Why a Highlander?

[citysnaps]

Hi, new here...

Will likely purchase a new Highlander in the future. I'm also considering a Pilot, like perhaps others here did before going with a Highlander.

Though my mind is pretty much made up, I'm curious as to what factors or features pushed you towards a Highlander.

Any insight offered would be great! Thanks...

[Tech1984]

The Highlander is a great all around vehicle with proven reliability. Downside: you pay through the nose to get one.
Plus side: pound for pound, you get a tremendous value. And it grows on people.

[Zembonez]

Neither one will win any awards for beauty, but they are very useful and reliable vehicles. I prefer the Highlander over the Pilot myself. My oldest daughter bought a Highlander and loves it. They have 2 little kids and it suits their needs just fine.

[TrailDust]

In descending order of the most important reasons to the lesser important reasons....


1. Outstanding mileage compared to other SUVs in its class (proved in spades during almost 4 years of use).

2. Interior volume.

3. Interior comfort, both driver and 1st and 2nd row passengers.

4. Toyota reliability, plus the overall reliability of the 1st Gen Highlander.

5. The overall capability of the AWD/FWD system as a compromise to get the mileage I wanted, as opposed to much lower mileage for a true 4x4 (which I already have).

[sweeneyp]

well with the pilot all I can say is "Hold On Not Done Accelerating" , I didn't like the lack of power the pilot has compared to the highlander. Basically I got mine because of milage, power, reliability, open interior/size (lots of vehicles in this class seem cramp on the inside, ie grand cherokee), and easy to work on/modify.

Plus I stay away from GM products after being burned in the past, and ford didn't have its act together when I was looking for my HL (No current edge/explorer).

Honestly the closest competitor to the highlander in my view is the 4Runner when I was buying the car

[citysnaps]

Thanks for the responses so far - appreciate it!

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by sweeneyp

Honestly the closest competitor to the highlander in my view is the 4Runner when I was buying the car

Ditto. The 4Runner and Nissan Pathfinder were the only other vehicles in the running. Got to admit, though, that if I were in the market today I'd be very, very tempted to buy the Trail trim line of the 4Runner instead of the Highlander. It would be a close call.

[mikmabz]

If I were to sell/trade my Highlander today for a new one I would probably choose the 4 Runner too. I saw one recently at the dealership and it was nice!

[Jim Griffin]

Now the Highlander (like most SUVs) isn't a great beauty, but the Pilot is major league ugly in my opinion. Slab sides, squared off front, and flat grill just don't appeal to me.

I notice also that the Honda TV ads these days feature an actor/pitchman who talks throughout the commerical so his body prevents the viewer from seeing the vehicles behind him. Honda must realize their cars are deficit in the 'looks' department. Older Honda ads had great video of their vehicles in beautiful scenery. My, oh my have times changed.

[wasabi21]

The Pilot drives much more like a truck. Some may say the steering on a HL is too light but I like it better in comparison.

[sweeneyp]

Well if you end up getting a pilot, ever go offroading, and pitch it up in the air like this:

I'll definitely be impressed

[Paul3637]

Somehow we survived raising two kids without ever having to buy a Station wagon or SUV .... so after dirving nothing but Lexus for the past twenty years (1991 LS400 & 2002ES300) with flawless performance in 250,000 combined vehicle miles, I was shocked when she "downgraded" to Toyota and bought a new Highlander AWD SE last January 2011 !

Reasons: (1) Horrible snow & ice experiences in Kansas City weather and (2) wanting be able to "load up" the kids & grandkids for family outings with impressive cargo room and the third seat.

Shortly after the purchase, she took our daughter's family on a 2500 mile trip throughout the colorado mountains and the assessment was "this is not only the best .... but also the most nimble vehicle ever." Our son in law loved it so much he decided they are going to ditch their gas guzzling 4Runner and get one (as soon as the 4runner is paid for).

She says the Highlander is quieter and way more powerful than the ES she traded in, has had zero problems in 12,000+ defect free miles, got the free 0W20 synthetic oil change at 10,000 miles, and just plain loves it.

I know two other people with 2nd Gen Highlanders ..... they both love them and have had zero problems. I have the same 3.5L V6 in my 09 Camry with 40K miles and I believe it is the best passenger car engine ever built ... smooth, quiet, powerful, and outstanding gas mileage.

[matt0420]

I went with the Highlander because I felt it was the perfect combo of size/power/features for my needs.

I took a quick look at the Pilot, but I really didn't like the front end, or the passenger side of the dash. Never actually drove one since I could never get past those two things.

I took a real quick look at the GM Lambdas (Acadia/Enclave) but they were ultimately bigger than what I wanted, and I didn't like the Acadia interior or the Enclave exterior.

The Edge was ultimately the closest competitor, just due to price. They are built maybe 15mins from my house, and I have family working at the plant. I could have gotten an amazing deal on a loaded Edge, and I REALLY liked the huge sunroof, but test driving one pretty much sold the Highlander for me. They are in completly different leagues.

I also looked at the last generation Explorer. I loved those, and I HATE the new ones. By the time I was buying however they were becoming hard to find, and they ultimately felt like I was buying a brand new vehicle that was already outdated.


The Highlander did everything I wanted it too, and over a year later I still think I picked the best vehicle for myself.

Being a huge NASCAR fan, and with Toyota putting huge money into NASCAR probably helped also. My Kyle Busch M&M's 18 trailer plug just wouldnt work as well on anything but a Toyota.

[citysnaps]

Thanks again for the continuing comments.

A little background...

I went to the annual San Francisco Autoshow a week or so ago. Twice. To check out a ton of different SUV options, almost side by side.

Considering price, I came away liking the Highlander best, with the Pilot a 2nd. I couldn't believe how Ford's interiors have declined, owning a 1999 F-150 Lariat that I like a lot. The options I saw had a very unfinished look. Cheap in some cases. MDX was very nice, but very expensive - and in an odd way felt too nice.

I test drove a HL Limited yesterday and came away pretty much pleased. Only strange feeling was the light steering response (with steering wheel that felt very light weight), and, the odd feeling of not having V8 low-end muscle in a largish vehicle. But that's OK...

Looking for a specific exterior/interior color now...

[Highlander0614]

I did extensive research into this segment before buying a HL LTD this past summer. I liked the Edge/Lincoln MKX models, liked new Explorer, but the Ford Touch system is beyond unreliable at this stage.

MDX was a beauty, but much more money. After driving a bunch of the competition, the HL was a very nice, refined ride, with respectable fit and finish. Most comparison tests have the HL at the top for reliability and this was big for me.

Now, after driving it for several months, I am happy with it's road manners, grip in wet weather (haven't had it in snow yet) and receive many compliments on it's looks.

The HL is by no means "sporty"". However if you like a smooth, quiet ride, very similar to a premium and much more expensive SUV, then the HL does not disappoint. A few things I wish it did have - HID lights, cooled seates, better stereo to name some, but price for quality of vehicle of this kind, I think it is likely the best value currently offered on the market.

Andy