2020 Highlander
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 555
From: fl
I like some of the styling elements from the side - change in the slope of the roofline to be a bit more like RR, Ford Explorer, Aviator, Navigator (all of which are copying RR look IMO). I also like the headlights and the way the rear passenger window slopes up towards the roofline creating more of a tear-drop look. Interior looks great, especially the better integration of the screen into the dash. One thing I continue to dislike about all of the new Highlanders is the black rubber trim around the wheel well - even on the highest end package they have that there. Cheapens the look IMO and I was hoping they'd get rid of that in this minor facelift.
My mom is in the market and is 100% sold on getting another Highlander (currently has a 2002 that she bought brand new and has 180k trouble-free miles) so I may tell her to wait 6 months so she can consider this one.
My mom is in the market and is 100% sold on getting another Highlander (currently has a 2002 that she bought brand new and has 180k trouble-free miles) so I may tell her to wait 6 months so she can consider this one.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,651
Likes: 426
From: ON/NY
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,864
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
The Highlander isn't a big truck. Depends on the torque. CX-9 has 310 lb ft at 2000rpm even though it has "just" 250 hp on premium. It feels a lot more powerful and responsive than the V6 competitors I drove. Unless you're accelerating hard past 90 mph, low end torque is what we all use in normal driving.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,248
Likes: 275
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 555
From: fl
The Highlander isn't a big truck. Depends on the torque. CX-9 has 310 lb ft at 2000rpm even though it has "just" 250 hp on premium. It feels a lot more powerful and responsive than the V6 competitors I drove. Unless you're accelerating hard past 90 mph, low end torque is what we all use in normal driving.
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Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 319
From: NY
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 319
From: NY
The Highlander isn't a big truck. Depends on the torque. CX-9 has 310 lb ft at 2000rpm even though it has "just" 250 hp on premium. It feels a lot more powerful and responsive than the V6 competitors I drove. Unless you're accelerating hard past 90 mph, low end torque is what we all use in normal driving.
Diminishing returns. The battery will drain faster and the anemic engine will have to work harder to move the big vehicle. Plus if the new RAV4 Hybrid is anything to go by, the engine will scream to high heaven when you want any acceleration out of it.
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,296
Likes: 1,904
From: WA
Interesting that "Platinum" is its own trim level now, unlike before. When we bought ours, the Limited came in two versions, Limited, and Limited Platinum. I like the name better to simply be "Platinum".
