Check out this review:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/toy...-sport-review/

They don't give the new Highlander very high marks, especially fit and finish.

Go and look at the other Toyota reviews on this site too. The 4Runner got the best review, even better than the new Land Cruiser.

I'm afraid of what Toyota might do to the quality of the next 4Runner in order to save money.

That review is shocking...the Highlander is supposedly Toyota's 1st attempt since being #1 to go back to the old "Toyota" way. The Highlander is to represent Toyota's new push for quality.

This is Psyco's wife, I have the 08 Highlander and love it!!!!! I had a Nissan Quest 04 and live in Pittsburgh where winters can be very bad. My Quest was crap in the snow. I got stuck countless times the 3 1/2 years I had it. Finally, this past November, I told my husband I want a 4x4 SUV again and his car was due to be traded in as well. We came home with 2 new SUV's. He got the 4Runner Sport and I got the base Highlander both are Salsa Red Pearl. Beautiful colors. Yes, the 4 is more rugged which is great for psyco, but the Highlander is great for me & my 2 girls.

The Highlander was great for me this past winter which we had plenty of snow. I was so glad to not have the FWD minvan. My Highland was even great on a day we had very icy roads. My work is off of some pretty hilly & windy roads and I didn't get stuck once!!

So for the nut job that wrote that review, shouldn't have commented how cheap & chincy it was. The interior is better than the 07 Highlander. I sat & test drove both years. There was no way I was getting the 07. The 08 is by far roomier, plusher, and is on the Avalon chassis instead of the Camry and comes now with a 3.5 liter engine instead of a 3.0.

For a base model, it has more options than my 96 Base Chevy Blazier did. The only option I wished I had that I don't is power seats. Other than that, I have no complaints. It does everything I want and more, especially in the snow, which I was terrified to drive in w/ the minivan I had.

P.S. Love the 4Runner. Pysco's is great to drive too!!!!

There is no doubt that the new Highlander is roomier and has a stronger engine.

But I have to be honest, I thought the dash layout of the original Highlander was one of the best in the Toyota lineup. To me, it just seemed to be a little more upscale. The only reason we never purchased one was that it just didn't seem much larger than the CRV my wife has.

I noticed right away when I drove the new Highlander that the interior plastics felt and looked cheaper. I guess I can put it like this....I couldn't tell that I was sitting in a Toyota.
The ride was fine, but the feel (or lack of feel) of the steering was a no go for me. It reminded me of the steering in my first car (1970 Buick Skylark). I'm sure there are people who like the steering, but it's a deal-breaker for me.

There are other AWD crossovers out there for much less money. I'm sure owners will experience many reliable miles. I just don't think the new Highlander is Toyota's best effort. I was disappointed.

The dash on the Highlander was pretty good but its also a little out dated. I like the new look.

Funny you mention the steering. I thought it was very very light and too easy to turn. But my wife really liked it. She really liked the fact that even with a smaller steering wheel, it was very easy to turn.

I dont think men between 30 and 45 are the target demographic that Toyota is aiming at with the HL

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR HIGHLANDERS IF YOU LIVE IN ASPEN, COLORADO!
article from the Toyota blog:

Toyota Hybrids Hit the Mainstream

More signs that things are changing in ways we couldn

While I am pleased to hear about reducing carbon footprints and all that other politically-correct BS, I still remain skeptical. What is the honest overall "footprint" when the batteries are factored into the equation?

I read an article in a well-respected car magazine that said the total 'carbon footprint' of a Toyota Prius was between a Chevy Tahoe and a Hummer H2 - primarily because of the batteries and the higher than normal usage of plastics (which come from petroleum-based materials).

As for using hybrids for law enforcement purposes, I am even more skeptical. As a former deputy sheriff, I know what police cruisers do and how they are typically driven. That hybrid drive train won't do much to save fuel when there is a ton of idling involved -- and the flashing lights & HVAC systems are left on during the entire shift. Additionally, how efficient is a hybrid system during "high speed" or pursuit driving?

Is that drivetrain sturdy enough to put up with the rigors of patrol duty? Ford's Crown Victoria - especially with the severe duty police or taxi package - is probably a bit "tougher" than any hybrid from Toyota, but I guess the performance and durability will now be tested in real life scenarios.

I'm interested to see how well they hold up.

When will they get it! A few months ago I stumbled upon an article that compared a H2 to a Prius. If you ran a H2 300,000 miles and a Prius 100,000 miles you had the same total environmental footprint when factoring pulling from the ore ground through the end-of-life disposal. No, that is not a typo, 100k vs. 300k.

This carbon stuff is going to turn us into a third world craphole where out of desperation and ingenuity we will do terrible things to the planet. A properly catalyzed gas motor produces absolutely minimal toxins, some CO2 and some H2O.

The eruption of mount St Helens put more Nitrogen Oxide, Sulfur, Carbon Monoxide and CO2 than man has put in since before the beginning of the industrial revolution. This is amazing when you consider how good at making war we've become over the last 150years. You'd think all the bombings and uncontrolled burns etc would add up to something! To think we matter when acting as we are (USA, Canada, Europe, and Australia etc) is bizarre. It's all about the money...

I love the world, I don't believe in clear cutting, dumping toxins, burning dirty coal without scrubbing the exhaust, overfishing or any over harvesting. Once again the true and best stewards are the enthusiasts who live and love the great outdoors. (I'm not talking about greedy stupid people who are in it for the highest, short-term profit possible).

Just my 2cents

I think this is the article.

Attached Images

 

Yep, that's it! Unfreakin' believable what sheep people can be...

Didn't Churchill have some great quote about Americans? Something like we always do the right thing, we just have to try everything else first...

Yup, in short the environmental foot print of the Prius given the resources it takes to make one is far greater than a Hummer.

And the dealerships report they can't keep these things on the lot