Toyota Highlander 2012
By
pusahma2008
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Friday, March 2, 2018
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2012 Toyota Highlander
Even as beginners like the Ford Explorer and Dodge Durango face off versus the Highlander as well as the Honda Pilot, I still locate the Highlander a capable underdog. If you choose the V-6 engine, it carries out along with the rest, too.
I checked a new 2011 design with simply 65 miles on it, but the 2012s are already on sale and are equipped and valued nearly identically.
Toyota Highlander 2012
Family-Friendly Interior
While many families would certainly be well-served by virtually any three-row crossover on the market, the Highlander has some significant features that establish it apart.
The front seats of my tester fit on a long-haul trip from Chicago to Wisconsin. The second-row seat has lots of assistance, as well, and all seats have ample thigh support. The second row can move forward and back, which is most useful for third-row travelers.
A third row is standard also on the base Highlander. With the second row relocated right back, there is very little area for third-row passengers. Relocate the 2nd row up even slightly, though-- concerning two notches-- as well as third-row passengers should be as comfy as I was at 5-foot-10. It's the moving second row that makes this crossover as functional a choice for bring seven people as a lot bigger crossovers, like the Chevy Traverse as well as Ford Traveler. The Honda Pilot is sized in a similar way to the Highlander and uses seatsing for three in the 3rd row. That provides it an optimum sitting ability of 8, unlike the rest of the class at 7.
The center area of the Highlander's 2nd row can be eliminated completely, transforming the bench right into two captain's chairs with a pass-through to the 3rd row. The pass-through is a favored feature of minivan owners, and also while various other crossovers may supply an option in between a bench or more chairs, only the Highlander gives proprietors both in the exact same lorry.
On the whole, I found materials high quality to be good, however other editors and a family involved in a contrast test thought the Highlander seemed low-cost. However, as equipped, our tester was valued thousands less than much of the competitors. Besides some rough coatings on the plastic around the door pockets, I located the inside on the same level for the price. My spouse also liked it, suggesting it's a step up from her 2010 Subaru Outback.
In regards to security functions, a back-up electronic camera is conventional on the Highlander SE and also higher trim degrees, or it can be had as part of an optional Tech Package, which was included on my base tester. On models without navigation, there's a small screen at the top of the control panel that reveals trip details while driving, after that changes to the rearview display when the transmission is put into Opposite. Navigation-equipped designs show the rearward sight on their bigger touch-screen.
If there was one point my spouse delighted in regarding the Highlander, it was the 4 cupholders in the facility console in between the passenger and also vehicle driver, with one more in each of the 4 doors as well as four more for second-row guests. Each crossover included in our current contrast test featured just 2 cupholders in this field.
If you've ever before handled the sippy mugs, water bottles and also soft drink cans a family of simply 4 requires for a Saturday out on the community-- which for us involves hitting an interior play area with large inflatable bounce-houses, lunch and also either a bookstore or collection quit-- you recognize drinks gather.
Efficiency
For 2012, the Highlander comes standard with a 187-horsepower, 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission, for mileage ranked at 20/25 mpg city/highway. The engine is pretty anemic; the version I drove this time had the V-6, yet in past examinations I have actually discovered that the four-cylinder-powered Highlander seems like an underpowered lummox. Four-cylinder models come geared up just with front-wheel drive.
There's a crossbreed version with a 3.5-liter V-6 and an electric motor that make a consolidated 280 hp, great for 28/28 mpg city/highway. The crossbreed comes geared up just with all-wheel drive, which makes those gas mileage figures rather outstanding.
My examination car-- as do the bulk of sales-- featured the 270-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine teamed with a five-speed automatic transmission, great for 18/24 mpg with front-wheel drive as well as 17/22 mpg with four-wheel drive.
Mileage is on the same level with the remainder of the sector, with most players ranking just 1 mpg over or below the Highlander.
Power abounded in my front-wheel-drive Highlander, which scooted from a quit with gusto and passed strongly at highway rates. Steering was light as well as a little vague, as it remains in the majority of crossovers. The flight was comfortable, the engine quiet and wind noise virtually nil, that made for enjoyable driving and also the capacity to hear every cry, problem and occasional song from my rear seat travelers.
Braking was the real issue I had with the Highlander. Even after a week and also thousands of miles of driving, I had a tough time judging the brake reaction. I repetitively snagged my partner ahead in her seat when I had to add more pressure compared to anticipated near a quit. This is a quality of lots of Toyota automobiles, as well as it's one I don't specifically enjoy.
Freight
There's just 10.3 cubic feet of freight area when the third row is up. The Honda Pilot has considerably a lot more, at 18.0 cubic feet. The Traverse, with 24.4 cubic feet, is substantially larger.
With the 3rd row down, freight room expands to 42.3 cubic feet, as well as for my use that was plenty huge enough. I packed a 32-gallon trash can in the back-- actually 2 piled into each other-- as well as those in shape lengthwise with the second-row seats simply a little ahead. The Pilot is rated at 47.7 cubic feet, so the distinction in between both versions there is less substantial compared to it is behind the 3rd row. I favored the Pilot's under-floor storage space, though.
Attributes & Prices
For 2012, the Highlander starts at $28,090 for the base four-cylinder with front-wheel drive. That doesn't obtain you a lot in regards to functions, however it does include 17-inch alloy wheels, colored rear windows, remote access, cruise control, a tilt/telescoping wheel as well as 2 12-volt power outlets.
My examination cars and truck was a base V-6, however I really did not seem like I was missing out on a lot in terms of functions since it also had the $1,835 Tech Plan, which includes a USB port, Bluetooth for phones and also songs streaming, and a wonderful trip computer. While I take pleasure in expensive entertainment systems as long as the following man, this is the type of attribute set that most households will require, for a sensible as-tested cost of $32,845. Four-wheel drive is just $1,450 even more. In this sector, it usually costs $2,000 to go up to all- or 4x4.
SE versions begin at $32,695 for four-cylinder, front-drive designs, adding a power moonroof, a back home window that opens independent of the liftgate, roof rails, fog lights and a power liftgate. Warmed natural leather front seats, HomeLink, a leather guiding wheel with audio and Bluetooth controls, and all the functions in the Technology Bundle are also included. For a similar cost, I would certainly select the V-6 model rather than the SE four-cylinder.
The top-of-the-line, all-wheel-drive Restricted V-6 Highlander begins at $37,045 as well as is filled: 19-inch wheels, three-zone climate control, keyless ignition and entry, and higher-grade natural leather seats.
The Highlander Crossbreed can be found in two trims: a base model for $38,140 and a Restricted version for $43,795, with comparable equipment offerings as V-6 gas models.
Rates resembles the Traverse, Pilot and the rest of the class. Toyota likewise supplies 2 years of cost-free maintenance with new-car purchases, which none of its competitors in the section deal.
Safety
The Toyota Highlander is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety And Security Top Safety Pick; that's the organization's greatest award. To earn the score, autos need to get top scores of Good in front, side and also back crashes, in addition to pass roof-strength tests that determine rollover defense.
The Highlander earned a four-star total score from the National Freeway Website Traffic Safety Management. Five stars is the greatest score, which the Chevy Traverse made.
Highlander out there
If it just weren't so darn useful with a wonderful engine, it would certainly be easy to discount the Highlander in a field which contains some splashier new designs. But there are just too many things in the Highlander's favor to rule it from your purchasing plans. As a result of their smaller sized impact in your driveway as well as garage, the Highlander as well as Pilot are a lot more obtainable for more families.