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Well, I haven't seen the interior yet, but safe to say that members here used to upscale interiors should be ready for a reality check, when the interiors surface. I can appreciate that the love for the Highlander probably has partly to do something with the polarizing RX looks. But the look should be easy to grow into, but much harder would be to accept the ho-hum (read: Economy Class) interior. We'll see.
With respect to LED's and other latest techs, I agree it's about time. Forum members must have noticed that mainstream cars like the latest Honda Civic has taken the charge to bring the latest higher end techs to mass market. LED's back and front, CarPlay, Android Auto, full range collision mitigation etc. We knew this was going to happen as a reaction to Luxury marques trying to woo mainstream customers.
So what's my point? Over time, the differentiation between mainstream and "near mainstream" luxury is going to get even slimmer, if it hasn't already. The separation will be/is in just in the name and the dollar premium for "refinement". Value proposition of refinement per dollar spent is and will remain subjective.
As for me, I have always liked the functionality of the Highlander, and wished for a third row affordable RX-esque Lexus. But with kids, thanks to forum member suggestions, I am happy with a Limited Premium Sienna for the time being. These changes to the Highlander and future Sienna are very welcome. My dream car: A Lexus Pacifica Will it ever build one? Likely not.
The interior on the Limited is nice. Anything below that and you will probably be disappointed.
Turbo lovers will want to know where's the new turbo engine. Why is Toyota so far behind engine tech. It makes sense for the Highlander since this is considered a mid cycle refresh. It is strange that the Sienna is getting it so late in its life cycle. The mid cycle refresh came out two years ago I think and will probably have at most 1 or two more years before a complete redesign. Unless I missed something and 2017 is a redesign of the Sienna.
Turbo lovers will want to know where's the new turbo engine. Why is Toyota so far behind engine tech. It makes sense for the Highlander since this is considered a mid cycle refresh. It is strange that the Sienna is getting it so late in its life cycle. The mid cycle refresh came out two years ago I think and will probably have at most 1 or two more years before a complete redesign. Unless I missed something and 2017 is a redesign of the Sienna.
The Highlander does not need a turbo. It simply needs to be reliable and as efficient as it possibly can.
Personally, I think the Highlander in fully loaded trim is in almost every single way a better vehicle that the RX.
The Highlander does not need a turbo. It simply needs to be reliable and as efficient as it possibly can.
Personally, I think the Highlander in fully loaded trim is in almost every single way a better vehicle that the RX.
The RX should get the turbo option.
I was being sarcastic, mocking turbo proponents. If anything vehicles like the Highlander, Sienna, RX, pickup trucks, you know heavy vehicles would benefit from a turbo with its low end grunt. Turbos can be reliable too no? But you're right, I prefer a smooth strong NA V6.
Yeah, I get that it is loaded, but $48000 is ridiculous. Why not get an RXh?
As "similarly equipped" as I can get the current (2016) highlander hybrid and RXh on the respective websites, the RXh comes out about $8k more expensive. That's substantial--roughly 16% more. And at that point, the Highlander has heated rear captain's chairs and a third row, while the RXh has an unheated bench and only two rows.
Just don't expect it to be as quiet as the RX. Other than that I love my 2016 Highlander.
really? i don't know about the new rx, but the last gen wasn't particularly quiet at all. and i drove the current highlander and thought it was pretty quiet. wouldn't be surprised if this significantly refreshed highlander is quieter though. the 8 speed will help with lower rpms, but obviously there's other noise sources like tires, wind, etc.
really? i don't know about the new rx, but the last gen wasn't particularly quiet at all. and i drove the current highlander and thought it was pretty quiet. wouldn't be surprised if this significantly refreshed highlander is quieter though. the 8 speed will help with lower rpms, but obviously there's other noise sources like tires, wind, etc.
same here. i was extremely disappointed with the last gen RX. It wasn't as smooth and quiet as i thought it was going to be. It might have just been LA freeways road conditions, but it was pretty bad
More power and better fuel economy? looks like Toyota has gotten my attention again but I'll wait to see the numbers. Seeing the same power train in the the Sienna is definitely a welcome sight.
really? i don't know about the new rx, but the last gen wasn't particularly quiet at all. and i drove the current highlander and thought it was pretty quiet. wouldn't be surprised if this significantly refreshed highlander is quieter though. the 8 speed will help with lower rpms, but obviously there's other noise sources like tires, wind, etc.
thats why new RX is new RX and old one is old one :-)
There will be obviously large differences in refinement and quality between two vehicles, but of course not everyone needs extra luxury in RX.
really? i don't know about the new rx, but the last gen wasn't particularly quiet at all. and i drove the current highlander and thought it was pretty quiet. wouldn't be surprised if this significantly refreshed highlander is quieter though. the 8 speed will help with lower rpms, but obviously there's other noise sources like tires, wind, etc.
Yeah you really need to spend more time with the Highlander to notice. Mostly engine noise and if there are crosswinds the wind noise from outside can get really loud. On the Highlander forums there is a really long thread about the wind noise and there doesn't seem to be a fix.
Pretty happy about this refresh. Next year I will be buying a 3-row crossover. I have been in love with the Highlander for the last couple of years and it was all but a guarantee until Mazda revealed the new CX-9. Then it became an equal battle, both offering different advantages but the Highlander was starting to get a bit stale. This update fixes a lot but the decision is still going to be tough.
03-16-16, 01:02 AM
Will it ever build one? Likely not.
