2013 toyota Highlander

2013 toyota highlander: Also in its last version year prior to a redesign, the 2013 Toyota Highlander excels, solid, fundamental household transportation-- absolutely nothing to set the heart aflame, but eminently skilled.

Some autos, as well as Toyotas in particular, frequently get referred to by vehicle lovers as "appliances." The contrast is made between a Camry and also a fridge, or a Corolla and a washering, for instance. The ramification (generally less than kind) is that these cars have features that are less enjoyable and also better. One wouldn't take a refrigerator to an autocross, or drag-race a washering from a stoplight. But also for numerous people all over the world, a device is exactly what they desire in a cars and truck-- something they don't have to think about to use, that isn't wacky or extravagant, that's trustworthy and also simple. For those individuals, numerous Toyotas are absolutely excellent-- and the 2013 Highlander is the pinnacle of such appliancelike, comfortable, practical thinking.


2013 toyota highlander


This is the in 2014 for this design of Highlander, with a brand-new 2014 model on its way that was revealed at the 2013 New York International Auto Show in March. However, there's a lot to such as about the existing Highlander, which has roominess, power, convenience and utility in droves.

Absolutely Nothing Fancy, Just Standard Proficiency

The form recognizes by now, with relatively hostile styling that has been duplicated by a number of suppliers. (The brand-new Nissan Pathfinder, for instance, looks a lot such as this Highlander in several ways.) It's a clean, moving style that experiences a bit from wheels that look slightly also little in the base V-6 trim degree I evaluated. If you like the way it looks, nonetheless, get one now, as the 2014 design will get a rather considerable designing upgrade that's not to everybody's liking.

The inside is likewise pleasing. Nothing shocking, simply well laid out, very comfy as well as made from high-quality products that have been screwed with each other well. Up front, the reduced, soft-touch dashboard and also high seats setting incorporate for a powerful sight over the hood, with superb exposure to the sides and also rear too. Controls on the facility control board allow as well as clear, with big buttons and also chunky knobs that make operating the climate-control system a breeze (sorry). The assesses are brilliant, clear and also easy to read at a glimpse. There's absolutely nothing impressive about the shapes and structures in below, but there's nothing to anger either-- unless you're somebody who needs some visual interest in your transportation choice, as there's none to be found in the endless sea of gray plastic stretching from door to door. At least in the Highlander it's good plastic, unlike in a few other Toyota items, like the Venza.

Seats is versatile and also amazingly roomy, especially in the 2nd row, which showcases amazing quantities of legroom. This is a three-row SUV, including a fold-down seat for two individuals in the cargo location, accessible via the fold-and-tumble second-row seats. That third row is vast enough for full-sized adults, but legroom is seriously compromised. This is simply a midsized SUV, nevertheless, not a full-sizer like the Toyota Sequoia or Chevrolet Traverse. Folding the second row for access to the 3rd is very easy, with deals with atop the seatbacks making for simple operation also by youngsters. Both the second and also third rows fold up flat, developing a huge freight area able to hold huge, cumbersome items.

Interior electronics are fundamental and also not horribly made complex on the entry-level Highlander (the only significant options my test model had were a V-6 engine and also four-wheel drive). The basic touch-screen multimedia show is large as well as easy to use, but a 2nd, smaller display above it displayed restricted car details, as well, with just a handful of screens to select from. You can choice up a Highlander to the handle with points like Toyota's Entune (a cloud-based enjoyment as well as details system), a navigating system and more, but my tester had none of that-- just satellite radio and a windshield-wiper heating system, part of the $60 Winter Bundle. On the plus side, an absence of attributes indicates the interior is minimalist and also uncomplicated. It additionally indicates there's little to do however drive.

Roly-Poly, however Not Pokey

Fortunately, driving the Highlander is equally as positive as sitting in or checking out one. In the base design, power comes from a common 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine making 187 horsepower, but my tester had the optional 3.5-liter V-6 engine, bumping horsepower up to a a lot more confidence-inspiring 270 hp. In real Toyota fashion, the V-6 is the picture of level of smoothness, so much to ensure that the only means to recognize it's running at idle is to blip the pedal. Struck that same pedal while the Highlander's in gear, and you're awarded with solid, smooth acceleration. A six-speed automatic transmission is typical with the four-cylinder, however the V-6 comes just with a five-speed automatic. A gasoline-electric crossbreed version is additionally offered. With the exception of the hybrid, nevertheless, the drivetrain overall is a little bit behind the times-- most competitors are using six-speed automatics throughout the range, plus turbocharging or at least direct-injection innovation. The good news is, the majority of customers will certainly not recognize any technological deficiency thanks to the Highlander's buttery operation and also easy acceleration.

Exactly what they might see, nevertheless, is gas economic situation. Highlanders with the base four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive are rated 20/25 mpg city/highway-- okay for a huge seven-seat cruiser. Fuel economic climate goes down to 18/24 for the larger V-6 engine, as well as better, to 17/22 mpg, when you add four-wheel drive. My week with the Highlander returned 19 mpg in mixed driving; tolerable, yet definitely not class-leading anymore. It drops well except the new all-wheel-drive Nissan Pathfinder, ranked 19/25 mpg, and the new seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe, which comes 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 much better in the city as well as 1 mpg even worse on the highway. The Highlander schedule's gas economic climate champ is the hybrid, ranked 28/28 mpg, yet that comes at a substantial rate costs and also with typical four-wheel drive.

The Highlander is undoubtedly tuned for comfort instead of driving enjoyable. As the suspension is soft, the body movements are tippy and also the entire vehicle rolls and also lolls in quick edges. You will not be doing any kind of spirited driving in this family members truckster, yet what you get in return is superb flight top quality that's smooth also over a few of one of the most severely broken pavement, assisted by tall sidewalls on the 17-inch tires that absorb bumps with little noise or interruption to your peacefulness. Hang an iPad on the seatback, as well as the munchkins will not be bothered by road problems in the slightest. Faster highway driving is equally as tranquil as well as hushed.

Safety

The existing Highlander has actually been crash-tested by both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as well as the Insurance Coverage Institute for Freeway Safety And Security. NHTSA ranked the Highlander four out of five stars overall, while IIHS gave the Highlander its top score of Great in all its significant examinations, gaining it Top Safety and security Select condition.

When it comes to tools, the Highlander has all the requisite electronic safety measures, like traction control, anti-skid brakes as well as an electronic stability system. Front, side, chauffeur's knee and also side curtain airbags are typical. There was no backup cam on my examination automobile, however it's a $699 alternative on base designs (standard on all other trim degrees), a rather glaring omission from the tools listing for a purported family members lorry.

Highlander on the market

The Highlander V6 all-wheel drive I examined had one remarkable quality that can not be ignored: a fairly reduced as-tested rate of $33,477, consisting of an $845 location charge. The starting cost for this base V-6 design with four-wheel drive is $32,690, indicating options on my tester were few: only a $60 Cold Weather Package, a $29 first-aid kit, a $49 cargo net as well as an instead expensive $649 three-row floor mat set. If you wish to skip the V-6 and all-wheel drive, the Highlander with a four-cylinder engine as well as front-wheel drive begins at $29,865. At the other end of the spectrum is a fully packed Highlander Crossbreed Limited all-wheel drive, which begins at $47,215-- rather a dramatic variety.

Midsize SUVs have actually been taking over for minivans in family-hauling responsibilities, as well as the number of access in the field is greater than ever. Calling for 7 seats does cut the note down ever before so a little. The Highlander's main competitors are the Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia, Ford Explorer, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-9 as well as Dodge Durango. If you can deal with just five seats, include the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Murano, Ford Edge, Toyota Venza as well as Kia Sorento. That's more than a loads various other automobiles to consider, demonstrating exactly how affordable this segment really is. The closest matches are the Pathfinder, Explorer and Santa Fe (not the Santa Fe Sporting activity, mind you, which is a smaller sized, five-seat design). The Pathfinder includes only a V-6 and also continuously variable transmission, while the Santa Fe's seven-seat version provides only a V-6. The Traveler supplies 2 V-6 engines and also an optional turbo four-cylinder, all mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. All are equivalent in regards to room, price as well as utility, yet the Highlander's competitors usually have the advantage in gas economic climate as well as on-board modern technology.

The 2014 Highlander will finally get a six-speed transmission for its V-6 engine, which should improve fuel economy and also acceleration. It also gets seating for eight thanks to a bigger cargo area and also a broader third-row seat. Engines will certainly rollover unchanged, nonetheless, indicating there will certainly still be no direct-injection or turbocharging. The interior and exterior updates look excellent as well as must keep the Highlander affordable, which's really all Toyota needs to do to keep the Highlander's sales numbers up-- cosmetic changes that maintain it fresh in an ultra-competitive market. Toyota already has the energy, convenience, competence as well as family-friendly components down pat. Working with its aesthetic allure as well as on-board innovation will just strengthen the Highlander's placement.