2024 Toyota Highlander Revealed With Nightshade Edition And Bump In Price

The 2024 Toyota Highlander has arrived with some noteworthy changes to the lineup. The Japanese automaker has bid farewell to the base L trim and the Bronze Edition, replacing them with a striking new Nightshade trim.

Price changes across the lineup fluctuate between trim levels - from $300 to as much as $650. The Highlander LE is now the entry-level trim, priced at $39,120 or $300 higher than in 2023 and $2,700 pricier than the outgoing L trim. This means buyers must fork over more money in 2024 to drive home a Highlander.

In place of the outgoing Bronze Edition, Toyota's Nightshade Edition has also made its way into the Highlander lineup, which is also offered in other Toyotas like the Sequoia. It starts at $41,720, but is only available for the LE and XLE trims.

The powertrain options remain unchanged from the 2023 model year. The Nightshade trim is exclusively available on Highlander models equipped with Toyota's hybrid powertrain, which combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, delivering a combined output of 243 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 36 mpg combined.

Alternatively, buyers can opt for the gas-only 2.4-liter inline-four engine, which produces 265 hp but returns 25 mpg combined. The options don't include the V6 mill, which left the lineup last year.

The Nightshade package includes striking black 18-inch, five-spoke wheels, a black grille, mirror caps, door handles, black rear badging, a black rear spoiler, and a black shark fin antenna. For the XLE trim, the package adds blacked-out roof rails.

LE models offer black fabric-trimmed seats inside the Nightshade trim, while XLE models feature black two-tone Softex-trimmed seats with unique embossed fabric inserts and silver accent stitching.

Naturally, there are more standard features in the XLE, including heated front seats, a 10-way adjustable driver's seat, and second-row captain's chairs. Both models have an 8-inch touchscreen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a 12.3-inch touchscreen and 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio system is an option for those getting the XLE.

Adding to the convenience factor, the hands-free power liftgate specification is now standard across all XLE and XSE models, a notable improvement from the previous year when it was limited to the Limited and Platinum grades. All Highlander models come standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ system.

The prices mentioned here don't include the $1,395 destination and handling charges. The bigger model, the Grand Highlander, has prices starting at $43,070.