Toyota Highlander has an established name on the American market, so it is not surprising that the name has not changed even in the third generation. However, the design has undergone a rather fundamental change for the better .
First of all, it is much more aggressive, which is well documented by the distinctive and dominant radiator grille , which is followed by the main headlights. The bumper is also equipped with LED diodes for daytime running lights. The taillights resemble those of the smaller Auris or the RAV4 SUV to a good degree of imagination. It definitely feels good though and balances out the aggressiveness of the front end.
In the interior, Toyota worked on the transmission of noise, vibrations and also on the quality of materials . The design itself carries elements well known from the RAV4 SUV. An interesting addition is the storage space, which stretches almost across the entire width of the dashboard.
As for the dimensions, the new generation grew by 6.85 cm in length and 1.5 cm in width. If you want it in the language of complete numbers, the Highlander is 4854 mm long, 1925 mm wide and 1730 mm high. The wheelbase remained unchanged – 2789 mm. With that length, it's almost certain that the Highlander will carry more than 5 passengers. Toyota states that the interior capacity is up to 8 passengers !
The propulsion is provided by a pair of petrol engines – a 2.7 VVT-i four- cylinder and a 3.5 VVT-i six-cylinder . Both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front- or all-wheel drive (six-cylinder only). As an alternative to gasoline units, Toyota also offers its specialty – a hybrid powertrain consisting of a six-cylinder 3.5 and an electric motor. This is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and four-wheel drive.
Source: Toyota
