Highlander driving Toyota sales

A new feature for the Highlander GXL is a remote power tailgate opening mechanism and a separate glass hatch opening.

The main equipment highlights introduced from the GXL level include three- zone air conditioning, black leather seat trim, smart key locking and engine start, a 12- way power driver’s seat adjustment, silver roof rails and the 8.0- inch touchscreen display offers satellite navigation with SUNA live traffic updates.

The price increase on the Limited is $ 3500 but the upgrade runs deeper than the GX and GXL models with the introduction of a four- camera panorama view monitor, rear cross traffic alert, front parking sensors and what Toyota calls a silver woodgrain interior trim.

The Highlander Limited also gets the Toyota Safety Sense package with Pre- crash Safety System, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Automatic High Beam and Lane Departure Alert that includes steering assist and sway warning functions.

Toyota NZ says it has prioritised the introduction of the Safety Sense package on the other grades but it’s not yet in production from the Indiana plant.

The entry level GX 4WD model starts the Highlander price ladder at $ 63,490 while the GXL grade 3.5 V6 Highlander GX 4WD $ 63,490 3.5 V6 Highlander GXL 2WD $ 66,490 3.5 V6 Highlander GXL 4WD $ 70,490 3.5 V6 Highlander Limited 4WD $ 81,490 2017 Toyota Highlander Limited. This year Toyota’s sales target is to shift 2755 Highlanders. 2WD and 4WD models are $ 66,490 and $ 70,490 respectively. The topof- the- range Highlander Limited is now $ 81,490.

Last year as SUV sales soared in New Zealand, the Highlander achieved 1989 registrations which ranked it among the top- 15 passenger vehicle models in New Zealand and ninth best- selling among SUV models.

This year Toyota’s sales target is to shift 2755 Highlanders.