Toyota Preps Bigger Highlander SUV for 2023

Toyota is set to roll out a new, larger version of its popular Highlander sport utility vehicle.

The new Grand Highlander will have three rows of seats, according to The Detroit News. The Japanese automaker reportedly will unveil the new model around the Chicago Auto Show in February.

Toyota has so far shared little information publicly about the Grand Highlander.

“Equipped for family adventures, the Grand Highlander will be the perfect addition to the lineup,” the company said in a brief press release. 

Car and Driver estimates that the new SUVs will come with a starting price tag in the $41,000 range.

“We’re not sure if it’ll actually be grander in terms of style, features, or luxury appointments but it is likely to be a stretched version of the current Highlander,” Car and Driver reports. “That means the Grand Highlander will offer more space for people and cargo inside its elongated body—with most of the stretch going to a roomy third row.”

The Highlander has been among Toyota’s best-selling cars in the two decades since it was introduced.

But Toyota has struggled to ensure that these and other vehicles are actually safe to hit the road.

Earlier this year, the company announced that it was recalling nearly half a million Highlander and other vehicles. The company said a software glitch could inadvertently disable the electronic stability control system, increasing the risk of a crash.

Last year, Toyota announced that it finally came up with a fix for faulty fuel pumps in a wide range of vehicles that prompted the recall of 3.3 million cars. The problem could cause cars to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of an accident, the company told federal regulators.

Lemon Law Rights for California Toyota Owners

Toyota is not alone. Major auto manufacturers recall millions of vehicles every year, citing a variety of defects that put everyone on the road at risk. These recalls are typically announced long after the vehicles have been sold.

Fortunately, Toyota and other car owners in California have some important rights and protections when it comes to defective vehicles.

The California lemon law requires automakers to perform a variety of repairs on vehicles while the cars are under warranty. It also forces those companies to buy back or replace cars that they cannot or simply refuse to properly fix.   

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replacement requirement kicks in. That is one reason why it is important to consult an experienced lemon law attorney. The law requires manufacturers to pick up the tab for certain legal fees incurred by owners enforcing their rights.

Speak with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.