Highlander

Long-term wrap-up: 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Vehicle: 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4WD-i
Price as tested: CDN$51650
Mileage since picked up: 11400km
Regular maintenance: 0
Unscheduled repairs: 0

The Highlander is one of the better Toyotas out there. It simply because it offers an attractive combination of value, comfort and feature ambience. The use of materials and build quality are up to the standard of what we expect from Toyota. The use of interior materials are classy with narrow panel gaps. Those tight tolerance is rarely seen in Toyota these days. The same goes for exterior panel gaps and paint finishings. We couldn’t find any orange peels on its silver paintwork, which is pretty common on today’s Toyota or even Lexus.

However, the hybrid powertrain doesn’t provide the expected fuel economy. We had an average of 14L/100km which is disappointing. If you are purely buying a hybrid for the sake of fuel economy, we would definitely not recommend this Highlander. If you are buying a hybrid for the sake of protecting the environment, then go buy a 4-cylinder Highlander and save the money for planting some flowers at your backyard. If you are buying a hybrid for the sake of a status symbol, then we have nothing to comment.

At the end of the day, we are more impressed with Highlander’s quality and reliability than its claimed economy. It has proven Toyota is still able to build high-quality product, which is able to focus on complete driver comfort with plenty of luxurious features. Those are the merits which are what Toyota has been known for decades.

Our only complaint is the cramped 3rd row seats. If you are buying a crossover for 7-seat capacity, think again. Or just simply get a Sienna. As with all of these crossovers, both the 3rd row and luggage space are “either/or” affair. You are either forcing the 3rd row passengers to seat uncomfortably, which is an understatement. The fact is more of a torture seats. Or just losing proper luggage space when its up.

Likes:
Material and build quality
Attention-to-details
Ride comfort
Silky smooth powertrain

Dislikes:
Fuel economy
3rd row space
Non-existence luggage space (when 3rd row is up)

Competitions:
Ford Explorer
Honda Pilot
Nissan Murano
Hyundai Veracruz

Long-term update: 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Vehicle: 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4WD-i
Price as tested: CDN$51650
Mileage since picked up: 7300km
Regular maintenance: 0
Unscheduled repairs: 0

If you are regular Directshift reader, you would have noticed our recent complaints of Toyota’s corner cutting when it comes to use of materials. Toyota really have sharpening their pencils when it comes to interior materials. Except for flagship vehicles, prime examples are Lexus LS-series and Toyota Alphard. Most vehicles in Toyota and Lexus’s product portfolio couldn’t survived. The Highlander is one possible exception. Since its inception in 2001, Highlander has been highly praised for its class-leading use of materials and fit-and-finish among the mid-size crossover segment. The 2nd generation continues this trend. The soft-touch variety on the dashboard, door panels and center console are a breath of fresh air compares to its Toyota silibings. In fact, we even prefer the youthful layout of Highlander over the more mature stance of its Lexus chassis silibings, RX-series.

The same goes for Highlander’s ride quality. While nobody would ever mistaken Highlander’s handling prowess as a Cayenne Turbo, its sublime ride comfort certainly appeal to those who value ultimate in ride comfort over handling capabilities. The silky smooth ride quality over any road surfaces really gives the air carpet ride-esque used to be associate with upscale Lexus products.

Toyota has upped both ride and interior quality with the latest iteration of Highlander. One has to wonder why they don’t put through the same kind of quality in other core products.

On our next update, we will wrap up the Highlander.

Long-term update: 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Vehicle: 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4WD-i
Price as tested: CDN$51650
Mileage since picked up: 2100km
Regular maintenance: 0
Unscheduled repairs: 0

The first thing that strike me is how quiet Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive during idle. The next thing you would be impressed is the amount of low-end torque provides by the batteries. When the Highlander is driven by battery alone, its fuel economy is impressive. That is biggest beef I always have with any hybrid-driven vehicle. While they make perfect sense as a daily commute using battery alone, they make no difference after the gasoline engine steps into the equation on the highway. That is exactly what is happening with our Highlander.

Before you decide to go buy a hybrid, you better make sure your daily driving routes consist of plenty of stop-and-go traffic. Another important aspect to consider is whether the premium for the hybrid is justify over the amount of fuel you are able to save, especially on large SUV or crossover like this Highlander. Otherwise, stick with the standard gasoline counterparts and use the rest of the money to grow some flowers at your backyard. For god’s sake, just buy a hybrid for the sake of hybrid as it has become a status symbol. As a recent survey shown, most people buying or considering a hybrid because they can show off as a status symbol. According to that survey, own a Toyota Prius makes no differece than own a BMW 3-Series. While latter shows off with a prestigous blue and white propeller emblem on the hood, former shows off by driving a hybrid as a “friend to the environment”.

Long-term introduction: 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Vehicle: 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4WD-i
Price as tested: CDN$51650
Mileage since picked up: 30km
Regular maintenance: 0
Unscheduled repairs: 0

There is no better time to take a Toyota up for a long-term testing. When Toyota is a company which is a doubt by consumers and media alike, is questioning about its build quality, reliability and integrity. We decided to pick the Highlander as our long-termer, as this crossover combines the best of Toyota’s merits. The reason we chose hybrid instead of gasoline offering is because of Toyota’s proud Hybrid Synergy Drive. So far, the Highlander has satisfied us with its silky smooth powertrain and the security of the AWD through the fall weather. Will it be able to survive upcoming months of testing? We will find out more, as well as find our major pet peeve with our favourite Toyota.

2008 Toyota Highlander

Vehicle: 2008 Toyota Highlander 4WD V6 Limited
Price as tested: CDN$49900

Performance: Unlike the original Highlander which have both 4 and 6-cylinder engines available. The new version comes only in 1 flavor, a silky-smooth 3.5L V6 24-valve generating 270 horses and 248 pounds feet of torque. With advanced VVT-i variable valve timing, DOHC and aluminum block; this powertrain is even more efficient and responsive than ever. Toyota’s hallmark refinement remains intact with the new powertrain. Throttle response is light and quick. NVH continues to be the standard for other to judge when it comes to luxury-oriented V6. Matched with this wonderful V6 is 5-speed automatic with manumatic function. Unlike the unit we tested in RX350 last year, this one doesn’t feel harsh anymore. We are glad Toyota engineers have taken the last unit back to the drawing board. With Highlander’s unit, its as smooth and shift as crisp as anything we expect from Toyota gearbox. It even have a gear ratio set properly for highway cruising as we clocked 100km/h @ only 2000 rpm. Its not only great for fuel economy, its always makes Highlander a very relaxing highway cruiser.

Handling: The new Highlander based on the same platform as Camry just introduced last year. It got a more solid foundation for suspension to hang its hats. The result is a stiff chassis that is completely lack of any flex and rattles. The driving experience is a luxurious one. As Highlander’s suspension absorbs all the washboard pavement and expansion joints comfortably, that’s despite its spring still lacks the European suppleness as in the CX-9. The ride quality is similar to those of a flying carpet. Smooth, quiet and soft if a bit floaty. That’s typical of most Toyota and Lexus suspension settings. In terms of dynamics, it got its job done as a comfortable commuter. The electric power steering, as the one in Camry, still lacks of driver feedback. That’s despite its fairly precise and turn-in is acceptable. On our Limited model, it got a stability control, which as the one in Camry, is instrusive and can’t turn it off. Consider Highlander’s status-of-life as a comfortable appliance, the isolated driving experience is actually a bonus. The HillStart Assist Control, or HAC, is an useful feature when going uphill. It eliminates any signs of slippage or roll back. Its a godsent for those of us who live in Vancouver, which have lots of slope and slippery on rainy days.

Brakes: Highlander’s pedal feel is a pleasant surprise, both stopping distance and modulation, consider its hefty weight of 4321 pounds.

Interior: When the original Highlander first came out in 2001, we heavily criticized its low-rent materials. Toyota finally addressed this very issue with the new Highlander. All the switchgears on the dashboard are of high-quality, tactical feel. The stereo is smart enough to place above automatic climate control. The automatic climate control works exceptionally well on our summer weather. The A/C is cold and it controls fan speed sensibly. You also got a little screen on top of the center console for controlling the climate control and stereo. However, there are just way too many buttons for these 2 units. Thankfully, driver has redundant steering-mounted controls for both stereo and climate control.

The leather seats are well-foamed and comfortable. Speaking of comfortable, Highlander’s 3rd row of seats are designed for human beings instead of dogs as in other 7-seater SUV. However, if you have to sit 7 persons all the time. Buy a Sienna minivan instead of Highlander.

Fold down the 3rd row seats, there are plenty of cargo space for 5 persons. Fold it up, the space is limited.

Conclusion: The new Highlander will continue to serve Toyota very well, as it provides the comfort of a Camry with the versatility of a crossover. With the latest iteration, it got a much improved interior and vastly faster V6. Its the best Highlander ever.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
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Performance: 4.75/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 3/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.25/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 3.75/5
Value-for-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 3.75/5

2004 Toyota Highlander V6 4WD

Vehicle: 2004 Toyota Highlander V6 4WD with pkg B
Price as tested: CDN$47264

Performance: Highlander is powered by 1 of 2 engines, a 2.4L 4-cylinder with 160hp or 3.3L V6 with 230hp as in our tester. This 3.3L is a replacement for the 3.0L version. The extra 3 liter really gives Highlander the power it needed in the V6 soft roader segment that competes with formiddable competitor like Nissan’s sporty Murano and Honda’s competent Pilot. With 230hp and 242 lb/ft of torque, there is no shortage of power. Its also a very balanced engine that combines the best of smoothness, quietness and refinement all in one package. Throttle response is quick and linear. The low revving nature of this powerplant is a true testimony during highway cruising, as it revs at just 2500 rpm at 110 km/h. Its 5-speed auto tranny works exceptionally well as it combines smooth shifting and responsiveness of up/downshfits when needed.

Handling: Considered the fact that Highlander is based on Camry platform, its no doubt this soft roader is more of a cruiser than a handler. The steering feels numb and featherweight, there is no feedback at all. The suspension setting is soft when gives it a comfortable ride that is very Camry. On the other hand, its AWD system has works relatively well as this vehicle is able to move itself as only one wheel. As usual, there are plenty of body rolls and understeers when pushed through corners.

Brakes: The pedal feel is better than average thanks to its 4-wheel discs with ABS. The anti-lock system also doesn’t kick in until absolutely necessary.

Interior: The interior of the Highlander is very well laid-out. With great set of instrumentation gauges. The controls for stereo and climate control are easy to figure out thanks to clearly designed buttons. With the package B as in our tester, you also got leather and powered seats that help a lot when adjusting for driving position. Its also worthwhile to opt for this package simply because of the full-size spare instead of dount.

Conclusion: While the Highlander is a very compentent vehicle, there raise a question considered its price tag. With a few grand more, you can easily go for Lexus RX330 which uses the same platform, same powerplant with nicer interior and more features. Most of all, you got the excellent Lexus service instead of the “lowly” Toyota one. While Toyota thinks Highlander V6 and RX330 are appealing to different kinds of customers, I think they will cannabalize into each others.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6 4WD
============================================
Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 1/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.25/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.25/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4.5/5
Value-for-money: 2.25/5

Overall rating: 3.75/5