2012 toyota Highlander Hybrid
By
Pusahma satu
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Monday, April 30, 2018
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2012 Toyota Highlander
Also as novices like the Ford Traveler as well as Dodge Durango take on versus the Highlander as well as the Honda Pilot, I still find the Highlander a qualified underdog. If you select the V-6 engine, it executes along with the remainder, as well.
I evaluated a new 2011 version with simply 65 miles on it, however the 2012s are currently for sale and also are outfitted and also priced practically identically.
2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Family-Friendly Interior
While the majority of family members would be well-served by virtually any type of three-row crossover on the marketplace, the Highlander has some remarkable functions that establish it apart.
The front seats of my tester were comfortable on a long-haul trip from Chicago to Wisconsin. The second-row seat has lots of support, also, and all seats have sufficient thigh assistance. The 2nd row can move forward and back, which is most useful for third-row travelers.
A 3rd row is common also on the base Highlander. With the 2nd row moved completely back, there is little area for third-row guests. Relocate the 2nd row up even slightly, though-- about 2 notches-- and also third-row guests must be as comfy as I was at 5-foot-10. It's the gliding 2nd row that makes this crossover as practical an option for carrying seven people as a lot larger crossovers, like the Chevy Traverse and Ford Explorer. The Honda Pilot is sized in a similar way to the Highlander and provides seatsing for three in the third row. That provides it an optimum seating capability of eight, unlike the remainder of the course at seven.
The center section of the Highlander's 2nd row can be removed completely, transforming the bench into 2 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 provide an option between a bench or 2 chairs, only the Highlander provides owners both in the very same car.
Generally, I discovered products high quality to be excellent, but various other editors and also a family members associated with a comparison test believed the Highlander appeared affordable. However, as furnished, our tester was priced thousands less than much of the competitors. Besides some harsh coatings on the plastic around the door pockets, I discovered the interior on par for the price. My other half likewise liked it, suggesting it's a step up from her 2010 Subaru Outback.
In regards to safety and security features, a backup video camera is standard on the Highlander SE and also higher trim degrees, or it can be had as part of an optional Tech Package, which was consisted of on my base tester. On models without navigating, there's a tv on top of the control panel that reveals journey info while driving, then switches to the rearview display screen when the transmission is taken into Reverse. Navigation-equipped versions show the rearward sight on their bigger touch-screen.
If there was one thing my better half enjoyed regarding the Highlander, it was the 4 cupholders in the facility console between the passenger as well as chauffeur, with another in each of the 4 doors and four even more for second-row guests. Every other crossover consisted of in our current comparison test included just two cupholders around.
If you have actually ever before handled the sippy mugs, canteen and soft drink coulds a family members of just 4 needs for a Saturday out on the town-- which for us includes striking an indoor play area with giant inflatable bounce-houses, lunch and either a book shop or collection stop-- you understand drinks collect.
Performance
For 2012, the Highlander comes standard with a 187-horsepower, 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission, for gas mileage ranked at 20/25 mpg city/highway. The engine is pretty anemic; the variation I drove this time had the V-6, however in past tests I have actually located that the four-cylinder-powered Highlander feels like an underpowered lummox. Four-cylinder designs come outfitted just with front-wheel drive.
There's a hybrid model with a 3.5-liter V-6 and also an electric motor that make a consolidated 280 hp, helpful for 28/28 mpg city/highway. The crossbreed comes furnished only with all-wheel drive, makings those mileage figures rather outstanding.
My examination vehicle-- as do the bulk of sales-- showcased the 270-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine teamed with a five-speed automatic transmission, good for 18/24 mpg with front-wheel drive as well as 17/22 mpg with all-wheel drive.
Mileage gets on par with the rest of the segment, with many players ranking just 1 mpg over or below the Highlander.
Power abounded in my front-wheel-drive Highlander, which ran from a quit with gusto as well as passed mightily at highway speeds. Steering was light as well as a little bit obscure, as it is in most crossovers. The trip fit, the engine silent and also wind sound nearly nil, which made for positive driving and the capability 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. Even after a week as well as hundreds of miles of driving, I had a hard time evaluating the brake feedback. I continuously jerked my better half onward in her seat when I had to include more pressure compared to anticipated near a quit. This is a quality of lots of Toyota automobiles, and also it's one I do not particularly delight in.
Freight
There's just 10.3 cubic feet of cargo area when the 3rd row is up. The Honda Pilot has considerably more, at 18.0 cubic feet. The Traverse, with 24.4 cubic feet, is substantially bigger.
With the 3rd row down, cargo area expands to 42.3 cubic feet, and also for my usage that was plenty big enough. I stuffed a 32-gallon trash bin in the back-- really 2 piled right into each other-- as well as those in shape lengthwise with the second-row seats just a little onward. The Pilot is ranked at 47.7 cubic feet, so the difference between the two models there is much less considerable than it lags the 3rd row. I preferred the Pilot's under-floor storage space, however.
Features & Pricing
For 2012, the Highlander starts at $28,090 for the base four-cylinder with front-wheel drive. That does not obtain you a lot in terms of features, yet it does include 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted back windows, remote entry, cruise ship control, a tilt/telescoping wheel and also two 12-volt power electrical outlets.
My test auto was a base V-6, however I really did not feel like I was missing out on much in terms of features due to the fact that it also had the $1,835 Technology Plan, which includes a USB port, Bluetooth for phones and also music streaming, and a good journey computer system. While I take pleasure in elegant amusement systems as long as the following individual, this is the kind of function set that many families will require, for a reasonable as-tested cost of $32,845. Four-wheel drive is just $1,450 even more. In this section, it typically sets you back $2,000 to go up to all- or four-wheel drive.
SE versions begin at $32,695 for four-cylinder, front-drive versions, including a power moonroof, a rear window that opens up independent of the liftgate, roof covering rails, fog lights as well as a power liftgate. Heated leather front seats, HomeLink, a natural leather steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth controls, and all the attributes in the Technology Package are additionally consisted of. For a comparable price, I 'd go with the V-6 design as opposed to the SE four-cylinder.
The top-of-the-line, 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 entry, and higher-grade natural leather seats.
The Highlander Hybrid can be found in 2 trims: a base version for $38,140 as well as a Limited design for $43,795, with comparable devices offerings as V-6 gas versions.
Rates resembles the Traverse, Pilot and the rest of the course. Toyota likewise supplies two years of cost-free maintenance with new-car purchases, which none of its competitors in the section offer.
Safety
The Toyota Highlander is an Insurance Policy Institute for Freeway Safety And Security Top Safety Select; that's the institution's greatest award. To earn the rating, autos should get leading scores of Great in front, side as well as rear crashes, along with pass roof-strength tests that determine rollover security.
The Highlander gained a four-star general rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety And Security Administration. 5 star is the highest rating, which the Chevy Traverse made.
Highlander in the Market
If it weren't so darn useful with a good engine, it would certainly be simple to discount the Highlander in a field that contains some splashier brand-new designs. But there are simply too many things in the Highlander's support to rule it from your purchasing plans. Because of their smaller sized impact in your driveway and also garage, the Highlander and Pilot are a lot more obtainable for even more family members.