Toyota announces 2017 Highlander - refresh with new engine, 8AT, more tech

[Gecko]

Not confused, but concerned. Many of the vehicles today that received the 8 or more speeds were CVT types. I just wanted that to be mentioned here.

That is not possible though. Aside from the new Lexus LC 500h which uses two transmissions - a CVT and a conventional automatic - there is no "CVT-type" transmission.

There are CVTs.

And there are conventional automatics, as we are discussing here.

Of course there are manuals, DCTs, sequential automatics, etc, but what we are talking about here is a conventional automatic transmission with 8 gears. CVTs have no gears unless they are programmed to provide a "gear-type" shift feeling. There is no gray area for "CVT-type."

 

[Beer.runner]

Yeah... the proliferation of the 8-speed is nice and all, but I don't think the 4R and Highlander ever really shared much of anything.

except the Toyota badge:hatsoff:

 

[wcjeep]

We had a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. The 9spd transmission was terrible. We eventually Lemon Law'd it for other reasons. I have driven the newer Dodge truck with 8spd transmission. It shifted fine.

The 2015 Toyota Highlander Platinum had terrible front seats. One of the worst I have ever sat in. Hope they fix the front seats. It's the only reason we didn't buy it.

 

[GatorGreg]

We had a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. The 9spd transmission was terrible. We eventually Lemon Law'd it for other reasons. I have driven the newer Dodge truck with 8spd transmission. It shifted fine.

The 2015 Toyota Highlander Platinum had terrible front seats. One of the worst I have ever sat in. Hope they fix the front seats. It's the only reason we didn't buy it.

We rented a Cherokee last summer to go from Phoenix to grand canyon, etc, and I was blown away when I realized the thing had a freaking 9 speed tranny - I had never heard of such a thing I was like WTF does that "8" mean in the display Drove great for us and I think we averaged over 30mpg which was very nice - but after reading these posts I'm glad it was just a rental.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

That is not possible though. Aside from the new Lexus LC 500h which uses two transmissions - a CVT and a conventional automatic - there is no "CVT-type" transmission.

There are CVTs.

And there are conventional automatics, as we are discussing here.

Of course there are manuals, DCTs, sequential automatics, etc, but what we are talking about here is a conventional automatic transmission with 8 gears. CVTs have no gears unless they are programmed to provide a "gear-type" shift feeling. There is no gray area for "CVT-type."

Why is it not possible for CVT to be a type of transmission? There are belt driven and chain driven CVT's.
I wont buy a vehicle with a CVT. They hunt too much for me. It is very noticeable and annoying.

 

[Gecko]

It is - there are plenty of CVTs out there.

There are automatics with a finite number of gears, and there are CVTs which utilize a planetary gear set for an infinite number of gear ratios and no actual "gears."

Therefore, there is no such thing as an "8 speed CVT-type" or "8 speed CVT" transmission.

CVTs do often have the "endless revving" or "hunting" feeling that you're talking about, which occurs because the transmission is always trying to stay in the most efficient part of the powerband while delivering power seamlessly.

Some people have said that 8 speed automatic transmissions have a "hunting" quality because they seem to drop so many gears at a time during downshifting, and can upshift very quickly trying to find the right gear during acceleration.

Here is a visual rendering of this concept:

CVT transmission accelerating: (notice that it does not ever UPSHIFT, but always stays at the top of the rev range)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru5D-FpjrC4

8 Speed automatic transmission accelerating (notice that it hits redline and upshifts repeatedly):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgysmA-_2lI

 

[wcjeep]

We rented a Cherokee last summer to go from Phoenix to grand canyon, etc, and I was blown away when I realized the thing had a freaking 9 speed tranny - I had never heard of such a thing I was like WTF does that "8" mean in the display Drove great for us and I think we averaged over 30mpg which was very nice - but after reading these posts I'm glad it was just a rental.

We ended having to pay $2k in mileage penalty to lemon law the Cherokee. All monthly and down payment was returned. The dealer tore apart the dash multiple times to fix a weird droning. Driver rear knuckle was manufacturered wrong. Final straw was non repairable intermittent coolant leak. The transmission was never right. The transmission computer code refresh available as we returned it had a decent chance of frying the transmission computer brain. This meant the entire transmission would require replacement. The front leather seats were very comfortable. We drove many Nissan loaners while the Cherokee was in/out of the shop. I dislike Nissan as much or more than the Cherokee. The final Nissan loaner tried to kill my daughter and I. It had an Unintended acceleration event.

 

[CO-Cygnus]

We rented a Cherokee last summer to go from Phoenix to grand canyon, etc, and I was blown away when I realized the thing had a freaking 9 speed tranny - I had never heard of such a thing I was like WTF does that "8" mean in the display Drove great for us and I think we averaged over 30mpg which was very nice - but after reading these posts I'm glad it was just a rental.

I had a rental Cherokee for a week for a week and I managed to stall it not once, but twice. Yes - Stall a car with an automatic transmission. Both times happened when I was slowing to a stop, got the car under 5 MPH, but let my foot off the break, and tried to accelerate before coming to a complete stop.

In the transition between brake to accelerator the car stalled.

POS.

 

[Loadedpocketz]

Regarding the new tech in the Highlander versus the tried and true in the 4Runner...

 

[vjack]

[...] Grand Cherokee($65k+) and then get back to me after that sticker shock of having a "luxury suv" with less ground clearance than a Subaru Outback [...]

Not that I feel much need to defend the Grand Cherokee, but the 4x4 models start at $32k MSRP. Yes, once you start adding all the luxury trims & features it can go way up.

Also, ground clearance is 8.6", which technically is less than an Outback (8.7") but I think that says more about the Subaru than the Jeep... 8.6" is not shabby. The JGC has a lot of flaws but I don't think its stock geometry is one of them.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

It is - there are plenty of CVTs out there.

There are automatics with a finite number of gears, and there are CVTs which utilize a planetary gear set for an infinite number of gear ratios and no actual "gears."

Therefore, there is no such thing as an "8 speed CVT-type" or "8 speed CVT" transmission.

CVTs do often have the "endless revving" or "hunting" feeling that you're talking about, which occurs because the transmission is always trying to stay in the most efficient part of the powerband while delivering power seamlessly.

Some people have said that 8 speed automatic transmissions have a "hunting" quality because they seem to drop so many gears at a time during downshifting, and can upshift very quickly trying to find the right gear during acceleration.

Here is a visual rendering of this concept:

CVT transmission accelerating: (notice that it does not ever UPSHIFT, but always stays at the top of the rev range)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru5D-FpjrC4

8 Speed automatic transmission accelerating (notice that it hits redline and upshifts repeatedly):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgysmA-_2lI

I see where you are coming from now. How are the auto companies marketing these? Will they make into the real sports cars? Or are they best suited for the average auto?

 

[wadle5]

Not that I feel much need to defend the Grand Cherokee, but the 4x4 models start at $32k MSRP. Yes, once you start adding all the luxury trims & features it can go way up.

Also, ground clearance is 8.6", which technically is less than an Outback (8.7") but I think that says more about the Subaru than the Jeep... 8.6" is not shabby. The JGC has a lot of flaws but I don't think its stock geometry is one of them.

He was referencing a fully loaded trailhawk Cherokee being cheaper than a fully loaded 4runner. These are not of the same subset of vehicles so from there a fully loaded 4runner is significantly cheaper than a fully loaded Grand Cherokee Overland Edition(full suede headliner and all). And I'm just saying I would feel more comfortable on back roads and driving over curbs in the Outback due to how dainty you have to be with the GC if you don't want something going wrong or falling off is all.

 

[77Bronc]

I know my next statement is like comparing apples to chickens, but I had a 1995 JGC and it was the biggest POS I have ever owned...never, never another Jeep. I feel everyone needs to own a black vehicle or a Jeep branded product at least once, will make you appreciate any Toyota product in classic silver. I cannot imagine spending $100 on a Jeep let alone $65K.

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