If you could go back in time, would you buy the HL again?

[jdw67]

Was going to get the 2012 HL, but, surprisingly, a lot of current owners are saying to wait till the refresh a few years from now. I'm a little shocked as most of these owners are die hard Toyota fans.

So, if you could go back in time and with the knowledge you have now, would you buy the Highlander?

[AXMACD]

Originally Posted by jdw67

Was going to get the 2012 HL, but, surprisingly, a lot of current owners are saying to wait till the refresh a few years from now. I'm a little shocked as most of these owners are die hard Toyota fans.

So, if you could go back in time and with the knowledge you have now, would you buy the Highlander?

Yes, I would and I might buy another one soon! Looking at a 2011 black Limited demo... also looking at a 2009 X5 4.8i...... we'll see!

[TrailDust]

Going back in time knowing what I know now, yes. It has its faults like any vehicle, but overall I'm happy and I'd do it again.

That said, my issue is with Toyota corporate, which IMO has been paying the public lip service that it is listening to its customer base and intends to do better in the future. Loyalty to customers is very important to me, and the more I see Toyota become insulated from their customer base the more turned off I get. I had been considering buying a 2012 Avalon to replace my 2002, but I've put that purchase on hold and am considering another manufacturer.

[guytdt]

Sure I do, but I won't select the same car though. I will pick different color with less option. But I bought it at the year end to take advantage of discount/low APR, so I don't have much of a choice.

[jgayman]

2001 Limited
2011 SE

Yes, and Yes

[Loudog2]

The only 2 I liked at the time were the HL and the explorer. With all the problems the explorer has I am happy with the HL. Maybe in a couple years I'll debate both again.

[lucky777]

I have no regrets. Even though I had dreaded engine noise issue it was taken care by the dealership without giving me hard time about it. As far as waiting for redesign, this is your call. First gen HL was in production for 7 years and was redesigned in 2007 for 2008 model year. Most likely 3rd gen will be out in 2014 as 2015 model.

[earthltd]

Yes. Approaching the 1 year mark and I'm happy with it. (Would have not chosen the 3rd row if that was an option.)

[tagheuer]

and to those who say no, what would you have purchased instead?

I really like the Explorer and Grand Cherokee redesigns but both of those vehicles are, statistically speaking, likely to have more problems than the Highlander.

There was a comparo test by one of the big mags a few months ago and a few pieces of the Explorer actually fell off during the test...some plastic underbody stuff.

So which cars in this class are much better?

Nissan Pathfinder? (trucky, heavy, sucky fuel economy and one of oldest)

Honda Pilot (nice...but personally I can't stand the styling)

GMC Acadia/Chevy Traverse (mediocre fuel economy, questionable build quality and relibility)

Kia/Hyundai (unknowns for me)

Ford Explorer/Jeep Grand Cherokee....

So, I think the Highlander is pretty solid in its class...its not like there is anything that much greater/better.

Also, of course the newer gen is likely to be better in every way, but that's true with every new generation...so...you can wait forever for the next best thing if that's your game.

[summerwind]

Originally Posted by TrailDust

That said, my issue is with Toyota corporate, which IMO has been paying the public lip service that it is listening to its customer base and intends to do better in the future. Loyalty to customers is very important to me, and the more I see Toyota become insulated from their customer base the more turned off I get. I had been considering buying a 2012 Avalon to replace my 2002, but I've put that purchase on hold and am considering another manufacturer.

Agree..Things like the 4 pin wire harness on a 5,000 tow rated vehicle and a "tow package" without a hitch that we have been bitching about since 2008. The VTTi oil pipe where Toyota refused to upgrade the one with the rubber hose with the all metal one during the recall, the ability to make custom settings changes without having to go to the dealer show that Toyota is not into listening to their customers.

[Sky1111]

To the original question: Yes, I would buy HL again
And i completely agree - Toyota should listen to the customers and take some corrective actions. In the time of never ending recession people are becoming more pragmatic and less brand loyal, so if they don't wake up, they will start losing market share...

[Dman1]

Originally Posted by summerwind

Agree..Things like the 4 pin wire harness on a 5,000 tow rated vehicle and a "tow package" without a hitch that we have been bitching about since 2008. The VTTi oil pipe where Toyota refused to upgrade the one with the rubber hose with the all metal one during the recall, the ability to make custom settings changes without having to go to the dealer show that Toyota is not into listening to their customers.

I agree as well. So many little things that they could do to improve on this for little or no cost. Even if there was a second option for a 7-pin wiring harness, for example. In any case, I am very anxious to see if Toyota Corporate is listening/reading as it will have a great impact as to whether or not my next vehicle will be a Toyota.

All this being said, I am happy with my Highlander, but would I buy it again? Not likely, however, this is more a result of needs rather than dissatisfaction. It is not the greatest towing vehicle in the world for what I am now towing (not bad, but it could be better), and has a horrifically small gas tank for normal driving, let alone for towing (200km/120miles per tank while towing is just rediculous). When I was towing my tent trailer, the Highlander did an awesome job at towing.

[tagheuer]

Have you all had better luck with other manufacturers addressing your needs, i.e. Jeep, GM, Ford, Nissan or Honda?

It seems like there are a lot of complaints about the Highlander. Each competitor brings strengths/weaknesses.

Jeep is great 4WD, can tow a lot and has great range...but quality and long term reliability are questionable...and its fuel economy is below average...and cargo/passenger space are just average.

And so on and so on.

So what IS the best overall vehicle in this class, if the Highlander is an unreliable rattle trap?

[sweeneyp]

I would definitely buy another highlander, it has its faults, but its still (in my opinion) better than most in the class. I love jeeps, but the MPG is just too far off the charts for me (not to mention unproven reliability). And I've been burned by GM and Ford (mostly GM) products in the past and I told myself I would never get another one. The Pilot didn't have anything wrong with it, it just felt off to me. Though I would seriously consider a Kia Sorrento as it's been getting some good press. I don't really tow with my highlander as I got an old suv for that reason, so those problems haven't really effected me.

As for rattles, I don't know if I'm just lucky, but I have hardly any. I have 1 rattle during January-February that comes from the dash above the glove box. But it is quiet and can be over powered by the radio easily. Besides that no other rattles (That I haven't fixed). It seems like (and I might be opening up a can of worms here) that the later model highlanders (one that were built in the US) have all the rattles. Mine was build in Japan and seems to be held together much more solidly after reading other comments.

[valkyrie]

I would definitely buy again. when I was looking it came down to the highlander and the Acura MDX both used,

but a few things that swayed me was the price, requirement of higher octain fuel, worse mileage, 3rd row seat room, rear windows that don't go down all the way, plus Toyota had better financing.