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.

 

If Toyota would not detune the gas part of the hybrid model, the new 2.5 hybrid model could easily top 315hp making the V6 redundant

 

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.

 

Not even a truck

 

not really.... real life MPG wont be anything similar, but also consider costs - they can offer 300h at much lower costs than 450h.

 

I think the Highlander is a very good size SUV/CUV. I was helping my mom narrow down her list and it came down to the CX-9 and Highlander. There was a ton to like about the CX-9, especially interior fit & finish, but I wasn't overly impressed with the feel of the engine like you are/were. I thought the Highlander felt more powerful - specifically it felt a bit more smooth and effortless. Could just be my driving style and what I'm used to over the years.

 

 

True, but they didnt so that's that.

 

It’s not a bad looking car. I noticed the steering wheel resembles the ones inside some of the newer Lexus’.

 

Well the RAv4 hybrid has 219hp and goes 0-60 in 7.5s. The Highlander is a much bigger vehicle, couple of hundred pounds heavier and less aerodynamic (presumably). I would wager it will go 0-60 closer to 9s.

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.

 

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".

 

not feeling it with such an odd array of asymmetric shapes, colors, textures, materials, etc.



i much prefer the pilot's symmetry, less busy design, and modern shifter.

 

a plus is you can get 2nd row bench on higher trims now which you couldn't when i looked at one a few years back.

 

The Pilot is abysmal quality inside though, and I hate the push button shifter.

 

That started with the 2017 refresh as I recall. The bench became optional on Limited models, and they made the captain's chairs optional on the XLE.