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Just a little heads up guys, my HL is the first batch Highlanders (pre-refresh) of 1MZ 3.0l mated to a full time 4spd AWD system with a viscous diff. Yeah I probably won't say its the slowest on the road, but to rev up to 4k on the highway to properly speed match is a bit excessive in my opinion. My HL is already geared lower than the old Gen 3 Camry, but it doesn't feel like its going anywhere sometimes.
The thing is I have heard people getting consistently better fuel economy with the 3MZ 3.3l w/ 5spd due to it probably being a 5sp and the engine power matching the car better. I feel the 5sp really only helps on the highway as the 4sp is sorely missing a 5th gear like it was designed for it. It goes through the first 4 gears relatively with ease(a bit shorter may be nice) though the rpm on highway is too high.
vasia: What I'm trying to get to is, I don't see the 4cyl helping too much with fuel economy because of the power not matching the weight of the car. The Toyota website tells me the minimum weight of the V6 is 4100+ lbs, so I'll give the 4cyl AWD 4000lbs give or take, and another 150lbs for the drivetrain. I just don't think 187hp 186lb/ft is adequate to move the car efficiently. Yes no doubt it can get it moving and up to speed. It'll probably be fine for flat city driving, but throw in some highways and some hills, the not-too-shabby V6 mileage isn't too far off.
When the extra gear and extra 10hp from the 3MZ demonstrated that more power is actually benefitting the car, I really doubt the logic of a 4cyl. Its probably more for sales than anything else so more people can afford the car.
i think performance will be enough for those whoe live in flat areas and have minimal highways to drive, this car will probably shine in gridlock traffic jams, but in those situations, I probably won't want to be driving such a big car anyways.
Like you said, we'll see about the mileage, though I'm not looking at it favorably. City mileage will probably be better, highway mileage would be close though.
Sulu: The Rav4 may compare well to the competitors, but there doesn't seem to be anything where the old Rav4 was in the current market. I think that was a much better size.
The old HL doesn't have a center lock diff, its all computer controlled. Most of the time its noticeable cause it only comes on when it starts slipping, its a weird sensation coming from a FWD Camry. It still sucks up power as all the drive systems are still turning, just not on. And also the extra weight. I just believe the market in Canada won't receive the FWD Highlander well. Most buy the HL for the AWD or Hybrid system, not because its a big car. Being big is only a plus and second to the AWD. If they want a big car they would have went with a minivan or something like the Venza/Journey/Edge which probably provide more efficient useable space than a SUV type car. And I don't see many SUV type cars that have both 2WD and 4WD/AWD options not having hte 4WD AWD option on it. Heck even the Merc and BMW sedans have a lot of AWD/4WD versions on the road.
And I know how fast the car is going. City wise its generally not a problem, it shows when I'm climbing hills(too many in Vancouver) or merging a highway. I generally pay attention to how fast I'm going, cops are always out to get you lol.
Its not slow that its unsafe, you just have to plan you lane changes and overpasses more than say a Camry.
its true every little helps, but I don't see the power hit and usability hit a worthwhile trade for whatever little city mileage it gains.
PS: hey guys I'm sorry if anything doesn't make sense or I'm repeating myself or it becomes mumbo jumbo.... I got home late but I had to get my fix of TN. I tried editing, but I think I still missed some.
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