- suv 75,258
- 23,995 high price
- Faribault, MN
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- autoshopper.com
- suv 75,258 gasoline grey automatic
2012 toyota highlander review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Family-friendly in any weather. introductionthe toyota highlander is a midsize suv that's smooth and quiet underway, with a versatile cabin that seats seven. Highlander is a crossover suv, meaning it's built more like a car than a truck, while feeling nice and big like a truck suv. It's based on the platform of the toyota camry midsize sedan. all highlanders were extensively revised for 2011, with freshened styling and upgraded audio and safety systems. There are no additional changes to the 2012 highlander. the 2012 highlander comes with a choice of powerplants. It's matched with a 6-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive transmission, and is available only with two-wheel drive. the optional 3. 5-liter v6 is extremely smooth and delivers 270 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. Also smooth is its 5-speed automatic transmission, which downshifts seamlessly to provide ample punch for passing. Front-wheel-drive highlanders with the 3. 5-liter v6 are epa-rated at 18/24 mpg city/highway; highlander awd (all-wheel drive) models are rated slightly lower at 17/22 mpg, which is about what we got in the awd v6 we drove, including a 300-mile freeway run. there's also a highlander hybrid, whose gas/electric powertrain uses three electric motors: one to drive each axle, for awd, and a third to regulate the electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ecvt). The highlander hybrid's gasoline engine is essentially the same 3. 5 liter v6, but with port, rather than direct, fuel injection and milder tuning producing 231 horsepower and 215 pound-feet of torque. But add in the additional punch of the electric motors, and the total system horsepower is 280. Epa estimated fuel economy is 28 mpg, city or highway. A versatile cabin adds to its attractiveness as a family vehicle. The second row can slide forward and back, and the third-row seat is good for children and capable of carrying adults. Highlander limited 35,595) comes standard with the v6. All of these models are front-wheel drive. all-wheel-drive models all have the 3. 5-liter v6, and are available in base 30,695), se 35,300), and limited 37,045) trim. The limited models are distinguished with more chrome and bright trim than other models, and bold 19-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels wearing 245/55r19 tires. Hybrid limited models come with the same features as the limited. the tech package 1835) for base models includes most of the electronic and convenience features from the se, but skips the leather upholstery and moonroof. A leather package 2305) for the base hybrid adds leather, the moonroof, and a few additional conveniences. The base hybrid can also be fitted with 19-inch alloy wheels 1020). A cold weather package 60) for either base model adds heated exterior mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer. A power liftgate 400) is also available. Hybrid, se, and limited models can be ordered with voice-activated navigation 2650). Hybrids, limiteds, and hybrid limiteds can add rear-seat dvd entertainment, or a premium jbl stereo 650). Tow packages are available 200). safety features on all models include dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags for thorax protection, head-protecting curtain side airbags that cover all three seating rows, a driver's knee airbag, active front headrests, daytime running lights, tire-pressure monitor, antilock brakes, traction control, antiskid control, and hill-start assist. Smart stop automatically reduces engine power when the brake and accelerator pedals are applied simultaneously. Downhill assist control is standard on awd models. walkaroundthe toyota highlander is in the heart of the midsize crossover suv market, and is about the same size as the honda pilot. It features softer styling than the 4runner midsize suv and the retro-styled fj cruiser. Truck-based platforms, rugged suspensions and low-range transfer cases make 4runner and fj cruiser highly capable off road. The highlander is based on the same architecture as that of the camry and avalon sedans. Highlander's all-wheel-drive systems are designed for taming slippery pavement and wintry conditions, not for climbing rocks and traversing rough terrain. Likewise, the toyota venza is a mid-size vehicle that further blurs the line between wagon and suv. Also based on the camry platform, the venza is even more carlike than the highlander. the design of the highlander is clean, and accented on each side by a character line that leads into pronounced wheel arches. The look is more suv than station wagon, and the available 19-inch alloy wheels add to the muscular stance. the hybrid has its own grille and front bumper fascia: dominated by horizontal slots, it looks high-tech, maybe even a little futuristic; while the standard highlander front end prominently features a more truck-traditional, six-sided grille. Both grilles are plastic, as they almost all are nowadays, but the highlander grilles are clearly so. The foglamps on the se and limited have odd silver eyebrows that seem reversed, as they travel toward the center of the car. Hybrids make the “eyebrows” less obvious by having them sweep from the bottom of the lamps; and by tucking the entire foglamp assembly inside a vertical nacelle. interiorthe highlander has a quality, upscale cabin. The seating position is way up high, and forward visibility excellent, without losing the corners of the car. There are more hard plastic finishes than in a lexus, but those plastics are nicely grained and assembled with care. the secondary controls are easy to spot, and they move with precision. A 3. 5-inch multi-function screen at top center on the dash displays the trip computer and climate control information; it's optional on the base model and standard on all others. It's the smallest rearview camera screen we've ever seen, except for those tiny ones in the rearview mirror. This is a proper rearview camera. This screen also displays some of the audio controls, adding an extra step or two when changing stations, and adding distraction. The voice navigation messed up big time, when we used it. It misguided us past an easy freeway interchange we knew by heart. Overall, however, the toyota navigation system works bett.
23,995 Faribault, MNFaribault, MN at autoshopper.com