2012 toyota Highlander Limited
By
pupu sahma
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Tuesday, March 27, 2018
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2012 Toyota Highlander
Even as beginners like the Ford Traveler and also Dodge Durango take on against the Highlander and the Honda Pilot, I still discover the Highlander a qualified underdog. If you select the V-6 engine, it carries out along with the rest, too.
I examined a brand-new 2011 model with just 65 miles on it, however the 2012s are currently for sale as well as are outfitted and valued almost identically.
2012 Toyota Highlander Limited
Family-Friendly Interior
While the majority of households would be well-served by almost any type of three-row crossover on the marketplace, the Highlander has some noteworthy features that set it apart.
The front seats of my tester were comfortable on a long-haul journey from Chicago to Wisconsin. The second-row seat has plenty of assistance, too, and all seats have sufficient thigh support. The second row can glide forward and back, which is most advantageous for third-row guests.
A 3rd row is standard even on the base Highlander. With the 2nd row moved all the way back, there is very little space for third-row guests. Move the 2nd row up even slightly, however-- about two notches-- and third-row travelers ought to be as comfy as I went to 5-foot-10. It's the moving 2nd row that makes this crossover as useful a selection for bring seven people as a lot bigger crossovers, like the Chevy Traverse and also Ford Traveler. The Honda Pilot is sized in a similar way to the Highlander and also offers seatsing for 3 in the third row. That offers it a maximum sitting ability of eight, unlike the rest of the class at seven.
The center section of the Highlander's second row can be gotten rid of completely, turning the bench right into two captain's chairs with a pass-through to the third row. The pass-through is a preferred feature of minivan owners, as well as while other crossovers might use an option between a bench or two chairs, just the Highlander offers owners both in the exact same vehicle.
On the whole, I discovered products quality to be good, however other editors and a household involved in a comparison test believed the Highlander seemed cheap. However, as furnished, our tester was priced thousands less than much of the competitors. Besides some rough coatings on the plastic around the door pockets, I found the inside on par for the rate. My other half additionally liked it, suggesting it's a step up from her 2010 Subaru Wilderness.
In regards to security features, a back-up camera is conventional on the Highlander SE and greater trim levels, or it can be had as part of an optional Tech Bundle, which was consisted of on my base tester. On versions without navigation, there's a tv at the top of the dashboard that shows trip information while driving, then switches to the rearview display when the transmission is put into Reverse. Navigation-equipped versions reveal the rearward view on their bigger touch-screen.
If there was one thing my wife delighted in regarding the Highlander, it was the four cupholders in the center console between the traveler and driver, with another in each of the four doors as well as four even more for second-row travelers. Each crossover included in our recent contrast examination showcased just two cupholders in this field.
If you have actually ever before taken care of the sippy cups, water bottles and soft drink containers a household of simply four needs for a Saturday out on the community-- which for us entails striking an indoor play area with large inflatable bounce-houses, lunch as well as either a book shop or library stop-- you realize drinks collect.
Performance
For 2012, the Highlander comes requirement with a 187-horsepower, 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission, for mileage rated at 20/25 mpg city/highway. The engine is very anemic; the version I drove this moment had the V-6, but in previous examinations I've discovered that the four-cylinder-powered Highlander feels like an underpowered lummox. Four-cylinder designs come furnished just with front-wheel drive.
There's a hybrid design with a 3.5-liter V-6 as well as an electric motor that make a combined 280 hp, helpful for 28/28 mpg city/highway. The hybrid comes equipped only with four-wheel drive, that makes those mileage figures quite impressive.
My examination automobile-- as do the mass of sales-- showcased the 270-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine teamed with a five-speed transmission, great for 18/24 mpg with front-wheel drive as well as 17/22 mpg with four-wheel drive.
Gas mileage is on par with the remainder of the section, with most players score only 1 mpg over or below the Highlander.
Power abounded in my front-wheel-drive Highlander, which ran from a stop with gusto as well as passed mightily at freeway speeds. Guiding was light and also a little bit vague, as it remains in a lot of crossovers. The flight fit, the engine peaceful and wind sound nearly nil, that made for pleasant driving as well as the capacity to listen to every cry, complaint and occasional tune from my rear seat travelers.
Braking was the real issue I had with the Highlander. Even after a week as well as numerous miles of driving, I had a difficult time judging the brake feedback. I consistently snagged my spouse forward in her seat when I needed to add even more stress compared to anticipated near a quit. This is a trait of many Toyota lorries, as well as it's one I don't especially enjoy.
Freight
There's simply 10.3 cubic feet of cargo area when the third row is up. The Honda Pilot has significantly extra, at 18.0 cubic feet. The Traverse, with 24.4 cubic feet, is substantially bigger.
With the third row down, freight space expands to 42.3 cubic feet, as well as for my use that was plenty large sufficient. I stuffed a 32-gallon trash bin in the back-- really 2 stacked right into each other-- and those healthy lengthwise with the second-row seats simply a little forward. The Pilot is ranked at 47.7 cubic feet, so the distinction in between the two versions there is less substantial compared to it lags the 3rd row. I chose the Pilot's under-floor storage, though.
Functions & Rates
For 2012, the Highlander begins at $28,090 for the base four-cylinder with front-wheel drive. That doesn't get you a lot in regards to functions, but it does include 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted back home windows, remote access, cruise control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel as well as 2 12-volt power outlets.
My examination automobile was a base V-6, however I didn't seem like I was missing out on much in terms of attributes because it additionally had the $1,835 Tech Package, which includes a USB port, Bluetooth for phones and also music streaming, and also a good trip computer system. While I delight in elegant amusement systems as high as the following man, this is the sort of function established that a lot of family members will certainly require, for a sensible as-tested cost of $32,845. Four-wheel drive is only $1,450 more. In this segment, it typically costs $2,000 to move up to all- or four-wheel drive.
SE models begin at $32,695 for four-cylinder, front-drive designs, adding a power moonroof, a rear home window that opens independent of the liftgate, roof covering rails, fog lamps and a power liftgate. Warmed natural leather front seats, HomeLink, a natural leather guiding wheel with audio as well as Bluetooth controls, and all the attributes in the Technology Package are also consisted of. For a similar cost, I would certainly opt for the V-6 design as opposed to the SE four-cylinder.
The top-of-the-line, all-wheel-drive Restricted V-6 Highlander starts at $37,045 and also is packed: 19-inch wheels, three-zone environment control, keyless ignition and also entrance, and higher-grade natural leather seats.
The Highlander Hybrid can be found in 2 trims: a base model for $38,140 and also a Minimal model for $43,795, with comparable tools offerings as V-6 gas versions.
Prices resembles the Traverse, Pilot et cetera of the course. Toyota likewise uses two years of free maintenance with new-car acquisitions, which none of its competitors in the sector deal.
Safety
The Toyota Highlander is an Insurance Coverage Institute for Highway Security Top Safety And Security Select; that's the organization's highest honor. To make the rating, cars and trucks need to receive leading scores of Great ahead, side and also back accidents, in addition to pass roof-strength examinations that gauge rollover defense.
The Highlander earned a four-star general ranking from the National Freeway Web Traffic Safety Management. Five stars is the highest possible ranking, which the Chevy Traverse gained.
Highlander in the Market
If it weren't so darn sensible with a good engine, it would be simple to mark down the Highlander in an area that contains some splashier new designs. But there are just way too many things in the Highlander's favor to rule it from your purchasing strategies. As a result of their smaller sized impact in your driveway as well as garage, the Highlander and also Pilot are more obtainable for even more family members.