Highlander?

L

laureena23

New member
I've been seeing a lot of Highlanders on the road lately. As much as I love my Runner, I'm curious about these.

Anyone here have one and are they as great as the Runner?
 
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Two different vehicle with two different purpose. Highlander is unibody, Camry-based crossover. It is mainly for on-road use with medium towing capacity. It is roomy and very comfortable and relatively good on gas.

The 4runner is body-on-frame design with good off-roading capability and towing capacity. It is worst on gas.
 
The current body Highlander is a very nice vehicle. It can tow up to 5000lbs, the same as a V6 T4R. It is a HD, high car.

If you tow regularly the T4R will do better and last longer for all the reasons Thai just stated.

As far as off-road is concerned: down a mild dirt road the Highlander might be a touch smoother (I'm just guessing). The second traction is a real issue or you want low-range you're screwed. You basically could expect performance that almost equals the T4R when you have a current T4R in 4Hi. Lock the center-diff on the T4R or better yet select 4Lo with the center diff locked on the T4R it's a whole new world. The VSC on the Highlander will cut the power to unacceptable levels. (I haven't found a VSC defeat switch in my reading.) The ATRAC style system on the Highlander won't be aggressive enough to properly distribute the power.

The final thing is the MPG of the V6 Highlander isn't that much better in normal, daily driving than a T4R. IIRC the 2wd Highlander did offer appreciably better highway mpg.

As a big, high station wagon it may be a better car, it's not a 'real' SUV.

I rented one and really liked it for it's intended use. I came home and poured over the message boards and came out of that phase buying a 4Runner for it's truck-like characteristics.
:cheers:
 
I talked to a guy at work and his wife drives the Highlander hybrid and she was getting 28 in the city and 25 on the highway but you also pay a premium for the hybrid but if you drive mostly city it could be worth it.
 
Highlander


My g/f has a 2002 Highlander 2wd (V6). It is basically a "tall Camry" -- and serves the soccer mom crowd quite well. It rides smoother than a 4Runner, uses less gasoline and is somewhat roomier inside.

She has 115,000 miles on it, and it is still running fine. The 3.0L V6 is chugging right along. Sure, it won't take a dirt trail or tow like a "full frame" 4Runner, but works better as an urban assault vehicle.
:p

I don't know much about the new Highlander, but know it is bigger, wider and heavier (much like those who drive it - LOL!) than the old one. The base 4-cylinder engine has been relegated to the dust bin of history, too.

It may not be a 4Runner, but the new Highlander is still a Toyota!
 
The Highlander Hybrid should not be taken off road, because the motors driving the rear wheels will overheat. And the Hybrid model is coupled with the older 3MZ-FE 3.3 V6, not the 2GR-FE 3.5 V6 on the gas only Highlander.
 
I put a lot of miles on an '05 2WD V6 at work and can definitely say they are very poor fleet vehicles with absolutely no off road capability. On several occasions the thing had to be towed off of a gravel road that was very wet or dusted with snow. I really wish I could have tested out a 4WD but from my experience, what I read here so far is dead on. I say it's a poor fleet vehicle because it was frequently in the shop from the everyday (literally 24/7 use) abuse that created brake, exhaust, steering, suspension, and miscellaneous electronic issues. Of course the engine and transmission were die hards. "Tall Camry" with a third row option is a perfect description! :p
 
CJ3Flyr said:
The VSC on the Highlander will cut the power to unacceptable levels. (I haven't found a VSC defeat switch in my reading.)
Click to expand...

The '05 I mentioned above had a switch that allowed you to defeat the traction control which was nice. When the traction control was enabled and traction was poor, it was about as effective as shutting off the vehicle. It absolutely cut too much power. IIRC it was labeled as traction control but calling it VSC would have been far more appropriate based on its effectiveness.
 
If you know of a fleet vehicle that can run 24/7 without a lot of wear and tear, repairs , I would appreciate the tip.
 
Good point but I think a vehicle actually designed for fleet use would have done better. Something with stiffer suspension, heavier duty brakes, an interior designed for wear and tear, and less power and electronic options. This was a vehicle that you would buy for personal use so when it was subjected to fleet type use, it of course didn't do too well. Surprisingly, the cherokee that preceded it did better, but it was designed for fleet use. It just demonstrates what happens when you use a vehicle outside it's intended purpose.
 
004Gunner said:
I put a lot of miles on an '05 2WD V6 at work and can definitely say they are very poor fleet vehicles with absolutely no off road capability. On several occasions the thing had to be towed off of a gravel road that was very wet or dusted with snow. I really wish I could have tested out a 4WD but from my experience, what I read here so far is dead on. I say it's a poor fleet vehicle because it was frequently in the shop from the everyday (literally 24/7 use) abuse that created brake, exhaust, steering, suspension, and miscellaneous electronic issues. Of course the engine and transmission were die hards. "Tall Camry" with a third row option is a perfect description! :p
Click to expand...

The AWD option is not all that great for any type of off-roading either. I hear that the AWD system in Toyotas (Siennas, Highlander/RX350) are not very effective, even as an all-season system. You pay more for gas with the AWD, but you don't get much benefit from it. :(
 
laureena23 ,

Have you driven the new Highlander? What did you think?

I drove one a few months ago. I don't know why, but I had a difficult time finding a comfortable driving position. The engine felt very strong.
The one thing that I really did not like was the feel of the steering. I assume it was due to the electric steering.....it was the worst when driving on the expressway.
I also felt the interior materials were of much lower quality compared to the first generation Highlander.

If you look around the net, Highlander owners are only averaging about 1 mpg better than the V6 4Runner.

It has the fold down third row seat.

It all comes down to what you need in a vehicle. And how the vehicle "feels" to you while driving it.
If my wife wanted one, I'd be okay with it. But I would not want it as my main vehicle just due to the "feel" of it.
 
I really like the look of those white pearly Highlanders...great color...i am a big fan of white pearl color on almost anything!
 
JungleJim said:
Check out this review:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/toyoya-highlander-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. :mad:
Click to expand...

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!!!! :) :)
 
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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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
 
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