JohnnyO

I have an '04 Highlander Ltd with 206,000 miles and no problems. Are the new ones that bad? I've not looked as I've been cross shopping the RX350 vs the Volvo XC60. It's a tough decision, in my mind it comes down to reliability vs safety.

I considered sedans as im not convinced i want to give up my Highlander (nothing wrong with it) and tested the 2012 Fusion Hybrid vs 2012 Camry Hybrid and found the Fusion to be more cramped, especially in the back. I'm 6'1" tall and had trouble with the drivers seat in both, especially my right knee hitting the center console in the Camry. I'd look at the 2013 Fusion Hybrid if I can wait that long, especially in red! That's rational criteria for you!

SW17LS

IMHO there is a SIGNIFICANT interior quality difference between your 2006 and the new generation Highlander. Have you sat in one? Terrible plastic, cardboard like headliner, just very poor materials. I'm sure reliability will be great, but I like to sit in a high quality interior and the Highlander's not it.

As for the Fusion vs the Camry...Fusion is all new for 2013...the 2012 you saw was the previous generation.

hypervish

Ford still hasn't proven itself. Just because interior quality is better (which I don't agree with btw), doesn't mean it'll be reliable.

I'd take the Camry or Highlander any day of the week over the Fusion or Explorer.

ejm3

I wouldn't be so quick to trash Ford. IMO opinion they are the only US car company worth anything.
My dad traded his mint-condition older Lexus ES in for a Fusion and it seems like a pretty nice car considering what he paid for it and what they gave him as a trade on his Lexus.

Unfortunately he's retired and doesn't put many miles on the car so I can't gauge reliability as much as I would like. I'm curious how they will hold up after 100k+ miles. I wouldn't expect it to be a Toyota or Honda but I wouldn't be surprised if it held up fine.

Also my boss sold me her '10 RX350 executive company vehicle and her new company car is a 2013 Explorer and though its only a couple months old now so far she loves it. I wasn't sure if she would be happy with the Ford after her 2 previous company cars were both RX's but so far so good.

All that said I'm not sure I personally am ready to put my hard earned money on a Ford product just yet but I can see why people do.

SW17LS

You should look at the new Jeeps too. Very high quality, very well built, reliability remains to be seen.

I don't see how anyone can sit in an Explorer or a Fusion and then sit in a Highlander or Camry and say the Toyota has better quality materials inside. Not anybody who isn't biased anyways.

Modern Toyota interiors are *very* chintzy inside.

All kinds of vehicles I'd buy before a Camry or Highlander...if you have to have Japanese buy an Accord or Pilot. Much nicer.

hypervish

I won't continue commenting on that subject as this thread has derailed, and it's disrespectful to the OP. If you wish to discuss this, I'll gladly continue in the "car chat" section of this forum.