2009 toyota Highlander Hybrid
By
Pusahma satu
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Wednesday, June 13, 2018
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2009 Toyota Highlander
2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The Highlander makes the grade on all matters, though it doesn't master any one area. Offered it could maintain its impressive resale value and integrity, it needs to confirm a smart-- if not specifically captivating-- selection for many years ahead.
Edgier Designing
Toyota's California design studios formed the exterior, which is bigger in all major measurements compared to the old Highlander. To my eyes, Toyota's smaller RAV4 SUV looks better-proportioned, with simply sufficient curves to offset the angles. With its creased fronts lights, fancy grille as well as amorphous bumper, the Highlander seems a bit too glossy-- like a convenience store shopper who will not remove his sunglasses.
The rear bumper has dimpled reflectors on each side, and most trim degrees have a glass hatch that opens up independent of the liftgate. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels are standard; the Sporting activity and also Limited have 19-inchers that fill in the wheel wells well. The Sporting activity has a dark silver grille as well as smoked-out fronts lights. The Limited has plainer fronts lights and chrome outside moldings.
At 188.4 inches long and 75.2 inches large, the Highlander casts roughly the very same darkness as a Honda Pilot, Subaru Tribeca or Hyundai Veracruz. The Mazda CX-9 as well as Saturn Overview are both regarding a foot much longer.
The Within
Toyota has spent years constructing an online reputation for quality, and also absent any serious competitors, the new Highlander might have preserved that criterion. The competition is absolutely nothing otherwise significant, though, and also SUVs like the CX-9 and Veracruz flaunt some impressively upscale insides. In contrast, Toyota falls a little bit brief.
The Highlander shares underpinnings with the current Camry, and also the dashboard bears much of the car's flavor. The center controls are the all-natural prime focus, with large knobs for significant functions within simple reach. Sporting activity and Limited versions have a 3.5-inch display atop the stereo. It displays gas mileage, outside temperature level and even more. It likewise shows setups for the optional automated environment control system, which could separate the cabin right into as several as three temperature areas-- two front and also one rear. The climate controls rest below the stereo, and also they're awfully chaotic. I counted 13 switches between the two temperature level knobs; that's a lot of ground to cover when you're referencing a readout some 10 inches away. In contrast, the typical manual cooling is easy.
Cabin quality is merely ordinary. The window changes, turn signals and also facility controls could go straight into a Lexus, and also the chrome accents and electroluminescent gauges look great. Many areas are trimmed in difficult plastics, nonetheless, and the structures do not have the appeal of the stuff in several competitors. Most awful of all is the ceiling's headliner, which is some of the most affordable computer mouse fur this side of an economic situation automobile.
Parents will certainly value the storage space alternatives. The facility console in between the front seats has four cupholders and a large storage space bin. Fail to remember laptop computers; the glove box can fit a little home computer. (Possibly not the screen, however-- let's not obtain carried away.).
Three basic rows of seats fit approximately seven, though you could go down the 3rd row in order to conserve a little cash money, minimizing seatsing ability to five. The front seats offer plenty of area, with a trick extender in the Highlander Limited that prolongs the pillow under the vehicle driver's upper legs. Nice touch.
The 2nd row is just as wide, with reclining back-rests and also seat pillows that adjust backward and forward. The facility seat has Toyota's new Center Stow attribute. It's primarily a dive seat, which passengers can swap for a plastic facility console, transforming the 2nd row into two captain's chairs. The unused portion-- either the middle seat or console-- stores in a floor compartment in between the pole positions. After a few practice runs, I was able to make the change in around 25 secs.
The jump seat is light enough for easy setup. Its comfort is trial and error, also for a center seat; the bottom padding is substantial, yet I could quickly really feel the joints beneath the backrest extra padding. The plastic console is lighter still, as well as both pieces have sturdy setup hooks that should make it through lots of knocking from overenthusiastic youngsters.
Relying on where the 2nd row is placed, the 3rd row can be surprisingly adult-friendly. I'm 6 feet tall as well as located clearance a bit limited, yet with the second row progressed a few inches-- protecting plenty of legroom for a lot of grownups-- the 3rd row's legroom was such that I could tolerate a brief trip.
Bigger Engine, Better Mileage
All Highlanders get the 3.5-liter V-6 from the Camry, Sienna and several other Toyotas. In the Highlander it makes 270 horsepower as well as 248 pounds-feet of torque. Both are significant gains over last year's V-6, which made 215 hp as well as 222 pounds-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission is typical. Last year's base four-cylinder engine has actually been dropped.
Velocity is adequate off the line and stronger as the engine revs. The transmission helps points along, holding gears and also hardly ever shifting too soon. Tough acceleration could prompt some abrupt shifts among lower equipments-- better for velocity, even worse for convenience-- yet the majority of the time the shifts are smooth enough to pass undetected. The drivetrain really feels finest on the highway, where it downshifts with minimal gear hunting. 3rd equipment is especially potent for 50-to-70 miles per hour passing away.
The optional four-wheel drive is clear to the chauffeur. It includes a center differential to split power 50/50 in between the front and rear wheels all the time. Four-wheel-drive models have a downhill assist function. Press a control panel button, as well as it will slow the SUV to a crawl down steep grades. The feature seems a little bit insincere: There is no low gear for offroad rock crawling, which indicates you should probably prevent anywhere treacherous enough to require the downhill help.
All Highlanders have a hill-start help that holds the brakes for as much as 3 seconds from a quit to stop the SUV from rolling backwards before you have time to strike the gas.
Using the EPA's even more realistic 2008 rating system-- which generally leads to lower numbers-- gas mileage is ranked at 18/24 mpg (city/highway) for two-wheel-drive versions as well as 17/23 mpg for those with four-wheel drive. These rankings lead most midsize SUVs by 1 or 2 mpg. They additionally beat the old V-6 Highlander by about 1 mpg (adjusted making use of the EPA's new estimation)-- an impressive accomplishment, offered the brand-new Highlander has more power as well as weighs some 300 extra pounds more. (Four-cylinder followers will not miss out on much: The old four-cylinder Highlander got simply 1 mpg greater than the brand-new one makes with the V-6.).
Trip & Handling
The unibody construction pays for a comfortable trip, with none of the underbody vibrating that pestered the previous Highlander (which was likewise unibody) as well as several body-on-frame SUVs. The four-wheel-independent suspension is sport-tuned in the Highlander Sport, however I couldn't spot a difference in ride suppleness amongst the base, Sporting activity as well as Limited. All 3 have a bit more suspension noise over major bumps than I have actually come to expect in a midsize SUV.
Wind noise is marginal. Offered a smooth stretch of asphalt, the tires are reasonably silent. The Sport and also Limited's 19-inch wheels and P245/55R19 tires give off a minor hum at freeway rates, which I could not spot with the base design's 17-inchers and thicker P245/65R19 rubber.
All designs currently come with electrical power guiding. These systems conserve a little bit on gas consumption-- a little low-hanging fruit to meet the government's gas economic situation standards, I think-- yet they usually result in drab, man-made guiding feel. Expectedly, the Highlander steers with a light touch, never delivering a lot in the means of feedback or turning precision. The CX-9 fares much better in this regard, however couple of various other rivals stand apart. The exact same is true for body roll: Like many SUVs, the Highlander leans away in contours, reminding vehicle drivers it's not to be collared rapidly.
Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes are conventional. The pedal offers mushy feedback, yet the brakes clamp down hard when required.
Freight & Towing
With all 3 rows installed and increased, freight area in back is a weak 10.3 cubic feet. The third row folds flat right into the floor, and also the 2nd row folds up almost level. Highlanders without the 3rd row instead include a rather huge storage area under the back flooring.
With all seats folded, maximum cargo quantity is 95.4 cubic feet, which compares much more favorably with the crowd.
When effectively furnished, the Highlander could tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Security.
In Insurance Institute for Highway Security frontal collision examinations, the 2008 Highlander racked up the highest possible score, Excellent. IIHS has not checked the Highlander for side effects.
Toyota didn't stint security attributes. All Highlanders come common with four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, traction control and an electronic stability system. The stability system currently deals with the electrical power steering, which increases the power assist when the chauffeur is steering to deal with a skid. It also aids battle guiding pull under tough stopping to assist the Highlander drop in a straight line. (Toyota states the system could not steer the SUV by itself, as some sophisticated systems now do, so if you steer the wrong way in a skid, do not expect any type of additional power help.).
Seven airbags are common, consisting of the called for dual front airbags, a chauffeur's knee air bag and side-impact airbags for the front seats. There are likewise roll-sensing side curtain air bags for all 3 rows, which release during a rollover to prevent resident ejection.
All seats have head restrictions, and in Sporting activity and Limited versions, the front ones are forward-adjustable for far better whiplash protection. Energetic head restraints are typical on the front seats of all trims. The second row consists of Latch child-seat anchors in the outboard seats, with quickly accessible top-tether supports midway down the seatback.
Functions & Rates
Omitting the destination charge, the base Highlander with two-wheel drive starts at $27,300. A Highlander Limited with a full collection of alternatives runs around $42,000. Four-wheel drive on any trim adds regarding $1,500. All trim levels feature three rows of seats, though a third-row remove alternative on specific models can save $740.
For $27,300, the base Highlander features 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, a CD stereo with an auxiliary MP3 jack, air conditioning, cruise ship control, as well as power windows, mirrors and also door locks.
For $29,950, the Sport includes dark exterior components, 19-inch wheels, haze lights, a power vehicle driver's seat, a multifunction steering wheel, a backup electronic camera and six-CD audio.
For $32,700, the Limited adds a keyless start-up system, automated climate control, natural leather upholstery and also a power traveler seat. Most of these functions are optional on the Sport. Alternatives on both trim degrees consist of a navigating system, JBL premium sound, a rear seat DVD gamer, a moonroof, a power tailgate and also heated pole positions.
Highlander out there
Competitors from GM, Mazda as well as Hyundai will provide the Highlander a run for its loan. Its biggest opponent, the Honda Pilot, is due for a redesign in the following year or more, and also Toyota's trump card-- its track record for top quality and also dependability-- has been sliding lately. The automaker has vowed to enhance its efforts, and its newest SUV has to confirm that.
The new Highlander has great deals of book sensibilities, like respectable gas mileage and loads of safety attributes, however there's absolutely nothing extraordinary regarding it. If it confirms as bulletproof as its predecessor, however, reliability will become its defining feature, which is a book attract a great deal of buyers can support.