The latest Explorer and Durango are based on unibody not BOF. Does that make them any less Explorer or Durango? No. So the GX will still be GX save for on a RX platform

** if they were smart they would offer the GX with a 4WD system to keep some of it's off roading prowess

 

difference being that GX will stay based on Prado, so if they make FWD based car, I doubt it will be called GX. Difference between Explorer and Durango is that Prado and its platform sell a lot and is profitable worldwide, not just USA. And it sells because it is truck so it is unlikely I guess.

They can call it VX :-)

 

new highlander looks decent in and out and i'm sure it's a fine vehicle overall.

i did chuckle at this, as the worst 'teaser' of all time.

 

 

I saw the Highlander at the NY show yesterday and it's ok.I don't like the rear design and black fender and lower rear trim.Not as big as it looks in the pics.
I asked about an HID option and the Toyota rep didn't know if HIDs will be available.
The Highlander wasn't getting much attention from the people.
Talk about lack of attention to a manufacturer,the Lincoln area was dead.
A few mulling around but it was bad.

Interesting tidbit was according to the Toyota rep with his IPad check, the '13 LX570 doesn't come with Blind Spot Monitor option.

 

did the '12?

 

^^ I have not seen it on any year of the LX. GX get's it worse though, it is the only 2013 Lexus vehicle to not have the latest navi system

 

^^ that is when the new IS already has a new design graphic than that found on the ES and GS, which is already in front of what is found on the GX

 

It got bigger it looks like. Is the 4Runner growing as well? Sequoia staying for '14?

 

Marginally bigger, still one of the smallest 3 row CUV's in the segment.

I believe the 4Runner will be a facelift, nothing architectural.

I think Sequoia will stay for '14. It has a pretty strong export market now.

 

They're starting to trickle out. Looks like a press event was held recently.

Overall, looks like another in the string of modest updates. Catching up to some of the competition, but nothing to really establish best-in-class or blow anybody away. This quote from Motor Trend captures my sentiment of Toyota/Lexus recently.

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...lander_review/

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...rst-drive.html

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...r_first_drive/

 

Motortrend wanted a sports car with 400hp and not a family car... i dont see why is it so hard to review family cars as family cars... Cars.com "preview" is pretty good and explains important parts of new Highlander.

Not every car should be a sports car.

 

+1, it seems all automotive reviewers expect the "ultimate driving machine" out of whatever they are testing.

 

I'm not saying it needs to be a sports car, but I think they can do better. The competition in that segment is pretty steep right now. Durango is gaining traction, Pathfinder has done well with it's major change. Toyota's package is still a bit too small overall, could use some more updates to powertrains, etc.

 

Not one single part of the MT review suggested to me that the Highlander ought to be a sports car. They were suggesting to buy a minivan instead. But for the zillions of people who still buy vehicles in this segment, what does the HL have to offer?

LMAO!

Doesn't need more than 270hp. What it needs is beefier torque in the low-end and mid-range, especially in this weight class.

Anyways even thew new Honda Odyssey looks pretty darned cool. I could see trading in our X5d and old 2002 Highlander for an Odyssey, but just haven't been impressed with the 2nd gen Highlander, and this one doesn't look terribly exciting either. I LOVE our old 1st gen Highlander. Old school top notch Toyota build quality and polished refinement. The seats are fantastic, too. The seats in the 2nd gen were so bad for me that they would have been a deal-breaker even if I had wanted the car. Wonder how the seats are in the new one?