2017 highlander
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Toyota may (?) have skimped some on the last-generation Highlander's insulation. (it's been a while since I sampled a Highlander, so I don't remember the ride-comfort or noise-level in detail, though I do remember a lot of body roll and slow steering response). The latest Highlander, as you note, may have addressed that, as Toyota is now trying to correct some of their past mistakes.
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The current Highlander is quieter than the previous gen. That is according to the stats at the auto decibel website.
Driver
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From: TX
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.
Last edited by kennytbone; Mar 21, 2016 at 11:45 AM.
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I'm hoping they have also revised the sound system. The JBL in the '14-'16 had many complaints about sound quality for a $40k vehicle.
One of the new things I'm excited about is the available brown leather interior (only on the Platinum). I wanted so badly to have that color in my next new vehicle. Adds so much character over traditional interior colors.
One of the new things I'm excited about is the available brown leather interior (only on the Platinum). I wanted so badly to have that color in my next new vehicle. Adds so much character over traditional interior colors.
Diesel350 said his (not '17) highlander is not as quiet as an rx. I thought maybe the '17 refresh (what this thread is about) will be quieter.
So '08's and '14's are irrelevant.
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The REAL sports-car among crossover SUVs is probably the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 (yes, the Grand Cherokee uses a unibody chassis, which technically is the definition of a crossover SUV). But even bread-and-butter Grand Cherokess are not cheap, and the SRT version, of course, is a serious chunk of cash.
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The REAL sports-car among crossover SUVs is probably the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 (yes, the Grand Cherokee uses a unibody chassis, which technically is the definition of a crossover SUV). But even bread-and-butter Grand Cherokess are not cheap, and the SRT version, of course, is a serious chunk of cash.
If the Highlander SE is anything like the new RAV4 SE, it'll ride fairly stiffly with minimal added dynamic capability/precision. Not sure if the tradeoff is worth it.
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Kennytbone was referring specifically to the segment, which is the 3-row crossover segment, within which the Grand Cherokee doesn't compete. If you want to grab examples outside of this segment to anything that is a crossover then you would have to probably count the Macan and Cayenne as the "REAL" sports car. But since those aren't in the realm of this segment, the upcoming CX-9 should indeed be the most engaging vehicle dynamically, and stylistically, although that part is more subjective.
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The MB G-Wagen is not a crossover but a real BOF SUV. And, again, it is a 2-row, not 3-row SUV.
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As to the SE model, it is not supposed to bring better handling here, it is just appearance package.
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Why do you feel that it isn't supposed to bring better handling? Toyota seems to use SE as a "sporty" variant lately, drawing attention to specific sport-tuned suspensions in the other models as well as the appearance portion.
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According to this C&D article, the suspension changes in the RAV4 SE are pretty good, so let's hope it's the same for the Highlander:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t-drive-review
The biggest mechanical changes are in the suspension, which has been made more athletic all around, thanks to stiffer springs, larger anti-roll bars, and firmer damping. We're not talking Porsche 911 here, but compared with the regular RAV4, the difference is palpable.
Experiencing the Difference
On a brisk drive through one of Southern California's twisty mountain roads, the upgraded suspension provided excellent body and wheel control at high speeds and handled midcorner bumps very well, even when the body was heeled over. And the structure of the RAV4 felt very solid, never emitting any creaks or groans.
Experiencing the Difference
On a brisk drive through one of Southern California's twisty mountain roads, the upgraded suspension provided excellent body and wheel control at high speeds and handled midcorner bumps very well, even when the body was heeled over. And the structure of the RAV4 felt very solid, never emitting any creaks or groans.
Nobody builds a truly sporting entry in the compact-SUV segment - at least outside of the luxury makers - and the RAV4 SE is no exception. We'd say this model handles most similarly to the Mazda CX-5, which is our class favorite, but picking a winner between the two will require a direct comparison test. For those buyers who are in the Toyota family and want a compact SUV that performs with a bit more precision than most, the SE is a good choice.
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