2012 toyota Highlander

2012 Toyota Highlander - If you're trying to find a three-row crossover, the 2011 Toyota Highlander is as audio a pick as you could obtain. It's inexpensive and also it has a silent, comfy trip with a family-friendly inside.

Even as newbies like the Ford Traveler and also Dodge Durango take on against the Highlander and the Honda Pilot, I still locate the Highlander a qualified underdog. If you choose the V-6 engine, it executes along with the rest, as well.

I checked a new 2011 model with just 65 miles on it, however the 2012s are already on sale as well as are furnished and priced virtually identically.


2012 Toyota Highlander


Family-Friendly Inside

While most family members would certainly be well-served by virtually any three-row crossover on the market, the Highlander has some remarkable attributes that establish it apart.

The pole positions of my tester fit on a long-haul trip from Chicago to Wisconsin. The second-row seat has a lot of support, too, and all seats have enough upper leg assistance. The 2nd row can slide forward and back, which is most advantageous for third-row travelers.

A third row is typical also on the base Highlander. With the second row moved completely back, there is hardly any area for third-row travelers. Relocate the second row up even slightly, though-- regarding 2 notches-- as well as third-row passengers need to be as comfortable as I was at 5-foot-10. It's the gliding 2nd row that makes this crossover as practical a selection for lugging seven people as much bigger crossovers, like the Chevy Traverse and Ford Traveler. The Honda Pilot is sized similarly to the Highlander and also provides seating for 3 in the 3rd row. That gives it an optimum seatsing capability of eight, unlike the rest of the class at seven.

The center area of the Highlander's 2nd 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 preferred attribute of minivan owners, as well as while various other crossovers could use a choice between a bench or two chairs, just the Highlander gives proprietors both in the very same car.

In general, I discovered materials high quality to be great, however various other editors as well as a family members involved in a contrast test assumed the Highlander appeared cheap. Nevertheless, as geared up, our tester was valued thousands less than much of the competition. Besides some harsh finishes on the plastic around the door pockets, I found the interior on the same level for the price. My better half also liked it, suggesting it's a step up from her 2010 Subaru Outback.

In regards to safety and security functions, a back-up video camera is common on the Highlander SE as well as higher trim degrees, or it can be had as part of an optional Tech Plan, which was included on my base tester. On models without navigating, there's a small screen on top of the dashboard that reveals journey info while driving, then changes to the rearview display when the transmission is taken into Reverse. Navigation-equipped versions show the rearward sight on their larger touch-screen.

If there was one thing my spouse appreciated about the Highlander, it was the 4 cupholders in the center console in between the passenger and chauffeur, with one more in each of the four doors as well as 4 more for second-row guests. Each crossover consisted of in our current comparison test featured just two cupholders around.

If you have actually ever handled the sippy mugs, water bottles and soft drink containers a family of simply 4 needs for a Saturday out on the town-- which for us entails striking an interior play area with giant inflatable bounce-houses, lunch as well as either a bookstore or collection quit-- you realize beverages 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, however in previous tests I've located that the four-cylinder-powered Highlander seems like an underpowered lummox. Four-cylinder designs come equipped just with front-wheel drive.

There's a crossbreed design with a 3.5-liter V-6 and an electric motor that make a consolidated 280 hp, good for 28/28 mpg city/highway. The hybrid comes furnished only with four-wheel drive, which makes those gas mileage figures rather excellent.

My test car-- as do the mass of sales-- featured the 270-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine teamed with a five-speed transmission, good for 18/24 mpg with front-wheel drive and 17/22 mpg with four-wheel drive.

Mileage gets on par with the remainder of the segment, with a lot of players score only 1 mpg above or below the Highlander.

Power abounded in my front-wheel-drive Highlander, which ran from a stop with gusto and also passed strongly at highway rates. Steering was light and a little unclear, as it remains in most crossovers. The ride fit, the engine peaceful and wind sound almost nil, which made for pleasurable driving and the capacity to hear every cry, complaint as well as periodic tune from my rear seat guests.

Braking was the real issue I had with the Highlander. After a week and also thousands of miles of driving, I had a hard time judging the brake reaction. I continuously jerked my spouse onward in her seat when I needed to add more stress than expected near a quit. This is an attribute of many Toyota cars, and also it's one I do not particularly delight in.

Freight

There's just 10.3 cubic feet of cargo room when the 3rd row is up. The Honda Pilot has significantly much more, at 18.0 cubic feet. The Traverse, with 24.4 cubic feet, is dramatically larger.

With the 3rd row down, freight room broadens to 42.3 cubic feet, and for my use that was plenty big enough. I stuffed a 32-gallon trash can in the back-- actually 2 stacked into each other-- and those healthy lengthwise with the second-row seats simply a little ahead. The Pilot is rated at 47.7 cubic feet, so the difference between both designs there is less substantial compared to it is behind the 3rd row. I preferred the Pilot's under-floor storage, however.

Functions & Prices

For 2012, the Highlander begins at $28,090 for the base four-cylinder with front-wheel drive. That does not obtain you a lot in terms of functions, however it does consist of 17-inch alloy wheels, colored back windows, remote entry, cruise control, a tilt/telescoping wheel as well as 2 12-volt power outlets.

My test vehicle was a base V-6, but I didn't seem like I was missing much in terms of features due to the fact that it likewise had the $1,835 Tech Bundle, which includes a USB port, Bluetooth for phones and songs streaming, as well as a wonderful journey computer system. While I enjoy elegant amusement systems as much as the following person, this is the type of attribute established that many family members will certainly need, for an affordable as-tested rate of $32,845. All-wheel drive is only $1,450 even more. In this sector, it normally costs $2,000 to go up to all- or 4x4.

SE models begin at $32,695 for four-cylinder, front-drive models, including a power moonroof, a back home window that opens independent of the liftgate, roof rails, fog lamps as well as a power liftgate. Warmed leather pole position, HomeLink, a leather steering wheel with audio and also Bluetooth controls, and all the attributes in the Technology Bundle are also consisted of. For a similar cost, I 'd 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 and also is loaded: 19-inch wheels, three-zone environment control, keyless ignition as well as entrance, and also higher-grade natural leather seats.

The Highlander Crossbreed is available in two trims: a base design for $38,140 as well as a Minimal design for $43,795, with comparable tools offerings as V-6 gas designs.

Prices is similar to the Traverse, Pilot and the rest of the course. Toyota also provides 2 years of cost-free upkeep with new-car purchases, which none of its competitors in the segment offer.

Safety

The Toyota Highlander is an Insurance Coverage Institute for Highway Security Top Security Choose; that's the establishment's highest honor. To make the score, automobiles should get leading ratings of Great in front, side and also back collisions, in addition to pass roof-strength tests that determine rollover defense.

The Highlander earned a four-star total ranking from the National Highway Traffic Safety And Security Administration. Five stars is the greatest rating, which the Chevy Traverse gained.

Highlander out there

If it just weren't so darn useful with a good engine, it would certainly be easy to discount the Highlander in a field that contains some splashier new designs. Yet there are just a lot of points in the Highlander's favor to rule it from your shopping strategies. As a result of their smaller sized footprint in your driveway and garage, the Highlander as well as Pilot are extra accessible for more households.