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2021 Toyota Highlander XSE Blizzard Pearl front end profile view
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By Jeff Teague Apr 23 2021 - 3:50pm

Brighter Change Coming for 2022 Toyota Highlander

Learn the first new detail about what is coming for 2022 Highlander.
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This is the time of year when we begin learning information about what to expect for our favorite automobile models in the near future.

What is coming next for 2022?

Well, so far, we know very little. At least from Toyota.

We do not have any confirmed details about the redesigned 2022 Tundra. We also do not know whether there will be minor or major changes coming to other popular Toyota favorites like 2022 Tacoma or 4Runner or RAV4 or Camry.

2022 Toyota Highlander

2021 Toyota Highlander XSE Blizzard Pearl profile view
2021 Toyota Highlander XSE Blizzard Pearl

Toyota Highlander was redesigned just a couple years ago for the 2020 model year. Really it was changed from the ground up. Pretty much everything changed.

All-new sportier and more luxurious styling. Plenty of technology and convenience updates. Brand new safety features. And a modernized interior with more cargo space.

All changes for the good. Especially for people in the market for a reliable and versatile midsize SUV.

YOU MAY ENJOY: Compare 2021 Highlander XSE vs 2021 Sienna XSE in my video review.

This latest fourth generation Highlander is a nice option for families of all sizes. I find it is smooth and comfortable, especially on longer highway road trips.

Not much is known yet about any refresh options or additions. I am referring to new technology or styling or safety updates.

However, one small change coming involves the deletion of one color and the addition of another shade.

Blizzard Pearl, once a staple and “old reliable” Toyota color for many years will be replaced with Wind Chill Pearl.

Wind Chill Pearl was recently made famous with Toyota Camry. Although similar, I find Wind Chill Pearl sparkles and “pops” in the bright sunlight. It is quite magnificent really.

2021 Toyota Camry XSE Wind Chill Pearl profile view front end
2021 Camry XSE in Wind Chill Pearl

You can also find Wind Chill Pearl on a 2021 Tundra like this 1794 Edition.

2021 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition Wind Chill Pearl profile

Time for your Toyota Highlander comments

What are your thoughts on the new color change? Do you consider this something of note or more of a smaller detail?

Car colors are interesting because this choice seems quite important to many people, while almost an afterthought to others.

Are there any additions or changes you are hoping will come for 2022 Highlander?

One of the main changes for 2021 is the upgrade to Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+. This is the third generation of Toyota Safety Sense and it should make the process of turning left much easier and safer for drivers, in addition to other improvements.

READ MORE: Learn about Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+

The other notable addition this current year is 2021 Toyota Highlander XSE to the Highlander lineup.

Thanks for reading everyone. See you next story when I discuss reasons to pick a 2021 Tundra versus a 2022.

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Comments

Lee Soroca- wrote on April 24, 2021 - 12:12pm
Should have more ground clearance. This SUV has ground clearance like a sports car.
Toyota Lover wrote on May 2, 2021 - 7:21pm
You shouldn't forget that this isn't a body-on-frame vehicle. I'm not really sure what kind of ground clearance you were expecting. In my opinion, I think 8 inches ground clearance is typical for this kind of SUV.
Glenn Miyamoto wrote on April 24, 2021 - 1:02pm
When is the Highlander coming out as a Plug In Hybrid??
J wrote on April 24, 2021 - 2:43pm
Toyota's reliability and durability greatly save them and makes us blindfold ourselves and swallow their non-artistic clumsy, unpolished and not love at first sight styling (compare to Mazada if we confined to Asian vehicles). We end up with utility but not much owning any joy. Could have been if given the right company aesthetic styling philosophy instead of taking 'inspiration' from this and that usually a mechanical subject or adjectives and end up with chaotic lines in all sorts of direction then try to cover up with 'trims and lights', like you make an ugly face to begin in and then try to add makeup to make it pleasant. This Highlander is like a mutt. What can I say! Luckily, the Lexus RX350 is the worst example, second only to the Tesla PU!! Yes, color, of course, very important to me. Some people only want their preferred color and just that but not realizing that may be they want to consider a car(as a shape) in that color, or like what color dress look better for our body shape and other fixed features like the car with 2 large black tires on each side, 'color' and sparklers of glasses and windshield, taillights, grills, etc. not unlike the your given eyes, lips, shape, etc. of one's face. Yes, the color changes the overall impression of the car and many do not realize, or also do not consider how the car in that color look after erasing the shiny look when new, what that combination of color, shape, tires, etc. is going to look when the car is a little dirty like 'when you have just got out of bed'! The Highlander color choices, extremely limited and 'boring'. Of course, that is partly driven by focus groups(a few dozen guests) choosing among preciseness limited choices probably of boring choices presented by the designers and that is also not done on the actual vehicles. It is like choosing from a small fan deck at the paint store and wonder why the house or room turning out what you think you will get!! I never pick car colors with on paper, showrooms or the lot. I look out for that car on the street in real life to identify the right color on the street. Unfortunately, there is none for the Highlander. The best of the worse seems to be the light blue. No wonder that color is showing mostly in on brochures and ads. Anyway, back to focus group. You are scoring from unreal perceptions, and Its garbage in garbage out. So, you look around the US streets, cars are becoming mostly in similar shades of silver/metallic grey, black, white/pearl, and occasion a what they think as break through color of brown, red/maroon, light or darker blue. The Highlander is doing exactly that even at the Platinum level. I wish to dough out 55k+ for an Ltd Platinum but ran out of choice of color. Look at the long line of Highlanders at a larger dealer and it is almost like a line up of black or black like and grey SUV's dotted by a pearl or the light blue. I had the hope on the whatever amber it is called and it shows a metallic darker brown online but one cannot trust that. In real, it was practically a metallic black with a very tiny hint of dark maroon under bright sunlight. WHAT IS THIS! Meaningless offering!!! Are all customers that 'color blind' or the manufacturer is thinking only about neutral colors for the out-of-lease resale value! So, a different touch on the pearl?!! For XSE only. That is not change to get excited about?! Thinking about that, the odd bright red leather seat for the XSE or beige faux leather, what kind of choice is that. Loud color vs calm color but fake leather are the only choices, in order to get a different front face plus other pimp trims to get out of the unfinished design look of regular Highlander to get a semi finished looking front face and some rear and side trimming, looking more like afterthoughts!! Here I sit waiting for arrival of the 2020 HighLander, now still sitting and praying for a more pleasant 2023 face lift but recently more anticipation of Honda delivering a more livable looking Pilot in 2022 although lesser reliability.
James Dickinson wrote on April 24, 2021 - 8:26pm
It's not all about looks. Driving comfort, reliability and mileage are ten times more important that color or styling.
J wrote on April 25, 2021 - 9:08am
Agree. Driving comfort, mileage, reliability, durability, etc. are all basic threshold and expected or else I will not even progress to considering choosing color. The talk about color therefore styling also is in response to the writer's question.
Robert Kanack wrote on April 24, 2021 - 9:02pm
Dude way to long confusing and in every direction. lol wow
Guy63 wrote on April 25, 2021 - 10:58am
I disagree. I own a 2018 Highlander, and I love the look.
Ferenc Vad wrote on April 25, 2021 - 3:32pm
Yes you speak from my heart
Mega wrote on May 18, 2021 - 5:17pm
We all have a right to our opinions for sure, but these choices are based on individual preferences. Driving joy may be the single most important thing you look at, but if you look out there, that might not be so for a lot of people. We all just need to make our choices based on what we prefer. And the good things is that there are a bunch of choices out there to select from if their offerings are not your thing. Personally, nothing beats reliability for me and I make my choice based on that with a smile on my face.
James Dickinson wrote on April 24, 2021 - 4:51pm
Give me a plug-in Highlander capable of 50+ miles on a charge. You really want to increase sales? This is what we are looking for.
RickH wrote on April 24, 2021 - 6:41pm
I'm just hoping they bring back the rear opening window that they took away with the 2020. It was the main reason I bought a used 2019 rather than a new 2020. The rear-opening window was handy, especially if you install a wheelchair lift or bike rack on the hitch.
Love H. wrote on April 25, 2021 - 12:11pm
Yes, please bring back the rear opening window. I do not want everyone to know what's in my trunk, especially during Christmas.
J wrote on May 3, 2021 - 11:40am
Yes, we now can't get by when we longer stuff. Toyota marketeers forget what U stands for in SUV and give up another niche practical feature.
TC wrote on April 24, 2021 - 10:54pm
The color is ok, just another shade of white. The design however, reminds me of an angry looking dog. Sorry, Toyota. I drive a 2007 Highlander and it looks so much better than this one, in my opinion.
J wrote on April 25, 2021 - 9:26am
You have a point there. This thing did not look that great or like a 'new design' and already looked like it had been out for a few years after the first look in the dealer lot end 2019!!!
Don D wrote on April 25, 2021 - 6:57am
This article should have been written in a single line: The 2022 Highlander's Blizzard Pearl color will be replaced with Wind Chill Pearl.
Nicky wrote on April 25, 2021 - 10:55am
The Highlander need to make the 3rd row wider and more comfortable for an adult.
Darlina wrote on July 9, 2021 - 7:31am
The third row is horrible. I think the limited should have a larger screen as well. I like the Highlander, but the seats are not really comfortable for the money that you pay for the car. I think it would be nice if the floor had storage area as well. Another idea if the seats could be raised up easier. I rented a Ford truck and the seats were absolutely comfortable. It was the high end Ford truck.
Linda Riley wrote on April 25, 2021 - 11:56am
I love that white and red together. I’m thinking I’ll trade in my 2011 v6 RAV4 for the 2022 highlander if I can get those colors.
Terri Stephens wrote on April 25, 2021 - 12:24pm
That red interior is hideous. The only people buying that are people whose taste is only in their mouth.
J wrote on May 3, 2021 - 11:42am
I am with you totally!
Joseph wrote on April 26, 2021 - 9:50am
The RAV4 is due for a refresh in 2022 since it came out in 2019. The Camry came out in 2018 and was refreshed in 2021. So following this 3 year cycle, the RAV4 should be refreshed in 2022.