Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2013
By
pupu sahma
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Thursday, April 5, 2018
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2013 Toyota Highlander
Some autos, as well as Toyotas specifically, usually obtain described by automobile lovers as "appliances." The contrast is made in between a Camry and also a fridge, or a Corolla as well as a washering, for instance. The effects (usually less than kind) is that these automobiles have qualities that are less enjoyable and also more useful. One wouldn't take a refrigerator to an autocross, or drag-race a washing machine from a stoplight. But for countless people around the world, an appliance is specifically just what they want in a cars and truck-- something they don't have to think of to use, that isn't wacky or ostentatious, that's reliable as well as straightforward. For those people, many Toyotas are definitely best-- and the 2013 Highlander is the peak of such appliancelike, comfy, practical reasoning.
toyota highlander hybrid 2013
This is the in 2015 for this design of Highlander, with a new 2014 model on its manner in which was unveiled at the 2013 New York City International Car Show in March. However, there's a whole lot to like regarding the existing Highlander, which has roominess, power, convenience and also utility in droves.
Nothing Fancy, Just Basic Proficiency
The shape knows now, with relatively hostile styling that has actually been copied by several makers. (The new Nissan Pathfinder, for instance, looks a great deal such as this Highlander in numerous means.) It's a clean, streaming layout that experiences a bit from wheels that look slightly as well small in the base V-6 trim degree I checked. If you like the way it looks, however, get one currently, as the 2014 model will certainly get an instead substantial styling upgrade that's not to everybody's taste.
The interior is in a similar way pleasing. Nothing horrendous, simply well set out, very comfy and made from top notch materials that have been screwed together well. Up front, the low, soft-touch dash as well as high seats position incorporate for a powerful sight over the hood, with superb visibility sideways and rear as well. Controls on the facility control board are big as well as clear, with big buttons and chunky handles that make operating the climate-control system a breeze (sorry). The evaluates are intense, clear as well as easy to check out at a glance. There's nothing amazing concerning the shapes and also textures in here, but there's nothing to offend either-- unless you're someone that needs some visual interest in your transport option, as there's none to be located in the unlimited sea of grey plastic stretching from door to door. At the very least in the Highlander it's respectable plastic, unlike in a few other Toyota products, like the Venza.
Seats is versatile and very roomy, specifically in the second row, which showcases unbelievable quantities of legroom. This is a three-row SUV, consisting of a fold-down seat for 2 individuals in the cargo location, easily accessible through the fold-and-tumble second-row seats. That 3rd row is vast sufficient for full-sized adults, however legroom is seriously compromised. This is simply a midsized SUV, after all, not a full-sizer like the Toyota Sequoia or Chevrolet Traverse. Folding up the 2nd row for entry to the third is easy, with manages atop the seatbacks producing simple procedure even by children. Both the 2nd and third rows fold up flat, creating an enormous cargo space able to hold huge, large things.
Interior electronic devices are fundamental and also not extremely complicated on the entry-level Highlander (the only major options my examination version had were a V-6 engine and all-wheel drive). The standard touch-screen multimedia present is large as well as easy to use, yet a 2nd, smaller sized display over it displayed minimal vehicle information, as well, with just a handful of display screens to pick from. You can alternative up a Highlander to the hilt with things like Toyota's Entune (a cloud-based entertainment as well as info system), a navigating system as well as more, however 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 plus side, an absence of functions suggests the inside is minimalist as well as straightforward. It likewise suggests there's little to do yet drive.
Roly-Poly, however Not Pokey
Thankfully, driving the Highlander is equally as positive as being in or looking at one. In the base model, power originates from a standard 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine making 187 horsepower, yet my tester had the optional 3.5-liter V-6 engine, bumping horsepower approximately a much more confidence-inspiring 270 hp. In real Toyota fashion, the V-6 is the picture of smoothness, so much to ensure that the only means to recognize it's performing at idle is to blip the pedal. Hit that same pedal while the Highlander's on duty, and also you're rewarded with strong, smooth acceleration. A six-speed transmission is conventional with the four-cylinder, yet the V-6 comes just with a five-speed automatic. A gasoline-electric hybrid version is likewise readily available. With the exception of the hybrid, nonetheless, the drivetrain overall is a little bit behind the times-- most competitors are offering six-speed automatics throughout the variety, plus turbocharging or at least direct-injection innovation. Fortunately, the majority of customers will not recognize any type of technical shortage thanks to the Highlander's buttery operation as well as uncomplicated velocity.
Just what they may discover, however, is fuel economy. Highlanders with the base four-cylinder engine as well as front-wheel drive are ranked 20/25 mpg city/highway-- okay for a large seven-seat cruiser. Gas economic situation goes down to 18/24 for the bigger V-6 engine, or even further, to 17/22 mpg, when you add four-wheel drive. My week with the Highlander returned 19 mpg in mixed driving; not bad, but definitely not class-leading anymore. It drops well short of the new all-wheel-drive Nissan Pathfinder, ranked 19/25 mpg, and the brand-new seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe, which can be found in at 18/24 mpg. It also typically matches the much bigger Chevrolet Traverse for consolidated gas mileage ranking (19 mpg), and does 1 mpg much better in the city and 1 mpg worse on the freeway. The Highlander schedule's gas economy champ is the hybrid, rated 28/28 mpg, however that comes with a considerable price premium and with standard all-wheel drive.
The Highlander is clearly tuned for convenience as opposed to driving fun. As the suspension is soft, the body motions are tippy and the whole vehicle rolls and also lolls in rapid corners. You will not be doing any kind of spirited driving in this family truckster, however what you get in return is sublime trip quality that's smooth even over some of the most terribly broken sidewalk, helped by tall sidewalls on the 17-inch tires that take in bumps with little noise or disturbance to your tranquility. Hang an iPad on the seatback, and also the munchkins will not be bothered by road problems in the slightest. Faster freeway driving is equally as tranquil as well as hushed.
Security
The current Highlander has been crash-tested by both the National Freeway Website Traffic Security Management and the Insurance Policy Institute for Freeway Safety. NHTSA rated the Highlander 4 out of 5 star generally, while IIHS provided the Highlander its top score of Excellent in all its significant examinations, making it Leading Safety and security Choose standing.
When it comes to tools, the Highlander has all the requisite electronic precaution, like traction control, antilock brakes and also an electronic security system. Front, side, chauffeur's knee as well as side drape airbags are typical. There was no backup cam on my examination automobile, but it's a $699 alternative on base models (standard on all other trim levels), an instead blazing noninclusion from the devices list for a supposed family members vehicle.
Highlander out there
The Highlander V6 four-wheel drive I examined had one significant top quality that could not be forgotten: a fairly low as-tested cost of $33,477, including an $845 location charge. The starting rate for this base V-6 version with four-wheel drive is $32,690, indicating choices on my tester were couple of: only a $60 Winter Bundle, a $29 first-aid kit, a $49 freight internet and also a rather expensive $649 three-row flooring mat set. If you intend to skip the V-6 and also all-wheel drive, the Highlander with a four-cylinder engine and also front-wheel drive begins at $29,865. At the other end of the spectrum is a completely packed Highlander Crossbreed Limited all-wheel drive, which begins at $47,215-- rather a remarkable range.
Midsize SUVs have actually been taking over for minivans in family-hauling obligations, as well as the number of access in the field is higher than ever before. Calling for seven seats does reduce the list down ever so slightly. The Highlander's major competitors 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 five seats, add the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Murano, Ford Edge, Toyota Venza as well as Kia Sorento. That's more than a loads other automobiles to think about, showing how competitive this sector truly is. The closest suits are the Pathfinder, Explorer and also Santa Fe (not the Santa Fe Sporting activity, mind you, which is a smaller, five-seat version). The Pathfinder includes only a V-6 as well as constantly variable automatic transmission, while the Santa Fe's seven-seat model offers only a V-6. The Explorer uses two V-6 engines and an optional turbo four-cylinder, all mated to a six-speed transmission. All are similar in regards to area, price and energy, however the Highlander's competitors typically have the advantage in gas economic situation as well as on-board technology.
The 2014 Highlander will finally obtain a six-speed transmission for its V-6 engine, which need to enhance gas economy as well as acceleration. It additionally obtains seating for 8 thanks to a bigger freight location and also a broader third-row seat. Engines will rollover the same, nonetheless, indicating there will certainly still be no direct-injection or turbocharging. The interior and exterior updates look good as well as must maintain the Highlander affordable, and that's truly all Toyota has to do to maintain the Highlander's sales numbers up-- cosmetic adjustments that maintain it fresh in an ultra-competitive market. Toyota already has the energy, convenience, skills and family-friendly parts down pat. Servicing its curb charm as well as on-board modern technology will only reinforce the Highlander's placement.