2013 toyota Highlander Limited

2013 toyota highlander limited: Also in its final model year prior to a redesign, the 2013 Toyota Highlander is good, solid, basic family transportation-- absolutely nothing to set the heart aflame, yet eminently experienced.

Some cars, and Toyotas specifically, commonly get referred to by vehicle lovers as "home appliances." The comparison is made in between a Camry and a fridge, or a Corolla as well as a washing machine, for example. The ramification (usually less than kind) is that these automobiles have attributes that are much less fun as well as better. One would not take a fridge to an autocross, or drag-race a washing machine from a stoplight. However, for numerous people worldwide, a device is specifically just what they want in an automobile-- something they don't need to think of to make use of, that isn't really eccentric or ostentatious, that's trusted as well as straightforward. For those people, many Toyotas are absolutely perfect-- and the 2013 Highlander is the peak of such appliancelike, comfy, practical thinking.


2013 toyota highlander limited


This is the in 2015 for this style of Highlander, with a new 2014 model on its way that was revealed at the 2013 New York International Vehicle Show in March. Nevertheless, there's a lot to like about the present Highlander, which has roominess, power, comfort and energy in droves.

Absolutely Nothing Fancy, Simply Fundamental Competence

The shape recognizes now, with fairly aggressive styling that has been replicated by a number of producers. (The brand-new Nissan Pathfinder, as an example, looks a great deal like this Highlander in several ways.) It's a tidy, flowing style that experiences a little 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 version will certainly receive an instead considerable designing update that's not to every person's taste.

The inside is in a similar way pleasing. Nothing shocking, simply well laid out, incredibly comfortable and made from premium materials that have actually been screwed with each other well. Up front, the low, soft-touch dashboard as well as high seats position integrate for a powerful sight over the hood, with exceptional visibility to the sides and rear too. Controls on the facility control board are big and also clear, with big switches and also beefy knobs that make running the climate-control system a wind (sorry). The determines are bright, clear as well as simple to check out at a glance. There's nothing impressive regarding the forms as well as appearances in here, however there's nothing to offend either-- unless you're somebody that requires some aesthetic interest in your transportation choice, as there's none to be found in the unlimited sea of gray plastic extending from door to door. At least in the Highlander it's good plastic, unlike in some other Toyota products, like the Venza.

Seats is versatile as well as very spacious, specifically in the second row, which includes amazing quantities of legroom. This is a three-row SUV, consisting of a fold-down seat for 2 individuals in the freight area, accessible through the fold-and-tumble second-row seats. That 3rd row is broad sufficient for full-sized adults, however legroom is seriously compromised. This is just a midsized SUV, besides, not a full-sizer like the Toyota Sequoia or Chevrolet Traverse. Folding up the 2nd row for entrance to the third is easy, with manages atop the seatbacks making for easy operation even by children. Both the second as well as third rows fold flat, producing a large freight room able to hold huge, large items.

Inside electronic devices are standard and not awfully complicated on the entry-level Highlander (the only significant options my test version had were a V-6 engine as well as four-wheel drive). The standard touch-screen multimedia display is large as well as easy to use, but a second, smaller sized display over it displayed limited automobile information, too, with simply a handful of display screens to choose from. You can option up a Highlander to the hilt with things like Toyota's Entune (a cloud-based amusement and also details system), a navigation system and even more, however my tester had none of that-- just satellite radio and also a windshield-wiper heating unit, part of the $60 Cold Weather Bundle. On the plus side, an absence of attributes means the interior is minimalist as well as straightforward. It likewise suggests there's little to do yet drive.

Roly-Poly, yet Not Pokey

Luckily, driving the Highlander is just as positive as being in or taking a look at one. In the base design, power comes from a typical 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine making 187 horse power, but my tester had the optional 3.5-liter V-6 engine, bumping horse power as much as a much more confidence-inspiring 270 hp. In real Toyota style, the V-6 is the picture of level of smoothness, a lot to ensure that the only means to recognize it's performing at idle is to blip the pedal. Struck that exact same pedal while the Highlander's on duty, as well as you're awarded with solid, seamless velocity. A six-speed automatic transmission is typical with the four-cylinder, but the V-6 comes just with a five-speed automatic. A gasoline-electric hybrid variation is additionally available. With the exception of the hybrid, nonetheless, the drivetrain overall is a little bit behind the moments-- most rivals are offering six-speed automatics throughout the variety, plus turbocharging or a minimum of direct-injection technology. Luckily, most buyers will not be aware of any type of technological deficiency thanks to the Highlander's buttery procedure and simple and easy acceleration.

Just what they may see, nevertheless, is gas economic situation. Highlanders with the base four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive are ranked 20/25 mpg city/highway-- not bad for a huge seven-seat cruiser. Gas economic situation goes down to 18/24 for the bigger V-6 engine, as well as additionally, to 17/22 mpg, when you include all-wheel drive. My week with the Highlander returned 19 mpg in mixed driving; not bad, yet definitely not class-leading anymore. It falls well short of the brand-new all-wheel-drive Nissan Pathfinder, rated 19/25 mpg, and also the brand-new seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe, which can be found in at 18/24 mpg. It also generally matches the much bigger Chevrolet Traverse for consolidated gas mileage ranking (19 mpg), and also does 1 mpg better in the city and 1 mpg even worse on the highway. The Highlander schedule's fuel economy champ is the crossbreed, rated 28/28 mpg, however that comes with a substantial cost costs as well as with common all-wheel drive.

The Highlander is undoubtedly tuned for comfort rather than driving fun. As the suspension is soft, the body movements are tippy and also the whole vehicle rolls as well as lolls in fast edges. You won't be doing any type of spirited driving in this household truckster, however just what you enter return is sublime flight quality that's smooth also over several of the most severely busted pavement, assisted by high sidewalls on the 17-inch tires that take in bumps with little noise or disruption to your calmness. Hang an iPad on the seatback, and also the munchkins won't be troubled by roadway conditions in the least. Faster highway driving is just as tranquil and hushed.

Safety and security

The current Highlander has actually been crash-tested by both the National Freeway Web Traffic Security Management and the Insurance Coverage Institute for Highway Safety And Security. NHTSA rated the Highlander four from five stars overall, while IIHS offered the Highlander its top score of Good in all its significant tests, making it Leading Safety and security Choose status.

When it comes to equipment, the Highlander has all the requisite digital safety measures, like grip control, antilock brakes and a digital stability system. Front, side, vehicle driver's knee as well as side curtain air bags are conventional. There was no backup electronic camera on my examination lorry, yet it's a $699 alternative on base models (requirement on all various other trim degrees), an instead glaring omission from the tools listing for a supposed family members lorry.

Highlander in the Market

The Highlander V6 four-wheel drive I examined had one noteworthy top quality that can not be ignored: a relatively low as-tested rate of $33,477, consisting of an $845 location cost. The beginning cost for this base V-6 design with four-wheel drive is $32,690, implying choices on my tester were couple of: only a $60 Cold Weather Plan, a $29 first-aid kit, a $49 freight internet as well as a rather expensive $649 three-row flooring mat kit. If you want to miss the V-6 and all-wheel drive, the Highlander with a four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive starts at $29,865. At the various other end of the range is a fully filled Highlander Crossbreed Limited all-wheel drive, which begins at $47,215-- rather a dramatic variety.

Midsize SUVs have actually been taking control of for minivans in family-hauling tasks, as well as the number of entries in the field is more than ever. Calling for 7 seats does cut the note down ever before so somewhat. The Highlander's main competitors are the Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia, Ford Explorer, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-9 and also Dodge Durango. If you could deal with just five seats, add the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Murano, Ford Edge, Toyota Venza as well as Kia Sorento. That's more than a dozen various other cars to think about, demonstrating exactly how competitive this section truly is. The closest matches are the Pathfinder, Traveler and Santa Fe (not the Santa Fe Sport, mind you, which is a smaller sized, five-seat model). The Pathfinder showcases only a V-6 and also continuously variable transmission, while the Santa Fe's seven-seat model supplies just a V-6. The Traveler provides 2 V-6 engines and also an optional turbo four-cylinder, all mated to a six-speed transmission. All are similar in terms of area, rate and also energy, but the Highlander's competitors typically have the advantage in fuel economic climate as well as on-board technology.

The 2014 Highlander will ultimately get a six-speed transmission for its V-6 engine, which must boost fuel economy and also acceleration. It also gets seating for eight thanks to a larger freight location as well as a larger third-row seat. Engines will rollover unchanged, nonetheless, implying there will still be no direct-injection or turbocharging. The exterior and interior updates look good and ought to keep the Highlander competitive, and that's truly all Toyota has to do to maintain the Highlander's sales numbers up-- cosmetic modifications that keep it fresh in an ultra-competitive market. Toyota already has the energy, comfort, proficiency and family-friendly parts down pat. Working on its aesthetic appeal and also on-board modern technology will only strengthen the Highlander's placement.