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2010 Toyota Highlander
 
When we first received the Toyota Highlander into the Top Speed test fleet we immediately noticed just how big the Salsa Red Pearl crossover from Japan really is. Even our base model Highlander came rather well equipped, and is the perfect new car for a growing family on a budget. The Highlander that Toyota chose for us to drive is representative of the automaker’s high quality economical transportation options. The CUV came with everything you need to get the job done, like third row seating and plenty of interior space to go along with the comfortable ride, minus a few of the pricey creature comforts that the segment has become synonymous with; keeping the new car’s price well in the affordable range. On the outside, everything about the Highlander is big, like the oversized grill and machined six spoke alloys measuring 17 inches in diameter, giving the crossover a more powerful presence rather than a playful persona, unlike the majority of the CUV field. Meanwhile the interior is spacious and wrapped in cloth continuing the cost effective crossover theme. Although Toyota offers both V6 and Hybrid equipped Highlanders, under the hood our car came equipped with a rather large 2.7 Liter VVT-i four cylinder engine cranking out 187 HP and a gas sipping six speed automatic transmission that is good for 20 MPG in the city and as much as 27 MPG at highway speeds. The package is more than enough to scoot the nearly two ton crossover around town comfortably, all for under $26,000. Full story 2010 Toyota Highlander Special Edition pricing announced
The Japanese automaker Toyota has just announced pricing for the 2010 Highlander V6 Special Edition, a model that will replace the current Sport grade CUV. The Special Edition crossover will begin to arrive in showrooms by January of 2010 and will be wearing a $32,480 price tag for the two wheel drive Highlander SE 4x2 and the go anywhere 4x4 Highlander will go for $33,930. The new Highlander SE is powered by a 3.5 Liter gas burning V6 with modern technologies like Toyota’s VVT-i, Variable Valve Timing with intelligence, on both intake and exhaust that delivers a maximum output of 270 HP and 248 lb-ft of torque; more than enough grunt to take the extremely practical crossover wherever you might want to go. The Special Edition will play up on Toyota’s more luxurious side by featuring luxurious amenities both inside and out like leather wrapped heated front seats, Tri-Zone automatic front and rear air conditioning, power moonroof, in dash six disc CD changer, 17 inch alloys wheels as well as a standard tow package so that owners can make more practical use of the V6’s pulling power. The Toyota Highlander offers excellent value even in base model form, but the Special Edition trim is guaranteed to take the Highlander to the next level. Press release after the jump. Full story Initial thoughts: 2010 Toyota Highlander
We recently received a Salsa Red Pearl 2010 Toyota Highlander into the Top Speed test fleet. The first thing we noticed when the full size Japanese crossover was delivered is just how big the Highlander is. This gives the 187 HP entry level CUV a more powerful rather than playful, unlike the majority of the crossover field. This should make a few more men fell comfortable behind the wheel when doing the job of a soccer mom. The Highlander that Toyota chose for us to drive is representative of the automaker’s high quality economical transportation options. At around $26,000 the CUV came with everything you need to get the job done, minus a few of the pricey creature comforts that the segment has become synonymous with.  Going along with the economy car theme; our Toyota Highlander is spacious and well laid out, but the seats are wrapped in money saving cloth as opposed to “Corinthian Leather” and while the crossover came equipped with rear air you won’t find any factory mounted screens to entertain the second and third row passengers. That is because the Highlander can seat up to seven passengers safely (did we mention the seven standard airbags) and after all aren’t vehicles more about getting people to their destination than being a rolling entertainment center. However Toyota does offer an optional 9 inch display complete with a pair of wireless headphones that are guaranteed not only to keep the back seat passengers entertained with DVDs, but it will do it in complete silence as well, if you’re into that sort of thing.  Either way our entry level Toyota Highlander has it where it counts, even in basic trim the truck rides on a set of massive 17 inch six spoke wheels and is powered by a 2.7 Liter 16 valve VVT-i four cylinder engine that gets an EPA estimated 20 MPG in the city and up to 27 MPG on the highway. The engine is connected to a six speed automatic ECT-i transmission with a manual shift mode that is supposed to be tuned perfectly for the four banger’s 186 lb-ft of torque, honestly we can’t wait to take this 3800 pound crossover for a spin. Another treat that we found after popping the hood is the equal length 4-2-1 headers that looks like it could have been lifted from the TRD catalog, the piece is the perfect example of how far the Japanese car builders at Toyota go to squeeze every last drop of efficiency out of their vehicles. 2010 Avalon, Yaris, Highlander, FJ Cruiser, Rav4 and Tacoma prices announced
Toyota today announced prices for the 2010 line-up, including Avalon, Yaris, Highlander, FJ Cruiser, Rav4 and Tacoma. All cars will go on sale in August, with the exception of Highlander (September). The 2010 FJ Cruiser will come with dual VVT-i and roller rocker arms on the 4.0-liter V6, which add 19 hp and a one mpg increase. Prices will range from $23,680 for the 2WD automatic to $25,270 for the 4WD automatic. The RAV4 will go on sale with prices ranging from $21,500 for the base model 2WD four-cylinder to $27,810 for the 4WD Limited V6. The base MSRP for the 2010 Highlander ranges from $25,705 for the base four-cylinder 2WD to $41,020 for the Limited 4WD hybrid model. For the 2010 Avalon prices will range from $27,945 for the XL to $35,285 for the Limited. Tacoma’s prices will range from $15,170 for the Regular Cab with a five-speed manual transmission to $27,075 for the V6 4x4 Double Cab Long Bed with a five-speed automatic transmission. And finally Yaris’s rpices will range from $12,355 for the three-door model with manual transmission, to $13,915 for the four-door sedan with an automatic transmission. Press release after the jump. Full story 2009 Toyota Highlander will get a four-cylinder engine
Toyota is returning to its roots. It has had to scale back on production of large trucks and return to the focus on smaller products. This plan also includes a return of the four-cylinder Highlander for 2009. When the SUV first arrived back in 2001, it has the Camry’s four banger as standard, but that eventually went away. Now that fuel economy is back in fashion, a 2.7-liter inline four-cylinder engine will be the new base. Highlander’s new four-cylinder powertrain will produce 187 hp at 5,800 RPM and 186 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,100 RPM. The engine will have an EPA estimated fuel economy of 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. It is mated to a six-speed ECT automatic transmission. Press release after the jump. Full story Toyota moves new Toyota Highlander up in production
The Highlander makes the most sense out of all of Toyota’s SUVs because it is the one currently offering a hybrid version that can attract sales. Slow sales has already caused Toyota to halt production until November of the large Tundra pickup and Sequoia SUV at the plants Princeton, Indiana, and San Antonio, Texas. The new plant in Tupelo, Mississippi, that was originally slated to make the Highlander will now make the Prius instead. Unlike most of the U.S. auto companies, Toyota is giving a more optimistic view for the future at its U.S. plants that currently produce trucks. "I don’t anticipate us laying off any people," St. Angelo said. "Hopefully – and I can’t predict the future — the bad stuff is behind us, and we can stabilize, train and pick up again in a month or so."
2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
If you have been following our video reviews, you know we have already featured the Toyota Highlander. But this is the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, and it’s full of enough technology to make it worth its own review. This is Toyota’s second generation of both the Highlander model and the available hybrid engine. Along with the Prius and the Camry Hybrid, this makes up Toyota’s gas-electric group. The new Highlander Hybrid is powered by a 3.3-liter double overhead hybrid engine, which produces 209 horsepower. This advanced Hybrid Synergy Drive System has the fuel economy of up to 27 MPG city, and 25 MPG highway. It comes standard with four-wheel drive, equipped with intelligence drive. Just like the gasoline powered Highlander, the hybrid is available with the choice of a Base or Limited trim. The price for the 2008 Highlander Hybrid starts at $33,700. Full story 2008 Toyota Highlander
The 2008 Toyota Highlander is a seven passenger "affordable" midsized SUV. It was first introduced in 2002, and quickly became Toyota’s best selling SUV, until the Rav4 outsold it in 2006. After seven years, the highlander was in need of makeover. The highlander just looks dated, particularly in the cabin, which was smaller than most current SUV models. In 2008, Toyota decided it was time for a change and introduced a completely redesigned Highlander. The new highlander is built on the same platform as the current Toyota Camry, and is now longer, wider and taller than its previous generation. This new SUV is offered in several trim levels: base, Sport and Limited, each with front or all-wheel drive. The Hybrid models are base and limited, and both are offered only with all-wheel drive. So, you have plenty of trim options to choose from. Full story
2008 Toyota Highlander prices announced
Toyota today announced the MSRP for the all-new Highlander mid-size sport utility vehicle (SUV). The Highlander will be offered in Base, Sport and Limited grades. Full story
Top 10 Picks list for 2007
Consumer Reports announced today that it has named five new models to its Top Picks list for 2007 — the Toyota RAV4, Infiniti G35, Toyota Sienna, Mazda MX-5 Miata, and the new Honda Fit. The Top Picks list is published in CR’s Annual April Auto Issue. The Toyota Prius remains the Top Pick in the "green" car category for the fourth year in a row. The Prius demonstrated an excellent 44 mpg overall fuel economy, the best of Consumer Reports tests of any five-passenger vehicles. > Full story
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Bucking the market trend, Toyota will be accelerating the production schedule of an SUV. Toyota announced today that production of the Highlander SUV will be moved up six months. "We need to get those people working. That’s the bottom line," said Steve St. Angelo, senior vice president of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc.
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