When it comes to family SUVs, few vehicles can match the versatility, luxury, and performance of the Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD. With its sleek design, spacious interior, and advanced features, the Highlander Platinum AWD delivers a driving experience that blends comfort, convenience, and cutting-edge technology. This article dives into the key features, benefits, and driving experience of the Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD to help you understand why it’s one of the best choices in the SUV market today.
Key Features of the Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD
1. Powerful Engine and Smooth Performance
The Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD comes equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 295 horsepower, delivering plenty of power for highway driving, towing, and off-road adventures. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, ensuring smooth gear shifts and an enjoyable driving experience. Whether you’re commuting through city streets or heading out on a weekend getaway, the Highlander Platinum offers responsive acceleration and a quiet, refined ride.
The all-wheel drive (AWD) system adds an extra layer of capability, providing improved traction and stability on slippery or uneven surfaces. Whether you’re driving in rain, snow, or mud, the Highlander Platinum AWD ensures you stay in control, offering peace of mind in various driving conditions.
2. Luxurious Interior with Premium Materials
Step inside the Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD, and you’ll immediately be greeted by a high-end interior designed with both style and comfort in mind. The cabin features premium materials, including perforated leather upholstery, wood accents, and soft-touch surfaces. The front seats are both heated and ventilated, providing comfort in any weather, while the second-row seats are also available with heating for added luxury.
The third row, while typically tight in many SUVs, is spacious enough to accommodate adults, making the Highlander Platinum AWD an excellent option for large families. The flexible seating arrangement allows you to easily fold down the rear seats to create more cargo space when needed, making the vehicle versatile for both passengers and luggage.
3. Advanced Safety Features
Toyota has always been known for its commitment to safety, and the Highlander Platinum AWD is no exception. The vehicle comes equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of advanced safety technologies, which includes:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection: Helps prevent collisions by alerting the driver and applying the brakes if necessary.
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist: Helps prevent unintentional lane drifting by providing gentle steering corrections.
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: Maintains a safe distance from the car in front by adjusting speed automatically.
- Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: Alerts you to vehicles in your blind spots and warns you when a vehicle is approaching from the side when reversing.
- Rearview Camera with Parking Sensors: Provides a clear view of what’s behind you, making parking and reversing easier and safer.
These safety features make the Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD one of the safest vehicles in its class, offering peace of mind for both the driver and passengers.
4. Technology and Infotainment
One of the standout features of the Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD is its advanced technology and infotainment system. The SUV comes with an 8-inch touchscreen display as standard, with the option to upgrade to a 12.3-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The infotainment system is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your smartphone with the vehicle’s system. Whether you’re navigating, making hands-free calls, or listening to your favorite music, everything is just a tap away.
For added convenience, the Highlander Platinum AWD comes with Toyota’s Remote Connect feature, which allows you to control key functions of the vehicle remotely using the Toyota app. You can start the engine, lock or unlock the doors, and even check the vehicle’s status right from your phone, adding an extra layer of convenience for tech-savvy users.
Additionally, the SUV includes a JBL Audio System, delivering high-quality sound for an immersive listening experience, making every drive enjoyable. With 11 speakers and a subwoofer, you can enjoy crisp highs and deep bass, perfect for music lovers and audiophiles.
5. Spacious and Versatile Cargo Space
The Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD is designed with versatility in mind. It offers ample cargo space for your daily needs, weekend getaways, and family trips. With the second and third-row seats folded down, the vehicle provides up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space. This means you can carry everything from groceries to camping gear, sports equipment, and luggage without worrying about space constraints.
Even with the third-row seats up, there’s still 16 cubic feet of cargo space available, which is more than enough for smaller items like bags and groceries. The rear cargo area also features a power liftgate, making it easy to load and unload your gear with minimal effort.
Performance on the Road: Driving the Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD
1. Comfortable Ride and Handling
One of the most important aspects of any family SUV is its ride quality, and the Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD excels in this area. The suspension system provides a smooth and comfortable ride, even on rough roads. Whether you’re driving through city streets, highways, or off-road trails, the Highlander Platinum offers a composed and controlled experience.
The steering is responsive, and the SUV’s handling feels agile for a vehicle of its size. The all-wheel-drive system enhances the vehicle’s performance on slippery or uneven surfaces, providing better traction and stability. This makes the Highlander Platinum AWD an excellent choice for families who need a reliable vehicle for a variety of driving conditions.
2. Fuel Efficiency
Despite its size and powerful engine, the Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD offers competitive fuel efficiency for an SUV in its class. The vehicle achieves an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, making it a more fuel-efficient option compared to many of its competitors. The hybrid version of the Highlander offers even better fuel efficiency, making it a great option for eco-conscious buyers who still want the benefits of an all-wheel-drive SUV.
3. Towing Capacity
The Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD is also equipped with impressive towing capabilities. With a maximum towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, the vehicle can easily tow boats, trailers, or small RVs, making it a great option for families who enjoy outdoor adventures. Whether you’re hauling equipment for a camping trip or towing a boat for a weekend at the lake, the Highlander Platinum AWD is more than capable of handling the job.
Why Choose the Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD?
1. Luxury and Performance Combined
The Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD stands out for its ability to deliver both luxury and performance in one package. From its spacious and high-end interior to its smooth driving experience, this SUV offers everything a family could need. Whether you’re commuting to work, running errands, or taking a road trip, the Highlander Platinum ensures a comfortable and enjoyable ride every time.
2. Advanced Safety and Technology
With the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of safety features and a wealth of modern technology and connectivity options, the Highlander Platinum AWD keeps you and your family safe and connected on the road. The inclusion of advanced driver-assistance systems, along with the convenience of smartphone integration and remote features, ensures you stay ahead of the curve.
3. Versatility and Space
The Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD is a family-friendly SUV that offers ample space for passengers and cargo. Its versatile seating and generous cargo capacity make it the perfect vehicle for families who need a practical yet stylish SUV that can accommodate everything from school runs to family vacations.
Conclusion: The Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD is the Ideal Family SUV
The Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD combines luxury, performance, and practicality in a way that few vehicles can match. With its powerful engine, spacious interior, advanced safety features, and cutting-edge technology, this SUV offers a well-rounded solution for families looking for comfort, convenience, and capability. Whether you’re tackling daily commutes or embarking on long road trips, the Highlander Platinum AWD provides everything you need in a family vehicle. If you’re in the market for an SUV that offers both performance and luxury, the Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD should be at the top of your list.
