Toyota Highlander 2012 for Sale
By
Herman Syah
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Thursday, March 15, 2018
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2012 Toyota Highlander
Even as novices like the Ford Explorer as well as Dodge Durango challenge versus the Highlander and also the Honda Pilot, I still locate the Highlander a capable underdog. If you go with the V-6 engine, it performs as well as the remainder, also.
I evaluated a new 2011 design with just 65 miles on it, yet the 2012s are already on sale and are geared up and also priced practically identically.
Toyota Highlander 2012 For Sale
Family-Friendly Interior
While the majority of households would certainly be well-served by nearly any type of three-row crossover on the marketplace, the Highlander has some significant functions that set it apart.
The front seats of my tester fit on a long-haul trip from Chicago to Wisconsin. The second-row seat has a lot of assistance, as well, and all seats have sufficient thigh assistance. The second row could slide forward and back, which is most useful for third-row guests.
A third row is standard also on the base Highlander. With the 2nd row relocated right back, there is very little area for third-row travelers. Relocate the second row up also a little, however-- regarding 2 notches-- and also third-row guests must be as comfortable as I was at 5-foot-10. It's the gliding second row that makes this crossover as useful a choice for carrying seven individuals as a lot larger crossovers, like the Chevy Traverse and also Ford Traveler. The Honda Pilot is sized likewise to the Highlander and supplies sitting for three in the third row. That offers it an optimum seating capacity of eight, unlike the remainder of the class at seven.
The center section of the Highlander's second row can be removed totally, turning the bench into two captain's chairs with a pass-through to the 3rd row. The pass-through is a favorite attribute of minivan owners, and also while various other crossovers could supply a choice in between a bench or 2 chairs, just the Highlander provides owners both in the very same vehicle.
On the whole, I located materials top quality to be great, yet other editors as well as a household involved in a comparison examination thought the Highlander seemed inexpensive. Nevertheless, as outfitted, our tester was valued thousands less than much of the competitors. Besides some harsh finishes on the plastic around the door pockets, I discovered the inside on par for the cost. My better half additionally liked it, recommending it's a step up from her 2010 Subaru Outback.
In terms of safety and security functions, a back-up cam is common on the Highlander SE and also greater trim degrees, or it can be had as part of an optional Technology Bundle, which was consisted of on my base tester. On designs without navigating, there's a tv at the top of the dashboard that shows journey info while driving, after that switches to the rearview screen when the transmission is taken into Opposite. Navigation-equipped models show the rearward sight on their larger touch-screen.
If there was one point my partner enjoyed regarding the Highlander, it was the 4 cupholders in the facility console in between the traveler and chauffeur, with another in each of the 4 doors as well as 4 more for second-row guests. Every other crossover consisted of in our current contrast test showcased simply two cupholders in this area.
If you've ever dealt with the sippy mugs, water bottles and also soda coulds a family members of just 4 requires for a Saturday out on the community-- which for us includes hitting an interior play zone with giant blow up bounce-houses, lunch as well as either a book shop or collection quit-- you realize beverages accumulate.
Efficiency
For 2012, the Highlander comes criterion with a 187-horsepower, 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine teamed with a six-speed transmission, for mileage ranked at 20/25 mpg city/highway. The engine is very anemic; the variation I drove this moment had the V-6, however in past tests I've discovered that the four-cylinder-powered Highlander seems like an underpowered lummox. Four-cylinder versions come outfitted only with front-wheel drive.
There's a crossbreed version with a 3.5-liter V-6 and an electrical motor that make a consolidated 280 hp, helpful for 28/28 mpg city/highway. The crossbreed comes equipped just with all-wheel drive, that makes those mileage figures fairly outstanding.
My examination car-- 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 all-wheel drive.
Gas mileage gets on the same level with the rest of the section, with the majority of gamers score only 1 mpg over or listed below the Highlander.
Power abounded in my front-wheel-drive Highlander, which scooted from a stop with gusto as well as passed strongly at freeway speeds. Steering was light as well as a tad obscure, as it is in the majority of crossovers. The trip was comfortable, the engine silent and wind sound almost nil, that made for positive driving and the capacity to listen to every cry, grievance and also occasional tune from my rear seat passengers.
Braking was the real issue I had with the Highlander. Even after a week and also thousands of miles of driving, I had a hard time evaluating the brake response. I repeatedly snagged my wife onward in her seat when I needed to add even more pressure than anticipated near a stop. This is an attribute of lots of Toyota cars, and also it's one I do not especially delight in.
Cargo
There's just 10.3 cubic feet of freight space when the third row is up. The Honda Pilot has dramatically much more, at 18.0 cubic feet. The Traverse, with 24.4 cubic feet, is significantly bigger.
With the 3rd row down, cargo room broadens to 42.3 cubic feet, as well as for my usage that was plenty huge enough. I stuffed a 32-gallon trash bin in the back-- really 2 piled right into each other-- and those fit lengthwise with the second-row seats just a little forward. The Pilot is rated at 47.7 cubic feet, so the difference between both designs there is less significant than it lags the third row. I preferred the Pilot's under-floor storage space, however.
Features & Rates
For 2012, the Highlander begins at $28,090 for the base four-cylinder with front-wheel drive. That doesn't obtain you a lot in regards to attributes, however it does consist of 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted rear home windows, remote access, cruise control, a tilt/telescoping wheel and two 12-volt power electrical outlets.
My examination automobile was a base V-6, however I really did not feel like I was missing a lot in regards to features because it also had the $1,835 Tech Bundle, which includes a USB port, Bluetooth for phones and songs streaming, and a nice journey computer. While I delight in expensive amusement systems as much as the following person, this is the type of function set that most family members will require, for a reasonable as-tested cost of $32,845. All-wheel drive is only $1,450 even more. In this section, it normally costs $2,000 to go up to all- or 4x4.
SE versions start at $32,695 for four-cylinder, front-drive versions, including a power moonroof, a rear home window that opens independent of the liftgate, roof covering rails, fog lamps as well as a power liftgate. Warmed natural leather pole position, HomeLink, a leather guiding wheel with sound and Bluetooth controls, and all the features in the Technology Bundle are additionally included. For a similar cost, I would certainly choose the V-6 design instead of the SE four-cylinder.
The high-grade, all-wheel-drive Limited V-6 Highlander begins at $37,045 as well as is filled: 19-inch wheels, three-zone environment control, keyless ignition and also access, and higher-grade natural leather seats.
The Highlander Hybrid can be found in two trims: a base version for $38,140 and a Limited design for $43,795, with similar devices offerings as V-6 gas designs.
Prices resembles the Traverse, Pilot et cetera of the course. Toyota also supplies two years of free maintenance with new-car acquisitions, which none of its rivals in the segment offer.
Security
The Toyota Highlander is an Insurance Coverage Institute for Freeway Safety Top Safety Pick; that's the organization's greatest honor. To gain the score, vehicles should get leading ratings of Good ahead, side and back crashes, along with pass roof-strength examinations that determine rollover protection.
The Highlander earned a four-star total rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Management. 5 star is the highest ranking, which the Chevy Traverse gained.
Highlander in the Market
If it weren't so darn useful with a good engine, it would be easy to discount the Highlander in a field that contains some splashier new designs. Yet there are simply way too many points in the Highlander's favor to rule it from your purchasing plans. Due to their smaller sized impact in your driveway and also garage, the Highlander as well as Pilot are extra accessible for even more households.