Toyota Highlander 2013
By
Alfian Adi Saputra
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Tuesday, May 8, 2018
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2013 Toyota Highlander
Some cars and trucks, as well as Toyotas particularly, often get described by auto enthusiasts as "home appliances." The contrast is made between a Camry as well as a refrigerator, or a Corolla and also a washering, for example. The ramification (commonly less than kind) is that these cars have characteristics that are much less fun as well as more useful. One wouldn't take a fridge to an autocross, or drag-race a washering from a stoplight. However, for countless people around the globe, a device is precisely what they desire in a car-- something they don't need to think of to make use of, that isn't eccentric or ostentatious, that's dependable and also basic. For those individuals, many Toyotas are absolutely best-- and also the 2013 Highlander is the pinnacle of such appliancelike, comfortable, practical thinking.
toyota highlander 2013
This is the last year for this style of Highlander, with a brand-new 2014 model on its manner in which was unveiled at the 2013 New York City International Auto Show in March. However, there's a whole lot to such as regarding the current Highlander, which has roominess, power, convenience and energy in droves.
Nothing Fancy, Simply Basic Proficiency
The shape knows now, with relatively aggressive styling that has been duplicated by numerous suppliers. (The new Nissan Pathfinder, for example, looks a great deal such as this Highlander in many methods.) It's a tidy, moving style that experiences a little bit from wheels that look somewhat as well small in the base V-6 trim degree I checked. If you like the method it looks, nevertheless, get one now, as the 2014 version will certainly receive a rather significant styling upgrade that's not to every person's liking.
The interior is in a similar way pleasing. Absolutely nothing shocking, simply well outlined, extremely comfortable and also made from high-quality materials that have been screwed together well. Up front, the reduced, soft-touch dashboard and also high seating placement combine for a powerful sight over the hood, with superb visibility to the sides as well as back as well. Controls on the facility control board huge and clear, with big switches and also beefy handles that make running the climate-control system a breeze (sorry). The determines are brilliant, clear and also easy to check out at a look. There's absolutely nothing amazing concerning the shapes and also textures in here, but there's absolutely nothing to anger either-- unless you're somebody that calls for some visual interest in your transport selection, as there's none to be located in the unlimited sea of grey plastic extending from door to door. At least in the Highlander it's good plastic, unlike in other Toyota products, like the Venza.
Seating is flexible and also astonishingly roomy, particularly in the 2nd row, which features amazing amounts of legroom. This is a three-row SUV, including a fold-down seat for two people in the cargo area, easily accessible through the fold-and-tumble second-row seats. That 3rd row is wide enough for full-sized grownups, yet legroom is seriously compromised. This is simply a midsized SUV, after all, not a full-sizer like the Toyota Sequoia or Chevrolet Traverse. Folding the second row for entry to the third is very easy, with deals with atop the seatbacks creating basic operation even by children. Both the 2nd and third rows fold flat, producing a substantial freight space able to hold large, large objects.
Interior electronics are fundamental and not extremely made complex on the entry-level Highlander (the just significant options my test version had were a V-6 engine and also all-wheel drive). The typical touch-screen multimedia show is big as well as easy to use, yet a 2nd, smaller screen over it showed minimal car info, as well, with simply a handful of display screens to pick from. You can choice up a Highlander to the handle with things like Toyota's Entune (a cloud-based enjoyment and information system), a navigating system as well as more, however my tester had none of that-- only satellite radio as well as a windshield-wiper heating system, part of the $60 Cold Weather Bundle. On the bonus side, an absence of functions suggests the interior is minimalist and also uncomplicated. It also implies there's little to do but drive.
Roly-Poly, yet Not Pokey
Thankfully, driving the Highlander is equally as pleasant as sitting in or checking out one. In the base design, power originates from a typical 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine making 187 horsepower, yet my tester had the optional 3.5-liter V-6 engine, bumping horse power up to a a lot more confidence-inspiring 270 hp. In true Toyota style, the V-6 is the picture of smoothness, so much so that the only means to recognize it's running at idle is to blip the pedal. Hit that same pedal while the Highlander's in gear, and you're awarded with solid, seamless velocity. A six-speed automatic transmission is basic with the four-cylinder, however the V-6 comes just with a five-speed automated. A gasoline-electric crossbreed version is likewise readily available. With the exception of the crossbreed, nonetheless, the drivetrain overall is a little bit behind the moments-- most rivals are offering six-speed automatics throughout the range, plus turbocharging or a minimum of direct-injection modern technology. The good news is, the majority of buyers will certainly not understand any kind of technical shortage thanks to the Highlander's buttery operation as well as uncomplicated velocity.
Just what they might notice, however, is fuel economic situation. Highlanders with the base four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive are ranked 20/25 mpg city/highway-- not bad for a large seven-seat cruiser. Fuel economic situation goes down to 18/24 for the bigger V-6 engine, and even additionally, to 17/22 mpg, when you include four-wheel drive. My week with the Highlander returned 19 mpg in blended driving; okay, yet certainly not class-leading any longer. It falls well except the brand-new all-wheel-drive Nissan Pathfinder, rated 19/25 mpg, and the new seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe, which comes in at 18/24 mpg. It also usually matches the much bigger Chevrolet Traverse for combined gas mileage score (19 mpg), as well as does 1 mpg much better in the city and 1 mpg even worse on the highway. The Highlander lineup's gas economic climate champ is the hybrid, rated 28/28 mpg, yet that comes with a significant rate premium and also with basic four-wheel drive.
The Highlander is obviously tuned for convenience instead of driving fun. As the suspension is soft, the body motions are tippy and the whole truck rolls and also lolls in quick corners. You won't be doing any spirited driving in this family members truckster, however what you enter return is superb flight top quality that's smooth also over some of one of the most terribly busted pavement, aided by tall sidewalls on the 17-inch tires that absorb bumps with little noise or disturbance to your peacefulness. Hang an iPad on the seatback, as well as the munchkins won't be bothered by road conditions in the tiniest. Faster highway driving is equally as calm and hushed.
Security
The present Highlander has been crash-tested by both the National Highway Traffic Safety And Security Management and the Insurance Coverage Institute for Freeway Safety. NHTSA rated the Highlander 4 out of five stars in general, while IIHS gave the Highlander its leading rating of Good in all its major examinations, making it Leading Security Select standing.
When it comes to devices, the Highlander has all the requisite digital precaution, like grip control, anti-skid brakes and also a digital stability system. Front, side, motorist's knee as well as side drape air bags are standard. There was no backup camera on my examination automobile, however it's a $699 option on base designs (standard on all other trim degrees), a rather glaring omission from the devices list for a purported family vehicle.
Highlander out there
The Highlander V6 all-wheel drive I tested had one significant quality that could not be overlooked: a comparatively reduced as-tested price of $33,477, consisting of an $845 destination charge. The starting cost for this base V-6 design with four-wheel drive is $32,690, suggesting options on my tester were couple of: only a $60 Winter Package, a $29 first-aid kit, a $49 freight net as well as an instead pricey $649 three-row floor mat package. If you want to skip the V-6 and also all-wheel drive, the Highlander with a four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive starts at $29,865. At the other end of the range is a fully packed Highlander Hybrid Limited all-wheel drive, which begins at $47,215-- rather a significant array.
Midsize SUVs have actually been taking over for minivans in family-hauling tasks, as well as the variety of entrances in the field is more than ever before. Requiring seven seats does cut the note down ever before so slightly. The Highlander's primary rivals are the Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia, Ford Traveler, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-9 and also Dodge Durango. If you can live with simply five seats, include the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Murano, Ford Edge, Toyota Venza and Kia Sorento. That's more than a dozen various other lorries to consider, showing just how competitive this section really is. The closest matches are the Pathfinder, Traveler and Santa Fe (not the Santa Fe Sporting activity, mind you, which is a smaller sized, five-seat design). The Pathfinder features just a V-6 and also constantly variable transmission, while the Santa Fe's seven-seat model offers only a V-6. The Explorer provides two V-6 engines and an optional turbo four-cylinder, all mated to a six-speed transmission. All are comparable in terms of room, price as well as energy, however the Highlander's competitors generally have the advantage in gas economic climate as well as on-board innovation.
The 2014 Highlander will ultimately get a six-speed transmission for its V-6 engine, which should enhance fuel economic climate and velocity. It likewise obtains seatsing for 8 thanks to a bigger cargo area and also a wider third-row seat. Engines will carry over the same, nonetheless, implying there will still be no direct-injection or turbocharging. The interior and exterior updates look good and must keep the Highlander competitive, and that's really all Toyota has to do to keep the Highlander's sales numbers up-- cosmetic adjustments that maintain it fresh in an ultra-competitive market. Toyota currently has the utility, comfort, proficiency as well as family-friendly components down pat. Dealing with its curb charm and also on-board modern technology will just enhance the Highlander's setting.