GorillaSooner
New member
My wife is now wanting to get an SUV similar to mine, but not a 4Runner. She is now thinking she is wanting a Highlander. Anyone who has one, any likes vs dislikes compared to the 4Runner?
Anyone own a Highlander as well?
- Thread starter GorillaSooner
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
KCcarguy
New member
My wife has a 2010 Limited 4WD. It's a great vehicle.
Good:
-Awesome in snow. It did great in the Blizzard back in 2011.
-Great quality. We're at 70k miles now and not even a rattle
-Great interior room and comfort (better than 4runner...especially front seats)
-Usable third row. Even for smaller adults.
-Great power/ acceleration (better than 4runner)
-22mpg over all
-Better climate control than 4runner with vents in the ceiling
-Handles and corners like a sedan
-I like the baby Land Cruiser styling
Bad:
-Super-numb steering....almost to the point of being dangerous.
-More road noise than the 4runner.
-Same flimsy sheet metal that the 4runner has
-Stereo sucks....especially for a JBL
-My wife says it needs a power liftgate. She struggles to close it with a 1yo in her other arm.
Anything I forgot?
Good:
-Awesome in snow. It did great in the Blizzard back in 2011.
-Great quality. We're at 70k miles now and not even a rattle
-Great interior room and comfort (better than 4runner...especially front seats)
-Usable third row. Even for smaller adults.
-Great power/ acceleration (better than 4runner)
-22mpg over all
-Better climate control than 4runner with vents in the ceiling
-Handles and corners like a sedan
-I like the baby Land Cruiser styling
Bad:
-Super-numb steering....almost to the point of being dangerous.
-More road noise than the 4runner.
-Same flimsy sheet metal that the 4runner has
-Stereo sucks....especially for a JBL
-My wife says it needs a power liftgate. She struggles to close it with a 1yo in her other arm.
Anything I forgot?
SOcalTRAIL
New member
Funny you posted this.
My lady drives my old 2001 T4R and just clicked over 180K miles so we were looking at a Highlander for her. Seems like a good compromise between a car and the usability of an SUV.
Looking forward to hearing other peoples opinions.
crunchcity
New member
Had a 2012 SE Awd, I liked it just didn't need the family friendly features.
The current body style especially after the '11 refresh looks more aggressive in the front end which I liked in a crossover body. The new ones coming out look more like a station wagon to me not that there's anything wrong with that. :yo:
I agree with the above post on many points.
The engine responded and accelerated better than the 4Runner. It downshifted at a crucial point (imo) under acceleration that isn't programmed in the 4Runner.
Some of the interior features that were in the previous generation 4Runner are in the Highlander.
Radio antenna in the back cargo glass off the top of my head. Back hatch motor that closes the hatch once you get it to the bottom and motorized.
Nice family friendly features like temperature and airflow controls in the back area, more cup holders, conversation mirror to see what's going on in the back.
Being a unibody the 3rd row is sunk into the floor and doesn't compromise vertical cargo volume like the 4Runner.
It drives like a Buick imo which I liked about it, totally encased and separated me from the road that's what Toyota does well imo lol.
The current body style especially after the '11 refresh looks more aggressive in the front end which I liked in a crossover body. The new ones coming out look more like a station wagon to me not that there's anything wrong with that. :yo:
I agree with the above post on many points.
The engine responded and accelerated better than the 4Runner. It downshifted at a crucial point (imo) under acceleration that isn't programmed in the 4Runner.
Some of the interior features that were in the previous generation 4Runner are in the Highlander.
Radio antenna in the back cargo glass off the top of my head. Back hatch motor that closes the hatch once you get it to the bottom and motorized.
Nice family friendly features like temperature and airflow controls in the back area, more cup holders, conversation mirror to see what's going on in the back.
Being a unibody the 3rd row is sunk into the floor and doesn't compromise vertical cargo volume like the 4Runner.
It drives like a Buick imo which I liked about it, totally encased and separated me from the road that's what Toyota does well imo lol.
GorillaSooner
New member
I love that you said this. We actually looked at the Buick Enclave and the GMC Acadia before going and looking at the Highlander today. She loved the comfort of the Enclave, but was stuck on the stigma of Buick's being marketed towards an older crowd. She too said that the Highlander was as comfortable as the Buick.
Thanks KC and Crunch for the info! They are doing a 0% financing for 60mo on pretty much every model but the 4Runner so I think we are going to get it tomorrow.
Wife has a 2012 Limited AWD. She's getting roughly 18mpg combined driving - highway-only trips shes seeing 24+ sometimes. Performance is quite strong, I'm still impressed when I drive it.
The 2nd row is a bit wonky with the seat/console option for the center. As a seat, it isn't that comfortable at all. 3rd row seats are smallish - I wouldn't like to sit there for an extended period. We only use them except in a pinch or for small kids. If you need 3 rows full time (and plan to put any non-kid there) you might have better luck with the larger Buick/GMC offerings as they likely have larger 3rd rows.
It's different than the T4R, but it's essentially a car. It's quite quiet, I would assume largely due to the raked windshield rather than our upright windshield. Honestly, I loved her Highlander so much, that's one of the main reasons I ended up getting the 4Runner. I just couldn't deal with the car feel (for my daily use) while still being that high up off the ground.
The power liftgate is very useful, esp with full hands, rain, etc. And you can close it by remote too (from inside which is useful for the rainy days). That is probably the one feature hers has that I wish mine had too.
All in all, it's a great vehicle.
The 2nd row is a bit wonky with the seat/console option for the center. As a seat, it isn't that comfortable at all. 3rd row seats are smallish - I wouldn't like to sit there for an extended period. We only use them except in a pinch or for small kids. If you need 3 rows full time (and plan to put any non-kid there) you might have better luck with the larger Buick/GMC offerings as they likely have larger 3rd rows.
It's different than the T4R, but it's essentially a car. It's quite quiet, I would assume largely due to the raked windshield rather than our upright windshield. Honestly, I loved her Highlander so much, that's one of the main reasons I ended up getting the 4Runner. I just couldn't deal with the car feel (for my daily use) while still being that high up off the ground.
The power liftgate is very useful, esp with full hands, rain, etc. And you can close it by remote too (from inside which is useful for the rainy days). That is probably the one feature hers has that I wish mine had too.
All in all, it's a great vehicle.
ky_runner
New member
This sums it up pretty well. My wife drives an 09 limited. I have to say that the JBL is plenty of stereo for me (must be getting old) and ours did come with the power liftgate.
We are at 80k right now now and going strong. It's great for hauling the kiddos. We have two, both in car seats. Very good legroom front and back. I even rode in the third row once just to see if it could be done. :uzi:
We drove an Acadia before buying the highlander. For me, it wasn't even close.
Glock_19
New member
My girlfriend has a 2010 Limited 2WD.
It's much more comfortable, handles exceptionally well and actually pretty sporty for an SUV (although I do agree with the ridiculously numb steering feel), and gets much better gas mileage. On the highway with the 2WD trim she's getting 28mpg.
It also feels roomier inside. It's the same dimensions as the 4th gen but just makes the space feel larger. The flat second row floor helps.
All told it's a great car. She drives a ton for her job and puts on 30-35K a year. She's about to crack 100K with no problems so far.
It's much more comfortable, handles exceptionally well and actually pretty sporty for an SUV (although I do agree with the ridiculously numb steering feel), and gets much better gas mileage. On the highway with the 2WD trim she's getting 28mpg.
It also feels roomier inside. It's the same dimensions as the 4th gen but just makes the space feel larger. The flat second row floor helps.
All told it's a great car. She drives a ton for her job and puts on 30-35K a year. She's about to crack 100K with no problems so far.
Skeletor03
New member
Have you looked at the 2013 Rav4? My wife wants one...she drives and 2009 Limited Highlander and wants to go with something slightly smaller. We tested one and she feel in love.
By the way,
Boomer!!!
By the way,
Boomer!!!
GorillaSooner
New member
:bash:
Well, the next day she decided she wanted to look at the Buick Enclave again and she decided she wanted that instead.... then the haggling with the Stealership got ugly and I walked out... 30min after leaving she tells me she doesn't think she wants the Buick anyway because it doesn't have enough power (and I agree, power was lacking on acceleration but would have been nice to know before I almost bought it)... So... I still have no clue what we will end up with. We will probably go look at the Acura MDX and the Infiniti JX35 tomorrow... Just waiting on a woman to make up her mind...:help: I was honestly excited about the Highlander... I think I'll try to get her to go look at that again tomorrow.
Well, the next day she decided she wanted to look at the Buick Enclave again and she decided she wanted that instead.... then the haggling with the Stealership got ugly and I walked out... 30min after leaving she tells me she doesn't think she wants the Buick anyway because it doesn't have enough power (and I agree, power was lacking on acceleration but would have been nice to know before I almost bought it)... So... I still have no clue what we will end up with. We will probably go look at the Acura MDX and the Infiniti JX35 tomorrow... Just waiting on a woman to make up her mind...:help: I was honestly excited about the Highlander... I think I'll try to get her to go look at that again tomorrow.
There is a completely redesigned Highlander coming out early next year.
Toyota | All-New 2014 Toyota Highlander SUV Makes World Debut at 2013 New York Auto Show
Bigger, 6AT, 8 seater capable. I'm not crazy about the looks, but it is definitely hits all the right notes for a family ride.
Toyota | All-New 2014 Toyota Highlander SUV Makes World Debut at 2013 New York Auto Show
Bigger, 6AT, 8 seater capable. I'm not crazy about the looks, but it is definitely hits all the right notes for a family ride.
eddiebx
New member
I don't quite know how I feel about this redesign yet either...at certain angles it looks good, but after seeing it in person at the auto show, I left with an overall feeling of the exterior being too minivan like. It's too bad they had it up on a spinning platform, would have loved to check out the interior.
On the other hand the new RAV4s are looking quite nice inside and out, IMO
I don't quite know how I feel about this redesign yet either...at certain angles it looks good, but after seeing it in person at the auto show, I left with an overall feeling of the exterior being too minivan like. It's too bad they had it up on a spinning platform, would have loved to check out the interior.
On the other hand the new RAV4s are looking quite nice inside and out, IMO
Oh gosh...totally looks like a minivan! Pretty ugly.
The Traverse/Enclave/Acadia all look like minivans without sliding doors to me. I think Toyota is just making the car match the market (minivan for people who don't want minivans.) The 08 - 10 Highlander had a baby Land Cruiser look to it. Didn't have baby Land Cruiser capability, though. 
GorillaSooner
New member
Well, after looking at several SUV's, she decided she ultimately wanted the 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited 4WD in Blizzard Pearl with Tan leather interior. Pretty nice vehicle (I'll post a pic later). Easy to drive with a lot of nice features. Ultimately waiting for the 2014 to come out wasn't an option. She needed a new car before the summer hit. Thanks for the info guys!
Thai
Elite Member
Well, there is a 2013 Highlander Hybrid Limited (no rear DVD) at my local dealer. My wife and I are possibly considering it. It is very pricey though ($45k+)...but hopefully, with the new redesigned model coming out soon AND how pricey it is, we can get a deal on it. This is to replace probably both my minivan and my Prius at the same time. Since we have three kids (6 mos, 4 yrs, 5.5 yrs), we need a car/SUV/van that can fit three car seats (2 boosters, 1 infant) across on the same row. I have not tested the Highlander to see if it can do this. My other contender is the 2014 Honda Odyssey Touring.
Doesn't show all 3 across, though. Cars.com usually has a car seat check from the gals that ran motherproof, but I don't see it for the Highlander. The pic above is usually from the car seat check where they do a 3 across check, but no sign of the car seat check.
That jump seat in the Highlander 2nd row, middle might make 3 across tough. I only have 1 kid, but if I had 3, our family hauler would be a Honda or Toyota van.
