# Spacious Crossover SUVs The New Toyota Highlander Features More Room and Improved Safety Tech By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2016-03-15 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crossover-suv References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/2016-toyota-highlander-new-york/42293/) & [pressroom.toyota](http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/toyota-2017-highlander-march14.htm) The latest version of [Toyota's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toyota-corolla-cross-hybrid) [Highlander](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2027-toyota-highlander) mid-size crossover SUV lineup is a vehicle that comes designed with a completely new powertrain, a more juiced-up engine as well as increased room for up to eight passengers. This particular crossover SUV comes powered by a brand new 3.5 liter V6 direct injection engine that is available in three different powertrain options. The gas models will be available in both front-wheel and all-drive options, while the [hybrid versions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2026-volvo-xc90) come in all-wheel drive configurations only. These vehicles feature boosted safety features thanks to the inclusion of the high-tech Toyota Safety Sense technology, which includes lane alerts and collision warnings that work in conjunction with an automatic emergency brake. As far as mid-sized crossover SUV offerings go, you will be hard-pressed to find a vehicle that offers a better balance between safety, spaciousness and sheer power than the 2016 Toyota Highlander. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 51% | Activity: 24% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Increased Room for Passengers:** Developing spacious crossover SUVs with room for more passengers presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for automakers. - **Advanced Safety Technology:** Integrating high-tech safety features like lane alerts and collision warnings with automatic emergency brake empowers automakers to disrupt the automotive industry. - **Improved Powertrain Options:** Exploring new powertrain options, such as a brand new 3.5 liter V6 direct injection engine, creates disruptive innovation opportunities for automakers to enhance performance in crossover SUVs. ### Who This Affects Most - **Automotive:** The automotive industry can leverage the increased demand for spacious crossover SUVs by investing in research and development to create disruptive innovations. - **Technology:** The technology industry has the potential to disrupt the automotive industry by developing and implementing advanced safety technologies for crossover SUVs. - **Green Energy:** The green energy industry can seize the opportunity to develop powertrain options, such as hybrid models, that improve fuel efficiency and reduce environmental impact in crossover SUVs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Efficient Entry-Level SUVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toyota-corolla-cross-hybrid.md) - [Full-Size Hybrid SUVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2026-toyota-land-cruiser-hybrid-300.md) - [Mid-Sized Crossover Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toyota-corolla-cross.md) - [Tech-Packed Full-Sized SUVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toyota-sequoia.md) - [Hybrid Electric SUV Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rav4.md) - [City-Friendly Crossover Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toyota-aygo-x.md) - [Spacious Mid-Range Crossovers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2023-cr-v.md) - [Luxury Crossover SUVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rx.md) - [Ultra-Efficient Hybrid Midsize Sedans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toyota-crown.md)