vicpai

Hey dpaul!
here is an analysis of RX vs. Highlander

The 6- cylinder engines are identical to a T, but the Highlander is also available with a 2.4L 4 cylinder engine, which is not even worth considering IMHO. The RX is still leaps and bounds above the Hihglander IMHO, even though from a purely mechanical standpoint the Higlander Limited V6 comes very close to the RX

One major advantage of the Highlander is that Toyota has corrected the major turning circle design flaw of the RX (they've reduced it to 37.4 ft from the unacceptable 41.3 ft of the RX, inspite of the fact that the Hihglander is about 4 inches longer than the RX and about a half inch wider - I don't consider the larger dimensions of the HL as an advantage over the RX, but rather a disadvantage, but that's just me!! - I simply like smaller vehicles.

When it comes to styling there is just no comparison IMHO - The RX is still beautiful after all those years, whereas the Highlander is ugly - looks like a box on wheels / people mover / soccer-mom mobile whatever ......but a very interesting and surprising fact I observed in this regard is despite the Highlander's much more "boxy" appearance it is actually more aerodynamic than it's more upscale cousin (RX's drag coefficient is 0.36cd and Highlander's is 0.34cd )

Talking about the interior is an entirely different story.....there is no comparison between the two at all.....Even the top-of-the-line Higlander is nowhere near as luxurious as a fully loaded RX....Stuff whic is available on the RX but not on the HL include HIDs (xenon headlights), a great DVD Navigation system, far superior quality leather and interior appointments, electrochromic mirrors all round, memory seats and some other goodies. Apart from this I've test driven both, and must say that the RX has a much smoother and quieter ride (more substantial sound insulation) than the Highlander.

The difference in market price between a loaded Highlander and a loaded RX is about 5-6K considering that the RX is now available very close to invoice price (300-600 over invoice depending on where you live)......so I would say this makes the RX worth every penny over the HL......in fact, I would go so far as to say that the "value quotient" of the RX is at this time higher than the Highlander!!!

dpaul

vicpai:

Thanks for the good info!!!!!!!!

Visitor

They look different enough to me, now the ES 300 and 02 Camry look like twin sisters.