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I've said it before in other forums, but just realized I've never said it here, the most important place to say it:
Indeed, according to edmunds.com Future Vehicles the new HL will be "borrowing plenty of cues from the FT-SX concept vehicle." edmunds says it'll be released in 2007.
motortrend.com Future Vehicle Forecast, in contrast, says it'll be released in 2008. "Redesigned on the Avalon platform, growing larger in size to make room for the RAV4."
My prediction is it'll be released in 2008:
1. There have been no spy pics, no press releases, no rumors about the redesigned HL yet, as there have been for the Camry.
2. They recently released the HL hybrid as a 2006 model; seems they would want to get more mileage out of the current design instead of doing a complete redesign the very next model year.
3. They just introduced the Highlander Sport, essentially a stripped-down Limited, probably to extend the life of the current design.
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So the HL Hybrid will get a two year run, go on hiatus for 2008, and be reintroduced for 2009 in the new rig.
DrFill
http://www.arifleet.com/pnews/2006/pn608.pdf
http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/future/ftsx.html
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/FVDP/Preview/styleId=100531781
but still, i dont think it has to look somewhat different from the picture, that thing does not look like an SUV at all
NISSAN MURANO
NEW ACURA MDX
The lower body and clearance improvesn gas mileage. Better gas mileage = more profit $$.
That WILL be the new Highlander.
The MD-X (dash was intentional since the MD-X concept was what was shown so far) at least seems to have an SUV's higher ride height. In my opinion this FT-SX is too low.
Anyway, I wonder if the FT-SX Toyota concept in question is based off the same platform as the Lexus LF-X concept:
http://www.lexus.com/about/concept/lf-x_gallery_exterior_photos.html
(which I believe is the same as the Lexus HPX concept on some sites:
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198663 )
I wish (and hope) to see Toyota/Lexus/Acura match the style of vehcle that GM is coming out with in the 2007 Saturn Outlook/GMC Acadia/Buick Enclave. I am not a GM fan but I believe a full-size unibody SUV with plenty of room and 3 rows with improved gas milage will be a win.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.efcecf4/61
2008 Toyota Highlander: Redesigned on the Avalon platform, growing larger in size to make room for the RAV4.
I'm curious DYS if you can direct me to the area where it states that the redesign will be based on the FT-SX? I'd love to read up about it because we have two Highlanders (2001 & 2002) and would love to trade up to the new redesign model.
Thanks for you help.
I'm looking forward to the resign. I've owned several Toyotas and currently own a 2001 & 2002 Highlander (both are great vehicles) and the timing of the new Highlanders will work well with swapping out both H/L's for a couple of new ones.
Thanks for looking, I've been looking too and hoping to find something. I'm looking forward to the redesign.
i am looking for a Highlander 4Cyc, but deals are not showing no upcoming inventory for the 2006 model. what does that mean? 2007 will be coming out soon? Any news on the 2007 Highlander???
Thanks in advance.
Typically new model year HLs show up on dealer lots in September (or very late August at the earliest), so given we're in July it's not surprising Toyota isn't apparently shipping any more '06s.
Does your dealer not have the ability to search inventory of other dealers for 4 cyls?
The new Highlander is the step sister to the Lexus Rx just as the ES takes 2nd place to the Camry. The Rx is Lexus' primary vehicle so it is always first to market ( right now ).
The Rx300 was on the market for 2 yrs before the Highlander.
The Rx400h was out before the Hybrid Highlander.
The Rx350 is out now and the new Highlander ( with the 3.5L ) will not be out until the 2008 MY.
I am nearly certain that there will be no 4c Highlander in the future... but the new Hybrid Highlander might be the 'base' model ( the least expensive ). The new RAV covers the spot held previously by the base model 4c Highlander, which was a dog so to speak.
The timing of the launch of the new Highlander is problematic in that it is due at the same time as the new Tundra and Sequoia. For that reason I see it possibly as being launched about this time next year.
Highlander: The redesigned 2008 Highlander will move to the new Avalon platform, which means it will move up in size closer to the Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer.
FT-SX: This large crossover, arriving in summer 2008, is intended to be more stylish than the Chrysler Pacifica. Toyota thinks this is the segment where boomer SUV buyers are headed. And since their kids are grown up, the vehicle will be offered only with five-passenger seating.
The 2009 FT-SX will be slightly taller than a Volvo XC70 and an Audi Allroad. It likely will be assembled at the Princeton, Ind., plant alongside the Sienna. The FT-SX will have the Avalon's 3.5-liter V-6 and a six-speed automatic transmission.
As expected no major design change -- the biggest difference nearest I can see via a brief perusal of the exterior and interior is the chrome "Limited" badge that's on the front fender has been moved to the rear door, and the Hybrid now sports a chrome "Hybrid" badge on the front fender.
Also regular unleaded is recommended iso premium.
Well, my 05 HL Limited V6 2WD has side curtain air bags. Bought new in AZ. Perhaps not to much need for 4WD here.
The Tundra will be the center of everything Toyota for the next 9 months. I heard that this launch will be the biggest ever in Toyota's history - bigger even than the Lexus launch.
Also it allows the Rx350 to take center stage for an entire year without it's less expensive sibling taking away attention.
Also it allows the Rx350 to take center stage for an entire year without it's less expensive sibling taking away attention.
The Rx350 is Lexus' prime moneymaker and No 1 vehicle. The Highlander is the Toyota buyer's version. Both are essentially the same save the niceties, the Lexus experience and the panache. Toyota/Lexus have to allow the RX to have the spotlight to itself for a while... say a year ... then the Highlander comes on stage.