NEW TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
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Car and Driver website visitor rankings:
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| Here's how our visitors have reviewed this vehicle. |
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Average Rating |
| Overall |
8.45 |
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| Vehicle Styling |
8.47 |
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| Braking |
8.78 |
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| Handling |
8.24 |
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| Fuel Economy |
7.58 |
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| Interior Comfort |
8.44 |
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| Acceleration |
8.88 |
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| Dependability |
8.93 |
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| Fit and Finish |
8.34 |
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| Transmission |
8.88 |
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| Ride |
8.93 |
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| Rating Scale: 1= worst 10= best
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| To read other User Road Tests or to submit your own review click here |
(Read more of Car and Driver's review here)
 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
Energized by a more powerful V6, an available third-row seat and new safety features, the Highlander is again one of our top recommendations for those who need SUV utility but don''t want any unnecessary bulk or fuel bills.
Pros
Seats up to seven, carlike ride and handling, smooth and powerful V6 engine, fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, lots of safety features.
Cons
Gets expensive quickly, limited towing and off-road ability, bland personality.
What''s New for 2004
For 2004, a larger 3.3-liter V6 replaces the 3.0-liter engine, resulting in 10 extra horsepower for a total of 230. Additionally, a fold-flat third-row seat (for two passengers) is now optional on base models and standard on the Limited. To keep the extra passengers content in back, a rear DVD entertainment system is available on Limited models. On the safety front, all Highlanders now come with an electronic stability control system and a tire-pressure warning system, while side curtain airbags for the first and second rows are optional across the board. Rounding out the changes are freshened exterior styling, new seat fabric, new instrument and door panel trim and a 5-hp boost for the base four-cylinder engine (now rated at 160).
Overview
Introduction:
The Toyota Highlander debuted in 2001. It was one of the first midsize "crossover" SUVs to appear, and Toyota designed it to complement the more rugged and trucklike 4Runner. It has a carlike unibody design (unlike the 4Runner''s body-on-frame design), which leads to better handling, less cabin noise, improved crash worthiness and easier entry and exit for passengers.Body-on-frame designs still have advantages as they are more rugged and better suited for towing. The Highlander, in contrast, is meant for people who like the image and versatility of an SUV but prioritize the ride, handling and comfort of a sedan. Think of the Highlander as a kind of oversize Camry wagon that went clothes shopping at REI, and you''ve got the general idea. The popularity of car-based crossover SUVs like the Highlander is growing, and in 2003 the arrival of capable peers like the Honda Pilot, Mitsubishi Endeavor and Nissan Murano threatened the Toyota''s dominance in this segment. While these competitors continue to have their own advantages over the Highlander -- more power, more interior room, more style and more personality -- Toyota has made a number of changes for 2004 that make this utility vehicle an overall desirable package. Major highlights include a new 230-horsepower, 3.3-liter V6 and new options like a two-passenger third-row seat that folds into the cargo floor, a rear DVD entertainment system and side curtain airbags for the first and second rows. And the VSC stability control system is now standard on all trims. Even in its fourth year on the market, the Highlander (especially in base trim) offers one of the best values for the target crossover buyer -- which we figure as the family who really only needs five seating positions, a generous cargo hold and all-weather capability for occasional snow and ice during the winter months. Sure, maybe the styling isn''t the most daring, but Country Squires weren''t exactly the epitome of style in their day, either. If you''re shopping for a family vehicle and thinking about a truck-based midsize SUV, it''s likely that a more efficient car-based SUV would suit you just as well. Although you should definitely explore all your options in this segment, the Highlander offers a well-rounded package for the average buyer.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The four-door Highlander comes in two trims: base and Limited. The base models are decently equipped with items like 16-inch wheels; stability control; power windows, locks and mirrors; cruise control; air conditioning; and a CD player. Should you step up to a Limited, you''ll gain automatic headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, heated outside mirrors, a power-driver seat, a fold-flat third-row seat, a premium sound system, HomeLink, remote keyless entry and an anti-theft system. Many of these features, including the third-row seat, are available as options on the base model. A sunroof and a towing package are optional on both models. On the Limited, you can also order a leather seating, an in-dash CD changer, a rear DVD entertainment system and heated front seats. These features are nice, but ordering them quickly elevates the Highlander''s price.
Powertrains and Performance:
There are two engine choices: a standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 3.3-liter V6. The four-cylinder makes 160 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque, while the smooth V6 puts out 230 ponies and 242 lb-ft of torque. Tow ratings are on the light side, the maximum being 3,500 pounds on a properly equipped V6 model. The Highlander comes in both front-wheel-drive (2WD) and all-wheel-drive configurations. Fuel mileage is above average for a midsize utility vehicle; a 2WD four-cylinder Highlander rates 22 mpg city/27 mpg highway, while an all-wheel-drive V6 model rates 18/24.
Safety:
All Highlanders come with four-wheel antilock disc brakes equipped with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and BrakeAssist, Toyota''s VSC stability control system, a tire-pressure warning system and whiplash-reducing front seats. Optional on all models are seat-mounted side airbags for front occupants and side curtain airbags for the first and second rows. In government crash testing, the Highlander scored four stars (out of a possible five) for frontal impact protection. In side-impact tests, it received four stars for front occupants and five stars for rear-seat riders. In frontal offset crash testing administered by the IIHS, the Toyota earned a "Good" rating (the best possible).
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
The Highlander''s passenger accommodations are reasonably spacious, but newer competitors offer more room in the second row. Ordering the third-row seat allows the Toyota to seat two additional passengers, preferably small ones, for a total capacity of seven. When it''s time to haul groceries, the third-row seat folds flat into the floor (without requiring removal of the headrests), opening up 38.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Drop the 60/40-split second-row seats, and there are 81.4 cubes to go around.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
A fully independent suspension delivers an excellent combination of comfort and control; although, like the Camry, the Highlander favors ride quality over handling. Even so, it weighs less than other crossover SUVs, giving a nimble feel alongside its peers. The base four-cylinder engine provides adequate power for those who travel light, but most buyers will prefer the V6, which provides smooth, strong acceleration in all situations.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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