2022 Toyota Highlander LE: A Spacious and Feature-Rich Family SUV
The 2022 Toyota Highlander LE is a well-rounded midsize SUV that offers a perfect blend of comfort, technology, and efficiency. Positioned as a step above the base L trim, the LE trim adds more convenience, safety, and connectivity features, making it a great choice for families who need a spacious three-row SUV with Toyota’s legendary reliability.
Exterior Design: Modern, Sleek, and Functional
The 2022 Highlander LE sports a modern and elegant design with a commanding presence. It blends sleek styling with functional elements that enhance aerodynamics and visibility.
Key Exterior Features:
- Front Fascia: A bold, blacked-out grille with a chrome Toyota emblem gives the Highlander an upscale look, while LED headlights and LED daytime running lights (DRLs) provide excellent visibility.
- Side Profile: The 18-inch machined-finish alloy wheels complement the Highlander’s sculpted body lines, while body-colored side mirrors with integrated turn signals add a premium touch.
- Rear Design: The sleek taillights wrap around the rear for a modern look, and the power liftgate (standard on LE) enhances convenience for loading cargo.
- Roof Rails (Standard on LE): Add extra utility for carrying luggage, bikes, or roof-mounted cargo boxes.
- Color Options: Available in classic shades like Celestial Silver Metallic, Blueprint, Midnight Black Metallic, Ruby Flare Pearl, and more.
Interior: Comfortable, Spacious, and Tech-Savvy
The 2022 Highlander LE offers a well-appointed cabin that prioritizes passenger comfort, convenience, and cargo versatility.
Seating & Comfort:
- Seating for up to 8 passengers with fabric-trimmed seats that provide excellent comfort.
- The 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat ensures a personalized driving position.
- Tri-zone automatic climate control allows for individual temperature settings for the driver, front passenger, and rear occupants.
- 60/40 split-folding second- and third-row seats provide multiple cargo and seating configurations.
Technology & Connectivity:
- 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ integration.
- SiriusXM® with a 3-month trial subscription and six-speaker audio system for enhanced entertainment.
- Amazon Alexa compatibility for voice commands and smart home connectivity.
- Five USB ports (three in the front, two in the rear) for easy device charging.
- Wi-Fi Connect with 4G LTE hotspot capability (subscription required).
Cargo Space:
- 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row.
- 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded down.
- 84.3 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded flat, making it ideal for larger cargo loads.
Performance: Smooth, Efficient, and Capable
The 2022 Toyota Highlander LE is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering a balance of power and efficiency.
Engine & Drivetrain:
- 3.5L DOHC V6 engine with Dual VVT-i
- Horsepower: 295 hp @ 6,600 rpm
- Torque: 263 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm
- 8-speed automatic transmission provides smooth and responsive shifts.
- Available in Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) or All-Wheel Drive (AWD) for enhanced traction.
- Towing Capacity: Up to 5,000 lbs, making it suitable for small trailers, boats, and campers.
Fuel Efficiency (EPA-estimated):
- FWD: 21 mpg city / 29 mpg highway / 24 mpg combined
- AWD: 20 mpg city / 27 mpg highway / 23 mpg combined
The Highlander LE’s Drive Mode Select allows the driver to adjust performance with Normal, Eco, and Sport driving modes for different conditions.
Safety Features: Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+)
Toyota prioritizes safety, and the 2022 Highlander LE comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+, an advanced driver assistance suite.
Key Safety Features:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD) detects potential collisions and applies automatic braking.
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) maintains a safe following distance on highways.
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA) helps prevent unintended lane drift.
- Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) works with DRCC to keep the vehicle centered in its lane.
- Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) improves awareness of vehicles in blind spots.
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