Stiffest Competition
- Thread starter kregg
- Start date
The Highlander's transmission isn't that great. Toyota mated a "learning" transmission to the 3.3L V6 that's optimized for fuel economy. It's supposed to adapt to your driving habits, but what winds up happening is that it hesitates and thinks before downshifting and accelerating in a hurry. The net result is that the engine seems underpowered. There were a couple of TSB's on the 2004-2005 Highlander, Sienna, and Lexus RX330 to update the firmware, but it's still not what it should be.Thai said:
I think that's why the new 3.5L V6 powertrain is appearing in everything from the RAV4 to the RX350. I'm sure Sienna and Highlander will have it for 2007.
The current Highlander is good, but the 2007 Highlander should be a substantial improvement.
It's no competition for a 4Runner!
Uneek
Super Moderator
toto said:
I agree with you, eventually everything that had the MZ series engines will have the 2GR.
I read some where that Toyota is moving towards a more universal engine, so it can be used in many platforms and applications, much like Nissan's 3.5 V6 (I think it's the VQ series). So far the 2GR does just that, it's found in FWD, RWD and AWD vehicles.
I think we may see a new/next generation Highlander with the 3.5 and less likely in the current gen. The RX and Camry are good precursors of what engines will end up on the rest of the Toyota/Lexus line up that use similar vehicle platforms. I say I was pretty close when the Avalon came out with the new 3.5, the RX330 would be a RX350 in '06. Didn't happen in '06 because of the RX400h, but in '06 they are selling RX350s as '07s.
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
Everybody seeems to throw out the off road part in giving the nod to 4Runners. What about once you throw 20" wheels on it? It doesn't seem 95% of 4Runner owners care about the 4wd part so a 4Runners competition seems to be any other street going SUV.
Your average SUV buyer will never see anything more than a gravel road and that's why the 4Runner has lost some height and gained more streetability every year since they dropped the rear locker,manual tranny and it's height in 2000.
Your average SUV buyer will never see anything more than a gravel road and that's why the 4Runner has lost some height and gained more streetability every year since they dropped the rear locker,manual tranny and it's height in 2000.
Stiffest Competition is a relative term, because it depends on who you are asking. For me, the stiffest competition to the 4Runner when I was looking to buy about 9 months ago was the Jeep GC 5.7L, Nissan Pathfinder, and Chevy Trailblazer.
While each model had their benefits and downfalls, the 4Runner got the nod because of its outstanding initial value, resale value, quality and durability, V8 gas mileage, and intangibles like looks and that sexy ass hoodscoop...
I agree that the newer 4Runners have been getting more street biased because, yes, 95% of 4Runners will never see anything worse than a dirt road. However, I don't think this has affected their off-road ability at all.
While each model had their benefits and downfalls, the 4Runner got the nod because of its outstanding initial value, resale value, quality and durability, V8 gas mileage, and intangibles like looks and that sexy ass hoodscoop...
I agree that the newer 4Runners have been getting more street biased because, yes, 95% of 4Runners will never see anything worse than a dirt road. However, I don't think this has affected their off-road ability at all.
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
OUTRNNR said:
Toyota thinks so hence the aforementioned drop in height and the loss of the rear locker which are minor things but they did become slightly less capable and more comfortable on the street and when I get tired of my 4Runner's rough ride I'm thinking a current gen will be my next and I've driven 3 4th gens and the nice comfy ride makes me hate mine for about a day or two.
