It's been a while since I talked about the Highlander with you guys. Honestly, this car really makes you love it and hate it at the same time.

The new model recently hit the market. Officially they call it the 2026 model, but it's really just an annual facelift. That said, there are still some things worth talking about with this update.

Let's start with the price. Right off the bat they're offering a "renewal price" starting at 219,800 yuan, while the official MSRP is still 249,800 yuan.

This kind of move is nothing new—those who get it, get it. It's basically telling consumers indirectly that this is just how the market is now, and we've got to join the price war too, otherwise we won't even have a chance to compete...

The old Highlander's interior, to put it bluntly, was pretty much like a bare-bones apartment, and the infotainment system was at the level of an elderly person's phone—owners complained about it constantly.

This time, GAC Toyota seems to have finally woken up. They slapped in a 15.6-inch big screen and threw in a Qualcomm 8155 chip—can you even believe that?

Now it's all there—CarPlay, HiCar, voice control too. It's finally no longer that clueless simpleton that could only do "Hello Toyota, please play music," haha.

As for how this big screen looks, honestly, I personally find it a bit abrupt, like it was just forcibly bolted on, and it doesn't quite match the overall interior style.

But! Having it is better than not having it, right? At least the tech factor is up, and practicality has been greatly improved.

They've also added some features—acoustic glass, privacy glass, leather steering wheel. These used to be available only on higher trims, but now even the base model gets them. So they did listen to feedback—not bad, not bad.

However, the exterior is basically unchanged—still the same familiar chubby look. They just added a "Cyber Gold" color. No idea how it looks in person; it's not out yet.

The powertrain is also unchanged—still the 2.0T and 2.5L hybrid setups.

This powertrain's main selling point is stability and reliability. It's genuinely fuel-efficient, but in terms of power, you can't really say it's got much. For family use, it's more than enough—don't overthink it.

Also, with this facelift, GAC Toyota quietly cut a few trim levels, reducing the lineup from 11 to 9. The top-tier 2.0T and 2.5L hybrid two-wheel-drive versions are both gone.

Why do this? My personal guess is to make the price look more affordable and bring down the price of the mainstream models.

The market right now is brutally competitive. The Highlander used to be the benchmark in this segment—people would pay a markup and still wait in line.

And now? Look at August sales—just over 6,000 units, dropping to 16th place among mid-size SUVs. It kind of feels like a hero in his twilight years.

Up ahead there's Li Auto, AITO and other new forces, and beside it there are old rivals like the Ford Edge L and Honda Avancier watching closely. The Edge L's space, its power—which one isn't better than the Highlander?

So this Highlander facelift is forced. Without showing some sincerity, it really would be forgotten by consumers.

In summary, all in all. The 2026 Highlander has patched up its weak spots. The interior and infotainment are no longer pain points, and the features are more sincere.

As for whether you should buy one? It still depends on your own needs and pain points.

If you just want a worry-free, value-retaining, spacious family SUV, then the new Highlander is worth a look.

But if what you're after is driving fun and smart tech, then there are way too many better choices at the same price point. Even with this feature upgrade, the Highlander doesn't have much of a competitive edge.

So guys, do you think this Highlander facelift shows sincerity? At this price, would you consider it?