2004 toyota Highlander

2004 Toyota Highlander: The 2004 Toyota Highlander features more powerful engines, new security features, and optional seats for as much as 7 guests. Designing has been modified a little for 2004, however the genuine changes are under the skin.

The four-cylinder engine that comes standard is more powerful and the new V6 is bigger and also more effective compared to previously. Adding to the enhanced responsiveness these modifications bring is a brand-new five-speed transmission. The suspension has been revised, producing a very soft ride high quality. And also minor structural changes have been made to enhance area performance inside.


2004 Toyota Highlander


Even with these alterations, the Highlander remains the most convenient of car friends. Getting in and out couldn't be less complicated. Its adaptable indoor makes it easy to different combinations of people and cargo. Seatsing for five comes requirement, however 2004 models provide an optional third-row seat to carry as much as 7 passengers, though they 'd be cramped. The 3rd row folds level and also the second-row seat folds virtually so, exposing 80 cubic feet of cargo room, greater than a Toyota 4Runner. The Highlander could ingest impromptu flea-markets buys effortlessly, as well as tote them home despite sudden worsening of the climate. New air bag systems for 2004 consist of optional curtain-style airbags and side air bags made to protect guests' heads as well as upper bodies in a side effect or rollover.

The Highlander provides a soft, smooth flight and also its engines are smooth and also peaceful. The base version, equipped with the revised 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and also front-wheel drive, executes well around town and also on the open freeway, supplying responsive performance when merging into highway web traffic. Furnished with the larger 3.3-liter V6 and all-wheel-drive, the Highlander offers solid power as well as secure handling in nasty climate. Highlander offers a lot of exactly what made the Lexus RX 300 popular, but without Lexus-sized month-to-month payments.

Model Schedule

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

The base four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive model ($ 24,080) has a/c, power windows and door locks, cruise ship control, fabric upholstery, advanced anti-lock brakes, seatsing for 5, and digital security control (VSC). The all-wheel-drive version ($ 25,480) is likewise equipped. The V6 is optional ($ 1,060), but if you order it on the 4WD version, after that you need to take the optional third-row seat also ($ 850).

Highlander Limited 2WD ($ 29,980) and also 4WD ($ 31,380) come standard with V6 and also third-row seat as typical tools. The Limited also obtains automatic climate control, an eight-speaker JBL stereo, eight-way power motorist's seat with flexible back assistance, four-way power passenger seat, 17-inch light weight aluminum wheels, roof rack, haze lights, rear personal privacy glass, warmed mirrors, remote keyless entry with safety system as well as engine immobilizer, wood-grain indoor trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and various other amenities.

Leather seating is available for the Limited ($ 670) or base design ($ 2,255). Other choices: tilt-and-slide glass sunroof ($ 900), in-dash six-CD changer ($ 595). The optional rear-seat DVD system ($ 1,770) consists of two wireless earphones, RCA input jacks for computer game, and a household-style 115-volt AC power electrical outlet. GENERAL PRACTITIONER navigating ($ 2,200) is provided on Limited just. A Towing Plan ($ 160) includes trailer wiring plus an upgraded radiator, transmission oil cooler, and also 130-amp alternator.

We recommend the optional side-curtain as well as seat-mounted side-impact air bags ($ 680), which are created to protect the heads and also torsos of guests in the first 2 rows. Highlander's airbags are extra innovative for 2004. Sensing units in both front seats readjust the frontal air bags to respond suitably to the extent of the crash and also the weight of the guests.

Walkaround

The Toyota Highlander looks clever and trim, dropping someplace between the edgy high style of the RAV4 as well as the muscle purposefulness of the 4Runner. There's a minor family similarity in between the Highlander and the Lexus RX 330, although the Highlander looks extra dressed down, rather like putting on faded pants and a preferred windbreaker instead of dry-clean-only lunch-with-the-ladies clothes.

Highlander is really slightly larger inside, as determined by total EPA interior volume, compared to the RX 330, although the Lexus has somewhat more freight volume.

Highlander's front bumper, light collections as well as grille are new for 2004. The bumper cover has sharper lines molded into it, so its form is better specified than before. The grille's horizontal bars are bolder as well as better specified, while the different components of the light clusters seem to mix together more efficiently. Similar changes have been made around back. At either end, however, the difference is so subtle that just one of the most specialized Toyota-watcher is likely to notice.

The Highlander no longer represents the most recent in style, nevertheless. While the Lexus RX 330, which makes use of the very same fundamental framework style as the Highlander, is currently in its second generation, the Highlander is still in its initial generation of style. The Highlander lacks the sophisticated style of the Nissan Murano, and its front and also rear overhangs are relatively huge.

Entrance, both for cargo and also for individuals, is simpler in the Highlander than in truck-based SUVs. With its more car-like step-in and lift-into, the Highlander is even pleasant to wearers of tight skirts. Not so the common truck-based SUV.

While the Toyota 4Runner is primarily a vehicle, the Highlander is essentially an automobile. Like an auto, the Highlander utilizes unit-body construction instead of having a separate framework. As well as, like a cars and truck, the Highlander includes a four-wheel independent suspension, instead of a solid back axle. Two-wheel-drive versions are front-wheel drive, not rear-wheel drive. The 4Runner is the reverse of each of those. The very best selection? It comes down to your game: For hauling as well as repeling roadway, the 4Runner is much better. For commuting and also moving the family members, the Highlander is the far better selection. Effectively equipped, Highlander can tow up to 2,500 extra pounds, not much by vehicle standards.

Interior Features

Few automobiles are simpler to get in and out of compared to the Toyota Highlander. Neither climbing neither stepping down is needed. Simply slide in. This makes the Highlander one of the most hassle-free automobiles in the world for running day-to-day errands. The Highlander will not likely ever before frustrate you.

Highlander has reclining front pail seats in front. These seats are flat as well as lean, however helpful as well as comfy and adapt to suit various-size chauffeurs. Part of the appeal of SUVs is the convenience of seeing out at every angle. And so it is here. The sloping hood of the Highlander makes the forward view much more inclusiving.

The 2nd row seats up to three guests, however is better for two. The facility of the second-row seat folds down right into an arm rest with mug owners, including comfort with four aboard as well as the seats recline for added comfort. It's split 60/40 and also folds with a skillfully verbalized seat base. It folds up fairly level but not flawlessly level. The second-row seat slides ahead to make accessibility to the 3rd row less complicated, and to give even more legroom for third-row guests.

Toyota intends for the third row to be utilized only periodically. We located being in the third row uneasy. Our knees rode high, there's no leg room and it's reasonably cramped. Legroom is the same, yet the Honda Pilot uses significantly more hip as well as shoulder room in the third row. Additionally, the side-curtain airbags do not secure third-row passengers as they are created to do in a Toyota Sienna minivan. Bottom line: Consider a minivan if you require the third row usually. A third-row seat folds up level right into the flooring, without any should remove the headrests. Third-row seats ($ 850) include back privacy glass, a rear heater system with different fan controls, and also extra mug owners.

Back up front, you'll find every little thing in its place. Power home window buttons are right there on the doors. Air flow air ducts are right where you would certainly anticipate to locate them. Radio and heating system controls use simple dials and amply sized switches and run without effort. Instruments are readily visible through a scenic area in the comfortable four-spoke wheel. The whole layout bespeaks thoughtful appraisal as well as sensible choices. V6 versions include aluminum indoor accents. Inside trim and materials in all Highlanders have been upgraded for 2004. 2004 Restricted versions feature simulated maple-burl dashboard trim as well as door mess up plates, however the phony timber on the center pile resembles fake wood. The typical climate control is a single-zone system.

The shifter is distinctively positioned a lot more as a part of the dash compared to on a main console. This opens the room in between the front seats. It also provides an open, unconfined air to the cockpit. The interior is furnished with dome, door courtesy, glove box and also cargo-area lighting. Map pockets, visor mirrors, as well as front and also rear complementary power outlets are offered. The chauffeur's home window has one-touch Auto-down.

Highlander provides a huge quantity of freight room: 80.6 cubic feet with the 2nd- and also third-row seats folded. The 2nd row does not fold perfectly flat, yet the 3rd row folds level and does not take up cargo room. The majority of people end up riding about with the second-row in position for travelers and the third row folded flat right into the floor, leaving nearly 40 cubic feet of area offered for things. Opening the third-row seat leaves just 10.5 cubic feet behind it for freight. The Honda Pilot offers more freight area, however. A neat attribute: The freight cover stores.

Driving Impressions

The Toyota Highlander is easy to drive and operate. It really feels instantly familiar with no fumbling for controls. The Highlander is quieter than truck-based SUVs both in engine and also roadway sound. It trips smoothly on a variety of surface areas, true to the cars and truck side of its SUV heritage, though some roadway vibration could be felt through guiding wheel.

The standard front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder Highlander makes an outstanding wagon for the city and residential areas, especially since grip control and stability control are standard equipment. Highlander is much simpler to manage every day than a truck-based sport-utility. Though you ride a little taller, you look eye to eye at Volvo wagon drivers.

The four-cylinder engine uses great power. It's quick, smooth and also peaceful. Power is up slightly from the 2003 version to 160 horse power and 165 pounds-feet of torque. We discovered the four-cylinder variation to be a pleased performer and didn't seem like we were missing out on something by not having the V6. The four-cylinder obtains significantly better fuel economic situation compared to the V6 (22/27 vs. 18/24 mpg EPA-estimated City/Highway). The four-cylinder Highlander comes with a four-speed transmission. It features a Snow Setting for improved throttle control when launching on a slippery surface area from a grinding halt.

The optional V6 is bigger and also much more effective this year, at 3.3 liters and also 230 horse power (versus 3.0 liters as well as 220 horsepower in 2003). Torque is boosted dramatically, to 242 pounds-feet. Torque is that force that moves you away from junctions as well as up hills. Further improving engine smoothness are active-control engine places that cancel resonance. Toyota suggests utilizing costs fuel for the V6, however it runs fine on normal. The brand-new V6 is mated to a brand-new five-speed automated.

Highlander feels at home around community, in the middle of traffic lights and also car parking candidates. It's a great dimension for city roads and also takes in potholes and irregular pavement well. Rolling right into suburb, the Highlander fits right in. It's an all-natural mall-crawler, maneuverable and also fast to nose into an auto parking slot. It cruises well on major highways, offering good security and also a smooth, quiet flight. It's a solid-feeling structure.

The steering initiative is very light at low rates, so it's simple to kip down limited quarters. Hold is quite great for hard cornering, far better compared to anticipated. On winding roadways, however, the guiding felt sluggish and vague. The suspension is too soft for difficult driving. There's too much body language. The automobile indulges edges, the body leans.

Toyota's electronic Lorry Security Control (VSC) with grip control (TRAC) is currently basic on all Highlanders. VSC can find gliding of either the front or back wheels as well as reduces engine power and/or applies the brakes on private wheels to deal with the Highlander's program.

Braking is specific as well as smooth. Standard on all 2004 Highlanders are anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Digital Brake force Distribution (EBD) and also Brake Assist. ABDOMINAL MUSCLE helps maintain steering control while braking hard, while EBD optimizes brake force at each wheel under various tons conditions, or as the vehicle's weight changes ahead under braking. Brake Assist discovers emergency braking and also instantly maintains adequate brake stress to engage the ABS even if the motorist makes the blunder of enjoyable pressure on the brake pedal.

Four-wheel drive functions wonderful in unsafe or inconsistent problems. Snow thaw, sloppy ruts, icy patches on shady curves were conveniently taken care of by our AWD V6 Limited. On a twisting back road, the Highlander cut up hills via eight inches of newly fallen snow like a snowplow on a rescue goal. All-wheel-drive Highlanders use a completely engaged system that splits torque 50/50 front/rear, as well as relies upon TRAC's electronics to restrict slippage at any type of wheel. Highlander is intended mainly as a highway and road car with all-weather capacity. It is not suggested for boulder slamming a.

Summary

Toyota Highlander is an outstanding selection as a no-hassle wagon. Its ease of operation as well as convenience functions make it incomparably simple to cope with. Highlander brings four individuals comfortably, hauls a great deal of things, and also will roll via any storm. Toyota's credibility for high quality, toughness as well as integrity ought to imply trouble-free possession and a solid resale worth. Highlander provides just what many people desire from a contemporary, on-road sport-utility.