2013 toyota Highlander Hybrid

2013 toyota highlander hybrid: Also in its final model year prior to a redesign, the 2013 Toyota Highlander readies, strong, basic household transportation-- absolutely nothing to set the heart aflame, but incomparably experienced.

Some autos, as well as Toyotas in particular, typically get referred to by automotive enthusiasts as "home appliances." The comparison is made in between a Camry as well as a fridge, or a Corolla and a washering, for instance. The ramification (typically less than kind) is that these vehicles have qualities that are less enjoyable as well as more useful. One wouldn't take a refrigerator to an autocross, or drag-race a washering from a stoplight. However, for countless people around the world, a home appliance is precisely just what they desire in an automobile-- something they do not need to think about to utilize, that isn't quirky or ostentatious, that's trusted and basic. For those people, numerous Toyotas are definitely perfect-- and also the 2013 Highlander is the peak of such appliancelike, comfy, practical reasoning.


2013 toyota highlander hybrid


This is the in 2015 for this style of Highlander, with a new 2014 model on its way that was unveiled at the 2013 New York City International Auto Show in March. However, there's a great deal to like regarding the existing Highlander, which has roominess, power, convenience as well as utility in droves.

Nothing Fancy, Simply Standard Capability

The form knows now, with rather hostile styling that has actually been replicated by numerous manufacturers. (The new Nissan Pathfinder, for instance, looks a great deal such as this Highlander in lots of means.) It's a clean, moving style that experiences a little bit from wheels that look a little as well tiny in the base V-6 trim degree I examined. If you like the way it looks, however, get one now, as the 2014 model will certainly receive an instead considerable styling upgrade that's not to every person's liking.

The interior is likewise pleasing. Absolutely nothing horrendous, simply well set out, exceptionally comfy and also made from top notch products that have been screwed together well. Up front, the low, soft-touch dash and high seats setting combine for a powerful sight over the hood, with outstanding visibility to the sides as well as back as well. Controls on the center control board allow as well as clear, with huge buttons and beefy handles that make operating the climate-control system a wind (sorry). The evaluates are brilliant, clear and also very easy to review at a glance. There's nothing impressive about the forms and structures in below, yet there's absolutely nothing to upset either-- unless you're someone that calls for some visual interest in your transport selection, as there's none to be located in the countless sea of gray plastic extending from door to door. At least in the Highlander it's good plastic, unlike in a few other Toyota items, like the Venza.

Seating is functional as well as very spacious, especially in the 2nd row, which features astonishing quantities of legroom. This is a three-row SUV, consisting of a fold-down seat for 2 individuals in the freight location, accessible with the fold-and-tumble second-row seats. That 3rd row is broad enough for full-sized adults, however legroom is seriously endangered. This is just a midsized SUV, after all, not a full-sizer like the Toyota Sequoia or Chevrolet Traverse. Folding the second row for access to the third is very easy, with handles atop the seatbacks creating straightforward operation also by youngsters. Both the second and also 3rd rows fold up level, developing a large cargo area able to hold big, large items.

Interior electronics are basic and also not awfully complicated on the entry-level Highlander (the just significant options my examination design had were a V-6 engine as well as all-wheel drive). The common touch-screen multimedia present is huge as well as easy to use, however a 2nd, smaller screen over it displayed minimal vehicle info, also, with just a handful of screens to pick from. You can choice up a Highlander to the handle with things like Toyota's Entune (a cloud-based enjoyment as well as details system), a navigation system and also more, but my tester had none of that-- only satellite radio as well as a windshield-wiper heating unit, part of the $60 Cold Weather Bundle. On the bonus side, a lack of features implies the inside is clean and also straightforward. It likewise suggests there's little to do yet drive.

Roly-Poly, yet Not Pokey

Fortunately, driving the Highlander is just as pleasant as sitting in or taking a look at one. In the base model, power comes from a basic 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine making 187 horsepower, however my tester had the optional 3.5-liter V-6 engine, bumping horsepower approximately a much more confidence-inspiring 270 hp. In real Toyota style, the V-6 is the picture of level of smoothness, a lot to ensure that the only way to understand it's running at still is to blip the pedal. Hit that same pedal while the Highlander's in gear, and also you're compensated with solid, smooth velocity. A six-speed automatic transmission is conventional with the four-cylinder, however the V-6 comes just with a five-speed automated. A gasoline-electric crossbreed version is also readily available. With the exception of the hybrid, however, the drivetrain overall is a bit behind the moments-- most rivals are supplying six-speed automatics across the array, plus turbocharging or at least direct-injection technology. Luckily, many buyers will certainly not be aware of any technical deficiency thanks to the Highlander's buttery procedure and easy velocity.

What they might observe, however, is fuel economic climate. Highlanders with the base four-cylinder engine as well as front-wheel drive are ranked 20/25 mpg city/highway-- okay for a big seven-seat cruiser. Fuel economy drops to 18/24 for the bigger V-6 engine, and even better, to 17/22 mpg, when you add four-wheel drive. My week with the Highlander returned 19 mpg in mixed driving; not bad, however certainly not class-leading anymore. It drops well except the brand-new all-wheel-drive Nissan Pathfinder, ranked 19/25 mpg, and also the new seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe, which is available in at 18/24 mpg. It additionally typically matches the much bigger Chevrolet Traverse for combined mileage rating (19 mpg), as well as does 1 mpg better in the city and 1 mpg worse on the freeway. The Highlander lineup's fuel economic situation champ is the crossbreed, rated 28/28 mpg, however that comes at a significant cost costs and also with conventional four-wheel drive.

The Highlander is certainly tuned for convenience as opposed to driving fun. As the suspension is soft, the body movements are tippy and the entire vehicle rolls as well as lolls in fast edges. You won't be doing any kind of spirited driving in this household truckster, but exactly what you get in return is sublime ride top quality that's smooth even over a few of the most severely damaged sidewalk, aided by high sidewalls on the 17-inch tires that absorb bumps with little noise or interruption to your peacefulness. Hang an iPad on the seatback, and the munchkins won't be troubled by road problems in the slightest. Faster freeway driving is just as calm as well as hushed.

Security

The current Highlander has actually been crash-tested by both the National Freeway Traffic Security Administration and also the Insurance Coverage Institute for Highway Security. NHTSA rated the Highlander 4 from 5 star overall, while IIHS gave the Highlander its top rating of Excellent in all its significant examinations, earning it Leading Safety Select condition.

When it comes to devices, the Highlander has all the requisite electronic safety measures, like grip control, antilock brakes and a digital stability system. Front, side, driver's knee and side drape air bags are standard. There was no backup video camera on my examination automobile, but it's a $699 option on base models (standard on all other trim levels), a rather blazing omission from the devices checklist for a supposed household car.

Highlander out there

The Highlander V6 all-wheel drive I tested had one notable high quality that can not be ignored: a fairly low as-tested cost of $33,477, consisting of an $845 location fee. The beginning price for this base V-6 design with all-wheel drive is $32,690, meaning options on my tester were couple of: only a $60 Winter Bundle, a $29 first-aid kit, a $49 freight web and also an instead costly $649 three-row flooring mat set. If you want to avoid the V-6 and also all-wheel drive, the Highlander with a four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive begins at $29,865. At the various other end of the range is a fully packed Highlander Crossbreed Limited all-wheel drive, which begins at $47,215-- quite a dramatic array.

Midsize SUVs have been taking control of for minivans in family-hauling responsibilities, and the variety of entries in the field is higher than ever. Calling for seven seats does cut the note down ever before so somewhat. The Highlander's main competitors are the Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia, Ford Explorer, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-9 and Dodge Durango. If you can live with simply 5 seats, include the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Murano, Ford Side, Toyota Venza and also Kia Sorento. That's greater than a dozen various other cars to think about, showing exactly how affordable this segment really is. The closest matches are the Pathfinder, Traveler and also Santa Fe (not the Santa Fe Sporting activity, mind you, which is a smaller sized, five-seat model). The Pathfinder includes just a V-6 and continuously variable automatic transmission, while the Santa Fe's seven-seat design supplies just a V-6. The Explorer provides two V-6 engines as well as an optional turbo four-cylinder, all mated to a six-speed transmission. All are comparable in regards to area, rate and also utility, however the Highlander's rivals usually have the advantage in fuel economic climate as well as on-board innovation.

The 2014 Highlander will ultimately obtain a six-speed transmission for its V-6 engine, which need to improve gas economic climate and also acceleration. It likewise gets seating for 8 thanks to a larger freight area and also a broader third-row seat. Engines will rollover unmodified, nevertheless, indicating there will still be no direct-injection or turbocharging. The interior and exterior updates look great and must maintain the Highlander affordable, which's actually all Toyota has to do to keep the Highlander's sales numbers up-- aesthetic modifications that keep it fresh in an ultra-competitive market. Toyota currently has the energy, comfort, competence and also family-friendly parts down pat. Working on its aesthetic appeal as well as on-board innovation will just reinforce the Highlander's position.