Toyota Highlander 0 60

Toyota Highlander 0 60: Inconspicuous and also sensible, the Highlander could haul up to 8 in quiet convenience. The base 185-hp 2.7-liter inline-four teams with a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive; the optional 295-hp 3.5-liter V-6 obtains an eight-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is optional for V-6 versions as well as standard for the crossbreed, which sets the V-6 with two electrical motors; we saw 24 mpg in our test. The Highlander offers an appropriate driving experience, but it's even more concentrated on indoor precisions as well as storage space.


Toyota Highlander 0 60


Like the 1986 film Highlander, the Toyota SUV that shares its name is a crowd-pleaser that cannot inspire eagerness amongst doubters. After greater than 190,000 Highlanders rolled off dealership whole lots in 2015, Toyota's mid-size crossover SUV entered 2017 with a host of modifications targeted at satisfying the masses and experts alike.

Notably, all Highlanders, from the base $31,590 LE to the high-grade $48,840 Highlander Crossbreed Limited Platinum, currently come conventional with a pre-collision warning system with pedestrian detection as well as automated emergency braking, plus lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automated high-beams. Our all-wheel-drive $43,184 Highlander XLE test vehicle likewise loaded blind-spot tracking, an attribute unavailable on the lower-level Highlander LE and LE And also.

Coming with the 2017 Highlander's various security systems is the latest variation of Toyota's 3.5-liter V-6 engine. The six-cylinder is basic on almost the base front-wheel-drive Highlander LE-- which continuouslies make use of a wimpy 185-hp inline-four-- and incorporates a host of modern innovations, including a straight as well as port fuel-injection system and also an updated valvetrain that permits the engine to run on the more efficient Atkinson cycle. Rated at a healthy and balanced 295 horsepower and also 263 lb-ft of torque, the revised V-6 makes 25 more ponies as well as an extra 15 lb-ft compared with the previous system. Fuel economy is up, also, with the front-wheel-drive 2017 Highlander V-6 earning an EPA-rated 23 mpg incorporated; all-wheel-drive models attain 22 mpg. Both numbers mark a 2-mpg improvement over in 2014's Highlander and placed the crossover within 1 mpg of the four-cylinder Mazda CX-9's combined fuel-economy figures.

Toyota's 2GR-FKS six is a treasure of an engine that develops power nearly all the means as much as its 6800-rpm redline. At the track, this Highlander cut 0.3 2nd off of its predecessor's zero-to-60-mph as well as 30-to-50-mph times, hitting the marks in 7.0 and 3.8 seconds, specifically. Sadly, the 2017 Highlander's 5.6-second 50-to-70-mph passing time was both slow-moving for the class and virtually a 2nd behind that of its forbear. Blame the brand-new eight-speed transmission's hesitancy to downshift. Regardless, the revised Highlander's V-6 uses a lot of grunt in most real-world driving situations. Thanks partially to our examination automobile's automated stop-start system, we managed a practical 21 mpg throughout our time with the crossover, 2 mpg far better compared to exactly what we obtained from a Mazda CX-9.

The Component of Crossover

If the 2017 Highlander's V-6 powertrain is the matching of Highlander's charming Juan Sánchez Villa-Lobos Ramírez (played by Sean Connery), then the crossover's overhauled outside design is akin to the film's handsome yet forgettable lead character, Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert). New front as well as back fascias, updated headlamps, and also an appealing collection of LED taillights provide the Highlander a more natural, SUV-like appearance. Yet we still would not place it fairly on the exact same level of good looks as the butch Dodge Durango or the hot CX-9.

Unlike the outside, the Highlander's interior has actually been left greatly untouched. Toyota did add 4 more USB ports, bringing the total to 5-- 3 ahead as well as 2 in the rear. The cockpit features a variety of handy storage spaces, including a rack that covers the lower dashboard and also a substantial center-console bin that could fit nearly a cubic foot of assorted products. Ergonomic faults consist of difficult-to-grip temperature level handles for the climate-control system as well as a touchscreen that's also away from the chauffeur.

While base-level LE and also LE And also Highlanders feature a typical second-row bench seat, the XLE, SE, Limited, and Limited Platinum qualities come with captain's chairs between. (The bench seat is a no-cost alternative on the XLE, Limited, and also Minimal Platinum.) Room abounds in the second row, however we discovered that our seven-passenger examination cars and truck's bucket seats were installed also low for ideal comfort. Still, the Highlander's gliding and also reclining second-row chairs were like a set of La-Z-Boy recliner chairs compared with the thin and also flimsy 60/40 split-folding third-row bench. Legroom in the wayback is simply 27.7 inches, a full six inches fewer than just what the Volkswagen Atlas's rearmost row deals. If you on a regular basis transport adequate passengers to value constant use the 3rd row, take into consideration the Atlas, a Honda Pilot, or a Ford Flex.

Darkness of an SUV

Despite the Highlander's carlike unibody building and also reduced step-in height, this mid-size crossover's handling advises us of an old-fashioned body-on-frame SUV, as its softly sprung suspension allows too much body roll in turns. On the bonus side, the suspension takes in roadway abnormalities with nary a shudder, and also the electrically aided steering is fairly quick and generally well weighted.

At 4560 pounds, our all-wheel-drive Highlander test automobile was no lightweight, as well as the excess mass made itself understood when using the brakes, as the Toyota needed 181 feet of tarmac to quit from 70 mph-- 11 feet greater than a 161-pound-lighter all-wheel-drive GMC Acadia Denali.

With an as-tested price of $43,184, our Toasted Walnut Pearl Highlander XLE showed off $3704 in options. Of that tally, all-wheel drive includes $1460 and also brings vestigial mud flaps, hill-descent control, and a screen setting within the 4.2-inch gauge-cluster screen that reveals torque distribution among the Highlander's 4 wheels. An $1810 rear-seat enjoyment system was one of the most pricey option, while $434 gotten flooring mats and also body-side moldings. Requirement things consisted of navigation, a proximity key with push-button beginning, as well as a sunroof, along with aforementioned attributes such as a blind-spot tracking system as well as leather-trimmed first- and second-row seats (Toyota cushions the third row in vinyl).

While the Highlander's drab handling and also confined third row continuously suppress our excitement for the Indiana-built crossover, the upgraded 2017 Highlander's long listing of standard safety as well as convenience functions, more effective and also fuel-efficient V-6 engine, and also boosted exterior styling will remain to draw in heaps of consumers seeking a comfy and reasonably valued mid-size crossover SUV.