4 Prime
Wireless charging and additional charging outlets throughout the Highlander make this extra tech savvy for the whole family. ?: Natalie Merola
What We Loved
- I love the power, heated, and ventilated seats. This makes me feel on top of the world. Not only can I see well, but I fit comfortably in the seat without shivering or burning up. For those of us who deal with extreme heat and colder weather, this is a must!
- Hands-free power liftgates need to be standard, because I can get used to this life.
- Toyota Safety Sense (lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, pre-emergency braking, automatic high beam headlights and more) keeps the driver aware and on alert while maintaining a safe trip for everyone inside.
- The third row has a 60/40 split, so you can utilize the cargo space as you need.
- I feel spoiled with the panoramic moonroof. It’s exhilarating to look up to the blue skies or raindrops. It would be extra dreamy under a starlit night sky.
Related: The Toyota Venza Lives Again as an Elegant, Tech-Filled Hybrid AWD SUV
With views like this, there’s no place like home on the road. ?: Natalie Merola
Amazing Features Check Off All of the Boxes
- 20” Alloy wheels with a temporary spare
- LED Headlights with adaptive front lighting system and auto-leveling; LED fog lights, too.
- Heated power mirrors with puddle lamp
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Heated 2nd row seats (A game changer!)
- 11 JBL Speakers and 12.3” Touchscreen with the Premium Audio package
- 4 USB charge-ports
- Digital rearview mirror
- This special color “moon dust” is an optional upgrade for $425
- Cargo cross bars for an additional $350
Related: Why the Toyota 4Runner is Great for Every Roadtrip You’re Planning This Year
Keep your head up and gaze through this panoramic moonroof. ?: Natalie Merola
Family Adventures with Safety, Style, and Functionality
The 2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD is perfect for families traveling on the road more than a couple of times a year. With an updated infotainment center, plenty of charging, fuel efficiency, and all of the safety features you didn’t know you needed, there’s ample space to carry the whole family.
It’s now more possible than ever to bring everything but the kitchen sink inside and on the roof, too. The third row in the Highlander delivers the perfect family trip SUV to carry you and everyone across different terrain and weather conditions. If you can have everything you need right where you need it, while delivering comfort for all passengers, updated tech features, and organizational savvy, that’s the mom life dream.
From the side, you can see how far the Highlander grew up. It’s bigger and bolder for family trips and storage. ?: Natalie Merola
What we Listened to in the 2020 Toyota Highlander
A great playlist is another must have. This is what sounded great in the Highlander.
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