The idea of a luxury Toyota may sound like an oxymoron. The Toyota brand has a reputation for reliability, safety, and value. However, a normal car like a Toyota Highlander can get pretty fancy when fully loaded. The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum is a more luxurious SUV than you might expect.

Paying more than $50,000 for a Toyota SUV would’ve sounded absurd a decade ago, but today, it’s a reality. And it’s a reality that’s not as crazy as it sounds. Let’s look at what you get in a top-of-the-line Toyota Highlander.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum is a premium family SUV

You may need a practical family vehicle and have the budget for a nice one. Perhaps you don’t see yourself in a minivan, but you’re not interested in splurging on an SUV from a luxury brand. If this is you, then the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum is worth serious consideration.

Let’s start with the niceties that you get in every Highlander. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of driver assistance features bundles automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign assist, and more. Every Highlander also has roomy three-row seating with tri-zone automatic climate control.

The hybrid powertrain available in the Highlander makes 243 hp and gets an excellent combined fuel economy rating of 36 mpg. According to EPA estimates, you spend $2,000 less on fuel over five years compared to the average new vehicle.

So, what do you get in the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum? For exterior features, you get 20-inch wheels, a panoramic glass roof, power-folding mirrors with puddle lights, rain-sensing wipers, a hands-free power liftgate, and LED projector headlights with an adaptive front lighting system.

On the inside, you’re treated to leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, a 12.3-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a JBL 11-speaker audio system, a head-up display, wireless charging, and a 360-degree camera.

This SUV enters luxury territory

If you add the optional AWD system and one of the premium paint options, the total price of a fully-loaded 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid comes to $54,785, including the $1,335 destination fee.

Since it crosses the $50,000 mark, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum is in the same pricing territory as some three-row luxury SUVs like the Cadillac XT6, Lincoln Aviator, Acura MDX, and Infiniti QX60. However, if you compare the features you get for the money, the Toyota is a better value than any similarly priced luxury SUV. Not to mention that the Highlander Hybrid gets excellent fuel economy with regular gas, while many luxury SUVs require pricey premium fuel and aren’t nearly as efficient.

This is also in the pricing territory of the Tesla Model Y. The Model Y is an all-electric SUV with optional three-row seating and pricing around $50,000. However, that available third row is pretty cramped and doesn’t leave you with much cargo space. Still, it’s something to consider if you don’t need as much space as the Highlander provides.

If all of this sounds good to you, but you would rather drive something from a brand with more panache, the upcoming three-row Lexus TX might be worth the wait.