Highlander is a bit more than RAV4, and so much more

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- Sometimes, Toyota fans need more than the RAV4.

For those wanting a Toyota sport-utility vehicle a step up from the compact RAV4 crossover, there's the midsize Toyota Highlander.  Simply put, it checks a lot of boxes.

The tested 2023 Toyota Highlander Limited-L4T AWD combined utility, comfort and versatility.  Given Toyota's track record, reliability is a given.

For 2023, Toyota installed a new 2.4-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine, rated at 265 horsepower and 310 foot-pounds of torque.  That represents a 17 percent power boost compared with the previous-generation power plant.

The extra oomph is easily noticeable, and much appreciated.  The tester dug into hard corners with gusto and responded strongly on freeway on-ramps.  The Highlander was remarkably firm on its four wheels, with very little body roll.

The Highlander's reported inability to absorb bumps was criticized by some in recent years.  I experienced no such problems, so kudos to engineers for smoothing the ride.

A long list of safety/convenience features filled up the sticker.  And while I don't like to give up control of a vehicle for even a few seconds, the lane departure-alert system with steering assist kept me safe during a couple of dicey outings.

For a vehicle listed at $50,210, interior perks on the tester were plentiful and beyond the norm.

Leather seating surfaces, a wireless smartphone charger, heated/ventilated/power front seats and an easy-to-read 12.3-inch LCD multimedia screen were among the most welcome features.

Arguably the biggest advantage the Highlander has over its smaller RAV4 cousin is roominess.  There's seating for seven and plentiful cargo room -- 84.3 cubic feet behind the front row, with seats folded -- when needed.

Fuel mileage is pretty good for this segment: 21 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.  The Highlander earned a max five-star overall safety rating in federal government crash tests.

Overall, the Highlander remains a tempting Goldilocks "just right" vehicle positioned between the RAV4 and Toyota's beefier SUV offerings.  And with a more muscular engine thrown into the deal, it's a must-do on any SUV test drive list.