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HighlanderGeneral discussion forum for the Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid.
This is a discussion thread titled "Highlander vs. Competition (Buying? Pros & Cons)", within the Highlander forum, part of the SUV Forums category.
I bought my Highlander in 2002, and soon after it was listed as a 5 best by Car and Driver.
Since then, there have a been a few new models out there, and the Highlander seems a bit dated. Does anyone agree? I like it, and will keep it, but think other SUV's like the Nissan, Infiniti and VW are nicer looking.
What do you think?
The Nissan and Infinity give up cargo capacity for looks. That roof line really cuts down in the trunk area. The VW is just too expensive and the engines are really underpowered and suck up the gas, "Too bulky for it's own good" one reviewer has said. 2 of them will /start/ you at over $36000 base and go up from there. That's where the Highlander tops off. The Nissan will go higher than the Highlander when you finally get it properly equipped. I looked at the Nissan before getting my Highlander but couldn't get over the 1st year questions, plus several of the highly annoying styling designs that were chosen for the model (choices I notice flowing through the entire Nissan line...)
We just bought the 2004 Higlander and the new engine is far more fun to drive that the 2003 solara we owned before. The highlander is a great little SUV that retains is look among those that are always adjusting thier makeup.
I have had a 03 and a 04 the 04 is a lot more suv in my estimation.
The five speed trany and the 3.3 engine work good together. Better
milage. The 04 is a limited the 03 was not. Also have a 02 Tundra SR5
90 two wheel drive pick-up.
Help,I am think of getting a Highlander with a 4 cyl for mainly city driving.How close does it get to the EPA 22mpg claim?I have seen complaints that it doesn't come close.I would get this instead of a Camry or Accord-if the MPG is about 20 in the city.Our city driving is very city-short trips,many stoplights.Thanks,Charlie
For those of you who have the highlander (teledyne), how do you like it? Did you compare the 4Runner to it? Any gripes? Power good? Thanks in advance. Boone
I like Highlander prety much. Highlander is Camry based car. If you would like to have smooth ride, go for the Highlander. The speed is faster, the MPG is better, why bother to get 4Runner?
But if you don't care about this, get the 4Runner for larger room.
But if you don't care about this, get the 4Runner for larger room.
4 Runner does not have larger room than Highlander! It depends on how you compare them. The 4 Runner's headroom is so cramped and not even close to the Highlander. The 4 Runner is a body on frame (pick-up truck) design and it usually limited the vertical space. This is why the Lexus GX 470 looks so funny and ugly because Lexus decided to stretch the pickup way tall to make up more headroom. The 4 Runner might be bigger outside but that’s about it…
Hi everyone. New to the board, as u can see. It's good to FINALLY have found some info on the Highlander. I'm currently a 98 Corolla owner, but am looking to upgrade to an SUV in a month or two. I've narrowed my decision down to a few different SUV's; but being that my Corolla has served me well for so long, I am giving the HL serious consideration.
The pros for the '04 HL seem to be the new 3rd row seating, reliability, etc.
Cons are a somewhat dated appearance and lack of aftermarket products.
I'm considering an Explorer XLT also, because of the 3rd row, and I like the look. But well, it's a Ford. Can some of you guys/gals offer some opinions and feedback to help me out? I'm thinking of gettin the V-6 AWD, possibly leather, with the 3rd row....and I definitely want the fender flares, I've yet to see an HL with those. Thanks in advance.
NOTATION - Threads merged and renamed due to similar topics and discussion. If you have any questions please let me know.
The Highlander is hard to beat.I did a ton of research last year,and the Highlander was at the top of the list.It lost out to the Pilot only because it had just a bit less room behind the back seat.We travel with 2 big,long legged Greyhounds(75 lbs but they spread out bigger),and the space was a bit tight on them in the Highlander.The 2004 is even better;stability( anti skid anti rollover) control is standard in all trim levels,and side and side curtains are available(the Pilot doesn't offer either).The new V-6 is about as fast as the Pilot and it is MPG rated better(19-25 vs 17-22-and the Pilot doesn't get any where near 17 in pure city driving,14-15 is more common).At $2.50/gal in CA this adds up(in Louisiana~$1.62 gal).The pilot has very bland styling.The 3 row seat is useless for adults in both,but slightly more roomy in the Pilot.The Highlander is shorter,and thinner-easier to park etc.The AWD Highlander is a bit more Pricy than the equivalent Pilot(Highlander made in Japan,Pilot in Canada).CR rates Highlander very high in latest quality ratings,Pilot is rated well also,but not quite as high.Check out Carsons Toyota(Dianne) they have great prices for Tundra Sol members.Luck,Charlie
pros...based on a car platform, camry i think. rides & handles like one, from what i hear. looks good enough with the body kit that i think about getting the hybrid version when it comes out, which would be another pro if you're willing to wait a bit--i think their plan is to do the lexus branded version first, then the toyota branded version.
cons...based on a car platform, camry i think . not really an offroad type suv (but who cares, get the body kit!), and looks a little odd when stock (again, body kit! )
fwiw, i drive a tundra, so my idea of "offroad" is a little skewed . i have however seen a highlander around dayton with the body kit (from the same co. that made the ivan stewart kit for the tundras, iirc), and they look very nice in person. completely changes the personality of the vehicle. also, there's a guy here who was preparing his awd highlander for running around in the sand, if that helps.
memaster, that's a pretty sweet kit...looks different from the one i was thinking of.
I'm considering an Explorer XLT also, because of the 3rd row, and I like the look. But well, it's a Ford. Can some of you guys/gals offer some opinions and feedback to help me out?
I owned an 02.5 Ford Explorer XLT (lost in a divorce ). Honestly, I never thought I'd go Ford, but at the time, we had a Toyota truck and needed a second vehicle with more cargo room. After driving/owning one, I was certainly pleasantly surprised. From my experience, it towed like a dream, was comfortable, had plenty of bells & whistles, & cargo space. Also, I had zero service problems with it in the 25k I got to drive it. I guess the biggest deciding factor for us was alot of Ford's standard features you had to pay for with options from the competitors. Add that with the rebate and you get a pretty nice ride. My only complaints was the V6 engine seemed to shift alot. I wish we had gotten the V8. Oh and the resale value. Now I drive a 04 DC Tundra, the Ford & ex is gone ..... I won't have to worry about the resale value.
My wife drives an 01 V6 2wd in Bluestone Metallic. It's got 37k on the clock and no major problems/complaints at all. We average 20mpg mixed and 24mpg on highway trips (my wife loves to keep it around 80mph). We've had it in once for a ticking noise that was a loose screw that attached a line to the firewall and a squeeking noise from the steering column. All they had to do was re-lube. I was weary due to it being a 1st run model in 01 but toyota has definately earned my respect. Only negative is the paint tends to be a little more suceptible to stone chips. We purchased it for 27,700 with the optional enkei 5 stars and the upgraded Michelin LTX M/S tires. Still running original tires with hardly any wear at all. Only maintenance is the 5k intervals per the service plan we purchased, amazingly it still has the original breaks...knock on wood.
. not really an offroad type suv (but who cares, get the body kit!), and looks a little odd when stock (again, body kit! 
)
). Honestly, I never thought I'd go Ford, but at the time, we had a Toyota truck and needed a second vehicle with more cargo room. After driving/owning one, I was certainly pleasantly surprised. From my experience, it towed like a dream, was comfortable, had plenty of bells & whistles, & cargo space. Also, I had zero service problems with it in the 25k I got to drive it. I guess the biggest deciding factor for us was alot of Ford's standard features you had to pay for with options from the competitors. Add that with the rebate and you get a pretty nice ride. My only complaints was the V6 engine seemed to shift alot. I wish we had gotten the V8. Oh and the resale value. Now I drive a 04 DC Tundra, the Ford & ex is gone ..... I won't have to worry about the resale value. 