I try to promote cars that provide what people seem to be looking for. Lately I think some of the Hyundai/Kia products have been that impressive. I've also spoken highly of Ford's, GM vehicles, any manufacturer.

I do think Toyota/Lexus can do more than they're currently doing, one of the main reasons I left the company. But I still give them credit in a lot of threads to doing a great job of overall system integration and execution. I don't think the Highlander is a bad car and never knocked it. But people in this thread, and across the automotive industry have written that the Highlander, while solid, seems like they could have gone farther on some of the small details. Obviously, most Highlander customers are quite happy, hence the strong sales, waiting list at dealerships, strong transaction prices, etc. I also admit that you can't do everything for every refresh/remodel, need to leave some stuff for the minor change etc.

I know this is a Lexus forum and you'll do your darndest to stick up for them. But I also want to help balance a lot of conversations as well. I evaluate vehicles across the industry from every manufacturer and know their product plans several years out. I try to provide information to an extent that I can to help inform.

 

Lexfather, please exit this thread. No need for the personal commentary.

 

If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your crystal ball? I've been looking to pick one up...

 

Just speaking from experience and seeing what Toyota, and a number of other manufacturers also do with regard to things like LED taillamps.

Example, 03-09 4Runner started with bulb type taillamps, got LED's are the midcycle refresh. 2010 4Runner went back to bulb type, and now 2014 refresh got LED's.

 

well if i didn't post it there... good job toyota for putting led headlights on a lower end vehicle.

of course each generation of each vehicle is at its own point in a lifecycle so some vehicles are left 'wanting' toward the end of their current run.

the new highlander though is brand new... out less than a year, and no LED tails, and not even HID headlights on the top trim - seems a bit 'wanting'.

on a brighter note, the interior dash is head and shoulders better than the vehicle it replaces.

 

it's a neat vehicle, but the 5speed auto and tiny infotainment screen killed it for me.

 

basically thats only feature than RX has and Highlander does not... I would guess thats why.

 

Agreed, seems like one of the easy ways for manufacturers to spiffy their models up

 

yep, in the 90's it was the white signal lenses.

 

 

^^^ not a fair comparison imo. CX9 is a 6 year old car while Highlander is a brand new model.

 

I also don't think many people are "attacking highway onramps" with their family haulers, so there's that. lol.

 

cx9 is very dated. overhaul coming soon i believe.

 

^Judging by the new 6 and 3, new CX-9 should be killer!