2020 Toyota Highlander Uses Advanced High-Strength Steel for Stiffer Handling and Lightweighting
The 2020 Toyota Highlander, released in December of 2019, makes use of Advanced High-Strength Steel for both handling and lightweighting.
Steel for Handling Stability
The Toyota 2020 Highlander’s handling stability comes by way of “extensive use of high-strength steel.”
According to Repair Driven News, “Toyota said it built the 2020 Highlander on the OEM’s Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K) platform, an architecture collision repairers might have noticed on the 2019 RAV4: ‘The TNGA-K platform, which makes extensive use of high-strength steel, gives the Highlander a stiffer unibody structure than the previous model,’ Toyota wrote in a news release.
‘Its inherent strength allows tuning for the front strut and rear multi-link suspension that enhances agility and a smaller turning circle while also providing a smoother and quieter ride than before.’”
Kelley Blue Book adds, “Vehicle dynamics are improved as a result of this robust new Toyota platform, which employs an independent strut front and multi-link rear suspension.”
Steel for Lightweighting
Highlander Chief Engineer Yoshikazu Saeki told Green Car Reports that the 2020 vehicle weighs about 225 pounds less than its similarly equipped predecessor, even though it’s a few inches longer than the outgoing crossover SUV. He claims that the “new structure’s increase in high-tensile steel accounts for the largest reduction in weight.”
Test Driving the 2020 Toyota Highlander
Besides its use of steel, the 2020 Highlander is drawing attention with its new styling, attractive styling packages and a choice of gasoline or hybrid engines. Get the details in this “first drive” review article at Trucks.com: First Drive 2020 Toyota Highlander
Directly from Toyota’s Press Room
Toyota’s Fourth Generation SUV Redesigned from the Ground Up: Offers Best-in-Class MPG for Hybrid:
- 17 Percent Fuel Economy Improvement Over Current Gen Hybrid with Estimated 34 MPG Combined
- Bold, Chiseled New Design
- New TNGA-K Platform Enhances Driving Refinement
- Standard Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay®, SiriusXM®, Waze and Amazon Alexa Compatibility
- Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 Standard (TSS 2.0)
- Available with 7- or 8-Passenger Seating
- Choice of V6 or New-Generation Hybrid Powertrain
New Available Dynamic Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive with Driveline Disconnect and Multi Terrain Select - Largest in segment 12.3” multimedia display
A sculpted new shape with chiseled lines gives the 2020 Highlander a more powerful stance, yet with a modern, sophisticated attitude. The 2020 Highlander remains a family-friendly SUV, now with capacity for bigger family adventures.
Setting off the new design, the L, LE and XLE grades feature a black front grille with silver trim, while the Limited and Platinum grades are distinguished by a black grille with chrome trim and chrome-plated lower rear fascia, premium projector headlamps and the Highlander’s first-ever 20-inch alloy wheels. The Platinum stands apart with silver painted front bumper and rear fascia and a unique 20-inch wheel.
Accentuating the 2020 Highlander’s bold lines, the exterior color palette carries over three colors from 2019 (Blizzard Pearl, Celestial Silver Metallic and Midnight Black Metallic) while adding five new ones: Magnetic Gray Metallic, Moon Dust (a striking blue premium paint), Ruby Flare Pearl (a daring red premium paint), Blueprint and Opulent Amber (a deep, luxurious brown).
While Highlander’s new design will turn heads everywhere it goes, it’s also highly functional. Greater aerodynamic efficiency reduces wind noise while enhancing vehicle stability, and even the taillights and side mirror designs lend a hand.
The fourth-generation Highlander is 2.36 inches (60mm) longer than before, all in the cargo area to add even greater cargo volume than before. The second row can be slid an extra 1.2-in. further up to increase distance between the second and third rows.
Toyota New Generation Architecture (TNGA)
The TNGA-K platform, which makes extensive use of high-strength steel, gives the Highlander a stiffer unibody structure than the previous model. Its inherent strength allows tuning for the front strut and rear multi-link suspension that enhances agility and a smaller turning circle while also providing a smoother and quieter ride than before.
The presence of takumi is evident whenever the driver experiences the Highlander’s premium touch and feel in everyday driving. Throughout vehicle development, these highly trained master craftsmen focused on the finest technical details to ensure a higher level of operating smoothness in all driving conditions – especially at everyday speeds.
Video and imagery courtesy of Toyota Motor Company