2012 toyota Highlander Limited V6
By
Pusahma satu
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Sunday, May 6, 2018
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2012 Toyota Highlander
Even as newcomers like the Ford Explorer and Dodge Durango challenge against the Highlander and the Honda Pilot, I still locate the Highlander a capable underdog. If you go with the V-6 engine, it executes as well as the remainder, as well.
I tested a new 2011 model with just 65 miles on it, but the 2012s are already on sale and are geared up and also priced virtually identically.
2012 Toyota Highlander Limited V6
Family-Friendly Inside
While many families would be well-served by almost any three-row crossover on the market, the Highlander has some noteworthy features that set 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 assistance, as well, and all seats have enough thigh assistance. The 2nd row can glide forward and back, which is most valuable for third-row passengers.
A 3rd row is common even on the base Highlander. With the 2nd row moved all the way back, there is very little room for third-row guests. Move the 2nd row up also somewhat, however-- about two notches-- and third-row travelers must be as comfy as I went to 5-foot-10. It's the sliding 2nd row that makes this crossover as useful a selection for carrying 7 people as much bigger crossovers, like the Chevy Traverse as well as Ford Explorer. The Honda Pilot is sized similarly to the Highlander and also offers seating for 3 in the third row. That offers it an optimum sitting capacity of eight, unlike the remainder of the course at 7.
The middle section of the Highlander's 2nd row can be gotten rid of totally, turning the bench into two captain's chairs with a pass-through to the third row. The pass-through is a preferred feature of minivan owners, as well as while other crossovers may supply a choice in between a bench or two chairs, only the Highlander provides owners both in the same vehicle.
Overall, I found materials quality to be great, but various other editors and also a household associated with a contrast examination assumed the Highlander seemed cheap. However, as outfitted, our tester was valued thousands less than much of the competition. Besides some harsh coatings on the plastic around the door pockets, I found the interior on par for the price. My better half also liked it, suggesting it's a step up from her 2010 Subaru Outback.
In regards to safety functions, a backup video camera is conventional on the Highlander SE as well as higher trim levels, or it can be had as part of an optional Tech Bundle, which was included on my base tester. On models without navigation, there's a small screen at the top of the dashboard that reveals journey information while driving, after that switches over to the rearview display when the transmission is put into Reverse. Navigation-equipped versions show the rearward sight on their larger touch-screen.
If there was one thing my partner taken pleasure in about the Highlander, it was the 4 cupholders in the center console between the passenger as well as driver, with another in each of the 4 doors and also 4 even more for second-row guests. Every other crossover included in our recent comparison test featured simply 2 cupholders around.
If you have actually ever before taken care of the sippy cups, water bottles and soft drink coulds a household of simply 4 requires for a Saturday out on the community-- which for us involves hitting an interior play area with giant blow up bounce-houses, lunch and also either a book shop or collection stop-- you realize drinks accumulate.
Efficiency
For 2012, the Highlander comes requirement with a 187-horsepower, 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine teamed with a six-speed transmission, for gas mileage rated at 20/25 mpg city/highway. The engine is rather anemic; the version I drove this time had the V-6, but in past tests I have actually found that the four-cylinder-powered Highlander feels like an underpowered lummox. Four-cylinder designs come furnished just with front-wheel drive.
There's a hybrid design with a 3.5-liter V-6 and also an electrical motor that make a mixed 280 hp, great for 28/28 mpg city/highway. The crossbreed comes geared up just with four-wheel drive, which makes those gas mileage figures quite impressive.
My test car-- as do the bulk of sales-- included the 270-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine teamed with a five-speed transmission, good for 18/24 mpg with front-wheel drive as well as 17/22 mpg with four-wheel drive.
Gas mileage gets on par with the remainder of the sector, with many players score only 1 mpg over or listed below the Highlander.
Power was plentiful in my front-wheel-drive Highlander, which ran from a quit with gusto and also passed mightily at highway speeds. Steering was light and also a tad unclear, as it remains in most crossovers. The ride was comfortable, the engine quiet and also wind sound nearly nil, makinged for pleasant driving and the ability to hear every cry, problem as well as occasional song from my backseat guests.
Braking was the real issue I had with the Highlander. After a week and also hundreds of miles of driving, I had a difficult time evaluating the brake feedback. I continuously jerked my spouse forward in her seat when I had to include even more pressure compared to anticipated near a quit. This is an attribute of several Toyota vehicles, and it's one I don't particularly delight in.
Cargo
There's simply 10.3 cubic feet of freight area when the 3rd row is up. The Honda Pilot has dramatically extra, at 18.0 cubic feet. The Traverse, with 24.4 cubic feet, is considerably bigger.
With the 3rd row down, cargo space expands to 42.3 cubic feet, as well as for my usage that was plenty huge enough. I packed a 32-gallon trash bin in the back-- really two stacked into each other-- and those healthy lengthwise with the second-row seats just a little ahead. The Pilot is rated at 47.7 cubic feet, so the distinction between both models there is much less considerable compared to it lags the 3rd row. I preferred the Pilot's under-floor storage space, though.
Features & Rates
For 2012, the Highlander begins at $28,090 for the base four-cylinder with front-wheel drive. That doesn't obtain you a lot in terms of functions, but it does include 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted rear home windows, remote entry, cruise control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel as well as 2 12-volt power electrical outlets.
My examination auto was a base V-6, however I didn't feel like I was missing much in terms of functions due to the fact that it additionally had the $1,835 Tech Plan, which includes a USB port, Bluetooth for phones and also music streaming, as well as a wonderful trip computer system. While I enjoy expensive entertainment systems as much as the following man, this is the kind of attribute set that the majority of families will need, for a reasonable as-tested rate of $32,845. Four-wheel drive is just $1,450 more. In this sector, it typically sets you back $2,000 to move up to all- or four-wheel drive.
SE versions start at $32,695 for four-cylinder, front-drive models, adding a power moonroof, a rear home window that opens up independent of the liftgate, roofing rails, fog lights and also a power liftgate. Heated natural leather front seats, HomeLink, a leather guiding wheel with audio and Bluetooth controls, and all the features in the Tech Plan are additionally included. For a comparable rate, I would certainly go with the V-6 model as opposed to the SE four-cylinder.
The state-of-the-art, all-wheel-drive Limited V-6 Highlander starts at $37,045 and is loaded: 19-inch wheels, three-zone climate control, keyless ignition and entrance, and also higher-grade natural leather seats.
The Highlander Hybrid is available in 2 trims: a base model for $38,140 and also a Restricted design for $43,795, with similar tools offerings as V-6 gas versions.
Prices resembles the Traverse, Pilot and the rest of the class. Toyota additionally provides two years of complimentary upkeep with new-car purchases, which none of its rivals in the sector deal.
Safety
The Toyota Highlander is an Insurance Coverage Institute for Highway Security Top Safety Pick; that's the institution's greatest award. To earn the score, vehicles have to receive leading ratings of Excellent in front, side and also rear accidents, along with pass roof-strength examinations that measure rollover security.
The Highlander made a four-star overall score from the National Highway Website Traffic Safety Management. Five stars is the highest rating, which the Chevy Traverse made.
Highlander in the Market
If it weren't so darn useful with a nice engine, it would certainly be very easy to discount the Highlander in an area that contains some splashier brand-new versions. However there are simply way too many things in the Highlander's support to rule it from your buying strategies. Due to their smaller sized footprint in your driveway and garage, the Highlander and also Pilot are more easily accessible for more households.