Toyota Highlander 2013
By
Herman Syah
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Friday, March 16, 2018
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2013 Toyota Highlander
Some vehicles, as well as Toyotas in particular, frequently obtain described by automobile enthusiasts as "home appliances." The contrast is made in between a Camry as well as a fridge, or a Corolla and a washering, for instance. The implication (usually less than kind) is that these cars have qualities that are much less fun and also more useful. One wouldn't take a refrigerator to an autocross, or drag-race a washering from a stoplight. But also for millions of individuals around the globe, an appliance is precisely just what they want in a cars and truck-- something they do not have to consider to utilize, that isn't unusual or over the top, that's reliable as well as easy. For those people, several Toyotas are absolutely ideal-- as well as the 2013 Highlander is the pinnacle of such appliancelike, comfy, practical thinking.
toyota highlander 2013
This is the last year for this design of Highlander, with a new 2014 model on its way that was introduced at the 2013 New York International Auto Show in March. Even so, there's a lot to like regarding the existing Highlander, which has roominess, power, comfort and utility in droves.
Nothing Fancy, Just Basic Competence
The form recognizes by now, with rather hostile styling that has actually been replicated by a number of suppliers. (The new Nissan Pathfinder, for instance, looks a whole lot such as this Highlander in several ways.) It's a clean, streaming style that suffers a little bit from wheels that look a little too tiny in the base V-6 trim level I tested. If you like the means it looks, nonetheless, obtain one currently, as the 2014 model will certainly obtain an instead substantial styling update that's not to everybody's preference.
The inside is likewise pleasing. Nothing horrendous, just well set out, exceptionally comfortable and also made from top quality products that have actually been screwed together well. In advance, the reduced, soft-touch dash and also high seats setting incorporate for a commanding view over the hood, with exceptional visibility to the sides and rear also. Controls on the facility control board allow and clear, with huge switches and beefy handles that make operating the climate-control system a breeze (sorry). The assesses are bright, clear and very easy to check out at a glance. There's absolutely nothing exceptional regarding the shapes and textures in below, however there's nothing to anger either-- unless you're somebody who requires some aesthetic interest in your transport choice, as there's none to be discovered in the endless sea of grey plastic stretching from door to door. At the very least in the Highlander it's decent plastic, unlike in some other Toyota items, like the Venza.
Seats is functional and very spacious, specifically in the 2nd row, which features astonishing amounts of legroom. This is a three-row SUV, consisting of a fold-down seat for two individuals in the freight location, obtainable through the fold-and-tumble second-row seats. That third row is broad sufficient for full-sized grownups, yet legroom is seriously jeopardized. This is just a midsized SUV, besides, not a full-sizer like the Toyota Sequoia or Chevrolet Traverse. Folding the 2nd row for entrance to the third is very easy, with deals with atop the seatbacks producing easy operation even by children. Both the second and 3rd rows fold up level, creating a massive cargo area able to hold large, cumbersome objects.
Inside electronics are fundamental and also not horribly made complex on the entry-level Highlander (the just major choices my test version had were a V-6 engine and all-wheel drive). The basic touch-screen multimedia show is big as well as easy to use, however a 2nd, smaller display above it presented limited automobile details, too, with simply a handful of display screens to pick from. You can choice up a Highlander to the handle with points like Toyota's Entune (a cloud-based amusement and also details system), a navigation system and also more, but my tester had none of that-- only satellite radio and also a windshield-wiper heating system, part of the $60 Cold Weather Bundle. On the bonus side, an absence of functions indicates the interior is clean as well as straightforward. It additionally suggests there's little to do however drive.
Roly-Poly, but Not Pokey
Thankfully, driving the Highlander is equally as enjoyable as being in or looking at one. In the base model, power comes from a basic 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine making 187 horse power, however my tester had the optional 3.5-liter V-6 engine, bumping horsepower up to a much more confidence-inspiring 270 hp. In real Toyota style, the V-6 is the picture of smoothness, a lot to ensure that the only method to recognize it's going for still is to blip the pedal. Struck that exact same pedal while the Highlander's in gear, and you're awarded with strong, smooth velocity. A six-speed transmission is basic with the four-cylinder, but the V-6 comes only with a five-speed automatic. A gasoline-electric hybrid variation is additionally offered. With the exception of the crossbreed, nevertheless, the drivetrain overall is a little bit behind the times-- most rivals are providing six-speed automatics across the array, plus turbocharging or at the very least direct-injection modern technology. Thankfully, the majority of customers will not recognize any technological deficiency thanks to the Highlander's buttery operation as well as simple and easy velocity.
What they may see, nonetheless, is fuel economic climate. Highlanders with the base four-cylinder engine as well as front-wheel drive are ranked 20/25 mpg city/highway-- not bad for a large seven-seat cruiser. Gas economic climate goes down to 18/24 for the larger V-6 engine, and even better, to 17/22 mpg, when you add all-wheel drive. My week with the Highlander returned 19 mpg in mixed driving; okay, however absolutely not class-leading anymore. It drops well except the brand-new all-wheel-drive Nissan Pathfinder, ranked 19/25 mpg, and the brand-new seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe, which is available in at 18/24 mpg. It also typically matches the much bigger Chevrolet Traverse for consolidated mileage rating (19 mpg), and does 1 mpg much better in the city and also 1 mpg worse on the freeway. The Highlander lineup's gas economy champ is the crossbreed, rated 28/28 mpg, however that comes at a considerable cost premium and with typical all-wheel drive.
The Highlander is clearly tuned for comfort as opposed to driving fun. As the suspension is soft, the body motions are tippy as well as the whole truck rolls as well as lolls in quick edges. You won't be doing any kind of perky driving in this family members truckster, but just what you enter return is superb trip top quality that's smooth even over a few of one of the most terribly damaged sidewalk, aided by tall sidewalls on the 17-inch tires that take in bumps with little sound or disturbance to your calmness. Hang an iPad on the seatback, and also the munchkins won't be bothered by roadway conditions in the least. Faster highway driving is equally as tranquil and also hushed.
Safety and security
The present Highlander has actually been crash-tested by both the National Highway Web Traffic Safety Management and the Insurance Coverage Institute for Freeway Security. NHTSA rated the Highlander four from five stars overall, while IIHS provided the Highlander its top score of Great in all its major tests, gaining it Leading Safety and security Choose status.
When it comes to equipment, the Highlander has all the requisite electronic precaution, like traction control, antilock brakes and also an electronic security system. Front, side, chauffeur's knee and also side curtain airbags are standard. There was no back-up video camera on my test automobile, but it's a $699 option on base designs (standard on all various other trim degrees), an instead glaring noninclusion from the tools listing for a supposed family members vehicle.
Highlander out there
The Highlander V6 all-wheel drive I examined had one notable high quality that could not be ignored: a comparatively reduced as-tested price of $33,477, including an $845 destination cost. The beginning rate for this base V-6 version with four-wheel drive is $32,690, meaning options on my tester were couple of: only a $60 Winter Bundle, a $29 first-aid set, a $49 cargo internet as well as a rather costly $649 three-row floor mat package. If you want to miss the V-6 as well as all-wheel drive, the Highlander with a four-cylinder engine and also front-wheel drive starts at $29,865. At the other end of the spectrum is a fully loaded Highlander Hybrid Limited four-wheel drive, which starts at $47,215-- fairly a remarkable variety.
Midsize SUVs have been taking control of for minivans in family-hauling tasks, and the number of access in the field is greater than ever. Requiring 7 seats does cut the note down ever before so somewhat. The Highlander's major rivals are the Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia, Ford Traveler, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-9 and Dodge Durango. If you can live with simply 5 seats, include the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Murano, Ford Edge, Toyota Venza as well as Kia Sorento. That's more than a loads other lorries to think about, showing how competitive this sector actually is. The closest suits are the Pathfinder, Explorer and also Santa Fe (not the Santa Fe Sport, mind you, which is a smaller sized, five-seat version). The Pathfinder features just a V-6 and continuously variable automatic transmission, while the Santa Fe's seven-seat version offers just a V-6. The Explorer supplies 2 V-6 engines and also an optional turbo four-cylinder, all mated to a six-speed transmission. All are similar in terms of room, cost and energy, yet the Highlander's rivals normally have the advantage in fuel economic situation and on-board technology.
The 2014 Highlander will ultimately obtain a six-speed transmission for its V-6 engine, which must improve gas economic climate and velocity. It also obtains seatsing for eight thanks to a larger cargo area as well as a broader third-row seat. Engines will certainly rollover unchanged, however, indicating there will still be no direct-injection or turbocharging. The interior and exterior updates look excellent and also ought to maintain the Highlander competitive, which's truly all Toyota has to do to maintain the Highlander's sales numbers up-- aesthetic changes that keep it fresh in an ultra-competitive market. Toyota already has the energy, convenience, proficiency and family-friendly components down pat. Working on its visual allure and on-board modern technology will only strengthen the Highlander's placement.