How many seconds does the Highlander take to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h?
3 Answers
According to some actual test data of the Highlander, its 0-100 km/h acceleration time is around 9 seconds. The reasons affecting the Highlander's 0-100 km/h acceleration time: The Highlander is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. However, as the Highlander is positioned as a midsize SUV and its curb weight exceeds 2 tons, it does not have much advantage in terms of 0-100 km/h acceleration time. Below are the extended reasons affecting a car's 0-100 km/h acceleration time: 1. The car's curb weight and engine displacement 2. It is related to the driver's skills, transmission, tires, and environment. When choosing a car, we should not only consider the acceleration time but also pay more attention to the car's space, configuration, brand, and post-purchase maintenance costs.
I test drove the new Highlander Hybrid last month, with the actual 0-100km/h acceleration time around 8.5 seconds. This performance is quite adequate for a seven-seat SUV – you can feel obvious torque push during green light starts thanks to instant electric motor power, while acceleration becomes smoother after the engine kicks in later. Important testing conditions to note: I drove the 2WD version with full tank and single occupant, on 25°C asphalt road. If you're looking at the previous 3rd-gen 2.0T version, some tests recorded 7.8 seconds (though real-world driving feels closer to 8.2s). While the 4th-gen hybrid is slightly slower in 0-100km/h, its 40-80km mid-range acceleration is actually quicker, making overtaking more effortless. Also recommend switching to Sport mode when fully loaded for better power response.
As a mechanic with ten years of experience, I've worked on over a dozen Highlanders. For the third-gen 2.0T model with ESP turned off for launch control, the best recorded time was 7.9 seconds (requires 95-octane fuel). The current hybrid version with an eCVT transmission shouldn’t even think about launch control—the most stable recorded time is 8.6 seconds. Here’s the key: for every 10°C increase in temperature, acceleration slows by 0.3 seconds; turning on the AC adds another 0.2-second delay. If you test it in northern winter conditions, you might hit 8.3 seconds. Also, 20-inch wheels are 0.4 seconds slower than 18-inch ones in testing, and maintaining tire pressure at 2.5 Bar offers the best balance. If acceleration is a priority, consider the Crown Kluger—it shares the same powertrain but with more aggressive tuning.
