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The Camry Solara is destined to be discontinued, possibly except for the ragtop.
Toyota is offloading 100,000 units of production to it's new partner at the Subaru plant in Indiana.
Both of these reduce plant usage in Kentucky...hmmmmmmmm.
Is there a smaller, more efficient I4 and I4+HSD crossover in the works for Kentucky that's bigger and nicer than the Matrix but maybe just smaller than the current Highlander? For the JDM they have the Blade which I think addresses this segment.
Why would they leave a hole of 100,000+ vehicles at the prime production site in the US? Curious.
But I see the Blade as much more of a Mazda 3 Hatch competitor.
~alpha
Unfortunately the new RAV is still a little small for me, and I don't care for the styling anyway. The current Highlander without the 3rd row seat is perfect for my needs, I just am frustrated that I cant get the in-dash navigation with the base model. I may end up trading in my current one for a new 4 cylinder before they go away.
If the time ever came where they transitioned the 4 cylinder Camry platform over to the Highlander I would be interested then, particularly if it were a hybrid that delivered real world MPG above 30.
I'm not sure I understand this. Can you explain just a little bit? I would imagine if its semi-hilly, the V6 would be better suited. And the 3.3L is quieter and smoother than the 4 as well....
In any case, best of luck!
You hit the nail on the head, this is exactly the vehicle I hope Toyota will build! Is anyone from toyota listening?
I should say I do about 80 % of my driving on the highway (NY Thruway), so having a 4 is perfect for me (once you get up to 65 you are smooth as silk).
~alpha
So far my wife loves the car. She does not consider it sluggish - calls it zippy. She drove a Sienna (3.0L) before this car/truck.
I should also mention that historically we have owned low powered cars. Our cars had weight to hp ratios of 22 plus. In other words, 22 pounds per hp. The Avalon was our first car to crack the 20 mark. The new Highlander is about 22.7 (3516/155). We are OK, power wise, with cars in the 22 to 23 range.
Another point to mention is that in the good old days our cars/vans typically had 3 spd automatics. The new cars have 4, 5 and 6 speed automatics. A new car with a weight to power ratio of 23 will probably perform better than a model from 15 years with the same weight to power ratio. I also know that hp ratings have changed over the years, so I try to make a mental adjustment and typically I am not to concerned about anything right of the decimal point.
I can see why Toyota did not put the 4 in the 08 model. The extra weight requires an engine of probably 2.7L or better. Since Toyota seems to have settled on the 2.4L and the 3.5L the only option was the 3.5L.
As to the driving dynamics of the 07, - we like the way it drives. The 4 seemed to be a bit more nimble than the V6. The handling is better compared to our ex Sienna minivan.
MT does a nice job, but they probably subconsciously expect everything to handle, drive or perform like a sports car. Those of us that are more interested in getting from point a to point b can live with less.
Maybe somebody from Edmunds can hint as to when a first drive of the 08 Highlander will appear on the web site. Some of us information junkies would like to know Thanks
Around here you would be dead meat assuming that the other drivers would let you in, often times.
I took a Driver Training Course, at one time, from the Highway Patrol and the instructor said that you should always have you vehicle going faster than the oncoming traffic to merge proerly. And I have never forgotten that and it has served me well on mergers with never a close call.............knock on wood.............
Probably just as soon as Toyota loans out one for testing. :shades:
Toyota is planning to bring out a new crossover (CUV) vehicle for release in 2008. It will resemble a tall wagon. As you stated, larger than the Matrix. My guess it will be based on HS-SX concept vehicle.
Hopefully, the I4 hybrid will be available with it.
http://wardsauto.com/ar/toyota_considers_cuvs/
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/future/highlander.html?s_van=GM_HOME_HIGHLANDER_T- - XT
I loved the earlier comment that the 08 looks like a RAV4 on steroids. And my Dealer Rep said that word among salesmen is a "pregnant RAV4". He did appreciate the "RAV4 on steroids" which I passed along...........
In any case, yes it is bigger than the 07. One reason I am still looking to pick up an 07 before they are phased out. What with the small dimensions of my garage.
But of course there are many that are thrilled that it getting larger.
I think the new HL is actually pretty darn sharp, especially in darker colors. I like that its grown but does not look oversized like so many redesigns, SUV or otherwise. It still appears fairly trim.
My big concern is the usability of the weird 2nd-row jump seat/console thing, and the weight increase of the Hybrid - if it also applies to the non-hybrid. I also don't exactly understand if the Sport model actually has any firmer suspension settings or not. If so, I'm on board. If not, boo-hiss. The engine in this rig is now stellar, having driven the 3.5L in other applications.
I think this will be a noticeable improvement in size, refinement, features, safety, performance than the outgoing HL. It will be interesting to see about the potential for the 4 cylinder model as well; I can't wait for this new family of engines.
~alpha
~alpha
http://www.toyota.com/highlander/specs.html
I'm going to guess the gas version AWD is about 4325 fully loaded.
~alpha
But I am going to guess that I would have a hard time distinguishing the difference with me not being able to lift either one.............smile
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Highlander
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Highlander "
And you believe Wikipedia????? It is an open content web site. Hardly a reliable source for this information.
"Welcome to Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit."
"Wikipedia (IPA: /ˌwikiˈpiːdi.ə/ or /ˌwɪkiˈpiːdi.ə/) is a multilingual, web-based, free content encyclopedia project. Wikipedia is written collaboratively by volunteers from all around the world. With rare exceptions, its articles can be edited by anyone with access to the Internet, simply by clicking the edit this page link."
about Wikipedia
I believe we won't know the true weights of the different models until Toyota publishes them when the vehicles are released for sale.
Besides for some reason Toyota refuses to release the weight of the 08 Highlander. While it releases all the the other numbers. Hmmmmmmmmm
Could it be for folks that choose to believe that a taller, wider, longer rig still weighs around 4,000 pounds.
Of course they could have replaced some metal with plastic and that would lower the weight............
While my Prius in being repaired I've been driving the Highlander on the daily 150 mi commute. It's like clockwork. 23.+ mpg or about 375 mi on 16.+ gal.
Personal situation:
Cool to warm temps. 63 mph on average. Few stoplights. 90 min trip in each direction. Light steady touch.
When I drive the HH I get about 28 mpg for the same trip.
NO! The EPA tells us what the mpg estimate is. Toyota and all manufacturers only tell us what the EPA estimates, it is NOT Toyota telling us what mileage their cars get. They are required BY LAW to report the EPA figures, which, by the way, are being revised downward between 15% and 25% for 2008 for all vehicles.
Also, who cares how much a vehicle weighs? I mean really?
I happen to agree with you, 100% (at least until I see the '08 in person)... but the current discussion, as I see it, is about the amount of weight gain that no one can seem to agree on. My point is what difference does it make how much it weighs? I bet 99% of people have no idea how much their vehicle weighs. And if they bought say a 99 Camry, then upgraded to a 2002...the newer one probably gained weight, but do they care? NO! It is quieter, smoother, more powerful, and most likely gets better mileage as well. Later they upgrade to a 2007 Camry, aagin, probably a weight gain, but, a better car again, more room, more power, better fuel mileage...etc.
My 2 main points:
1. we won't know how much the 08 Highlander weighs until we see Toyota's specs.
2. 99% of the buyers have no idea what their vehicle weighs and don't care.
With all this said, I really like the size of the 1st generation HL, I have owned 2 (currently an 05 Limited)...It appears that the 08 will be Pilot size, and for my needs, that is too big.....big....I am not talking weight....
But, I am willing to (ahem) weight (sic) until they come out and drive one and re-evaluate my opinion.
Hmm. Just a thought, but ...
(1) People concerned about gas mileage?
(2) People who drive smaller vehicles that may be struck by a behemoth?
(3) People who want the added "protection" from those in (2) above that can only be achieved with a heavy vehicle?
(4) People who were looking for a certain tax break on heavy vehicles with a specific weight requirement but who didn't otherwise really need such a vehicle?
(5) Children who may not be seen by the driver of a very large vehicle backing out of a driveway?
Just maybe some people do care how much a vehicle weighs.
BTW, I am sure toyotagal is aware of where those mileage figures come from.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
You gotta be kidding.
Weight effects gas mileage and the way a vehicle handles. As vehicle weight goes up it takes more gas to move. Also as weight goes up the effect on its agility comes into play.
Also size is an important factor as well with my having a tight fit for my pending 07 Highlander in the garage and the 08 becoming a near impossibilty.
The wording of the Press Release is very ambiguous, and I cannot tell if the 500lbs gain applies only to the Hybrid or also to the gasoline version.
http://www.pressroom.toyota.com/Releases/View?id=TYT2007020756841
Either way, I'm not a big fan of the gain, but if Toyota managed to make the vehicle more powerful, roomier while maintaining or improving efficiency and agility, its not really a big deal. (Reference the award-winning RAV4 redesign).
Also, don't forget, the '08 EPA figures will not be directly comparable with the current ones, so we're going to have to wait for Consumer Reports to do their testing - they present more realistic, IMO, city, highway, and overall figures than the EPA ever has. And, in many cases, their Overall is what I've been able to achieve (sometimes I achieve a bit better, even).
~alpha
Besides we both took an oath to never, ever own a 4 cylinder vehicle again. But I have to admit they are nice when you stop for gas..............