- suv 133,719
- Conroe, TX
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- autoshopper.com
2002 toyota highlander review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. High marks for yet another suv from toyota. introductiontoyota is determined to have the best-outfitted suv stores on the planet with an array of both truck and car-based models ranging from cute-ute size to suburban fighters. Five different sport-utilities are now available from toyota, and that's not even counting the two from lexus. Toyota's goal: meeting every need, want, taste and whim of the suv shopper. the new mid-size highlander slots in as a car-based (uni-body) suv slightly larger in capacity than the truck-based 4runner. Alternatively, the seats can be folded down for cargo carrying. the highlander performs decorously on street and highway pretending to be a car. Yet it can swallow with ease impromptu buys at flea markets and get them home despite sudden worsening of the weather. Women went gaga over the lexus rx 300 and will be equally at home in this variation from toyota. Men of a practical bent will like the more utilitarian attitude of the highlander. A 3. 0-liter v6 engine that produces 220 horsepower is optional. All come with automatic transmissions. one well-equipped model is available, which comes standard with air conditioning, power windows and door locks, cruise control, cloth upholstery, and anti-lock brakes. Options increase prices for this and all highlanders, however. The v6 adds nearly $1600. We highly recommend the optional traction control with vehicle skid control 850) for all front-drive models, and especially with the v6 25,575). The 4wd v6 model retails for $26,975. options such as leather upholstery, power seats drive the price up. Side-impact air bags are an option for $250. The highlander is actually roomier than the upscale lexus rx 300. The family resemblance to the lexus is evident but the highlander is dressed down a little, rather like wearing faded jeans and a favorite windbreaker instead of dry-clean-only lunch-with-the-ladies attire. entry, both for cargo and for people, is easier than in truck-based suvs. With its more car-like step-in and lift-into the highlander is even friendly to wearers of tight skirts. Not so the usual truck-based suv. interiora tidy, well-conceived interior becomes almost instantly invisible because everything is in the place best suited for it and thus never calls attention to itself. For instance, the power window buttons are immediately under the finger. The radio and heater controls are simple dials and amply-sized buttons. Wood and chrome touches warm and brighten the limited edition. The seats are supportive and comfortable and adjustable to suit various size drivers. Part of the appeal of suvs is the ease of seeing out at every angle. This opens up the space between the front seats. It also lends an open, unconfined air to the cockpit. Map pockets, visor mirrors, and front and rear auxiliary power outlets are provided. V6 models come with aluminum interior accents. highlander comes with reclining front bucket seats in front, and a three-passenger 60/40 split fold-down reclining bench in the rear. An eight-way power adjustable driver's seat 390) is optional; dual heated front seats 440) are available for v6 models. It is a vehicle that feels instantly familiar. No fumbling for controls. The highlander is quieter than truck-based suvs both in engine and road noises. It rides smoothly on a variety of surfaces, true to the car side of its suv heritage. the steering is sedan-like with an appropriate feel. The braking (abs standard) is certain and smooth. Acceleration is nimble enough. Toyota expects the v6 4wd version to be the best-selling highlander. all the 'nice-that nice-this' is beginning to make the highlander sound a little pedestrian and perhaps even dull. After a stretch of allowing the straightforward competence of the vehicle to expand into admiration something else begins to creep onto the scene: appeal. It may not deliver a quick jolt to the brain's pleasure center, but it does gradually blossom there into a sense of general well-being and satisfaction. Indeed at one point i startled my driving companion with a shouted: 'hey! The highlander seemed at home amidst the traffic lights and parking seekers, a good size for this work. Rolling into suburbia the highlander fit right in. It's a natural mall-crawler, maneuverable and quick to nose into a parking slot. After determining that dry pavement was a snap for the highlander whether on gradual climbing curves or twisty descending esses we went searching for more challenge to stretch the willing beastie. We found some sloppy snow melt, a few muddy ruts, icy patches on shadowed curves and even a road meandering upward that was deep with unplowed snow. The highlander, uncomplaining, dealt with the tasks like an expert speller in the early stages of a championship bee. As it cut upward through eight inches of newly fallen snow like a snowplow on a rescue mission i again startled my companion: 'hey, i like this highlander, a lot!' the highlander, again, is intended to be primarily a varied-use highway and street vehicle with in-built peace of mind for rough weather and back-roads surefootedness to fishing and ski venues. It is not meant for boulder bashing and serious off-road driving. The absence of a low-low creeper gear makes really steep downhill descents toward cliff rims perhaps more exciting than they need be, but the point is: this platform that the rx 300 and highlander share is more capable in demanding situations than the marketing managers prefer to publicize. It makes for a superb station wagon for the city and suburbs. It's far easier to deal with on a daily basis than a truck-based sport-utility. Sliding in and out is easy, with no need to climb up or down. The name toyota has over the years come to mean longevity, absence of problems and an unparalleled ability to hold value. That's not a bad rep to have. This all translates to high residuals at the end of a lease or high trade-in or re-sale value when it's time to buy a new one. A competitor can offer what seems to be a much better buy on a similar rig. Toyota excels in this life-cycle costing. The highlander, opening with such apparent value for money, should be a champion in that regard. Power Windows✔ Anti-lock Brakes✔ Power Seats✔ Bucket Seats✔ Air Conditioning✔ Cruise Control✔ Aluminum Wheels
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