2012 toyota Highlander Review
By
fardhan alief
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Sunday, April 15, 2018
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2012 Toyota Highlander
Also as novices like the Ford Explorer and also Dodge Durango face off against the Highlander as well as the Honda Pilot, I still locate the Highlander a capable underdog. If you choose the V-6 engine, it does along with the remainder, too.
I checked a new 2011 design with just 65 miles on it, yet the 2012s are already for sale and are outfitted and valued practically identically.
2012 Toyota Highlander Review
Family-Friendly Inside
While the majority of families would certainly be well-served by nearly any three-row crossover on the marketplace, the Highlander has some noteworthy features that set it apart.
The pole positions of my tester fit on a long-haul trip from Chicago to Wisconsin. The second-row seat has plenty of support, also, and all seats have sufficient upper leg support. The 2nd row can glide forward and back, which is most advantageous for third-row travelers.
A 3rd row is typical even on the base Highlander. With the 2nd row moved all the way back, there is very little room for third-row passengers. Relocate the second row up even somewhat, however-- concerning two notches-- and third-row guests need to be as comfortable as I was at 5-foot-10. It's the gliding 2nd row that makes this crossover as useful a selection for bring seven individuals as much bigger crossovers, like the Chevy Traverse as well as Ford Explorer. The Honda Pilot is sized similarly to the Highlander and supplies seating for three in the third row. That offers it an optimum sitting ability of 8, unlike the remainder of the class at 7.
The center area of the Highlander's second row can be eliminated totally, turning the bench right into two captain's chairs with a pass-through to the third row. The pass-through is a preferred attribute of minivan proprietors, and also while other crossovers might supply a selection in between a bench or two chairs, only the Highlander offers proprietors both in the very same car.
Generally, I discovered products high quality to be good, yet various other editors as well as a family involved in a comparison test thought the Highlander appeared affordable. Nevertheless, as furnished, our tester was valued thousands less than much of the competition. Besides some rough coatings on the plastic around the door pockets, I discovered the interior on par for the price. My other half also liked it, recommending it's a step up from her 2010 Subaru Outback.
In terms of safety functions, a back-up video camera is standard on the Highlander SE as well as greater trim levels, or it can be had as part of an optional Tech Bundle, which was consisted of on my base tester. On designs without navigation, there's a tv at the top of the dashboard that shows trip details while driving, after that changes to the rearview display when the transmission is taken into Reverse. Navigation-equipped versions reveal the rearward sight on their bigger touch-screen.
If there was something my other half taken pleasure in about the Highlander, it was the four cupholders in the center console in between the passenger and chauffeur, with one more in each of the four doors and 4 even more for second-row passengers. Every other crossover consisted of in our current contrast examination featured simply two cupholders around.
If you have actually ever dealt with the sippy mugs, water bottles and soda canisters a household of just four requires for a Saturday out on the community-- which for us involves striking an interior play area with giant inflatable bounce-houses, lunch and either a bookstore or library stop-- you recognize drinks collect.
Performance
For 2012, the Highlander comes criterion with a 187-horsepower, 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission, for gas mileage rated at 20/25 mpg city/highway. The engine is very anemic; the version I drove this moment had the V-6, yet in previous tests I've found that the four-cylinder-powered Highlander seems like an underpowered lummox. Four-cylinder designs come outfitted only with front-wheel drive.
There's a crossbreed version with a 3.5-liter V-6 as well as an electrical motor that make a combined 280 hp, good for 28/28 mpg city/highway. The hybrid comes outfitted only with all-wheel drive, makings those mileage figures quite impressive.
My test lorry-- as do the bulk of sales-- featured the 270-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine teamed with a five-speed automatic transmission, helpful for 18/24 mpg with front-wheel drive and 17/22 mpg with all-wheel drive.
Gas mileage gets on par with the remainder of the section, with most gamers score only 1 mpg above or listed below the Highlander.
Power was plentiful in my front-wheel-drive Highlander, which scooted from a stop with gusto as well as passed mightily at highway rates. Guiding was light and also a little bit unclear, as it is in a lot of crossovers. The ride was comfortable, the engine quiet as well as wind noise nearly nil, makinged for enjoyable driving and the capacity to listen to every cry, grievance as well as periodic song from my rear seat guests.
Braking was the real issue I had with the Highlander. After a week as well as numerous miles of driving, I had a hard time evaluating the brake action. I repeatedly jerked my better half forward in her seat when I needed to add more pressure compared to expected near a stop. This is a quality of many Toyota automobiles, and also it's one I don't specifically delight in.
Freight
There's simply 10.3 cubic feet of freight 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 significantly larger.
With the 3rd row down, freight area increases to 42.3 cubic feet, and also for my use that was plenty huge enough. I packed a 32-gallon wastebasket in the back-- in fact 2 piled right into each other-- and also those fit lengthwise with the second-row seats just slightly onward. The Pilot is rated at 47.7 cubic feet, so the difference in between both designs there is much less considerable compared to it is behind the third row. I liked the Pilot's under-floor storage, however.
Functions & Prices
For 2012, the Highlander starts at $28,090 for the base four-cylinder with front-wheel drive. That does not get you a lot in terms of functions, however it does consist of 17-inch alloy wheels, colored back windows, remote entry, cruise ship control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel and also two 12-volt power outlets.
My examination vehicle was a base V-6, but I didn't feel like I was missing a lot in terms of functions due to the fact that it additionally had the $1,835 Tech Bundle, which includes a USB port, Bluetooth for phones and songs streaming, as well as a wonderful trip computer. While I take pleasure in expensive amusement systems as much as the next individual, this is the kind of attribute set that the majority of families will certainly require, for a sensible as-tested price of $32,845. Four-wheel drive is only $1,450 even more. In this section, it generally sets you back $2,000 to go up to all- or 4x4.
SE models begin at $32,695 for four-cylinder, front-drive versions, adding a power moonroof, a back home window that opens independent of the liftgate, roofing rails, haze lamps as well as a power liftgate. Heated leather front seats, HomeLink, a leather steering wheel with audio as well as Bluetooth controls, and all the attributes in the Technology Package are additionally included. For a comparable rate, I 'd select the V-6 design rather than the SE four-cylinder.
The top-of-the-line, all-wheel-drive Restricted V-6 Highlander starts at $37,045 and is packed: 19-inch wheels, three-zone climate control, keyless ignition and also access, and also higher-grade natural leather seats.
The Highlander Crossbreed comes in two trims: a base model for $38,140 and a Limited model for $43,795, with comparable devices offerings as V-6 gas designs.
Rates is similar to the Traverse, Pilot et cetera of the course. Toyota likewise supplies two years of complimentary maintenance with new-car purchases, which none of its rivals in the segment deal.
Safety
The Toyota Highlander is an Insurance Policy Institute for Highway Safety Top Security Choose; that's the establishment's greatest honor. To gain the score, cars need to obtain top scores of Great in front, side as well as rear collisions, in addition to pass roof-strength examinations that gauge rollover defense.
The Highlander made a four-star total ranking from the National Highway Traffic Safety And Security Management. Five stars is the highest ranking, which the Chevy Traverse earned.
Highlander in the marketplace
If it just weren't so darn sensible with a nice engine, it would certainly be easy to mark down the Highlander in an area that contains some splashier new designs. However there are just too many things in the Highlander's favor to rule it out of your purchasing strategies. Because of their smaller sized footprint in your driveway and garage, the Highlander and also Pilot are a lot more easily accessible for even more family members.