2017 Toyota Highlander

ushy66ushy66 Member Posts: 366
edited April 2015 in Toyota
2017 Highlander Wish List:

Time flies! It's only about 15-18 months until the Highlander gets a mid-cycle refresh for MY 2017, which will be introduced between July and September of 2016.

Toyota has recently announced most Toyota and Lexus products are in for several new safety tech improvements/upgrades (TSS-P & TSS-C for Toyota products and LSS+ for Lexus products: Emergency breaking with pedestrian detection, and an updated adaptive cruise control), plus other safety features and possible lighting upgrades; these will probably be introduced to the Highlander in 1-2 years (and sooner for the 2016 Avalon and 2016 RAV-4), and the 2017 mid-cycle refresh seems to be a good time to do it for the Highlander; check the link: http://blog.caranddriver.com/stop-is-cheap-toyota-to-offer-low-cost-accident-avoidance-tech/


2017 Highlander changes/additional feature content Wish List:

1) Upgraded Entune Infotainment System with integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems, plus a 12" Navi/Infotainment touch screen to help minimize driver distraction.
2) Use the improved Toyota 3.5 L V6 engine that boosts output by 30 HP (from 270--->300 HP) to improve acceleration and performance, like the power plant that the totally revised 2016 Lexus RX 350 will soon be getting: http://www.autoblog.com/2015/04/01/2016-lexus-rx-350-450h-new-york-2015/. BTW, the soon to be released 2016 Honda Pilot will be getting the same engine that the 2015 MDX has which develops nearly 300 HP.
3) Add a 4-way power-adjustable lumbar support for the driver's seat, and a 2-way power-adjustable lumbar support for the front passenger seat.
4) Use the upgraded Toyota 8-speed AT that all RX 350's will now be getting, rather than the current 6-speed AT, to improve fuel efficiency and performance.
5) Add cylinder deactivation engine tech like that on the 2015 MDX and the 2016 Pilot, to improve fuel efficiency at cruising speeds.
6) Add Stop/Start technology so when stopped in traffic or at stop lights the S/S tech will improve fuel efficiency.
7) Utilize more lightweight materials, including more aluminum parts and panels to decrease vehicle weight to improve fuel efficiency and performance.
8) Add optional power-folding and auto-dimming/electro-chromatic side view mirrors, with auto-tilt down when backing up.
9) Add an optional Panoramic 360 degree camera (birds-eye view) monitor system, that will be introduced on the 2016 RX 350, and is currently on the 2015 Nissan Rogue and Pathfinder, which helps parking in tight spaces.
10) Add an optional Heads Up Display (HUD), that is currently on the 2015 RX 350, and even the 2015 Mazda 3 sedan and many other cars have it, to help minimize driver distraction.

What changes or additional content would you all like to see on the 2017 Highlander?

Comments

  • ushy66ushy66 Member Posts: 366
    edited April 2015
    2017 Highlander Wish List-Continued:

    11) Rear liftgate touchless activator: Anyone who had difficulty opening the rear liftgate before can rest easy thanks to the new touchless activator (on the new 2016 RX 350). All you have to do is briefly hover your hand over the Lexus/Toyota badge on the rear end, and up goes the liftgate door.

    12) Keyless entry touchpoints on the rear doors as well as the front.

    Both of the above convenience features will be standard on the new 4th Gen 2016 Lexus 350. For parents and grandparents who have their hands full of packages and/or toddlers, they will find these features extremely helpful when getting into the car after shopping at the mall or grocery store.


  • orangeman99orangeman99 Member Posts: 88
    12" display to prevent distraction? LOL Why not a 32? Go big or go home.
  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    How about getting rid of those crap Toyo tires and putting some decent rubber on it, particularly for the upper level models with over $40K prices. Shouldn't have to dump a grand into new tires after only 2 or 3 years of ownership. Some of the upper level trim D3 crossovers, and some of the Honda have Michelins on them.
  • saratogastevesaratogasteve Member Posts: 186
    if the upgraded engine requires premium fuel vs. regular unleaded - it's not as big a sell for me. personally I'd rather see better fuel economy than more horse power.
  • fijiniwasifijiniwasi Member Posts: 1
    Also be the first in class to provide aux package for dvd player and screen built in backseats for 2nd and 3rd row passengers.
    After all a family Suv nearly always enjoys going out on a long trip.
  • ushy66ushy66 Member Posts: 366
    edited March 2016
    2017 Highlander mid-cycle refresh changes to be revealed next week at the NY Auto Show including increased engine power (290+ HP? vs 270 HP currently) and efficiency (8 speed AT + start/stop tech on all trims) + safety (including blind spot monitor on XLE trim, and 360 degree bird's eye view perimeter scan on Limited and Platinum trims) and convenience improvements (including 8 passenger/2nd row bench seating option on Limited and Platinum trims, instead of just 2 abreast in the 2nd row with only captain chair seating on the 2016 model) + some mild styling changes, especially to the front end.

    Check it out: http://www.automobilemag.com/news/2017-toyota-highlander-brings-new-engine-fresh-design-new-york/

  • ushy66ushy66 Member Posts: 366
    Consumer Reports take of the 2017 Highlander mid-cycle refresh changes revealed at the 2016 NY Auto Show


    Updated 2017 Toyota Highlander Gets More Safety and Performance

    Family-friendly SUV looks to climb back to the top with new equipment and technology


    By Mike Quincy at CR
    Last updated: March 23, 2016

    The 2017 Toyota Highlander SUV is updated with a new eight-speed transmission, more power, and a slew of available safety features.

    For years, the Highlander dominated our midsized SUV ratings, scoring the coveted Top Pick crown with its combination of comfort, fuel economy, easy day-to-day livability, and strong reliability. It’s no mean feat to knock such a strong contender like the Highlander out of CR’s top spot, but the Kia Sorento did just that.

    Toyota, not a company to rest on its laurels, just introduced its 2017 model with a clear statement: We’re back.

    All 2017 Highlanders will be available with Toyota’s Safety Sense P suite of safety equipment, including pre-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. All models also can be equipped with a pedestrian pre-collision system, which uses a camera and radar to detect objects in the road and prompts the driver to brake with audio and visual alerts. The system will also automatically apply the brakes if the driver doesn’t take action. The XLE trim line will also get blind-spot monitoring as standard equipment.

    Top-level Limited Platinum models will come standard with a 360-degree bird’s-eye view camera, using four cameras mounted on the front, the side mirrors and rear of the vehicle to deliver a panoramic view of the vehicle’s surroundings on the dashboard’s center screen.


    Other changes for the 2017 model include more horsepower for the 3.5-liter V6, which is paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. All V6 models (except the LE) will come standard with a new start/stop system to save fuel.

    The base powertrain will remain the 2.7-liter four-cylinder paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. All Hybrid models continue with the continuously variable transmission (CVT). All-wheel drive is standard on Hybrid models; the gas-only versions continue to be offered in all- or front-wheel drive.

    A new sporty SE model joins the line and gets 19-inch wheels, a stiffer suspension, and various interior and exterior trim pieces to set it apart from the mainstream Highlanders. The Highlander Hybrid adds two more affordable trim lines (LE and XLE) to accompany the current high-grade Limited and Platinum models.

    Depending on the trim level, you have the choice of second-row captain’s chairs (providing seating for seven) or second-row bench seats that will allow you to pack in up to eight people. Finally, the interior gets four more USB ports.

    The updates will keep the Highlander competitive, and they address some of our criticisms, such as the limited availability of advanced safety systems. However, we are not seeing measures to address our road test findings that the Highlander is not as quiet or plush-riding as the previous generation.

    The 2017 models will hit showrooms in the fall of 2016.
  • ushy66ushy66 Member Posts: 366
    edited March 2016
    2017 Highlander 2016 NYIAS Short First Look Videos + Toyota Press Release

    Vid #1: Corporate Reveal @ 2016 NYIAS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-6gUcA2oVc


    Vid #2: Kelsey Mays, Cars.com First Look 2017 HL SE @ 2016 NYIAS:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOn1dNpO9D0

    Vid #3: Craig Cole, AutoGuide.com First Look of 2017 HL Hybrid LTD @ 2016 NYIAS (a somewhat geeky Lock Ness Monster (?) take): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td9EHnU1uIk

    Toyota 2017 Highlander Press Release: http://pressroom.toyota.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=5501

    2014-2016 Highlander front end/grill:
    http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OOicaEO3r2A/VI8TsQVNQfI/AAAAAAAAK4Q/55OTP8Ui9yM/s1600/2014-toyota-highlander-limited-platinum-front-three-quarters.jpg

    2017 Highlander front end/grill:
    http://images.hgmsites.net/med/2017-toyota-highlander_100550754_m.jpg

    While I prefer the chrome grill on the 2017 HL LTD vs the black-out grill of the HL SE, I don't care for the chrome surround on the rear bumper reflectors, ala-2016 MDX; refer to Vid #3. What do you all think?
  • smartgroupissmartgroupis Member Posts: 3
    1) Upgraded Entune Infotainment System with integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems, plus a 12" Navi/Infotainment touch screen to help minimize driver distraction.
    I search the internet but it appears that Apple CarPlay and Android is not official. Does anyone have a link to confirm this?
  • ram2002ram2002 Member Posts: 16
    Toyota is definitely not doing Apple CarPlay or Android Auto any time soon. They are pretty much the last major holdout among the big auto companies. The infotainment system of the 2017 Highlander looks to be the same as previous models.
  • lordhighlanderlordhighlander Member Posts: 2
    Hi, I recently purchased a 2016 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD, it has Apple CarPlay. I can use the systems Entune or CarPlay. I get text messages and the system reads them to me. I can still do the "Hey Siri" to send a text, email etc. Hope this helps.
  • ram2002ram2002 Member Posts: 16
    CarPlay and Android Auto is where the actual smartphone apps are shown on the dash display i.e. maps, messaging, Spotify, etc.
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