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Comments
I'm interested in showing the ICE version Highlander to my wife to determine if we should order the hybrid or scratch the highlander from our short list.
In all the Toyota lines the top trim of the smaller vehicle overlaps in feature content with the bottom trim of the larger vehicle.
My 2005 4Runner Sport Edition doesn't have power seats. It wasn't that big a deal for me, though it does feel a bit primitive having to reach under or around the seat to move it.
When you look at feature overlap, consider that the RAV4 has LED tail lamps. The Highlander doesn't (at least they don't look like LEDs).
The Highlander has Bluetooth and the smart-key on the Limited; the more expensive Lexus RX doesn't.
The slightly more expensive 4Runner requires Navigation for the Bluetooth and rear-view camera, and doesn't have the smart-key or power rear door. It does, however, have projector headlamps and LED tails.
A Sport version 4x4 with leather/sound/sunroof some other small stuff, $37K.
Looks real good, no brochures yet at the dealer. More rolling in Wednesday.....
DrFill
Haven't heard the case for that yet. Maybe that's not the case?
DrFill
I think most would believe the base MDX or RX350 to be better than a loaded Highlander or Pilot. You normally have to load either up to approach the features of base models of the luxury brands not to mention you get better warranties, service, etc.
Also, the service experience at an Acura dealer would likely be better than at a Toyota dealer. Of course, both will probably be reliable enough that it won't be a big deal either way.
Anyway, if you're shopping for a new Highlander or CX9, a base MDX is worth looking at also since they seem to be selling for less than invoice.
Also, there are things on the Highlander that require an option package on the MDX -- the rear-view camera, Bluetooth, power liftgate, etc. Any of those option packages will push you into the $40K range.
Don't get me wrong: I think the MDX is a great vehicle (and so is the RX). But for the configuration I'm looking at, and based on Lexus and Acura dealer pricing in my area, I'm looking at around $36K (MSRP) for a Highlander Limited 2WD versus $40K+ for the RX or MDX.
So, that's a segue to another question. How does "ordering" work with Toyota? I went through the configurator I posted before and specced out a Sport 4x4 with a certain set of options. The list I came up with is valid per the configurator but my local dealer says I can't get that car.
Does anyone know how this works? The last three cars I've bought were an Audi A4 (they allow exact ordering), a Subaru Legacy GT (there are no options hence no ordering) and a VW Passat which was bought off the lot. Toyota seems like a completely different deal than any of them where they list a bunch of options that are vaporware of sorts.
A Sport 2WD with 3rd row seat; leather; JBL w/Bluetooth; Homelink; auto-front and rear air; security; power back door comes out to $34,770 including destination charge.
A Limited 2WD with optional JBL w/Bluetooth; auto-rear air; power back door; rear spoiler comes out to $35,160. Both prices are MSRP.
It seems like if you want leather, the Limited is a better deal. The only two Limited-only features I can think of are the smart key and the plood (plastic wood ) trim, but that's worth the $400 difference to me.
The pricing and the packages depend on your local region. It's impossible to mix and choose options unless they are stand alone. Then it depends on that region's willingness to be flexible. Some may make the Moonroof part of a package and refuse to allow it to be ordered alone on a base 2WD for example. Other regions may have a different policy.
Which are your 'key' features that you must have? which ones do you absolutely refuse to have on a vehicle?
http://configurator.setbuyatoyota.com/ie4_page.asp?host=www.toyozone.com&dealer_code=01007&carname=highlander
There are a lot of standalone options. Forinstance, the sunroof (which I don't want) is a standalone. In addition, NAV (as a package with JBL) is listed as available on the sport. My local dealer tells me that's not the case.
This configurator is for the south and I live in New England. Will these standalone options be part of a package in New England or will they be portrayed the same way? Based on what I see of 2007 models (like a RAV4 or whatever) there's no difference in how they are portrayed but what is actually available seems to be different.
Each distributor/region orders their vehicles differently. This includes the packaging of options. So even though "in theory" there are a lot of individual options, a distributor will often "bundle" options into their own "standard" configurations.
A good example is my region, Hawaii. If you look at the Hawaii site for the 2007 Highlander, you'll see the configurations that my region orders. For example, if you want alloy wheels, you have to get privacy glass, even though, in theory, both are standalone options from the factory.
I haven't seen my region's configurations for the 2008 model, but I know that there will probably be at least one option I'll be forced to buy (i.e. heated seats) since that's the only way to get my "must-have" options.
Does this mean that without the option there will be no A/C vents for the 2nd and 3rd rows, or rather that the A/C just can't be controlled from the 2nd row? And relatedly, does "dual zone" refer to first/2nd row or driver/passenger?
Hopefully, there are vents in the 2nd and 3rd rows as it doesn't seem like a good idea to try to cool the back with just the front vents.
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5894/dsc00057cm7.jpg
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/4223/dsc00059ho7.jpg
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/6365/dsc00060mq3.jpg
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/5818/dsc00061ym3.jpg
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/5836/dsc00062af9.jpg
Can someone please post some REAL pictures of a Blue Streak Metallic HL?
for phone-camera! Technology is getting better and better.
Just by looking at those pics, it looks much larger than
my 02 Highlander.
Here's a video of the new HL I found on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8w1Dtx5pqI
DrFill
DrFill
DrFill
-Andy
When will the toyota.com web page be updated? I thought today was the day? Oh well.
-Andy
Thanks - Mike