2016 Toyota Highlander performs just as expected
Crossover takes you where you want to go without a moment’s concern
This hallmark of Toyota’s success as a large-volume, mass-market manufacturer of four-wheel transportation is built on a foundation of balance. It offers a diverse array of products that do a lot of things well, without being truly exceptional in any one particular area, but — and this key — showing little to no sign of weakness, either.
Indeed, I’ve never felt a rush of anticipation, an itch to get behind the wheel of any Toyota and motor off into the distance, at least since the MR2 sports car. Yet I have come to depend on their reliability, comfort and practicality to get me to wherever I’m heading without a moment’s concern. Do not think of this as damning the car company with faint praise. Still, it does bring me to the Highlander, Toyota’s wholly estimable and versatile mid-size crossover and a poster child for the company’s business philosophy.
While the Highlander hasn’t changed any for 2016 (although there will be significant changes for 2017), my appreciation for it has. Maybe it’s latent maturity on my part or the fact it’s been a few years since I last drove one, but I can’t help but admire the way it goes about its business with Lexus-like serenity.
Not ridiculously priced to begin with — the base front-wheeldrive LE starts at $33,355 — the crossover can seat seven or eight, depending on which of the seven trim levels is chosen. The Highlander is generally offered with AWD and can be had with a hybrid powertrain to soothe the consciences of the more ecominded or parsimonious.
Even the top-of-the-line (nonhybrid) Limited tester is just a tick under $47,000, despite a full list of amenities. Saying it has something for everyone may be stretching the point, but the Highlander comes as close, if not closer, than most of its rivals. The competition includes the Ford Edge and Explorer, Hyundai Santa Fe XL, Nissan Pathfinder, Kia Sorento, Jeep Grand Cherokee, plus about a half-dozen others, notably the completely redesigned Mazda CX-9. The Highlander isn’t No. 1 within this broad lineup, but it’s a solid performer and was named Best New SUV/CUV ($35,000 to $60,000) by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (of which I am a member) for 2015.
Key to the Highlander’s smoothness is the evergreen 3.5-litre V6, pumping out a quite usable 270 horsepower and a decent 248 pound-feet of torque, which is more than adequate for getting the 2,045-kilogram Limited to speed. It takes about eight seconds to reach 100 km/h when pushed and six seconds to go from 80 to 120 km/h when power for passing or merging is needed.
Fuel economy is reasonable for a crossover, though not outstanding; the 15.9 L/100 km I averaged for the week was almost exclusively city driving. Those desiring greater fuel efficiency should check out the hybrid versions.
The last Highlander I drove — a 2012 model — had a five-speed automatic hooked up to the engine. Toyota switched to a sixspeed autobox a few years back. Next year, as part of a substantial mid-cycle makeover, it will get a new direct-shift eight-speed automatic to go with a new and more powerful direct-injection 3.5-L V6. The 2017 Highlander will also get a new front grille that is almost Lexus-like in its outrageousness.
As much as the current Highlander’s powertrain should be lauded for its smoothness, the crossover’s ride and handling are what makes it. The electric power steering has a good weight to it and provides excellent road feedback. All Highlanders feature rather prosaic independent suspension systems front and rear, yet the result is still a very comfortable ride that manages to isolate most tarmac irregularities while still providing some connection with the road. The closest thing to a negative is that the tester’s brake pedal felt a little soft. As I alluded to earlier, the Limited’s cabin contains all the accoutrements a top-of-the-line, sub-$50,000 crossover should contain. It includes the usual modern conveniences as well as a 12-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system, heated steering wheel, front heated and ventilated captain’s seats, heated secondrow captain’s seats, a driver’s seat/mirror memory system, panoramic sunroof and more. The dash layout itself is fairly straightforward, concentrating more on function than flair. The only thing I found odd is the lack of a specific button for the navigation system; it and several other functions are accessed by pressing the “apps” button on the centre console.
As with almost every mid-size SUV or crossover with three rows of seats, there are compromises in comfort and cargo room if that last row — designed for kids or really small and limber adults — is occupied.
While other, newer crossovers are getting more attention — Honda Pilot, GMC Acadia and Mazda CX-9 being prime examples — the Highlander quietly goes about its business, spreading the message of Toyota: Don’t be flashy; just be good, be safe, be reliable. And, for those wanting roominess and versatility in a family vehicle, the Highlander performs exactly as expected.