2013 toyota Highlander Review
By
pusahma dua
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Thursday, June 7, 2018
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2013 Toyota Highlander
Some autos, and Toyotas specifically, commonly get referred to by auto lovers as "devices." The contrast is made in between a Camry and a fridge, or a Corolla as well as a washing machine, for example. The implication (generally less than kind) is that these automobiles have qualities that are much less fun as well as more useful. One wouldn't take a refrigerator to an autocross, or drag-race a washing machine from a stoplight. However, for numerous people around the world, a device is exactly just what they want in a cars and truck-- something they don't need to think of to utilize, that isn't wacky or extravagant, that's reliable as well as easy. For those people, several Toyotas are absolutely best-- and the 2013 Highlander is the peak of such appliancelike, comfortable, practical thinking.
2013 toyota highlander review
This is the last year for this design of Highlander, with a new 2014 model on its manner in which was unveiled at the 2013 New York City International Car Show in March. Nevertheless, there's a whole lot to like concerning the current Highlander, which has roominess, power, convenience as well as utility in droves.
Absolutely Nothing Fancy, Simply Fundamental Proficiency
The shape recognizes by now, with rather aggressive styling that has been replicated by several manufacturers. (The new Nissan Pathfinder, for instance, looks a lot similar to this Highlander in several ways.) It's a tidy, flowing design that experiences a bit from wheels that look somewhat too tiny in the base V-6 trim level I checked. If you like the means it looks, nonetheless, obtain one currently, as the 2014 version will get a rather substantial styling update that's not to everyone's preference.
The interior is in a similar way pleasing. Absolutely nothing horrendous, just well set out, incredibly comfortable as well as made from premium materials that have actually been screwed together well. Up front, the low, soft-touch dash and high seats placement combine for a commanding view over the hood, with superb visibility to the sides as well as back as well. Controls on the facility control board are big and clear, with big buttons and also beefy knobs that make operating the climate-control system a breeze (sorry). The gauges are brilliant, clear and simple to read at a look. There's nothing exceptional regarding the forms and textures in below, however there's absolutely nothing to upset either-- unless you're someone that needs some visual interest in your transportation option, as there's none to be found in the unlimited sea of gray plastic extending from door to door. At the very least in the Highlander it's decent plastic, unlike in other Toyota products, like the Venza.
Seats is flexible and very roomy, particularly in the 2nd row, which includes unbelievable quantities of legroom. This is a three-row SUV, including a fold-down seat for two individuals in the cargo area, accessible with the fold-and-tumble second-row seats. That 3rd row is vast sufficient for full-sized adults, but legroom is seriously jeopardized. This is simply a midsized SUV, nevertheless, not a full-sizer like the Toyota Sequoia or Chevrolet Traverse. Folding the second row for entry to the third is very easy, with takes care of atop the seatbacks making for easy procedure also by kids. Both the second and 3rd rows fold up level, developing a huge freight room able to hold big, cumbersome things.
Interior electronics are standard as well as not horribly complicated on the entry-level Highlander (the just major options my examination version had were a V-6 engine and all-wheel drive). The standard touch-screen multimedia display is big and easy to use, but a 2nd, smaller sized screen above it displayed limited lorry info, also, with simply a handful of displays to choose from. You can choice up a Highlander to the handle with points like Toyota's Entune (a cloud-based entertainment and also information system), a navigating system as well as more, yet my tester had none of that-- only satellite radio and a windshield-wiper heating unit, part of the $60 Winter Package. On the plus side, a lack of features indicates the inside is clean and straightforward. It likewise means there's little to do however drive.
Roly-Poly, yet Not Pokey
Thankfully, driving the Highlander is equally as pleasurable as being in or considering one. In the base model, power originates from a common 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine making 187 horse power, yet my tester had the optional 3.5-liter V-6 engine, bumping horsepower as much as a a lot more confidence-inspiring 270 hp. In true Toyota fashion, the V-6 is the picture of level of smoothness, so much so that the only method to understand it's going for still is to blip the pedal. Struck that same pedal while the Highlander's in gear, as well as you're compensated with strong, seamless acceleration. A six-speed automatic transmission is basic with the four-cylinder, however the V-6 comes only with a five-speed automated. A gasoline-electric crossbreed variation is likewise offered. With the exception of the hybrid, nonetheless, the drivetrain overall is a little bit behind the moments-- most competitors are providing six-speed automatics throughout the range, plus turbocharging or at least direct-injection innovation. Thankfully, most buyers will certainly not be aware of any technological deficiency thanks to the Highlander's buttery operation and uncomplicated acceleration.
What they could see, nevertheless, is fuel economic climate. Highlanders with the base four-cylinder engine and also front-wheel drive are rated 20/25 mpg city/highway-- okay for a large seven-seat cruiser. Fuel economic climate goes down to 18/24 for the bigger V-6 engine, as well as additionally, to 17/22 mpg, when you include four-wheel drive. My week with the Highlander returned 19 mpg in mixed driving; okay, yet certainly not class-leading anymore. It falls well except the brand-new all-wheel-drive Nissan Pathfinder, rated 19/25 mpg, as well as the brand-new seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe, which comes in at 18/24 mpg. It additionally normally matches the much larger Chevrolet Traverse for consolidated gas mileage score (19 mpg), and also does 1 mpg much better in the city as well as 1 mpg even worse on the highway. The Highlander lineup's fuel economic situation champ is the hybrid, ranked 28/28 mpg, but that comes at a significant cost costs and with basic four-wheel drive.
The Highlander is undoubtedly tuned for convenience instead of driving enjoyable. As the suspension is soft, the body activities are tippy and the entire truck rolls as well as lolls in quick corners. You won't be doing any perky driving in this family members truckster, yet exactly what you enter return is sublime flight high quality that's smooth also over several of one of the most badly busted pavement, helped by tall sidewalls on the 17-inch tires that take in bumps with little noise or disturbance to your tranquility. Hang an iPad on the seatback, as well as the munchkins won't be bothered by roadway conditions in the least. Faster highway driving is equally as tranquil and also hushed.
Safety and security
The present Highlander has actually been crash-tested by both the National Highway Website Traffic Security Administration as well as the Insurance Coverage Institute for Freeway Safety. NHTSA ranked the Highlander four from five stars generally, while IIHS provided the Highlander its leading rating of Great in all its significant examinations, earning it Top Security Choose status.
When it comes to equipment, the Highlander has all the requisite electronic safety measures, like grip control, anti-skid brakes and also a digital security system. Front, side, motorist's knee and side drape air bags are standard. There was no backup electronic camera on my examination lorry, however it's a $699 alternative on base models (standard on all other trim levels), an instead glaring omission from the devices checklist for a supposed family members vehicle.
Highlander on the market
The Highlander V6 four-wheel drive I tested had one remarkable quality that could not be ignored: a relatively low as-tested price of $33,477, consisting of an $845 destination cost. The starting cost for this base V-6 version with all-wheel drive is $32,690, meaning choices on my tester were few: just a $60 Cold Weather Bundle, a $29 first-aid package, a $49 freight net as well as a rather expensive $649 three-row flooring mat set. If you wish to miss the V-6 and four-wheel drive, the Highlander with a four-cylinder engine as well as front-wheel drive starts at $29,865. At the various other end of the range is a totally loaded Highlander Hybrid Limited all-wheel drive, which starts at $47,215-- quite a significant variety.
Midsize SUVs have actually been taking control of for minivans in family-hauling duties, as well as the number of access in the field is higher than ever before. Needing seven seats does reduce the note down ever so slightly. The Highlander's primary competitors are the Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia, Ford Explorer, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-9 and Dodge Durango. If you could live with simply 5 seats, add the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Murano, Ford Side, Toyota Venza and Kia Sorento. That's greater than a loads other cars to consider, showing how affordable this segment actually is. The closest suits are the Pathfinder, Traveler and also Santa Fe (not the Santa Fe Sport, mind you, which is a smaller sized, five-seat model). The Pathfinder includes just a V-6 as well as continuously variable automatic transmission, while the Santa Fe's seven-seat design provides only a V-6. The Traveler uses two V-6 engines as well as an optional turbo four-cylinder, all mated to a six-speed transmission. All are similar in terms of area, rate and utility, however the Highlander's competitors generally have the advantage in fuel economy and also on-board innovation.
The 2014 Highlander will finally get a six-speed transmission for its V-6 engine, which should enhance gas economy and acceleration. It likewise obtains seatsing for 8 thanks to a bigger cargo area as well as a larger third-row seat. Engines will certainly carry over unchanged, nevertheless, suggesting there will certainly still be no direct-injection or turbocharging. The interior and exterior updates look excellent as well as must keep the Highlander competitive, and that's truly all Toyota needs to do to maintain the Highlander's sales numbers up-- cosmetic adjustments that keep it fresh in an ultra-competitive market. Toyota currently has the utility, comfort, skills as well as family-friendly components down pat. Dealing with its visual allure as well as on-board modern technology will just enhance the Highlander's position.