2008 Toyota Highlander

qs933

Given that the '08 Highlander has "NA" for two of the five categories (safety and reliability) that influence the overall score, this is a good example of how misleading an "analysis" can be, especially one that attempts to morph a collection of subjective reviews into quantifiable data.

Granted, even with strong safety and reliability scores, I think we're looking at a top 10 finish, rather than a "best of class" ranking. (Note that the 4Runner is ranked #5, and it's highest score came in the reliability category.) However, as others have written, that seems to be Toyota's strategy -- produce very competent and highly reliable transportation that doesn't cost a fortune to own.

Toyota's vehicles are not going to be the best looking, or have the most cargo space, or be the cheapest, but the overall package (including high resale value and a record of reliability) is what keeps people coming back.

philip8

Thank you,and thank to our host to...The hitch look really nice on HL...Tell me where you get it?how easy to put it in.?

bigaus

The 2007 Highlander received a score of 9.3, which would put it in 1st place...go figure!

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/2007-Toyota-Highlander/
">link title

roho1

It is what we thought it was and the 08 let'em off the hook!

I think the listing is tainted because their should be a separate category called crossover, what the HL is. Toyota invented the crossover, with the RX & HL based on the Camry. The 08 is based on the Avalon.
A SUV to me is a truck like vehicle, like the 4runner and Cherokee which are designed to go off road. They are totally different vehicles.

lucky_777

I think many of the ratings and reviews fixed up in a favor of certain manufacturers and advertisers. For example Yahoo routinely removes positive reviews for 2008 HL and keeps only negatives

Yahoo HL reviews

BTW all the negative reviews there left by the people who never owned the HL. Last review is positive and dated 10/03/07 will be removed soon. The one before that is dated 8/24/07. There used to be nothing but positive reviews after the 8/24/07 but all were removed.

In the end customer votes for the vehicle with the $$$.

qs933

For example Yahoo routinely removes positive reviews for 2008 HL and keeps only negatives

There's a big difference between the Yahoo! user reviews and the US News ranking, though. The former is just random people posting (and, from the looks of it, lots of Hyundai and Mitsubishi owners ). The latter is supposed to be an evaluation based on numerous professional and/or published reviews.

In any case, I think most reviews (professional or extremely amateurish, like the user reviews on Yahoo) should be taken with a grain of salt.

A professional reviewer who claims "Brand X" is the obvious value over the Highlander because it's several thousand dollars cheaper upfront probably isn't thinking about resale value a few years later. Similarly, for folks planning on keeping the vehicle till its useful life is over, then the Toyota resale advantage is not that big of a deal, but a 10-year powertrain warranty might be.

eastwing

"For example Yahoo routinely removes positive reviews for 2008 HL and keeps only negatives" ???

It is hard to believe a reputable company like Yahoo would do this. Do you have proof to support this allegation, or you just assume that the fact Highlander getting a lot of negative reviews from Yahoo is because the positive ones were removed?

qs933

It is hard to believe a reputable company like Yahoo would do this.

I agree, especially since the site is filled with Toyota baner ads for the Highlander. If there was a conspiracy, wouldn't Yahoo! be removing the negative reviews?

What's surprising is that there are some awful reviews (not because they are negative, but because it doesn't seem like the reviewers actually drove the car), yet most visitors flagged the reviews as helpful :confuse: .

lucky_777

I can't explain why Yahoo removes positive reviews for HL and I'm puzzled as well. I looked at Yahoo's reviews a week ago and they had at list 10 recent positive reviews. Now all but latest one gone. There is a 1.5 months gap after last negative review. People had been leaving only positives after 8/24/07 and Yahoo had been removing them. Watch the only positive review from 10/03/07 to be deleted shortly. Also try leaving a positive review there(only if it's based on your own experience!). It will be gone within a week or less.

eastwing

This is terrible. Shame on yahoo! I read that Yahoo has been really struggling lately, and losing credit in its autos site would not help. There is simply no execuse!

rzepa1

I bought one last Fri. Since then I put in 500+ miles on it. City (~30%) and Highway I am getting about 21.5 mpg. I also took ~200 miles trip on Hwy,cruise control 60-70 mph, AC on, ~400 lbs additional weight in the car. Finished at 25.5 mpg. Got as high as 26.3 mpg but later I hit tolls etc so final result is lower.

Overall ver happy with the numbers I am getting.

alohatofu

I'm wondering if anyone know the screen size of the Navigation Screen on the '08 Highlander. I'm interested in getting the navigation bezel on the '08 highlander Limited so I can put my own screen there as part of the CarPC (put a pc in a car)

Anyone know the size of the screen?

Anyone know where I can purchase just the bezel?

Anyone know if the bezel will fit on the base model?

Thanks

denverbrian

8" - largest! nav! screen! ever!

My bezel has the number E7014 silkscreened in the lower right hand corner, if that helps at all.

Base models will come with a completely different radio configuration, so I'm unsure how easy, or even if, one could do a simple radio takeout and screen insert.

alohatofu

Thanks for the information!
I know it will be a huge task. Right now I have a 10.4" touch screen. I have a few options, 1 is to must do a mount on the outside of the dash, or get a bezel with navigation cut-out of the limited and replace the bezel and fit the 8" screen there.

Anyone want to colaborate in this?

gdkoger

Gary,
Great to hear, my dealer made a deal with another dealer, and I might have mine in another week. Let me know..

stever

The recent buying thread has been moved over to Prices Paid:

pwmusic, "Toyota Highlander: Prices Paid & Buying Experience" #2719, 8 Oct 2007 2:49 am

ebby

"For example Yahoo routinely removes positive reviews for 2008 HL and keeps only negatives" ???

I was going through Yahoo reviews myself and I obviously found so many comments against Toyota that were too glaring a mischiveous advert against Toyota by many folks who never owned a Toyota. Just check comments on Avalon, Camry, etc If you read 30 comments, 29 will be completely negative with advertisement for the vehicle you should purchase instead with price, horsepower ratings etc. Whether it is Yahoo or a paid effort by the domestic auto fans, it appears to me that the Yahoo reviews are useless. I am not sure if Yahoo is part of the campaign but obviously yahoo autos is an unreliable information source for me.

smith1

I agree, many of the negative Yahoo reviews look suspicious. Notice how a very high percentage of the one-star reviews that recommend other vehicles are posted by "owners" from California. Very fishy.

mackabee

I've noticed some similarities also. They have a section like "ask a question" or something like that where other members answer a question. One supposedly young girl was given the choice of a Prius or a,..get this..Chevy Cobalt! Her granddad was buying it for her. And the answer picked was the Chevy Cobalt. :confuse: Reason was because the Prius had many bugs to worked out and the Chevy was better.
go figure
Mackabee

rzepa1

Has anyone have this accessory installed ? I had one dealer quoting me $470 and another one (I got the car from) almost $700 while MSRP is right over $500. Is it a factor that I have Sport which does not come with a smart key ?

toyseeker

Earlier, there was a lot of dialog around trailer hitches and wiring... for those who did it already, did you have to splice a wiring adapter in, or is there a special adapter available for the "pre-wire" that comes with the TO option? Where is this pre-wire located?

The usual suspect web sites only have the splice-in versions. Tx!

Update: My HL is in & expect to take delivery tonight. As feared, no hitch or harness under the rear bumper, even though it has the tow package...

sylvan2

I hope i may be able to help you.i went through the same thing for the last month.I had a non toyota hitch installed which is no problem and a hell of alot cheaper.You will have to purchase the harness which is a 4 terminal flat plug.assy.with a converter.this mounts up under the dash.and connects to a pre wired plug. the rear part consists of a short harness and plug assy. there is a connection at the left rear of the car. you must remove the left side black box ext.which is visible after you lift up the panel which is where the jack handle is.there is a connecting plug right there. you plug the harness in and connect your 4 terminal plug assy to the hitch or bumper cover assy as i did.took about 30 minutes for the tech to do it and the dealer picked up the tab. dont splice amkt.

mackabee

The smart key has nothing to do with it. Remote start can be installed in any car with an auto transmission. It is more costly to have it installed after the fact since the dealer has to pay labor charges or rather pay the techs that are going to install it as opposed to the port where they do installs every day and it lowers their cost.
Mackabee

wc1

I have a 2008 HL 2WD and I have noticed a very annoying problem from day 1. When totally removing my foot from the gas and attempting to coast, the engine itself seems to brake the vehicle. I've watched the tach and it doesn't appear to upshift, but the "engine braking" is noticeable and very annoying. Does anyone else notice this?

gunga64

Edmunds seems to think 3rd row seats are included with the new Highlander base model when I did a compare with edmunds? I don't recall seeing it when I test drove. Do all highlander 2008's come with 3rd row?

rzepa1

Hard to find one on the lot without them. My guess it would be special order. You may have not noticed as most of the cars have them folded to start with.

miacar07

I live in Ft. lauderdale. I go to the Toyota website on a regular basis to build an '08 highlander with options that I want. But, everytime all the dealerships in the area pop up I can never get one to come with Rear DVD Entertainment. And, I always check that option. Is this because in South Florida you cannot buy an '08 highlander with Rear DVD Entertainment? Does anyone have an answer to this?

smith1

Anybody seen the underfloor storage compartment that you get with the third row seat delete option? Is it a nice big useful space like the Hyundai Santa Fe has? Any locking features, dividers, trays, etc?

toyseeker

Just took delivery last night. Was browsing the manual today. To disable engine brake, you need to use S4 or S5. "D" uses it by default. (pg 173)

I've not experimented with or descended any steep hills yet (only 25 miles driven), but seems to me I will be using S5 a lot unless it effects other things that I am not yet aware.

toyseeker

Thanks! I've asked Toyota for the price on the harness - will look for the embedded connectors after work.

Is this two units: a controller under the dash -and- a harness extender in the rear, or did the tech have to run wire from the dash to the rear?

:shades:

08highlander

Yes it is two units, and someone also talked about installing a fuse in the fuse box. search it on this posting

de77

Hi, Yes you can get a rear seat DVD system in the 2008 Highlander. The option code is ED90 and will list for $1250. What model of the Higlander are you searching for- Base grade, Sport or LTD? If you let me know I can search availability for you. I work for a Toyota store just North of you

de77

Third row seats are now standard on the 2008 Highlander, however there is an option to have them deleted. That seems to be what is commmonly arriving on the base model in the southeast region.

su922

Another aftermarket question - and even at the risk of sounding like a dumb girl, I'm going to ask it anyway...is there any possible way to switch out the steering wheel of the 08 Highlander with one like, say the 08 Avalon? I bought an 08 Highlander Limited a few weeks ago (and love it), but the top part of the steering wheel where I usually hold my hands is too slick. I was wondering if I could get one that has the wood or fake wood across the top so it would be easier to hold on to. I got used to this kind of steering wheel in my GX470. Or, is there another option that could work, like a covering for the top part of the steering wheel that looks good?

sylvan2

Hi there is no wire that has to run from the front to the rear. part of the package is a converter that mounts up front under dash to the left side near brake pedal. there is a mounting hole there and a pre wired plug that just plugs into it.the other part of kit is a short harness that installs as i mentioned in the rear and plugs into existing pre wire plug under left side blak box etx. then mount recepticle 4 terminal plug on hitch or cover.

microbust

Is there a drawback to driving in S5, rather than Drive, most of the time?

toyseeker

Not sure.. maybe someone else here knows. Drove home in S5 and it seemed to work fine.

eddyman1

Anyone figure out how to reset the tire pressure monitor? The dash indicator burns all the time. Dealer says that the spare also has a sensor, but the pressure I measured at 44psi. All other tires at 34psi. What gives? Help!

toyseeker

The button is under the VSC on/off switch, along the bottom of the dash trim (just over your right knee when in drivers seat). Get the pressure where you want it, then hold in the button (with the car on) for 3 seconds. The indicator light should flash 3 times... then wait a few mins before shutting off the engine. Note: you need to keep it in park for the procedure. (manual pg 16 & 435)

The indicator tracks change from last set, if the change is drastic enough (+/-), the light goes off.

Can't find it now, but I thought I read that the spare does not have one... but no harm in getting it to the right psi. Hard to tell, though, as they cover many different tire/wheel options.

mackabee

Give some time to the leather to absorb some of your skin oil. With time the slickness will disappear and the leather will feel " broken in" so to speak. In the meantime you may want to put on one of those fake wheel covers which might do the trick but look awful tacky.

Mackabee

qs933

Actually, that's something I read about people doing with their 4Runners. It basically involved swapping the 4Runner's leather rim with a Lexus GX470's leather and wood rim.

It gets a bit complicated because you have to remove the hub (with the airbag) to do this. Also, I don't know if any of the wheel rims that would fit (if any) would have wood that matches the woodgrain in the Highlander Limited.

gunga64

Noticing the last two issues. One I have that tire pressure sensor on my sienna and it has been nothing but a hassle. The 2001 only has one warning light for all 4 wheels. It goes off a lot too much and it's usually hard to reset. This last reset seems to have taken, but past resets have always been failures. Now I guess some cars have 4 lights to indicate the tire pressure. I am just tired of these sensors that go off.

I also have an issue with the plastic Toyota uses for their steering wheel. On both my past Toyotas a Corolla the top portion of the wheel actually moved away from the metal insert so that when you grabbed the wheel up there it twisted. On my camry the covering is wearing off on the top part of the steering wheel. It's no where near as bad as the Corollas. Might need to get a steering cover for that one. The sun must deterioriate those things over time for some reason. They aren't exactly a hard plastic more rubbery.

shimmer11

Anyone concerned about the 4 star rating for passenger frontal crash test? I noticed that other '08 Toyota vehicles received the same star ratings.

link title

-Andy

donnieo

I've asked here before but, as yet, no one has seen one on the lot with the 3rd row seat delete.

One dealer in the south side of Chicago told me a while back that they were'nt being made yet but would be in the fall. Recently, I stopped back at that same store and spoke with a different salesman. He had no clue as to what I was talking about.

I will only buy one with that option (if and when they come out). I don't want or need the seat but do need the storage.

qs933

I saw a Sport (2WD with leather) and a Base (2WD) with the 3rd row delete the other day at my local dealer (this is in Hawaii). It was the only Sport on the lot. They had a few Base models, but I didn't look at all of them (I'm looking for a Limited).

gshasta

When I picked up my Limited last week, I passed a salesman on the lot telling perspective buyers: "no third row in this one, no third row in that one,...." There were no Highlanders on the lot with a 3rd row! In fact, they didn't have anything but base Highlanders on the lot. The 3rd row was important to this family, so they turned and left.

kdhspyder

The NHTSA tests are outdated and not reflective of real world situations. At best you could view them as a Pass/Fail measurement.
4 and 5 stars are PASS
3 stars are Marginal
1 and 2 stars are FAIL
In addition the NHTSA ratings have no teeth. They're only recommendations. Finally the NHTSA recognized that their tests were 30 yrs out of date so they solicited comments on ways to bring them up to current standards.

The IIHS tests are far more difficult and more comprehensive. Those are the ones to concentrate on.

toyseeker

No luck removing the 'box' in the back, it is blocked by the "moving" cover for the 3rd row seat. Do you have a 3rd row seat?

To remove the cover, it looks like I have to dismantle the retaining springs and possibly a few other things.... before I take the toolbox to it, am I making this too complicated? Thanks!

su922

Thanks for your response. No fake wheel covers for me - looks like I'll have to just live with it, or try to replace the entire steering wheel (with airbag & dash controls) with one as similar looking as possible, assuming I could ever find one. (And, according to my husband, that's not very likely.) But, it is good to know I'm not the only one wishing I could get a little upgrade - maybe it's something Toyota might think about doing in future models.

donnieo

I'll have to look at the website again but I was under the impression that the third row delete option was only available on the Sport.