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Comments
I was looking at a limited and forgot the sport and base have it optioned.
My real fear is if someone is sitting back there in the 3rd row and a car rear ends the 3rd row, theres no crumple zone.
what is SD option?
--Tight, quiet vehicle. It definitely feels much like a raised Camry. Same engine.
--Quite possibly the most front leg room I've ever experienced (I'm 6-4). I thought it was expansive and didn't realize until halfway through my test drive that I didn't have the seat back all the way. On the Limiteds, you also get a slight front cushion extension - perhaps another inch or so. You won't miss it if you prefer a Sport over a Limited.
--The faux wood trim in the Limiteds is truly hideous. You can get a Sport with essentially the same options as the Limited and skip the wood trim.
--3rd row seat: While technically it is true that the 3rd seat is an option...almost all HLs coming from Japan right now have the kiddie seat installed in there. You can go for a 2-row HL by either praying your dealership has one out of the 100 they've ordered, or doing a special order and waiting months. Or, you can simply leave the 3rd seat down and you have about the same cargo area as you would without it; and you'll have the resale value of the 3rd seat later. Don't shoot the messenger here - I'm not a fan of shoehorning in 3rd row seats either, but these days Toyota and others are listening only to the soccer moms, not to anyone else, about these ridiculous seats.
--Tow hitch: Non-existent on any Highlander - even though the "tow prep" option exists on almost all of 'em here in Colorado! Very strange.
--I'm a fan of the Cypress green color - subtle, more fun than the black/white/gray/silver common colors. Silver's okay; gray is too dark; the Blizzard Pearl is white with sparkles. Really. Makes the HL look like it was painted with whitening toothpaste.
The SD is the 3rd Row delete option ( discount ) as noted above.
Mackabee
You just got to understand and live within the limitations of the HL if this is the car for you. It is not a performance drive.
While I like the added space and the just about everything but the AC and the 2nd row, I think I will wait till the Pilot comes out and see what it has to offer.
This will at least make the Toyota dealers deal somewhat. I don't have any hopes of a drive with more road feel until the next redesign.
Besides the Pilot is suppose to come out with a diesel and I want the mileage not just the space. And maybe just Maybe HONDA will bless us with the Acura surround sound stereo.
Automotive manufacturers like to "capture" customers just coming into the market, young just married couples, say. They buy a model, and generally develop a "like" for same, that suits their needs of the moment.
Oops, kids on the way, bigger vehicle needed...but guess what, that "model" they selected initially has "grown up". And will contin ue to do so as their family and family budget grows.
Within 5 to 10 years the 4runner will be discontinued for an HL that supplants it in size.
Hmmm....
Is there an 2002 HL sized RAV4 in your future?
Bet on it.
Highlander has already moved up to 4Runner size as the BOF SUVs decline in popularity.
RAV has moved up to the former Highlander size.
Slot in another crossover smaller than the RAV but give is fantastic fuel economy for the segment, say 40 mpg.
The BOF SUVs may go back to being what they were originally intended to do, go deep offroad and tow some stuff easily. The Explorer is going away as a BOF. The TrailBlazer and Envoy may be de-emphsized with the arrivals of the lambda quadruplets. I believe that I read that the Pathfinder was going away as a BOF vehicle as well. That leaves the 4Runner and the Durango. For how long?
I had to put my 2 cents in on this 3rd row debate. Personally I would NOT buy any one of these SUV's without a 3rd row, otherwise I would just buy a wagon or a sedan, why waste gas and get some big vehicle if you don't need those advantages. People that are driving huge SUV's as a commuter car, come on now, so not needed. If I wanted an SUV with no 3rd row then I would go for the Toyota RAV4 (no 3rd row option) or Honda CRV, they are not only practical but more efficient.
I even see that the VW Touareg does not have a 3rd row and this is a huge ommision IMO. Even the vaunted Range Rover is going to have a 3rd row option in the redesign.
The crossover SUV is overwhelmingly used as the multipurpose vehicle for families now. I love the option if I am carrying my kids and need some extra room to carry their friends or family and not having to drive 2 cars. But if I don't need that 3rd row the other 60% of the time at least it is there as needed. Most 3rd rows are there for kids in the first place or as a spot place for someone to sit in a short trip anyhow.
Just my thoughts,
B.
If you need lots of cargo space, room for 6-8 people, in a vehicle that actually moves them efficiently and comfortably, there is this thing called a minivan. It is funny how people describe these exact attributes, but can't actually say the dreaded "m" word.
The car magazines ought to just call these the soccer mom crossovers so people will either have to admit what they are buying or just go ahead and get a minivan.
It was a short test drive as the fuel tank was on empty.
The ride wasn't as bad as I have heard.
Compared to my 2003 Highlander, the 2008 rode like the bigger vehicle it is. The steering was over assisted and there was no road feel.
But the actual ride of the 2008 is not much different than my 2003 (in other words, it's better, and I didn't think it was too soft)
I see it all the time I need 2wd, space for 6-8, smooth ride, lots of cargo space, and good fuel economy. That is a minivan defined. Most crossovers are 2nd rate in most of those categories.
We bought our 2005 Highlander AWD Ltd because we wanted an AWD vehicle with car-like ride and handling, good cargo capacity, and a comfortable 2nd row seat for adults. The third row seat wasn't really a consideration, and 99% of the time it remains folded down.
It has come in very handy on several occasions however. Each time the scenario was a need to take six people a short distance to a place where parking was sparse and/or expensive. It was far more convenient for one person to squeeze into the third seat than take two cars.
Toyota at least lets you delete the option if you really don't want it for the 2008MY. But you may find like we did, that on rare occasions, it can be nice to have...
Larry
thanks
I agree that the ceiling material on the 200 Highalnder should be improved (looks cheap in an otherwise nice vehicle interior). I would have prefered the nice chrome alumium trim to the faux wood trim but it is not a major issue.
I took the vehicle on the road (have about 700 miles on it)to lake country in Manitoba and Ontario Canada and it handled and accelerated very well even in hilly roads with curves. The steering seemed to firm up the faster I went and when negotiating curves in the highway. The premium JBL Stereo with 9 speakers has very clear crisp sound for FM radio, CD's and MP3/WMA. Bluetooth feature is great. Fit and finish is top rate. The safety features are advanced which is very important to me.
I had narrowed down my choices to the MDX and Lexus RX 350 before I found out the 2008 Highlander was coming out this summer. The RDX and CX7 were a bit too small without not enough room. The turbo four feature and needing high octane gas and the overly firm ride (especially our paved streets and highways) which made you feel every bump and small crevice in the road up your spine a no go for the vehicles.
I really enjoyed the MDX ride, handling and features but the wide size of it were detractors.
So far very impressed with the Highlander.I looked at the 2007 Highlander Ltd. late last year and this is definitely an upgrade and worth the extra money.
Canuck 17
I would agree with others impressions. Not the most exciting drive but ok with plenty of power.
Size was what drove me to the HL over the other options also.
The profusion of airbags was also a big plus.
Mackabee
Mack
Mack
Mack
I believe you need to select the Sport or Limited grade in order to have the DVD available to you, as Toyo doesn't put it in the base model. Hope this helps. And at least in my NorCal zip code, you have to purchase groups of options in order to get the DVD player.
In my region, I cannot get NAV with DVD with the Sport. Have to upgrade to Limited. Kinda blows...wondering if I can order the two together with the Sport Trim (and wait 3 months for delivery)
We put in 15 to 25 DVD systems every month in everything from RAV's to Camrys to Sequoias to Highlanders to Tundras to 4Runners. It takes part of a day and it's done by specialists.
The unit voice speaks text (ie street names)
can you use voice command to control the radio, climate control etc
just wondering.
My wife is getting a 2008 CR-V and the EX-L has those features
Mackabee
-Andy
Mack
Mack
I really want a limited with black interior and I might just wait unitl it is offered
Mack
I basically beat the price to death with 8 dealers and nobody would go lower
Good Job.
I'm in Columbia , MD. Which dealer did you get your Highlander from?
JP