Don't get me wrong, I really like the HL, but I wish I would have bought a larger vehicle. This is my wife's primary driver, but I use it when I need to. My biggest issues are the fact that 1) you can't fit a stroller in the back when the third row is up and 2) since I am a big DIY'er of home projects, I can't fit a 4x8 sheet horizontally through the rear gate. In my previous 4Runner, a 4x8 sheet would fit through the rear and rest on the wheel wells (even though the end would hang out the back with the hatch open - but atleast I could get iot home.). I also don't think that the vertical opening of the rear hatch is large enough either. I guess I don't get enough of the "Utility" from the HL. With that said, I do enjoy the ride and the luxurious feel of the interior, though - I just wish I would've bought something bigger.
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'08 Highlander Limited 4X4, Silver Metallic
'07 Camry SE, I4 AT, Super White, Moonroof Package
'97 4Runner SR5 4x4 - Sold 1/2/09 with 164K miles
I generally feel the same way but for a different reason. I find the utility of the Highlander to be sufficient for my DIY needs, and I love all the other features or aspects of the vehicle including its outstanding mileage, but where it is lacking for me is off-road ability. When I purchased it I was in a quandary of sorts: None of the true 4X4s out there had what I wanted overall in a mostly on-road/sometimes off-road vehicle, and since I already have a 4X4 with the Samurai off-road ability wasn't critical. Now that I have the Highlander I find I like the comfort and interior space so much that I rarely use the Samurai anymore. Don't get me wrong it still takes me to 95% of the places I need to go, but sometimes that 5% is some pretty awesome stuff that I want to get to. Now that the newest version of the 4Runner is out and that vehicle has come into its own with the "Trail" trim line...wow, in my opinion. I'm in no hurry, though, to replace my Highlander, but when it comes time to replace it some day the 4Runner Trail is top on my list.
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
Don't get me wrong, I really like the HL, but I wish I would have bought a larger vehicle. This is my wife's primary driver, but I use it when I need to. My biggest issues are the fact that 1) you can't fit a stroller in the back when the third row is up and 2) since I am a big DIY'er of home projects, I can't fit a 4x8 sheet horizontally through the rear gate. In my previous 4Runner, a 4x8 sheet would fit through the rear and rest on the wheel wells (even though the end would hang out the back with the hatch open - but atleast I could get iot home.). I also don't think that the vertical opening of the rear hatch is large enough either. I guess I don't get enough of the "Utility" from the HL. With that said, I do enjoy the ride and the luxurious feel of the interior, though - I just wish I would've bought something bigger.
Well, the HL is really a crossover much like the Murano which really IS an over-sized AWD car.
I use our Odyssey for all the big item hauling. I actually couldn't get home a dinning room table a month ago because the Odyssey was just 2 inch too narrow in the hatch. I should have bought a pickup truck instead.
Yes, I've thought about upgrading to something larger, but I don't want to loose a ton of money on a trade in. Secondly, since this is my wife's vehicle, to get something larger, with the same features and comforts of our HL LTD that she is now accustomed to, I'm looking at $42-$45k. I actually do like the 2011 Sienna, but the wife does not want a mini-van.
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'08 Highlander Limited 4X4, Silver Metallic
'07 Camry SE, I4 AT, Super White, Moonroof Package
'97 4Runner SR5 4x4 - Sold 1/2/09 with 164K miles
You know you can always hook up a trailer to haul your home improvement materials.
+1
For the 5% of the time I need more cargo space that is what I do now... I used to buy full size SUVs and pickups so I could haul "stuff" but realized I did not need the space the vast majority of time commuting to work and running around... I can rent a lot of trailers or U-Haul local use only pickups for the savings in fuel and upkeep my Highlander needs compared to my old F-250....
If there is something you need to fit in a car, such as a stroller or child's car seat, bring it with you to the dealer and try getting it in there before you buy (Although I think walking into a dealer with a 4x8 sheet of ply is probably going a little too far ). If the dealer won't help out then they're not worth spending any money with.
I still don't know why they haven't come up with split 3rd row seat like the pilot or odyssey. That would be nice.
They need something to show improvement in the next year or so. Really dumb not to have by now though.
Can't help with the stroller, but for plywood and the like, get a set of Yak or Thule racks and slide it on top, small trailer, or if you have the cash, small beater pickup or minivan.
The old sienna would take plywood, the new should too, but I am not sure I want to be sliding big sheets of wood into a higher end trim level.
The new 4runner is interesting - basically the same size as the HL--and has an optional ($$$) split 3rd seat. Part-time 4wd is available on all models and full-time 4wd is available on the ltd.
__________________ 2008 Highlander Sport V6 AWD, classic silver, black leather, Canadian version, 90 000 KM. 2009 Tacoma AC V6 4X4, SR5 w/ power package, timberland mica, beige cloth, 48 000 KM.
2002 Highlander Limited V6 4WD, black, tan leather, 134 000 KM (SOLD)
Stroller issues will resolve themselves in a couple of years You could buy a beater pickup or larger SUV, I doubt if you could get a good price for HL now given the recall and all. I just use my neighbors pickup....
Stroller issues will resolve themselves in a couple of years You could buy a beater pickup or larger SUV, I doubt if you could get a good price for HL now given the recall and all. I just use my neighbors pickup....
People won't touch anything Toyota these days...
__________________ 2008 Highlander Sport V6 AWD, classic silver, black leather, Canadian version, 90 000 KM. 2009 Tacoma AC V6 4X4, SR5 w/ power package, timberland mica, beige cloth, 48 000 KM.
2002 Highlander Limited V6 4WD, black, tan leather, 134 000 KM (SOLD)
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to the dark side 
2008 Toyota Kluger KX-S
). If the dealer won't help out then they're not worth spending any money with.
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