Still, a cadre of fresh competitors from Ford, Kia, Hyundai, and Subaru, among others, means Toyota had to notably up its game in this hotbed of a marketspace. Through a combination of a new platform, more standard and optional equipment, and a greater sense of overall refinement, the fourth-gen Highlander manages to do just that.
Regular C/D readers surely will ask: Do the new Highlander's updates make it better than the Kia Telluride, which absolutely nails its mission in this segment and has earned pretty much every accolade we can give it, including a comparison-test victory and a 2020 10Best award? We'll lock the two in a cage match as soon as we get a proper Highlander test vehicle. But our initial exposure to this Toyota in Texas did reveal it to have improved looks and more crisply pressed sheetmetal. It's now built on Toyota's solid TNGA-K platform, which also underpins the latest Avalon, Camry, and RAV-4 models. Next to the old model, the Highlander is a smidge wider and a modest 2.4 inches longer in wheelbase and overall length, with all of that stretch going to increased cargo capacity. Both V-6 and hybrid powertrains, something few of its peers offer, remain available, and there's now an arsenal of standard driver assists in Toyota's Safety Sense 2.0 bundle that will prevent you from doing all manner of dumb things.
A Composed, Sedate Driver
The meandering country roads of our drive route offered few opportunities to probe the Highlander's handling limits without tripling the posted speed limits. And, if we're honest, that's of little consequence in what amounts to a people mover that's just a couple sliding doors removed from a Sienna minivan. But this Toyota's electrically assisted steering does twirl precisely, even if it is a bit slow to respond to initial inputs. There is a satisfyingly firm brake pedal, particularly the hybrid's, and it's easy to modulate. The rather softly tuned strut front and multilink rear suspension has gentle body movements and delivers a decently plush ride over shoddy pavement, even on the optional 20-inch wheels (18s are standard).
The Highlander tracks straight and true at highway speeds, and intrusions of road, wind, and engine noise are pleasingly subdued. Opt for either the top Limited or Platinum trim levels and a laminated, sound-attenuating windshield and front side glass noticeably tamp down noise levels further—the better to enjoy the impressive 1200-watt JBL audio system upgrade. Competent and predictable, if a bit bland, are hallmark Toyota road manners, and they apply to the Highlander in spades.
Read More >>>
No comments:
Post a Comment