2008 toyota Highlander Hybrid
By
fardhan alief
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Sunday, April 15, 2018
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2008 Toyota Highlander
The Highlander makes the grade on all matters, though it doesn't master any kind of one location. Supplied it can keep its impressive resale value and also dependability, it should prove a smart-- if not specifically exciting-- option for years to come.
Base, Sport and also Limited trim degrees come with front- or four-wheel drive, and all could seat 5 or 7, depending upon the setup. Prices vary from about $27,000 to $40,000 with choices.
I evaluated all three trim levels of the normal Highlander at a Toyota event in Michigan.
2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Edgier Styling
Toyota's The golden state layout studios shaped the exterior, which is bigger in all significant measurements than the old Highlander. To my eyes, Toyota's smaller sized RAV4 SUV looks better-proportioned, with just adequate contours to balance out the angles. With its creased fronts lights, showy grille and characterless bumper, the Highlander seems a little bit as well glossy-- like a convenience store shopper who won't take off his sunglasses.
The rear bumper has lumpy reflectors on each side, as well as most trim degrees have a glass hatch that opens up independent of the liftgate. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels are common; the Sporting activity as well as Limited have 19-inchers that complete the wheel wells perfectly. The Sport has a dark silver grille and also smoked-out fronts lights. The Limited has plainer fronts lights and also chrome outside moldings.
At 188.4 inches long and also 75.2 inches large, the Highlander casts approximately the same shadow as a Honda Pilot, Subaru Tribeca or Hyundai Veracruz. The Mazda CX-9 and Saturn Outlook are both concerning a foot longer.
The Inside
Toyota has spent years developing a credibility for high quality, and absent any kind of major competition, the brand-new Highlander may have maintained that requirement. The competitors is nothing otherwise major, however, and also SUVs like the CX-9 and Veracruz flaunt some impressively high end interiors. In comparison, Toyota drops a little bit brief.
The Highlander shares underpinnings with the present Camry, as well as the dashboard bears much of the car's flavor. The center controls are the all-natural centerpiece, with extra-large knobs for major features within simple reach. Sporting activity as well as Limited models have a 3.5-inch screen atop the stereo. It displays gas mileage, outside temperature as well as more. It likewise reveals setups for the optional automated climate control system, which could divide the cabin into as many as three temperature zones-- 2 front and also one rear. The environment regulates sit listed below the stereo, and they're awfully cluttered. I counted 13 switches between both temperature knobs; that's a great deal of ground to cover when you're referencing a readout some 10 inches away. In contrast, the basic hands-on cooling is straightforward.
Cabin quality is just ordinary. The home window changes, turn signals and also center controls could go straight into a Lexus, and the chrome accents as well as electroluminescent gauges appearance terrific. Many locations are cut in tough plastics, nevertheless, as well as the appearances do not have the appeal of the stuff in several rivals. Worst of all is the ceiling's headliner, which is some of the cheapest computer mouse fur this side of an economic situation auto.
Parents will appreciate the storage space alternatives. The facility console in between the pole positions has four cupholders and also a large storage container. Neglect laptop computers; the handwear cover box can fit a tiny home computer. (Possibly not the display, though-- let's not get carried away.).
3 basic rows of seats accommodate approximately 7, though you could drop the 3rd row in order to conserve a little cash money, minimizing sitting ability to 5. The front seats provide a lot of area, with a trick extender in the Highlander Limited that prolongs the pillow under the chauffeur's upper legs. Great touch.
The 2nd row is equally commodious, with reclining back-rests and also seat pillows that change backward and forward. The facility seat has Toyota's brand-new Center Stow feature. It's essentially a jump seat, which passengers can swap for a plastic center console, transforming the second row into two captain's chairs. The extra part-- either the center seat or console-- stores in a flooring compartment in between the front seats. After a couple of practice runs, I was able to make the modification in around 25 seconds.
The dive seat is light enough for simple installment. Its convenience is trial and error, even for a center seat; the bottom cushion is considerable, however I could conveniently really feel the hinges underneath the backrest extra padding. The plastic console is lighter still, as well as both pieces have tough installation hooks that must make it through a lot of knocking from overenthusiastic kids.
Relying on where the 2nd row is placed, the third row can be surprisingly adult-friendly. I'm 6 feet tall and located clearance a little bit tight, yet with the 2nd row progressed a couple of inches-- preserving a lot of legroom for a lot of adults-- the 3rd row's legroom was such that I can endure a short journey.
Larger Engine, Better Gas Mileage
All Highlanders get the 3.5-liter V-6 from the Camry, Sienna and a number of other Toyotas. In the Highlander it makes 270 horse power as well as 248 pounds-feet of torque. Both are considerable gains over in 2015's V-6, that made 215 hp and also 222 pounds-feet of torque. A five-speed transmission is conventional. In 2014's base four-cylinder engine has been gone down.
Acceleration suffices off the line as well as stronger as the engine revs. The transmission assists things along, holding gears as well as seldom moving too soon. Hard velocity could motivate some abrupt shifts among lower equipments-- better for velocity, even worse for comfort-- yet most of the moment the changes are smooth adequate to pass unnoticed. The drivetrain feels finest on the highway, where it downshifts with very little equipment hunting. Third equipment is particularly potent for 50-to-70 miles per hour passing away.
The optional 4x4 is clear to the motorist. It integrates a center differential to divide power 50/50 in between the front and back wheels every one of the time. Four-wheel-drive designs have a downhill aid feature. Press a dashboard switch, as well as it will slow down the SUV to a crawl down high qualities. The function appears a bit insincere: There is no low equipment for offroad rock crawling, which implies you ought to most likely stay clear of anywhere treacherous sufficient to need the downhill aid.
All Highlanders have a hill-start help that holds the brakes for approximately three secs from a stop to prevent the SUV from rolling backward before you have time to strike the gas.
Utilizing the EPA's more sensible 2008 score system-- which typically results in reduce numbers-- gas mileage is ranked at 18/24 mpg (city/highway) for two-wheel-drive versions and 17/23 mpg for those with four-wheel drive. These ratings lead most midsize SUVs by 1 or 2 mpg. They likewise beat the old V-6 Highlander by around 1 mpg (adjusted using the EPA's brand-new calculation)-- an excellent feat, offered the new Highlander has more power and evaluates some 300 pounds extra. (Four-cylinder followers will not miss out on much: The old four-cylinder Highlander obtained just 1 mpg more than the new one makes with the V-6.).
Flight & Handling
The unibody building and construction manages a comfortable trip, with none of the underbody shimmying that plagued the previous Highlander (which was likewise unibody) as well as lots of body-on-frame SUVs. The four-wheel-independent suspension is sport-tuned in the Highlander Sport, yet I couldn't detect a distinction in trip firmness amongst the base, Sport and Limited. All three have a bit more suspension noise over major bumps compared to I've concerned anticipate in a midsize SUV.
Wind noise is minimal. Given a smooth stretch of asphalt, the tires are fairly peaceful. The Sporting activity as well as Limited's 19-inch wheels as well as P245/55R19 tires produce a small hum at highway rates, which I couldn't find with the base version's 17-inchers and also thicker P245/65R19 rubber.
All models currently include electric power steering. These systems conserve a little bit on fuel consumption-- a bit of low-hanging fruit to fulfill the federal government's gas economic situation requirements, I suspect-- however they frequently cause drab, fabricated guiding feeling. Expectedly, the Highlander steers with a light touch, never ever supplying much in the method of responses or turning precision. The CX-9 fares much better hereof, but few various other rivals stand out. The very same is true for body roll: Like the majority of SUVs, the Highlander leans away in curves, reminding vehicle drivers it's not to be collared rapidly.
Four-wheel-disc anti-skid brakes are basic. The pedal uses mushy response, but the brakes clamp down hard when needed.
Freight & Towing
With all three rows installed and also increased, cargo room in back is a weak 10.3 cubic feet. The 3rd row folds flat right into the floor, and also the second row folds virtually level. Highlanders without the third row rather include a relatively huge storage location under the rear floor.
With all seats folded, maximum freight volume is 95.4 cubic feet, which compares much more favorably with the crowd.
When effectively furnished, the Highlander could tow as much as 5,000 extra pounds.
Security.
In Insurance Policy Institute for Highway Safety frontal accident tests, the 2008 Highlander scored the highest rating, Good. IIHS has actually not tested the Highlander for side impacts.
Toyota didn't skimp on safety and security functions. All Highlanders come basic with four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, grip control as well as an electronic security system. The stability system currently deals with the electrical power steering, which boosts the power help when the chauffeur is guiding to fix a skid. It also helps fight guiding pull under tough stopping to assist the Highlander stop in a straight line. (Toyota claims the system can not steer the SUV on its own, as some sophisticated systems now do, so if you guide the wrong way in a skid, don't anticipate any added power aid.).
Seven air bags are standard, including the called for double front air bags, a chauffeur's knee airbag as well as side-impact airbags for the pole positions. There are additionally roll-sensing side curtain air bags for all 3 rows, which deploy throughout a rollover to prevent occupant ejection.
All seats have head restrictions, as well as in Sport as well as Limited versions, the front ones are forward-adjustable for better whiplash protection. Energetic head restrictions are common on the pole positions of all trims. The second row consists of Latch child-seat anchors in the outboard seats, with conveniently available top-tether supports midway down the seatback.
Functions & Rates
Omitting the location cost, the base Highlander with two-wheel drive starts at $27,300. A Highlander Limited with a complete bevy of options playings around $42,000. 4x4 on any kind of trim adds regarding $1,500. All trim levels come with 3 rows of seats, though a third-row erase option on certain versions can save $740.
-For $27,300, the base Highlander comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, a CD stereo with an auxiliary MP3 jack, air conditioning, cruise ship control, and also power windows, mirrors and door locks.
-For $29,950, the Sporting activity adds darkened outside aspects, 19-inch wheels, fog lights, a power vehicle driver's seat, a multifunction wheel, a back-up electronic camera and also six-CD audio.
-For $32,700, the Restricted includes a keyless start-up system, automated climate control, natural leather furniture and also a power passenger seat. A lot of these features are optional on the Sporting activity. Choices on both trim levels consist of a navigating system, JBL costs sound, a rear seat DVD gamer, a moonroof, a power tailgate and heated front seats.
Highlander in the Market
Rivals from GM, Mazda as well as Hyundai will certainly provide the Highlander a run for its money. Its largest competitor, the Honda Pilot, schedules for a redesign in the following year or two, as well as Toyota's key resource-- its track record for top quality as well as integrity-- has been slipping recently. The car manufacturer has actually pledged to enhance its initiatives, and also its most recent SUV should show that.
The new Highlander has lots of book perceptiveness, like suitable gas mileage as well as lots of safety and security functions, however there's absolutely nothing phenomenal regarding it. If it proves as bulletproof as its precursor, however, dependability will become its defining quality, which is a textbook draw a great deal of customers can support.