Comfort has not been forgotten amidst all this wizardry. The Highlander still seats seven, provided you opt for the second-row bench, though captain’s chairs come standard. The seats are wrapped in SofTex – it’s a synthetic leather that is highly resistant to whatever sticky mess the bairns drop on it. You get heated front seats as standard, while the Limited trim throws in ventilated front seats and heated second-row cushions. Fold that third row flat, and you are blessed with over 45 cubic feet of cargo storage – enough to fit a small flock of sheep in there.
Because this is a Toyota, it is absolutely crammed with safety tech. The new Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 system is standard across the board. It features pre-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane tracing assist, and radar cruise control. They even threw in Proactive Driving Assist, which gently brakes and steers for you in traffic. It is brilliant for keeping you out of the hedges when you are distracted by the madness in the back seat.
