2020 Highlander
#61
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: Massachusetts
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Underwelmed myself. I still say they needed to extend the wheelbase and length more. They say it sells very well at a smaller size but I think sales are just indicative of it being a "Toyota Highlander". Doesn't matter what it is, it'll sell.
I find it interesting that the front end is closer to the pre-facelifted version on the current gen than the facelifted one.
I find it interesting that the front end is closer to the pre-facelifted version on the current gen than the facelifted one.
#62
Pole Position
Very underwhelming overall. Toyota actually DECREASED power with one of their powertrains in an age of increasing power levels. I dont mind that they increase the size all that much, just means there's definitely a new Sequoia on the way, but gosh couldnt they even slightly improve the engines? If anybody wants a Hybrid V6 Highlander, now is the time to snap it up. I still can't believe they put in a 4cylinder hybrid.
#63
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Oy, so many thoughts on this one...
I see it's a little bit longer, but can't find the other dimensions. They lengthened it up by 2.4 inches, so it has a new length of 194.9". Still on the smaller side for 3 row CUVs, but that's okay with me.
Cargo room is mostly up, not down. An increase of 2.3 cu ft behind the third row is very useful and addresses one of my few complaints with the current Highlander. Cargo room behind the second row is up by 1.7 cu ft, to a new total of 40.6. Odd, however, is the decrease in cargo space with both rear rows folded, now down 10.6 cu ft, to 73.3. That one doesn't concern me, as we never use it in that way anyway, but it's still surprising.
I think your point, in general, is correct, though I will say that the more compact size of the Highlander is one of the main things that drew us to the current one. We found the Pilot, for example, to just be too big.
I'm fine with reusing the V6 as is, but the hybrid move to a 4 cylinder is surprising to me, and a huge disappointment. It is for this reason alone that we will not upgrade to the new model. My wife loves having a hybrid, so there's not talking her out of that. The Highlander hybrid was one of the few Toyota products where you got more power from the hybrid model than the standard model. There is exactly zero chance I am switching us to a 4 cylinder hybrid powertrain in a vehicle capable of carrying 7-8 people.
I see it's a little bit longer, but can't find the other dimensions. They lengthened it up by 2.4 inches, so it has a new length of 194.9". Still on the smaller side for 3 row CUVs, but that's okay with me.
Ha, looks like Toyota took it safe I wish they had done more with the car , but I guess and I mean loyal Toyota buyers and current Highlander lease owners will have no trouble upgrading their current models to this one, the exterior looks more like an update to me then a whole new model, the dash is a Corolla XL to my eyes. Toyota seems to make the cargo room smaller and smaller with their new SUVs they did the same with the RAV4. I think afaik this is the first Toyota with Apple Carplay\Android auto together.
Underwelmed myself. I still say they needed to extend the wheelbase and length more. They say it sells very well at a smaller size but I think sales are just indicative of it being a "Toyota Highlander". Doesn't matter what it is, it'll sell.
I find it interesting that the front end is closer to the pre-facelifted version on the current gen than the facelifted one.
I find it interesting that the front end is closer to the pre-facelifted version on the current gen than the facelifted one.
Very underwhelming overall. Toyota actually DECREASED power with one of their powertrains in an age of increasing power levels. I dont mind that they increase the size all that much, just means there's definitely a new Sequoia on the way, but gosh couldnt they even slightly improve the engines? If anybody wants a Hybrid V6 Highlander, now is the time to snap it up. I still can't believe they put in a 4cylinder hybrid.
#65
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
A side by side:
#66
Pole Position
#67
Pole Position
#68
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Motor Trend has some good details, including that the rear hatch is now composite, for weight savings.
Also glad to see the 12.3" navigation screen. Good that they retained the dashboard storage shelf. We get a lot of use out of that.
Wheelbase is lengthened, which is good. Hopefully that carries over to the next RX. I am curious if this means the next RX hybrid will also lose its V6. I would think that's a mistake if they go that route.
Also glad to see the 12.3" navigation screen. Good that they retained the dashboard storage shelf. We get a lot of use out of that.
Wheelbase is lengthened, which is good. Hopefully that carries over to the next RX. I am curious if this means the next RX hybrid will also lose its V6. I would think that's a mistake if they go that route.
#69
The hybrid still gets a reasonable 240 HP combined. They have also retained the excellent 3.5 L V6 & not gone with 2.0T like some of its competition. Lets wait & see how it drives. Either way i think this will continue to outsell majority of its competition, just like the current generation.
Last edited by sorptd; 04-17-19 at 07:32 AM.
#70
Pole Position
Motor Trend has some good details, including that the rear hatch is now composite, for weight savings.
Also glad to see the 12.3" navigation screen. Good that they retained the dashboard storage shelf. We get a lot of use out of that.
Wheelbase is lengthened, which is good. Hopefully that carries over to the next RX. I am curious if this means the next RX hybrid will also lose its V6. I would think that's a mistake if they go that route.
Also glad to see the 12.3" navigation screen. Good that they retained the dashboard storage shelf. We get a lot of use out of that.
Wheelbase is lengthened, which is good. Hopefully that carries over to the next RX. I am curious if this means the next RX hybrid will also lose its V6. I would think that's a mistake if they go that route.
The hybrid still gets a reasonable 240 HP combined. They have also retained the excellent 3.5 L V6 & not gone with 2.0T like some of its competition. Lets wait & see how it drives. Either way i think this will continue to outsell majority of its competition, just like the current generation.
#71
Lexus Fanatic
I actually quite like it. I will seriously consider one.
#72
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
I agree. The more I look at it, and the more I read about it, the more I like it. My only disappointment is in the hybrid powertrain, but I don't think you'd go that route anyway. The V6 version is the way to go on this one.
#73
Lexus Fanatic
Me to my godfather
Me: So let me guess, since you've had that car, you probably have never brought it back to the dealer for a warranty repair?
Godfather: No, but I did bring it back once for a tire patch.
This was around 2015, and he bought the RAV4 new in late 2008. I like the way it looks from this thread, and if it does what the 2009 did (uncle bought it from Godfather but doesn't use it much, sits), seems like a winner.
I really think every household needs a uber reliable car, so that they have the opportunity to get a car where uber reliability is not critical and the deciding factor. The uber reliable car is the foundation for other possibilities in the stable.
Me: So let me guess, since you've had that car, you probably have never brought it back to the dealer for a warranty repair?
Godfather: No, but I did bring it back once for a tire patch.
This was around 2015, and he bought the RAV4 new in late 2008. I like the way it looks from this thread, and if it does what the 2009 did (uncle bought it from Godfather but doesn't use it much, sits), seems like a winner.
I really think every household needs a uber reliable car, so that they have the opportunity to get a car where uber reliability is not critical and the deciding factor. The uber reliable car is the foundation for other possibilities in the stable.
#74
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Me to my godfather
Me: So let me guess, since you've had that car, you probably have never brought it back to the dealer for a warranty repair?
Godfather: No, but I did bring it back once for a tire patch.
This was around 2015, and he bought the RAV4 new in late 2008. I like the way it looks from this thread, and if it does what the 2009 did (uncle bought it from Godfather but doesn't use it much, sits), seems like a winner.
I really think every household needs a uber reliable car, so that they have the opportunity to get a car where uber reliability is not critical and the deciding factor. The uber reliable car is the foundation for other possibilities in the stable.
Me: So let me guess, since you've had that car, you probably have never brought it back to the dealer for a warranty repair?
Godfather: No, but I did bring it back once for a tire patch.
This was around 2015, and he bought the RAV4 new in late 2008. I like the way it looks from this thread, and if it does what the 2009 did (uncle bought it from Godfather but doesn't use it much, sits), seems like a winner.
I really think every household needs a uber reliable car, so that they have the opportunity to get a car where uber reliability is not critical and the deciding factor. The uber reliable car is the foundation for other possibilities in the stable.
I'm sure this new one will be the same.
#75
Lexus Fanatic