[desertdweller2]

I have been postponing my new car purchase for months, wanting to get a good look at the 2020 Highlanders, especially the hybrid. I was 100% sure I was going with the Highlander Platinum, and just deciding between hybrid or gas.

I bought an Acura MDX yesterday. The Highlander has a few advantages over the MDX, and the MDX has a few advantages over the Highlander (the pros and cons are about equal, for the features I care about anyway).

While my Toyota dealer was willing to add the hitch to the platinum, it was going to cost $700, and all of the platinums were coming in with 1k + of add-ons (like paint protection film, etc) and they were not willing to go more than $750 below MSRP (to be fair, they don't need to discount them...they can't keep any in stock). I paid 8K under MSRP for the MDX (with advance pkg) making the price nearly the same as the Highlander.

So, that's that. I just wasn't willing to wait for Highlander prices to come down. I am thrilled with the MDX- It feels more lux than the Highlander, but it's also a bit more dated looking. The MDX will be redesigned for 2021, so my 2020 will be the last of it's "generation"....pros and cons to purchasing right before (or after) a redesign, for sure.

I will be admiring all of the Highlanders I'll soon see driving around town. If I see you in a parking lot, I'll probably ask how you're liking it

 

[ToyHighFan]

Congrats dd2! I’m sure it’s an awesome ride! You gave the purchase a lot of consideration and made the best choice for you. Even though I’ve been an owner of a Gen2 and Gen3 Highlander, I still peruse and study the competition. I’ve loved my Highlanders, but I’m not as brand loyal as many here. Heck, I’ve even got my name on a list for a GV80. lol Cant wait to see how that shakes out when the time comes. Enjoy your new car!

 

[Ruby Red]

ANY new car is great. We make choices. Compromises. Then we take the leap.

I am sure you will like (maybe love) your new car for some time to come.

Have fun with it. (Then come back, we will welcome you! We all stray. It's OK.)

We all need to remember that it is just a car. For many of us, a Toy (ota.) It is really really a big toy for me. I too waited and waited as we had retired my Town and Country mini van when we got my wife's Lexus UX200 (love that little car, too,) and I just leapt when the choice was wait more or say yes to the (dress) in front of us.
It sinks in after you live with your new friend for a while what you like, can live with and is not so appealing.

All normal.

Enjoy.

HAVE FUN!

 

[got-rice]

With a lot of new competition on the SUV market, its good to know that Acuras and maybe even Lexus RXs can be had for way less than MSRP. Enjoy the Acura.

 

[Ruby Red]

I seriously looked at the Lexus RX350L. But the price, the price! At $58K plus what not, I just could not buy in. The main driver for me was the fact the new HL is a Gen 4. The 350L, while really good, still last year's model. (which I am finding is no big difference really.) I was very willing to take this one white used (7K miles) one, but my wife did not like it. Later in the day we saw Ruby and it was love. What can you say? We also choose.

 

[Cfnation]

I have been postponing my new car purchase for months, wanting to get a good look at the 2020 Highlanders, especially the hybrid. I was 100% sure I was going with the Highlander Platinum, and just deciding between hybrid or gas.

I bought an Acura MDX yesterday. The Highlander has a few advantages over the MDX, and the MDX has a few advantages over the Highlander (the pros and cons are about equal, for the features I care about anyway).

While my Toyota dealer was willing to add the hitch to the platinum, it was going to cost $700, and all of the platinums were coming in with 1k + of add-ons (like paint protection film, etc) and they were not willing to go more than $750 below MSRP (to be fair, they don't need to discount them...they can't keep any in stock). I paid 8K under MSRP for the MDX (with advance pkg) making the price nearly the same as the Highlander.

So, that's that. I just wasn't willing to wait for Highlander prices to come down. I am thrilled with the MDX- It feels more lux than the Highlander, but it's also a bit more dated looking. The MDX will be redesigned for 2021, so my 2020 will be the last of it's "generation"....pros and cons to purchasing right before (or after) a redesign, for sure.

I will be admiring all of the Highlanders I'll soon see driving around town. If I see you in a parking lot, I'll probably ask how you're liking it

Do you use the 3rd row on a regular basis?

 

[keith22]

Congrats on your new ride. I too have checked the MDX, it is luxurious and sporty, when compared to HL. I'm still waiting to check on hybrid HL. Did you get the MDX hybrid?

 

[cptblackadder]

I seriously looked at the Lexus RX350L. But the price, the price! At $58K plus what not, I just could not buy in. The main driver for me was the fact the new HL is a Gen 4. The 350L, while really good, still last year's model. (which I am finding is no big difference really.) I was very willing to take this one white used (7K miles) one, but my wife did not like it. Later in the day we saw Ruby and it was love. What can you say? We also choose.

We are cross shopping the 350L too right now. I've been reading people have been getting about 10-12% off msrp on them but still that would be around the same price as a platinum Highlander. The Highlander would have more features but the Lexus would probably have a better ride/materials. As far as looks my Wife likes the looks of the Lexus much better. Don't know if it is enough to warrant the extra price though.

 

[Ruby Red]

We are cross shopping the 350L too right now. I've been reading people have been getting about 10-12% off msrp on them but still that would be around the same price as a platinum Highlander. The Highlander would have more features but the Lexus would probably have a better ride/materials. As far as looks my Wife likes the looks of the Lexus much better. Don't know if it is enough to warrant the extra price though.

Compare. Gen 3 vs Gen 4 (may be a wash) The Gen 3 Lexus L and the Highlander are very similiar size wise. (Maybe the L "IS" the Gen 4 chassis, I do not know.) Gen 4 HL is tight, the new stiffer chassis translates into a solid quiet ride. I hear the tires only on the freeway a little. (There is an annoying buzz in or near the passenger sun shade I need to track down.) The interior of the Platinum compares well to the Lexus in my book. My wife test rode the Lexus and when we saw Ruby's Harvest interior, that was it. Forget the black and gray, they are dreary. The Caramel may be something you two would like, if you want darker. To me, they rode the same. Drive train is the same. The only only outsides look thing is the higher hood line. I always say you do not drive the outsides, but you can see the hood more while driving the Gen 4 than the Gen 3 and I forgot about the Lexus already.... I thought I would not care for the 20 inch low profile tires, but they work out. At a 102 load rating they will handle abuse and the V speed rating means they are designed for speed.

I have liked the try before buy. See if you can RENT the Lexus. Our Lexus dealer does that. So do a few Toyota dealers but they may not have an extra 2020 HL to spare for renting, yet. Maybe you ask?

Point of this thread is there are others out there to look at. Sometimes you choose to go off reservation.

After over 50 years of German car repair business, going Toyota sure is taking a walk on the wild side.

I think most new cars are fine. We just obsess over details to feel good that we are making informed choices.

Have fun finding your new friend!

 

[desertdweller2]

Congrats on your new ride. I too have checked the MDX, it is luxurious and sporty, when compared to HL. I'm still waiting to check on hybrid HL. Did you get the MDX hybrid?

No, I didn't go with the MDX hybrid. It does get better MPG, but it's nothing compared to the MPG of the hybrid HL. And the warranty on the batteries is only 8 years, not 10 like the HL. Also, I do frequently drive over mountain passes, and I was a little concerned about the 4 cyl in the HL. Pros and cons.....

 

[desertdweller2]

Do you use the 3rd row on a regular basis?

Yes, we use the third row once or twice a week (we are a family of five). The MDX third row is the same as the HL's in terms of legroom/headroom, but only seats two back there. Works for us!

 

[RDL]

I have been postponing my new car purchase for months, wanting to get a good look at the 2020 Highlanders, especially the hybrid. I was 100% sure I was going with the Highlander Platinum, and just deciding between hybrid or gas.

I bought an Acura MDX yesterday. The Highlander has a few advantages over the MDX, and the MDX has a few advantages over the Highlander (the pros and cons are about equal, for the features I care about anyway).

While my Toyota dealer was willing to add the hitch to the platinum, it was going to cost $700, and all of the platinums were coming in with 1k + of add-ons (like paint protection film, etc) and they were not willing to go more than $750 below MSRP (to be fair, they don't need to discount them...they can't keep any in stock). I paid 8K under MSRP for the MDX (with advance pkg) making the price nearly the same as the Highlander.

So, that's that. I just wasn't willing to wait for Highlander prices to come down. I am thrilled with the MDX- It feels more lux than the Highlander, but it's also a bit more dated looking. The MDX will be redesigned for 2021, so my 2020 will be the last of it's "generation"....pros and cons to purchasing right before (or after) a redesign, for sure.

I will be admiring all of the Highlanders I'll soon see driving around town. If I see you in a parking lot, I'll probably ask how you're liking it

Congrats on the new ride ! I drove a MDX a few weeks ago, and it was awesome !! I am trying to decide what I want......they offered me at least 8000 off of the MDX, and while we didn't talk numbers, the salesman also told me he would do extremely well for me on my trade. My only dislike was the double screen( preferred the RDX screen) , but it is still very sharp looking, real wood trim etc ! ! Did you get the advanced model ? It had so many awesome features. I drove the RDX also, and really liked the interior and looks, but weary of all the issues that it has had. MDX was for sure the best ride of the two.....very quiet ! So now I might want to wait for the new MDX and also see what the XSE Highlander will be like, but haven't forgotten about the terrific deal I could get like you did as well. So tough with choices these days LOL
ENJOY...post a pic of the MDX

 

[SantoAZ]

I'll throw in my recent surprising venture sideways off Highlander. Came upon upcoming 2021 GMC lineup of Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon etc. On auto show. The reason they got my attention is that they started offering a diesel 3.0L Duramax and it has 23 city and 30 highway mpg with immense torque that diesels have (same engine is in new Sierra 1500 truck). So in addition they did a full independent suspension (they dropped rear axle like some GX/LX Lexus have) and because of that gained cabin space. Smallest one of them - which is 2021 Tahoe has 140 cubic foot cabin space behind 1st row (for comparison Telluride has about 84 cubic ft - which is more than Highlander to begin with). They also updated cabin, tech, safety etc. Options include all 4 corners magnetic ride suspension and what not.
Now of course it's still GM reliability - so I'm back to drawing board for now, but I gotta tell ya nowadays even domestic SUVs are on a roll, so Toyota/Lexus (and Acura too) really need to up their game. MDX is dated. GX/LX are like so old that I don't even remember what era are they from, did Lexus updated them in 2009 or something?
If Lexus had a proper 7 seater SUV - I'm guessing people would jump on it instead of outdated GX/LX series.

 

[RDL]

I seriously looked at the Lexus RX350L. But the price, the price! At $58K plus what not, I just could not buy in. The main driver for me was the fact the new HL is a Gen 4. The 350L, while really good, still last year's model. (which I am finding is no big difference really.) I was very willing to take this one white used (7K miles) one, but my wife did not like it. Later in the day we saw Ruby and it was love. What can you say? We also choose.

IMO I think the Platinum Highlander looks just as good inside as the RX350. I don't really get the reviews where they say Lexus is so superb with the interior to the Highlander. I disagree, and the new Highlander I would say is equally as quiet. Glad you are enjoying Ruby !

 

[got-rice]

I seriously looked at the Lexus RX350L. But the price, the price! At $58K plus what not, I just could not buy in. The main driver for me was the fact the new HL is a Gen 4. The 350L, while really good, still last year's model. (which I am finding is no big difference really.) I was very willing to take this one white used (7K miles) one, but my wife did not like it. Later in the day we saw Ruby and it was love. What can you say? We also choose.

I think the L model looks awkward. Lexus did what they could to get a 8 passenger RX to market because the dealers asked for it. If anything, the tech on the 2020 HL is much better than the Lexus. I wonder what kind of deal you could've got on the RX though, if Lexus dealers would discount them down to the price of the HL. I think any one off the street can easily get $5K off sticker.

 

[keith22]

Yes, we use the third row once or twice a week (we are a family of five). The MDX third row is the same as the HL's in terms of legroom/headroom, but only seats two back there. Works for us!

That is interesting. When i tried the MDX it seemed as though they both had same amount of 3rd row room as well. However, on paper MDX has less than HL, approximately 4 inches less in total (106 v. 110).

 

[RDL]

We are cross shopping the 350L too right now. I've been reading people have been getting about 10-12% off msrp on them but still that would be around the same price as a platinum Highlander. The Highlander would have more features but the Lexus would probably have a better ride/materials. As far as looks my Wife likes the looks of the Lexus much better. Don't know if it is enough to warrant the extra price though.

The Highlander Platinum rides just as smooth and quiet as the RX350 IMO, and the materials are actually better. I've been shopping and trying both as well. The digital mirror will also allow for better seeing out the back...terrible blind spots with RX350, and I can't get past the ugly front grill.

 

[Ruby Red]

I think the L model looks awkward. Lexus did what they could to get a 8 passenger RX to market because the dealers asked for it. If anything, the tech on the 2020 HL is much better than the Lexus. I wonder what kind of deal you could've got on the RX though, if Lexus dealers would discount them down to the price of the HL. I think any one off the street can easily get $5K off sticker.

Matter of taste. You do not drive the outsides. The L feels a lot like the Gen 4 on the inside. I have suspicion the L may be the genesis of the Gen 4 this time. Too many mechanical cues inside. My buddy works at a Lexus dealer and wants to see Ruby. I hope we can compare to an L.

Not sure about the tech other than the L does have Safety Sense 2 which is what I really use. Have to see about the birds eye and HUD and rear view mirror. None of these last 3 are important to me.

To get to the price of my Platinum they would have to drop almost 12K off a new RX350L. All moot now.

 

[ATOM_99]

Hope the new ride treats you well. I really wanted to love the MDX but just wasn’t for me. Great front seats IMO.

 

[Ruby Red]

The Highlander Platinum rides just as smooth and quiet as the RX350 IMO, and the materials are actually better. I've been shopping and trying both as well. The digital mirror will also allow for better seeing out the back...terrible blind spots with RX350, and I can't get past the ugly front grill.

You do not drive the grill! If it were a collector car then such aesthetics come into play. I am used to the grill in our UX200 baby Lexus. (the Toyota version has horrible rear issues.) The front of the Gen 4 has it own kind of look which reminds me of the mouth of a bass. Whatever.