Picture Gallery: 2008 Toyota Highlander | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3| Day 4
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A funny advertisement to say the least, but the base model Highlander doesn’t come with reverse sensors — I guess I’ll have to back into the neighbour’s car when I leave in the morning. This week I test drive the new 2008 Toyota Highlander, a base model 4WD with V6 engine.
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It is kind of nice to have a base model of a vehicle to test for a change; it seems to be happening a little more often lately, which is great for my readers even if it means I might have to “slum it” for a week. The Highlander comes standard with Toyota’s amazing 270hp 3.5litre V6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.
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Other notable standard drivetrain features include: hill descent control, snow mode, hill-hold brake assist, four-wheel ABS, stability control and electronic brake distribution — certainly nothing to sneeze at. On the inside, standard items include: cloth seats, air-conditioning, stereo equipped with AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA capability, auxiliary input and six speakers and a whackload of cup-holders.
The new Highlander looks sharp and initial driving impressions are pretty good. I have high hopes for its fuel efficiency knowing Toyota’s record and this engine, but this is not a small vehicle — we’ll see how it goes.
2008 Toyota Highlander
MSRP as tested: $41,340
For more information on Toyota and the Highlander visit Toyota Canada
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Behind the front row is where everything seems to change. I expected a much larger second row and with the middle seat of the second row being pretty much useless, the Highlander — touted as a seven seater — turns into a vehicle that really can only hold four comfortably.
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My first thought when entering the Highlander was that the dash looked like the electronics aisle at Future Shop. I especially like the large dials used for the stereo controls, a very modern electronic look that is used on large stereo systems.
The HVAC system carries on the theme with very easy to read and use dials. Actually, all the buttons and dials on the Highlander are adorned with huge text that is very easy to read at a glance or if your eyesight is failing. This is a similar design to the new Camry as well, and although some may dislike it, I am glad for it in a world of more and more buttons that are hard to read, especially when you should be keeping your eyes on the road ahead.
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My test model weights in at 4,178lbs, which is pretty standard for a vehicle of this size, though some of the driving dynamics it possesses do not seem to jive with that. First is the handling: although not sports-car-like, the Highlander does handle fairly well and does not feel as though it is about to flip over when tossed around a corner. The steering is pretty vague and light feeling; off-road this could be an issue when trying to negotiate a rock.
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Another place where Toyota delivers is the engine. In the Highlander,this is the same one used in the Camry V6 and the Rav4; one would think hauling this much extra weight around, performance would suffer, but it does not. The Highlander scuttles along smoothly and easily, so that keeping up with or ahead of traffic takes very little throttle response — as a result is a real joy to drive around town.
So there you have it, Toyota has a reputation for making boring appliance-like vehicles, but they provide their large SUV with the dynamics of a sports car — okay, perhaps that is stretching it a little too far, but for a vehicle in this segment it is somewhat engaging with good power, good brakes and great acceleration.
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I cannot say the Highlander does not provide value, as value can mean many things to many people, but as far as content and features for the dollar the Highlander is lacking. There is nothing in the Highlander that really stands out as exceptional — perhaps a case could be made for the engine.
I wasn’t able to get very many kilometers on the Highlander this week, but averaged around 11.5L/100km, in mostly city driving, which is excellent for a vehicle of this size and better than Transport Canada’s estimated city mileage of 12.3L/100km. I will try to report back with an update after a little more driving this coming weekend, but as expected, Toyota did a great job on fuel economy.
With the abundance of crossovers/ SUVs and other utility vehicles heading to the market I do not see a compelling reason to jump at the Highlander. The RAV4 provides nearly the same amount of room with more style and the same engine. If you really need the seven seats, you may want to look for something that will provide your passengers with more comfort. Perhaps you won’t be as “cool” but the Sienna would do the job.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2008 Toyota Highlander
MSRP as tested: $41,340
For more information on Toyota and the Highlander visit Toyota Canada
to our site.
August 18, 2007, 11:01:22 am The execution of the audio-HVAC face plate http://www.canadiandriver.com/ctc_gallery/images/toyota/2008_toyota_highlander/highlander_jb_16-1997.jpg IMO looks like some of the robot faces that I see on the animated cartoon shows my daughter watches. Maybe user friendly, but very ugly IMO.
August 18, 2007, 11:33:09 am
Does the upper level have duel zone climate controls?
August 18, 2007, 01:40:32 pm Neighbour about 6 houses down the street just traded in his '01 HL for a new '08 HL Limited in a new color, a light blue metallic with grey leather interior. Has 19" alloys as part of the Limited pkg. I only had a brief look at it but looks a lot better in real life than the pictures.
I think those that say the new HL won't sell well are not right, my guess it will sell nearly as well as the old one. But who knows?
August 18, 2007, 01:44:53 pm
Does the upper level have duel zone climate controls?
The AUX audio input jack would be located on the center console somewhere, a better location than in the dash.
I don't think there is dual zone climate control, only one set of temperature and fan speed knobs.
August 18, 2007, 10:14:42 pm Great interior, but the styling is generic Toyugly
August 19, 2007, 12:54:13 pm
Local Toyota dealer here has nearly 20 of them on the lot, so they must be expecting brisk sales from someplace.
August 19, 2007, 10:51:57 pm So... the American Highlander starts at $27,300 USD, with the limited going to $32,700 (a difference of $5,400)
The Canadian Highlander starts at $39,650 CAD (more than buying a limited one from the US), reaching to $50,ish - more than a 10 grand difference.
Toyota USA > Toyota Canada
August 20, 2007, 12:46:45 am
The Canadian Highlander starts at $39,650 CAD (more than buying a limited one from the US), reaching to $50,ish - more than a 10 grand difference.
Toyota USA > Toyota Canada
http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,53505.0.html
August 20, 2007, 07:03:53 am Either the resellers/brokers will be getting in on the action or hungry US dealers will be sending in RDR's in the names of their cousin's,friends,neighbours and then changing the ownership info after a month or two.
August 20, 2007, 12:27:19 pm I saw many on a lot at a Toyota dealership in Sault St. Marie, this past weekend.
August 20, 2007, 12:32:44 pm
August 20, 2007, 12:34:31 pm
I am not sure...maybe. But I saw one 08' dark greenish one when driving south of Sudbury, yesterday afternoon. First one I saw on the road.
August 20, 2007, 12:38:05 pm
The vehicle is just barely available in dealer's hands, and you are surmissing that because they have some on the lots just received, it is not selling well? Pretty big assumption to make so early in the game...
August 20, 2007, 12:53:28 pm
I'm not surmising anything, I'm wondering. I'm also not suggesting this vehicle won't be a hit. Previous Highlanders have sold well and I have no reason to believe this one won't as well.
I'm WONDERING whether the dealers have taken a lot of pre-orders and that these Highlanders are waiting to be picked up or whether dealers are loading up on them while they can or maybe Toyota has been building them for quite some time and have a huge inventory or whatever...
Sometimes one can wonder without drawing conclusions.
August 22, 2007, 11:20:32 am
I'm not surmising anything, I'm wondering. I'm also not suggesting this vehicle won't be a hit. Previous Highlanders have sold well and I have no reason to believe this one won't as well.
I'm WONDERING whether the dealers have taken a lot of pre-orders and that these Highlanders are waiting to be picked up or whether dealers are loading up on them while they can or maybe Toyota has been building them for quite some time and have a huge inventory or whatever...
Sometimes one can wonder without drawing conclusions.
I think most dealership will put the newly redesigned car in their dealership for a month or so (same case happen with tundra).. Because mostly their new car compound is full as this moment and waiting for the old stock(07 models) to go out .Eventually, the dealership slowly ship those HL back to their compound. It is just for advertising as well as ran out of room at their inventory compound.
August 26, 2007, 01:15:57 pm On the Toyota website, "automatic door closer" is listed as standard equipment on the SR5 and Limited. What exactly is that, and I wonder why it is not available on the Sport?
October 17, 2007, 03:45:33 pm
airbalancer, you've been checking out vehicles in this category, I would like to know your assessment of this one as well.
Finially went to see one, and it was very nice, driving position was excellant( did not go for a drive), room behind the seat was also good, base model did not look to bad.
But to spend $51gs on a load model , I dont know if I could.
By the way who could fit in a RAVA 4, it just felt wrong in the drivers seat
October 20, 2007, 01:41:39 pm
airbalancer, you've been checking out vehicles in this category, I would like to know your assessment of this one as well.
Finially went to see one, and it was very nice, driving position was excellant( did not go for a drive), room behind the seat was also good, base model did not look to bad.
But to spend $51gs on a load model , I dont know if I could.
By the way who could fit in a RAVA 4, it just felt wrong in the drivers seat
Holy cow airbalancer, were you partying early on October 17th?
October 20, 2007, 02:54:27 pm By the way, "who" is correct (it is NOT "whom"), although it should have been preceded by a comma and the rest of the sentence is just plain wrong.
October 20, 2007, 03:26:41 pm
That's what I meant... The sentence would have been a little better if the words "for me who"... would have been used instead of just "who".
airbalancer, do you feel you're back on a school bench yet?
October 29, 2007, 03:19:53 am I have visited your site 446-times
October 29, 2007, 09:53:22 am
Wow, why not sign on and become a regular contributor then?? You would be welcome.
October 29, 2007, 10:42:35 am
airbalancer, you've been checking out vehicles in this category, I would like to know your assessment of this one as well.
Finially went to see one, and it was very nice, driving position was excellant( did not go for a drive), room behind the seat was also good, base model did not look to bad.
But to spend $51gs on a load model , I dont know if I could.
By the way who could fit in a RAVA 4, it just felt wrong in the drivers seat
I found the Highlander quite comfortable as well. Rear headroom in 2nd row kind of tight (had a sunroof) but the front was a good place to be. Controls are solid too.
The RAV not really at all.
December 06, 2007, 10:55:25 am Consumer Reports ranks 2008 Highlander No. 1
But 'recommended' tag is withheld under new policy
Ryan Beene
Automotive News
December 5, 2007 - 4:49 pm ET
DETROIT -- The redesigned 2008 Toyota Highlander scores No. 1 on the Consumer Reports list of top mid-size, three-row SUVs, but it doesn't get an automatic “Recommended” designation by the magazine in its latest issue.
The Highlander is the first vehicle to be hit by the magazine’s Oct. 16 decision to not automatically award the “Recommended” designation to Toyota vehicles.
The 2008 Highlander scored better than 13 competing mid-size, three-row SUVs to take the segment’s top spot in the magazine’s January ratings, but it was not officially recommended because “we recommend only models with sufficient data to predict average or better reliability,” David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, said in a statement.
The Highlander received high marks for its ride comfort, quiet interior, refinement, power, fuel economy and second-row seat. It was criticized for a light steering feel, a lack of versatility in the third-row seat and for not being very agile.
In the past, Consumer Reports said it automatically gave the “Recommended” moniker to new and redesigned Toyotas based on the company’s excellent reliability history. If reliability of Toyota vehicles returns to “excellent” levels for a sustained period, Consumer Reports said it will resume automatic recommendations, according to a press release.The redesigned Highlander, nonetheless, finished at the top the list with a rating of 81.
Other vehicles tested in the January issue were the Buick Enclave, Ford Taurus X and Subaru Tribeca, whose ratings along with the Highlander were added to the magazine’s existing rankings of 10 other midsize, three-row SUVs.
The Tribeca and Taurus X got the “Recommended” nod, even though scores came in at 70 for the Tribeca and 75 for the Taurus X. The Buick Enclave also scored 75 in the latest round of testing.
Below the top-ranked Highlander, the Enclave placed sixth, the Taurus X took seventh and the Tribeca came in eleventh in the updated tests.
Other existing top ratings included the Acura MDX at No. 2 with a score of 80. The Honda Pilot was No. 3 with a 79 rating.
December 06, 2007, 11:12:30 am Party On DUDE.......I bet ya don't give a HVAC'K