2012 toyota Highlander Limited

2012 Toyota Highlander Limited - If you're trying to find a three-row crossover, the 2011 Toyota Highlander is as sound a choice as you could obtain. It's economical as well as it has a peaceful, comfy ride with a family-friendly inside.

Even as beginners like the Ford Traveler and Dodge Durango take on versus the Highlander and the Honda Pilot, I still locate the Highlander a qualified underdog. If you go with the V-6 engine, it performs as well as the rest, too.

I examined a new 2011 model with simply 65 miles on it, yet the 2012s are currently on sale as well as are equipped and valued almost identically.


2012 Toyota Highlander Limited


Family-Friendly Inside

While a lot of family members would certainly be well-served by nearly any kind of three-row crossover on the market, the Highlander has some notable attributes that set it apart.

The front seats of my tester were comfortable on a long-haul journey from Chicago to Wisconsin. The second-row seat has a lot of assistance, as well, and all seats have sufficient upper leg assistance. The second row can slide forward and back, which is most valuable for third-row passengers.

A third row is standard also on the base Highlander. With the second row moved completely back, there is little room for third-row guests. Relocate the second row up even a little, though-- concerning two notches-- as well as third-row guests need to be as comfy as I went to 5-foot-10. It's the gliding 2nd row that makes this crossover as sensible a selection for carrying seven people as much bigger crossovers, like the Chevy Traverse as well as Ford Explorer. The Honda Pilot is sized likewise to the Highlander as well as provides sitting for 3 in the third row. That offers it an optimum sitting capacity of eight, unlike the rest of the class at 7.

The center section of the Highlander's 2nd row can be eliminated completely, transforming the bench right into 2 captain's chairs with a pass-through to the third row. The pass-through is a favored feature of minivan owners, as well as while various other crossovers could provide an option in between a bench or 2 chairs, just the Highlander gives proprietors both in the very same automobile.

Overall, I found materials top quality to be good, but various other editors and a household involved in a contrast examination assumed the Highlander seemed affordable. Nonetheless, as equipped, our tester was priced thousands less than much of the competitors. Besides some rough finishes on the plastic around the door pockets, I found the inside on par for the rate. My better half likewise liked it, recommending it's a step up from her 2010 Subaru Outback.

In regards to security attributes, a backup camera is basic on the Highlander SE as well as greater trim degrees, or it can be had as part of an optional Technology Bundle, which was included on my base tester. On designs without navigating, there's a tv on top of the dashboard that reveals journey information while driving, after that changes to the rearview display screen when the transmission is taken into Opposite. Navigation-equipped versions show the rearward view on their bigger touch-screen.

If there was one point my wife appreciated regarding the Highlander, it was the four cupholders in the facility console between the traveler and chauffeur, with another in each of the 4 doors and four more for second-row guests. Each crossover consisted of in our current contrast examination showcased just two cupholders in this field.

If you have actually ever dealt with the sippy cups, water bottles as well as soft drink canisters a family of simply 4 needs for a Saturday out on the community-- which for us involves hitting an indoor play zone with large inflatable bounce-houses, lunch and either a bookstore or library stop-- you recognize beverages build up.

Efficiency

For 2012, the Highlander comes criterion with a 187-horsepower, 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine teamed with a six-speed transmission, for gas mileage ranked at 20/25 mpg city/highway. The engine is pretty anemic; the variation I drove this time around had the V-6, but in previous tests I've discovered that the four-cylinder-powered Highlander seems like an underpowered lummox. Four-cylinder models come equipped only with front-wheel drive.

There's a hybrid version with a 3.5-liter V-6 as well as an electrical motor that make a combined 280 hp, helpful for 28/28 mpg city/highway. The hybrid comes equipped only with all-wheel drive, makings those mileage figures fairly outstanding.

My examination vehicle-- as do the mass of sales-- included 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 and also 17/22 mpg with all-wheel drive.

Gas mileage gets on the same level with the rest of the segment, with most players ranking only 1 mpg above or below the Highlander.

Power was plentiful in my front-wheel-drive Highlander, which ran from a quit with gusto and also passed mightily at freeway rates. Guiding was light as well as a little bit unclear, as it remains in most crossovers. The ride was comfortable, the engine quiet as well as wind noise practically nil, which made for pleasurable driving and the capability to listen to every cry, problem as well as periodic tune from my rear seat travelers.

Braking was the real issue I had with the Highlander. Even after a week and also numerous miles of driving, I had a difficult time judging the brake feedback. I consistently jerked my other half ahead in her seat when I had to add more stress compared to expected near a stop. This is a trait of many Toyota cars, and also it's one I do not especially appreciate.

Freight

There's simply 10.3 cubic feet of cargo space 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, freight area broadens to 42.3 cubic feet, and for my use that was plenty big sufficient. I packed a 32-gallon trash bin in the back-- actually 2 piled into each other-- and also those in shape lengthwise with the second-row seats simply somewhat ahead. The Pilot is ranked at 47.7 cubic feet, so the difference between both designs there is less substantial than it is behind the 3rd row. I preferred the Pilot's under-floor storage, though.

Functions & Prices

For 2012, the Highlander starts at $28,090 for the base four-cylinder with front-wheel drive. That doesn't obtain you much in terms of attributes, however it does include 17-inch alloy wheels, colored back windows, remote access, cruise ship control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel as well as two 12-volt power electrical outlets.

My examination vehicle was a base V-6, however I didn't seem like I was missing a lot in terms of functions since it also had the $1,835 Tech Bundle, which includes a USB port, Bluetooth for phones as well as music streaming, and also a good trip computer. While I take pleasure in expensive home entertainment systems as long as the next guy, this is the type of function set that the majority of family members will certainly require, for a reasonable as-tested rate of $32,845. All-wheel drive is only $1,450 even more. In this section, it usually costs $2,000 to move up to all- or 4x4.

SE versions start at $32,695 for four-cylinder, front-drive versions, including a power moonroof, a back window that opens independent of the liftgate, roof covering rails, haze lights and a power liftgate. Warmed natural leather front seats, HomeLink, a leather steering wheel with sound and also Bluetooth controls, and all the attributes in the Technology Plan are also included. For a comparable rate, I 'd select the V-6 design instead of the SE four-cylinder.

The state-of-the-art, all-wheel-drive Minimal V-6 Highlander starts at $37,045 and also is loaded: 19-inch wheels, three-zone environment control, keyless ignition and access, and higher-grade natural leather seats.

The Highlander Crossbreed is available in 2 trims: a base model for $38,140 as well as a Restricted design for $43,795, with similar tools offerings as V-6 gas designs.

Rates resembles the Traverse, Pilot and the rest of the class. Toyota likewise provides 2 years of free maintenance with new-car acquisitions, which none of its rivals in the segment offer.

Safety

The Toyota Highlander is an Insurance Institute for Freeway Safety Top Safety And Security Select; that's the institution's highest award. To make the score, vehicles need to obtain leading ratings of Excellent in front, side and rear collisions, along with pass roof-strength tests that determine rollover protection.

The Highlander gained a four-star general rating from the National Highway Website Traffic Safety And Security Administration. 5 star is the highest ranking, which the Chevy Traverse made.

Highlander in the Market

If it just weren't so darn functional with a great engine, it would be easy to discount the Highlander in a field that contains some splashier new versions. But there are just way too many points in the Highlander's favor to rule it from your purchasing strategies. As a result of their smaller footprint in your driveway and garage, the Highlander and also Pilot are a lot more available for more family members.