A huge change and a preview of what's to come for next year's RX. This is the same engine as the new NX350.

2023 Toyota Highlander Goes Turbo, Packs 265 HP And New Tech

What's baffling is that the fuel economy of the 4-cylinder is identical to the V6 at 24 MPG.

 

I'm still hoping for some version of a 6 cylinder at least as an upgrade for the RX. Most of the competition offers the option of either a 4 or 6 cylinder.

 

That's been the trend for a while now, downsizing engine size and adding a turbo.

 

V8's largely gone, and now naturally aspirated V6's are next.

 

While I do love the smoothness of that V6, it could definitely use more torque, especially down low. As long as they do their work with NVH, I think this ultimately will be a good decision for the Highlander.

 

I think It will be paired up with a electric motor and will be a hybrid only model. which is not too bad based on the skyrocketing gas prices these days

 

According to C&D, they'll offer it with the turbo as the V6 replacement but also offer the same hybrid version that they have now.

I'd love to know what the hybrid version (here and in the Sienna) would be like if it used the turbo 4.

 

Good, maybe we will finally see 600hp cars due to this since the turbo always encourages massive power increases. The old 3.5 is a great engine but in 15 years there has been zero aftermarket

 

with all these integrated exhaust manifold designs, the aftermarket isnt going to be great for these types of turbos, more cost prohibitive than turbos of the past, ECUs are probably locked down as well

 

True but the ECU encryption is always breached if enough people have cars they want to tune. Look at the Accord, went from a 6 to the 4T and LORD did stuff expand for the car in terms of options........in the case of the 3.5 being replaced by this I also prefer this since it is easier to work on and I have no love for 6 cyl engines that are not inline. Give me an 8/10 for my main car and anything else can be a 4 for all I care...

 

Nice, now the 6-cylinders are being phased out.

Why not just go straight to the 3-cylinder at this point with cylinder management? They can even throw in a few turbos on that. You know, increase the complexity a ton but at least you get a good EPA number to satisfy the government.

 

Smaller, less refined, less powerful, more complex engine with the same MPG to appease the EPA. Sounds like a win to me. Lol.

At this point, Toyota needs to just prepare for the future and focus on improving it's terrible EV's.

 

This going to cause their V6 models to appreciate.

 

Seriously doubt it

 

remember most people have no idea what's under the hood they've never opened.