2004 toyota Highlander Reviews

2004 Toyota Highlander Reviews: The 2004 Toyota Highlander has more effective engines, new safety features, and optional seats for as much as 7 guests. Designing has actually been revised a little for 2004, but the genuine modifications are under the skin.

The four-cylinder engine that comes criterion is more powerful as well as the new V6 is bigger as well as much more effective compared to previously. Contributing to the improved responsiveness these adjustments bring is a brand-new five-speed automatic transmission. The suspension has been changed, producing an extremely soft trip top quality. As well as small architectural adjustments have actually been made to improve space efficiency inside.


2004 Toyota Highlander Reviews


Despite these modifications, the Highlander stays the simplest of motoring buddies. Entering and out couldn't be easier. Its adaptable indoor makes it easy to different mixes of individuals and also freight. Seatsing for 5 comes requirement, but 2004 models use an optional third-row seat to carry as much as 7 travelers, though they 'd be cramped. The 3rd row folds level and the second-row seat folds up virtually so, exposing 80 cubic feet of cargo space, more than a Toyota 4Runner. The Highlander can swallow impromptu flea-markets purchases effortlessly, and also tote them home despite sudden worsening of the climate. New air bag systems for 2004 consist of optional curtain-style airbags and also side air bags developed to secure passengers' heads and upper bodies in a side influence or rollover.

The Highlander provides a soft, smooth ride as well as its engines are smooth as well as quiet. The base version, outfitted with the changed 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine as well as front-wheel drive, performs well around town as well as on the open highway, supplying responsive efficiency when merging right into highway traffic. Geared up with the bigger 3.3-liter V6 and all-wheel-drive, the Highlander provides strong power and secure handling in awful weather. Highlander offers much of exactly what made the Lexus RX 300 preferred, however without Lexus-sized monthly settlements.

Design Schedule

The Toyota Highlander is readily available in base or Limited trim, each with either front-wheel drive or full time all-wheel drive. An option of engines is available: A 2.4-liter inline-4 comes criterion, revised for 2004 and also rated at 160 horsepower. A brand-new 3.3-liter V6 that creates 230 horse power is optional on the base Highlander as well as standard on the Limited. All Highlanders feature transmissions.

The base four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive model ($ 24,080) features a/c, power windows and door locks, cruise control, fabric upholstery, advanced anti-lock brakes, sitting for 5, as well as electronic security control (VSC). The all-wheel-drive version ($ 25,480) is similarly outfitted. The V6 is optional ($ 1,060), but if you purchase it on the 4WD version, then you have to take the optional third-row seat as well ($ 850).

Highlander Limited 2WD ($ 29,980) as well as 4WD ($ 31,380) come basic with V6 as well as third-row seat as common tools. The Limited also obtains automated environment control, an eight-speaker JBL stereo, eight-way power chauffeur's seat with flexible lumbar assistance, four-way power traveler seat, 17-inch aluminum wheels, roofing rack, fog lights, back privacy glass, warmed mirrors, remote keyless entrance with safety and security system and also engine immobilizer, wood-grain indoor trim, leather-wrapped wheel as well as change knob, as well as various other features.

Natural leather seating is readily available for the Restricted ($ 670) or base model ($ 2,255). Various other choices: tilt-and-slide glass sunroof ($ 900), in-dash six-CD changer ($ 595). The optional rear-seat DVD system ($ 1,770) includes 2 wireless headphones, RCA input jacks for computer game, and also a household-style 115-volt A/C power electrical outlet. GENERAL PRACTITIONER navigation ($ 2,200) is supplied on Limited just. A Towing Plan ($ 160) includes trailer electrical wiring plus an upgraded radiator, transmission oil colder, as well as 130-amp alternator.

We advise the optional side-curtain and seat-mounted side-impact air bags ($ 680), which are created to safeguard the heads and upper bodies of passengers in the initial two rows. Highlander's airbags are more sophisticated for 2004. Sensors in both pole positions readjust the frontal air bags to react appropriately to the seriousness of the collision and also the weight of the passengers.

Walkaround

The Toyota Highlander looks wise as well as trim, falling somewhere between the edgy haute couture of the RAV4 as well as the muscle purposefulness of the 4Runner. There's a minor family resemblance in between the Highlander and the Lexus RX 330, although the Highlander looks a lot more dressed down, instead like putting on faded jeans and a favored coat rather than dry-clean-only lunch-with-the-ladies outfit.

Highlander is really somewhat larger inside, as determined by complete EPA indoor quantity, than the RX 330, although the Lexus has slightly more cargo volume.

Highlander's front bumper, light collections as well as grille are brand-new for 2004. The bumper cover has sharper lines built right into it, so its form is better defined compared to before. The grille's horizontal bars are bolder and better specified, while the different components of the light collections appear to mix with each other much more smoothly. Similar modifications have been made around back. At either end, nonetheless, the distinction is so subtle that only one of the most devoted Toyota-watcher is likely to notice.

The Highlander no longer stands for the latest in style, nevertheless. While the Lexus RX 330, which utilizes the same basic chassis architecture as the Highlander, is currently in its 2nd generation, the Highlander is still in its first generation of layout. The Highlander does not have the cutting-edge style of the Nissan Murano, as well as its front and also rear overhangs are fairly big.

Access, both for freight as well as for people, is much easier in the Highlander than in truck-based SUVs. With its even more car-like step-in and lift-into, the Highlander is even friendly to wearers of tight skirts. Not so the usual truck-based SUV.

While the Toyota 4Runner is generally a truck, the Highlander is basically a cars and truck. Like a vehicle, the Highlander uses unit-body building rather than having a separate structure. And, like an automobile, the Highlander features a four-wheel independent suspension, rather than a solid rear axle. Two-wheel-drive variations are front-wheel drive, not rear-wheel drive. The 4Runner is the reverse of each of those. The most effective option? It comes down to your game: For lugging as well as repeling roadway, the 4Runner is better. For commuting as well as carrying the household, the Highlander is the far better choice. Correctly outfitted, Highlander could tow as much as 2,500 extra pounds, very little by truck criteria.

Interior Characteristics

Few vehicles are easier to get in and out of compared to the Toyota Highlander. Neither climbing neither stepping down is needed. Merely slide in. This makes the Highlander among one of the most hassle-free cars on the planet for running day-to-day tasks. The Highlander will not likely ever before irritate you.

Highlander includes reclining front pail seats ahead. These seats are flat and also lean, however supportive and also comfortable and adjust to fit various-size vehicle drivers. Part of the appeal of SUVs is the simplicity of seeing out at every angle. Therefore it is here. The sloping hood of the Highlander makes the forward view a lot more including.

The second row seats as much as 3 guests, however is much better for two. The facility of the second-row seat folds down right into an arm rest with cup owners, adding convenience with four aboard and also the seats recline for included convenience. It's split 60/40 and also folds up with a smartly verbalized seat bottom. It folds fairly flat however not perfectly flat. The second-row seat slides ahead making access to the third row less complicated, and also to provide more legroom for third-row travelers.

Toyota means for the 3rd row to be utilized just occasionally. We found being in the third row uneasy. Our knees rode high, there's no leg room and also it's relatively cramped. Legroom coincides, however the Honda Pilot uses substantially more hip and shoulder area in the 3rd row. Additionally, the side-curtain airbags do not shield third-row guests as they are created to do in a Toyota Sienna minivan. Bottom line: Take into consideration a minivan if you require the third row typically. A third-row seat folds up level right into the floor, with no need to remove the headrests. Third-row seats ($ 850) consist of back personal privacy glass, a rear heating unit system with different fan controls, as well as extra cup owners.

Back up front, you'll find everything in its location. Power home window buttons are right there on the doors. Air flow ducts are right where you would certainly anticipate to locate them. Radio and heater controls utilize basic dials and also nicely sized buttons as well as operate without effort. Instruments are readily visible via a breathtaking space in the comfortable four-spoke wheel. The entire layout bespeaks thoughtful appraisal and also smart choices. V6 designs come with light weight aluminum interior accents. Interior trim and textiles in all Highlanders have been upgraded for 2004. 2004 Minimal models come with simulated maple-burl dashboard trim and door mess up plates, but the phony timber on the facility pile looks like phony timber. The typical environment control is a single-zone system.

The shifter is uniquely positioned much more as a part of the dash compared to on a central console. This opens the area between the front seats. It likewise provides an open, unconfined air to the cockpit. The inside is equipped with dome, door politeness, handwear cover box and cargo-area illumination. Map pockets, visor mirrors, as well as front and also back complementary power outlets are given. The driver's window has one-touch Auto-down.

Highlander gives a huge quantity of freight space: 80.6 cubic feet with the 2nd- and also third-row seats folded up. The second row does not fold completely level, however the third row folds up level as well as does not occupy freight area. Most individuals wind up riding about with the second-row in position for passengers as well as the 3rd row folded flat into the floor, leaving almost 40 cubic feet of area readily available for stuff. Opening up the third-row seat leaves just 10.5 cubic feet behind it for freight. The Honda Pilot supplies even more freight room, nonetheless. A cool feature: The freight cover stores.

Driving Impressions

The Toyota Highlander is simple to drive and run. It really feels immediately knowledgeable about no screwing up for controls. The Highlander is quieter than truck-based SUVs both in engine and also roadway sound. It flights smoothly on a range of surface areas, true to the automobile side of its SUV heritage, though some roadway resonance could be felt through steering wheel.

The conventional front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder Highlander makes an exceptional wagon for the city and also suburbs, specifically now that grip control and also stability control are standard equipment. Highlander is far much easier to deal with every day compared to a truck-based sport-utility. Though you ride a little taller, you look eye to eye at Volvo wagon vehicle drivers.

The four-cylinder engine supplies excellent power. It's quick, smooth and silent. Power is up a little from the 2003 version to 160 horsepower and also 165 pounds-feet of torque. We found the four-cylinder version to be a happy entertainer as well as didn't seem like we were missing out on something by not having the V6. The four-cylinder obtains considerably much better fuel economic situation than the V6 (22/27 vs. 18/24 mpg EPA-estimated City/Highway). The four-cylinder Highlander features a four-speed transmission. It features a Snow Mode for enhanced throttle control when launching on an unsafe surface from a grinding halt.

The optional V6 is bigger and also a lot more effective this year, at 3.3 litres as well as 230 horse power (versus 3.0 liters as well as 220 horse power in 2003). Torque is raised significantly, to 242 pounds-feet. Torque is that force that thrusts you far from crossways and also up hillsides. Additionally improving engine level of smoothness are active-control engine mounts that terminate vibration. Toyota advises making use of costs fuel for the V6, however it runs great on routine. The new V6 is mated to a new five-speed automated.

Highlander feels at home around town, among traffic signal and also car park hunters. It's a good dimension for city roads and soaks up splits as well as irregular pavement well. Moving right into suburbia, the Highlander fits right in. It's an all-natural mall-crawler, maneuverable as well as fast to nose right into a car parking slot. It cruises well on major freeways, providing excellent security and also a smooth, quiet trip. It's a solid-feeling structure.

The steering effort is extremely light at reduced speeds, so it's simple to turn in tight quarters. Grip is rather great for hard cornering, much better than expected. On winding roadways, however, the guiding felt sluggish and also vague. The suspension is as well soft for hard driving. There's too much body movement. The auto indulges edges, the body leans.

Toyota's digital Automobile Stability Control (VSC) with grip control (TRAC) is now common on all Highlanders. VSC can discover moving of either the front or rear wheels as well as lowers engine power and/or uses the brakes on specific wheels to deal with the Highlander's program.

Braking is specific and also smooth. Standard on all 2004 Highlanders are anti-lock brakes (ABDOMINAL MUSCLE) with Digital Brake pressure Distribution (EBD) as well as Brake Assist. ABDOMINAL MUSCLE helps preserve guiding control while braking hard, while EBD optimizes brake force at each wheel under various tons problems, or as the vehicle's weight shifts onward under braking. Brake Assist spots emergency braking as well as instantly preserves sufficient brake stress to engage the ABS even if the driver makes the mistake of soothing stress on the brake pedal.

Four-wheel drive functions wonderful in unsafe or inconsistent problems. Snow thaw, muddy ruts, icy patches on shadowed curves were conveniently managed by our AWD V6 Limited. On a twisting country road, the Highlander cut up hills with 8 inches of recently fallen snow like a snowplow on a rescue goal. All-wheel-drive Highlanders utilize a completely engaged system that divides torque 50/50 front/rear, as well as relies on TRAC's electronics to restrict slippage at any type of wheel. Highlander is planned largely as a highway and also road lorry with all-weather ability. It is not indicated for boulder bashing a.

Summary

Toyota Highlander is an excellent selection as a no-hassle wagon. Its ease of operation and benefit attributes make it eminently very easy to deal with. Highlander lugs four individuals comfortably, carries a great deal of things, and also will roll via any kind of tornado. Toyota's track record for quality, sturdiness and integrity must indicate trouble-free ownership and a strong resale value. Highlander provides what many people desire from a modern, on-road sport-utility.