Couldn't make it through without 4:51 laughing out loud about the preferred seating position and 5:00 Jack laughing out loud Total KO, dropped the tablet. These times make me feel bad for Turbowski, but what you guys have here is special. I'm sure Scott sees that and wishes the two of you well. Good luck shaking those visions from your head.
Same here. But i work with a computer in my face all fay and I’m starting to realize I don’t wanna fucking computer in my vehicle being on a screen all day. I’m starting to appreciate the conservative approach as well. Last thing I need is a big fucking computer screen like the Tesla has in my vehicle.
@@Anomize23 Same here. I have managed so far without a smart phone, for the same reason. I sit in front of a computer all day and see all the time what this "tech" does to people, especially the collective attention span.
when I got my 2019 RAV4 I couldn't open up the hatch without physically unlocking the doors----------until I dug through the car settings on the infotainment and saw I could change it. that one quirk really irritated me but no longer.
My new Corolla beeps when you turn off the car and leave a window open. And it beeps when you get back in the car to remind you that you left a window open. Why? The worst thing that could happen is some rain gets in your car, if it happens to rain. That's not exactly a life-threatening situation.
@@hamsterama it's to protect your car from getting stolen. I don't know about the Corolla, but my car can be unlocked by open the driver door from the inside, doesn't matter what locked it.
We had a newish Prius as a rental last year and the constant beeping was ridiculous. Being a rental they've disabled our ability to turn it off. It was bad that it beeped, but what was maddening is that it only had one kind of beep. Couldn't it have at least given us different tones?
@@HERODMasta Yes, but....I don't think you can actually steal the car by just getting inside. You need the keyfob to start it. So, even if you reached your hand inside the Corolla through an open window and unlocked it, you couldn't drive it anywhere. Also, it has a manual transmission, which is probably the best anti-theft device anyway LOL!
Loved hearing Jack's laughter. BTW, I'm really pleased with the consistency and results of your investment in the shop and your editing studio. It feels like tuning into one of my favorite TV shows and getting exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for taking the leap to bring us this great content!
12:10 I talked to a Cab driver who was driving a Sienna, and asked him how old the car was. He said around 900,000 km, on it's second engine and second transmission. The engine lasted around 600,000 km, the taxi company put in a new engine and kept the thing going. It's easily a million-km chassis, and very high mileage engine. Basically said that other than regular maintenance ("that is the key!" he told me), they were dead nuts reliable. Pretty good testament to Toyota's engineering.
Have owned 3 Highlanders. Complete reliability, comfort and impressive trade in value. Toyota is the best. Looks and electronic means zip to me when purchasing a vehicle.
Honda explained why. They send fully loaded versions so we can test all available features that are not available in lower trims. They tried lower trims in the past and media trashed them because they "didnt have XYZ features."
Put yourself in a manufacturer's position. You put a base model in a press fleet for reviews. Your competitors put their best foot forward with their top trim versions. In the inevitable comparisons do you want your stripped (or even mid-level) trim competing against the best a rival has? It's similar to an "arms race," my friend.
Which is crazy because toyota is usually late to the features/ updated stuff which kind of dates them after awhile. That being said they do that to make sure the reliability is top notch. I personally would not own a toyota. The Toyota tax is real and they are really not that "nice" of an interior space. I rather have a Kia, Subaru or Honda or Hyundai nowadays. They are pretty much right up their in reliability but they are typically nicer than Toyotas IMO.
Yeah they are pretty reliable or at least the older and previous models are! And resale is unreal, try buying a used limited 2011 with 160,000 miles on it! Still going for 10k to 12k! The only reason I know this I've been shopping with my daughter, talk about sticker shock in the used market!! I will say even with the high mileage and age it still felt and sounded really nice! I never would have considered one until I drove it..... I wont ever buy new but I would definitely consider used 2013-2017! The new prices are getting crazy for us. I also can see why people keep them now!!
We traded our Cadillac XT-5 for a highlander. It’s my wife’s car, we test drive everything. When it comes down to it you cannot beat the reliability of a Toyota. There might be better equipped models from other manufactures out there, but knowing that when your gone that your wife’s car won’t breakdown on her has its merit. There’s tons of room in this thing, if your looking for a great three row SUV I highly suggest a highlander
just bought 2021 highlander XSE. one of the most amazing SUV i have ever driven. The quite ness and smoothness and the sporty character in this SUV is just phenomenal.
Thanks, as always, for reviewing cars on what their potential buyers actually value. Too many other fools want every car to have leather, fat exhaust pipes, and 500 horsepower. Sometimes being a reliable appliance is almost enough.
Excitement shouldn't really enter the equation when you're reviewing SUVs and trucks. 99.99% of people on the planet don't have the cash or the motivation to spend close to $100,000 on a loaded, 575-horsepower Range Rover or $125,000 on a 541 horsepower Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Hell, most of us can't even afford a $55,000 400 horsepower Ford Explorer ST. Car reviewers get so spoiled and jaded from driving so many cutting-edge, super-expensive, high-performance vehicles, they lose sight of what it's like to be a common, everyday person with a 9 to 5 job. I'm a military retiree and high school teacher. I've never even ridden in a BMW, Lexus, Ferrari, Corvette, Supra, ZL1 Camaro, Shelby Mustang, or even a Mazda MX5. I have a 2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport, and a 2003 Acura TL-S. I bought both of those cars new, and I will drive them until they're ready for the scrap yard.
@@sharons9367 I think it's sad how much attention car reviewers give to supercars and ulta-expensive luxury vehicles. They're basically unicorns that most people will never even see on the road, and only a microscopic fraction will ever purchase. I wish that manufacturers would make more affordable performance cars for the masses. In 1986, the Toyota Supra sold for $16,000 which is the equivalent of $24,000 in today's dollars. But the starting price for a 2020 Supra is around $55,000. That price is just silly. It's a Toyota, not a McLaren.
@@zzanatos2001 Toyota makes the 86 Coupe which starts under 30 thousand dollars, and Mazda makes the Miata which is also under 30 grand. These (and others) are still affordable options for those who wish to spend wisely on a performance vehicle.
Great video. Think you really captured what this car is all about. We have a 2019 highlander that we purchased for our main family vehicle. You’re correct in calling this car boring. It doesn’t elicit any emotion. Wife originally wanted an outback but we settled on Toyota primarily for their reliability and family friendly features.
I originally wanted a Kia Telluride, so I went to the dealer to test one out. I liked it, it definitely looks very good. But then, I decided to try a toyota because I've always heard hype about their reliability etc etc, but I've always found them boring. So I test drove a Highlander....let me tell you... I was BLOWN away at the difference between this and the Kia. It might not be as flashy as the kia or others, but the build quality is astronomically better. The kia felt so plasticky and weak compared to this. It didn't strike me at first because I didn't really have a reference, but once I tried the toyota I could just FEEL the cheapness of the Kia. It was really eye opening. If you want solid built, definitely go for toyota.
There are so many mods you can put on Toyotas to make them look more flashy. The money Kia used on interiors, Toyota used on the parts that matter. That’s how I look at it. You just save more money on maintenance usually, and on gas if you go hybrid. Kia is good for people who switch out cars every few years tho. If you want a car you can have for over a decade go Toyota. There are different types of buyers is all
Thanks for the great video. I was struck the statement that the chief engineers, who are Japanese, spent time in USA to understand the American consumer. My guess is that chief engineers for Ford or GM don't do bother understanding foreign consumers.
Yup thats the reason they are leading the industry.... same thing happen when the launch lexus back in 90’s....you can easily youtube it and see how much man power and R&D they put in before launching the lexus.....and here our big 3’s we bail them out just 12 years a go and they are almost at the same point again.
Ford has a European division that designs and manufactures vehicles for that market. In recent years more of their vehicles have been true world vehicles, but plenty of those were designed in Europe. Ford also has special simpler vehicles for China and the developing world, cars you'll see if you go to Mexico (and a lot of other places). Ford has been one of the most international automakers for a century. GM used to be, to a lesser degree, but some off their European divisions. They still make models designed for China developing countries, though they've been struggling.
Very good review. Crucial facts and reasonable opinions. The "no visits to the dealer" part of me loves this SUV. $46k for this vs a GLE350 at $52k is an interestint comparison. Having dealt with so many horrible MB dealers for the same, repeating issues, I'll pass on sexy (GLE450 or GLE53)...dont need that drama.
German cars are good right about until the last day the warranty expires. Thereafter, they become a money pit. Nothing like Japanese engineering. i choose the 2011 MDX base which was still made in Japan at the time over the BMW x5. My brother in law choose the X5, last 4 years, after that tons of electronic issues, car is gone and he is now driving Tesla. I am still driving my MDX with 110K miles and going strong. a car is a long term investment for me, at least 10 years, if i get more, its a bonus!
There are nearly 20 mainstream midsize crossovers offered in the US market. One group consists mainly of two row models and with the exception of the VW Cross Sport (195.5" long) range in length from about 188" to 192". A second group of three row vehicles are typically larger, ranging in length from 195" to 204". Here the outlier is the KIA Sorento, 189" long while providing 3 rows of seats. The previous version of the Highlander was also an outlier with three rows in a vehicle about 192" in length. In 2020 Toyota added almost 3" to the Highlander's length to put it (barely) in the larger category and bring it close to the size of Pilot, the Ascent, the Telluride, and the Palisade. So why do some consumers shopping for a midsize SUV select a three row model? Presumably because they want to use the additional third row seats on at least an occasional basis. Of course, few midsize 3 row SUV's offer truly roomy rear seats. But almost all offer 31+" to 33+" of legroom. The Sorento, for example, provides 31.7" in a vehicle that's half a foot less in length than the Highlander. Only two mainstream midsize SUV's provide less than the 30" of legroom found in the back seat of a Mustang; the cramped CX-9 (29.7") and the ridiculously cramped Highlander. At 27.7" that's 4" less than a Sorento and no more than the previous generation of the Highlander. It's noteworthy that the video shows Jack climbing into the back seat but not actually sitting there with his knees supporting his chin. And the third row accommodations are not "pretty close" (4:38) to that of a minivan, Mark. The Sienna, for example, has 36.3" of legroom in the 3rd row, 8.6" more than the Highlander. That ain't nowhere close to "pretty close." Of course it's common for reviewers of 3 row SUV's to note that the third row is mainly for "kids." But children aren't all the same size. And as parents know, they have an annoying habit of getting larger on a regular basis. Children in child or infant seats shouldn't be seated in the third row for safety reasons. And a nine year old who fits in the rear seat of a new Highlander may well be too tall by the time that same kid is 12 years old. Toyota vehicles are known for their long term reliability but that doesn't mean much if after 3 years of ownership the Highlander can't accommodate the same family it did when it was new. As a "family hauler" that's a point to consider seriously. So what's the basis for Toyota's claim that the Highlander seats "up to 8" passengers or to 7 in the versions with 2nd row captain chairs? Simple. The Highlander has 3 seat belts in the third row while rivals provide a far more realistic two seat belts. In reality, the Highlander seats five human beings or four in the top trim with captain chairs in the second row. If the cramped rear seat is a cruel joke, the three seat belts add insult to injury. So why don't those who want a midsize Toyota crossover but don't need or want a typically useless third row of seats get a two row vehicle? Again, the answer is simple. Toyota, unlike most other brands, doesn't currently offer one. Want a two row Highlander? You're outta luck. Get a RAV4. But there's evidence that Toyota recognizes the problem. The forthcoming Venza is that midsize two row vehicle. Until then, Toyota fans can get a Highlander with a third row they don't need or want, get a compact RAV4, or opt for any of a number of alternatives with greater versatility, most at a substantial initial savings.
Stephen Hendricks When I saw Toyota lengthened the Highlander, I thought, "Great, more 3rd row leg room!" Nope! More cargo space... That doesn't make sense to me. I don't think the Highlander can even fit 3 averaged sized males behind each other even with the seats are moved to accommodate each person. This is why I like minivans more then 3 row CUVs (granted I'm looking at Sienna vs. Highlander or Odyssey vs. Pilot).
This was an interesting read, my aunt has a '11 highlander with a 2 row 5 seat config. Much more roomy in the back seats than her previous rav4 with no compromise on cargo capacity. I do not see how, even with a lengthened body, you could fit just 2 people in a 3rd row without eliminating the trunk altogether.
These three row SUV's are simply too big for many. And the RAV4 does not offer a V-6. No turbo from either. Seems like some pretty poor choices from Toyota.
To your point..Maybe someone can help me. I am 62 and single and wanted an SUV. I am sort of spoiled as I had a 2006 X5. I have been looking for an SUV for about 3 years now. I was going to look at a Highlander...but you cannot get tow with premium package and therefore if you want tow you cannot get cooled seats or leather...and I do not need and really don't want third row seating (no need...useless...just carrying extra weight around). You are right about the RAV4..only 4 banger. Highlander has the 5k towing capacity..more than RX350 (only 3500). A GX/Forerunner gets you 15 mpg. It seems like there just isn't the right vehicle for me (a BMW X3M...run flat tires and staggered wheels..no rotation) or a pricy Audi SQ5. The Highlander does have the reliability and I like 300 HP and no turbo. I guess I will keep looking. However, to date, I guess the RX F sport AWD with tow (albeit only 3500 capacity) is probably the best suited for me. PS: Side issue....the presenter (good job by the way) keeps comparing to the Hyundai, Kia and a Camry...not stiff competition.
We still drive our 2010 Highlander Limited with only 125K miles! Just the usual maintenance with the exception of the water pump needed to be replaced last year. Love Toyota/ Lexus products!
Man! I love how he review the underside as well, my best car reviewer PERIOD! People todays only looks at what interiors tech and that's it!! No one cares about for example independent suspensions which is a deal breaker if a car didn't have it (for me)... Oh and nowadays every car manufacturer aim for sportiness while at the end you'll be crusing most of the time WITHIN THE SPEED LIMIT Bucket seats are the worst of the worst
AC control from touch screen !? That’s big big negative especially in places like texas when i entered my car in middle of summer i just rotate a simple button as fast as possible without even looking at it! I hate these unnecessary gimmicks 🤦🏻♂️
In Texas in the summer, everyone's car must feel like a straight up convection oven. I hate the heat so i don't know how people in Texas deal with 100 degrees at night nvm 120 during the day
Tjk 92 best solution get white car with no moonroof or panoramic and no leather! And add good heat insulation on glass ! Why i said no panoramic or moon roof because more glass means more heat will accumulate inside the car add leather your butt will be grilled
@@tjk9263 120 degrees is Arizona heat. Texas summers regularly reach triple digits for high temperatures, but it doesn't usually travel too far over the century mark. It's still like stepping into a blast furnace, mind you, but it doesn't get to 120. Then again, folks from Arizona will remind you that it's a dry heat. It can range from dry to humid in Texas, depending on your location. And in the summer, it will go back down to the 70s and 80s at night. It's not staying anywhere near 100 degrees at night, no matter where you are.
Best review of the highlander yet! Pros and cons described well. In this market, for me, reliability, cargo space, awd, and comfort are the important things. This does all of those well.
Cargo space is competitive. Third row accommodations are not. And in a "family hauler," a vehicle with a third row that verges on unusable as kids reach 12 years old or more is at a distinct disadvantage. Toyota's reputation for reliability is a strong selling point. But if you have one or more kids who outgrow the seat in the third row in 3 years, that reliability has much less importance.
lmao the sense of humor in your videos is top notch. "I'm in the process of building a gingerbread house for me and my friends". Gold. Onto the topic of this video: This is a great car, and looks great too, IMO.
I think highlander satisfies the segment requirements(provided most people need 3rd row for kids).The features in other competitors like telluride aren't really required in this segment(they are just hyped in reviews)
I’m getting a older Highlander from my Mom in a couple of months. She has quit driving and I’m going to take over the SUV. It’s a 2003 with only about 30000 miles on it. Being an older retired lady she didn’t drive very much. It is only FWD and it has the 4 banger under the hood. Should get pretty good mileage for an SUV. I only drive 3 miles to work every day so it should last me a long time.
Make sure you take it out for some regular longer drives, too. Engines don't do so well on a steady diet of short trips where they never get fully heated up. If you treat it right your Highlander could last a long time.
Another winning product from Toyota. I wouldn’t say it’s boring but it’s just so good that it gives you nothing to worry about. With that V6 this thing will prob ever die. That interior is luxury level. Good styling on the exterior not over the top but very nice (XSE trim looks even better)
Canada. "you have a nook and cranny for 2 charging ports" America. "you have space for a 9mm and 2 spare mags" I'm American. Just typing what I was thinking.
You guys are genius at judging vehicles according to their mission: - No whining about lack of "rock crawling" ability - No whining about "needs 500hp" - No expectation that it be $22k These are owned by grown-ups who pay cash, don't need a pretentious badge, aren't concerned what others think about them, and who don't tie their ego to a Nurburgring lap time or street "racing" showdowns. I don't own one, but that's how I see the Highlander being used: Good, low cost, reliable family hauler so you can have more $ for fun stuff.
Appreciate the sound testing. If you can add a decibel test for hwy, 45 mph… to see how quiet some of these vehicles are that would be great. That would set you apart from all other reviewers from reading the website and brochure.
Well at least these people weren't obsessed with premium luxury badges and bought Toyotas instead, where I live I'm surrounded by idiots who think they're rich and will look down on anything that's not a Mercedes, BMW, Audi, or a Land Rover for example. I only like Japanese cars.
Our family has a 2018 Highlander XLE. Bought it because we also have a 2006 Sienna with 400000 km. Toyota still believes in normally aspirated engines. No turbo to go wrong. The car is totally boring, but it eats up the miles on long trips. My neighbor likes my Highlander better than his much more expensive Infinity. Dec 2022: Highlander is approaching 5 years old now. Still boring transportation. To be honest for everyday driving boring is good. The only 2 negatives are that when we go out with friends they always want to go in the Highlander. The other is that the dealer calls me every week to beg me to sell it back.
Most reviews agree that the Telluride is quieter and has a lot more space for the third row passengers with the access of usb ports. It is a tough market for the Japanese manufacturers right now.
csb : I prefer having this savagegeese Highlander review in the background as I clean dishes @ 5:30am over sports car reviews from other auto journalists.
My favorite auto review channel for a reason. Always very well put together. And I'm happy to have someone agree with me that a stuck on, 50" screen looks terrible.
For 2021, the XSE trim has the dynamic torque AWD system. Bought one over the Honda Passport/Pilot. Traditional shifter, smoother power delivery, better audio and a timing chain over the Honda’s (Honda V6 have timing belts).
My 2010 Highlander is still purring along with only 135K miles on it so maybe I'll be looking at replacing it in another ten years. People buy Toyotas because they last. Are they stodgy?, yes, but they work, hold their value, and fit a lot of needs.
I like that, too. The matte paint really brings out the curvy lines of the Supra. Matte paint is no picnic to take care of, though. I've got it on my motorcycle, and it's work to get it clean.
I would assume that most of the systems on the Highlander are just as automated as my Sienna. I haven't touched the climate control in months. I set the temp I want, just like my house and it adjust the temp and fan speeds for me. Having controls on a touchscreen just wouldn't be that big of a deal as long as there is a physical button to set the temp. I will say, that most time its just me and my wife so the 3 climate zones are usually sync'ed together and we keep it at 66.
But it looks better than minivan though. Large ground clearance gives better proportions to tall cars. That's the real reason people buy those, visual proportions, almost no one thinks of off-road. I don't know why people don't get it that ground clearance is purely a visual thing, not off-road thing in most of cars. Of course, some cars look best with low suspension setup (coupes). But when you have to choose a typical minivan or minivan with large ground clearance (SUV), the second one looks better.
As someone who has owned Toyota's for the last 30 years and currently owns a 2015 Highlander, the drivers' lower seat cushion is ALWAYS too short for my comfort. Even tilting the seat edge upward(in power seat cars) is just OK. Other vehicles I have driven are not like this.
Having owned the Highlander Platinum for 8 months. Good car overall, but for 50k sticker Whistling noise from driver door above 40mph Rattling noise from dash and driver door handle Cheap cost cutting plastic parts in the dash and other areas Noticed these issues a month after purchase. Check out these areas before buying
You said that the Highlander is a joy to drive....yet it's boring. I'm sure it doesn't drive like a sports car, but a joy to drive and boring seem like total opposites. You also compared the engine to that of the Telluride and Palisade. However, when you reviewed the Pilot, 7 months ago, you said that it has one of the best engines in the class. But you never mentioned it with the Highlander. Still I loved the review and I'm looking at buying a new Highlander.
I love this. Reliability, sure footed and comfortable ride and nice looks inside and out (imho) and enough get up and go power for passing and merging onto highways.
Listening to your complaint about the annoying beeps, bells, and whistles, I am reminded of that old Three Stooges short, "Men In Black". At the end of the film, they finally discover the location of the hidden speaker which had been relentlessly paging them throughout the entire skit, and they utterly destroy it. Since so much of what a car does today is software related, I'm surprised that there isn't a company dedicated to fixing many of the built in annoyances that are baked into modern vehicles. Take for instance, the *Stop / Start* feature, which in many vehicles can be disabled, but it usually has to be done each and every time the vehicle is started. This is also the case with many of the driver safety nannies. Surely there is someone with programming skills who can come up with a work-around that won't destroy the car, or void the warranty. They do it all the time with aftermarket performance mods, which include both hardware and software enhancements.
Funny thing about that flooded section of road, I always see people drive these big SUV's with all this ground clearance like a sports car, they'll stop and turn around.
The Highlander (like most new cars) has gotten quite expensive. A mid trim XLE with AWD is like $42K. A fully loaded Platinum with AWD is just over $50K. Granted, it’s very reliable and has excellent resale value, but I feel like asking $50K for a mainstream family SUV is a little crazy. It seems like the gap between luxury and mainstream cars has gotten narrower both in terms of price and the availability of technologies. If this thing is $50K, a $55K or $60K Lexus RX or Acura MDX doesn’t seem too bad. You can even get a lower trim Volvo XC60 or Audi Q7 with these price tags. I love the exterior design of this Highlander tho, and you can’t really go wrong with a Highlander.
really like where they're going and putting some style in .. just hate huge touch screen sticking out .. .. for the love of God when with manufacturers get rid of the piano gloss black ....
Don't get too happy, the 2021 Sienna second row cant be removed sadly. Also its built on the same platform as this highlander, they're almost the same car. Look it up!
My dad still has a 2006 Highlander lol, he’s been off-roading, dirt riding, city cruising, everywhere and that sucker won’t die
Same goes for the similar lexus model, the rx 350
@@stunnasaad Isn’t the RX smaller?
@@ATH-camChannelwithNoName it is , but based on the same platform
The mall doesn’t count.
Couldn't make it through without
4:51 laughing out loud about the preferred seating position and
5:00 Jack laughing out loud
Total KO, dropped the tablet.
These times make me feel bad for Turbowski,
but what you guys have here is special.
I'm sure Scott sees that and wishes the two of you well.
Good luck shaking those visions from your head.
Scott's sitting in his toolshed plotting a murderous vendetta he just put's on a happy face
Scott is to busy playing with his GM pancakes to notice 😂
Wait. Where is turbowski?
Who is turbowski?
@@john26razor340 Former garage wizard/cohost primarily for the "In the Shoppe with Scott Turbowski" segment of the episodes. Magnetic personality.
"Customers wanted a minivan that wasn't a minivan"
Isn't that every large crossover ever?
Every croosover is a minivan with big wheels. Except of lifted hatchbacks.
Toyota owners prioritize reliability over excitement. They're willing to spend good money for cars they know will last a long time.
True! 2000 Avalon and 1996 Camry are still being driven.
A car for sensible Human beings...
R Baker Correct. That is why at the end of the day I end up buying a Toyota.
Yes this is the same rehashed vehicle they have been making for 8 years. Just new trim and panels from time to time.
@ Same engine, same chassis, suspension and transmission for the last 8 years?
With the glitchiness of new technology in its competitors, I'm beginning tp appreciate Toyotas conservative approach for reliability.
Same here. But i work with a computer in my face all fay and I’m starting to realize I don’t wanna fucking computer in my vehicle being on a screen all day. I’m starting to appreciate the conservative approach as well. Last thing I need is a big fucking computer screen like the Tesla has in my vehicle.
@@Anomize23 Same here. I have managed so far without a smart phone, for the same reason. I sit in front of a computer all day and see all the time what this "tech" does to people, especially the collective attention span.
@@confidentlocal8600 I'm starting to get old, i want a Lexus
@@dragospahontu Nice
@@ATH-camChannelwithNoName I'm done with european cars
So it's just like a minivan except your kids can bang the back door into my car when you park next to me. Fantastic.
You're amish, why are you on the internet
Yeah i go out of my way to park next to minivans and luxury cars just for that reason.
Shawn Warnick so your kids can destroy them? XP
Just like a minivan except way smaller inside lol Good luck fitting anyone in that 3rd row over 5 feet tall!
I rather drive a minivan
when I got my 2019 RAV4 I couldn't open up the hatch without physically unlocking the doors----------until I dug through the car settings on the infotainment and saw I could change it. that one quirk really irritated me but no longer.
I'm retired and 70 and kinda like boring. I also love Toyota's reputation. I'm giving the loaded Highlander serious thought.
Richard Shelton I’m 25, not boring, college student broke and love this SUV.
You won’t see it out. Buy a Porsche now and enjoy yourself.
I’m under 25 and I have a 2020 Camry XSE v6 and i absolutely love mine. No regrets
What do you plan to drive around in this massive vehicle if you are 70? Get a Yaris.
Love the segments in the video for easy scrolling!
Agree with the constant beeps on my Toyota. After a week took the gauge cluster out and ripped out that speaker. It's been quiet bliss since then 🤫
You’ll probably just increased the resale value
My new Corolla beeps when you turn off the car and leave a window open. And it beeps when you get back in the car to remind you that you left a window open. Why? The worst thing that could happen is some rain gets in your car, if it happens to rain. That's not exactly a life-threatening situation.
@@hamsterama it's to protect your car from getting stolen. I don't know about the Corolla, but my car can be unlocked by open the driver door from the inside, doesn't matter what locked it.
We had a newish Prius as a rental last year and the constant beeping was ridiculous. Being a rental they've disabled our ability to turn it off.
It was bad that it beeped, but what was maddening is that it only had one kind of beep. Couldn't it have at least given us different tones?
@@HERODMasta Yes, but....I don't think you can actually steal the car by just getting inside. You need the keyfob to start it. So, even if you reached your hand inside the Corolla through an open window and unlocked it, you couldn't drive it anywhere. Also, it has a manual transmission, which is probably the best anti-theft device anyway LOL!
Loved hearing Jack's laughter. BTW, I'm really pleased with the consistency and results of your investment in the shop and your editing studio. It feels like tuning into one of my favorite TV shows and getting exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for taking the leap to bring us this great content!
I always appreciate that he looks out for the practical uses of the vehicles
Blow-up dolls
Finally a real review of this car.
Ikr...hate all the fake fluff reviews. Even Doug does it with dealer cars.
I'd call others as advertisement
Motor week is a joke
Redline Reviews is a joke too.
Check out 'Alex on autos' too
12:10 I talked to a Cab driver who was driving a Sienna, and asked him how old the car was. He said around 900,000 km, on it's second engine and second transmission. The engine lasted around 600,000 km, the taxi company put in a new engine and kept the thing going. It's easily a million-km chassis, and very high mileage engine. Basically said that other than regular maintenance ("that is the key!" he told me), they were dead nuts reliable. Pretty good testament to Toyota's engineering.
Have owned 3 Highlanders. Complete reliability, comfort and impressive trade in value. Toyota is the best. Looks and electronic means zip to me when purchasing a vehicle.
Love your reviews. I wish automakers would send you trim levels that most people can actually afford.
Press fleets rarely have bargain basement versions, they want viewers to 'aspire' to the expensive ones with lots of expensive options...
Honda explained why. They send fully loaded versions so we can test all available features that are not available in lower trims. They tried lower trims in the past and media trashed them because they "didnt have XYZ features."
Put yourself in a manufacturer's position. You put a base model in a press fleet for reviews. Your competitors put their best foot forward with their top trim versions. In the inevitable comparisons do you want your stripped (or even mid-level) trim competing against the best a rival has? It's similar to an "arms race," my friend.
@@savagegeese Makes sense. Didnt know that. Thanks!
@@savagegeese only reason I buy Toyota for reliability
Honestly one of my fav channels on the Tube! Ur Killin it!!!!
Aren't Highlanders among the longest kept by owners? Average is 15 years I think... So kind of like a dog for real
Which is crazy because toyota is usually late to the features/ updated stuff which kind of dates them after awhile. That being said they do that to make sure the reliability is top notch. I personally would not own a toyota. The Toyota tax is real and they are really not that "nice" of an interior space. I rather have a Kia, Subaru or Honda or Hyundai nowadays. They are pretty much right up their in reliability but they are typically nicer than Toyotas IMO.
We got a Highlander and a puppy at the same time. Now, we wait to see which one dies first.
Yeah they are pretty reliable or at least the older and previous models are!
And resale is unreal, try buying a used limited 2011 with 160,000 miles on it! Still going for 10k to 12k!
The only reason I know this I've been shopping with my daughter, talk about sticker shock in the used market!!
I will say even with the high mileage and age it still felt and sounded really nice!
I never would have considered one until I drove it.....
I wont ever buy new but I would definitely consider used 2013-2017!
The new prices are getting crazy for us.
I also can see why people keep them now!!
My fiend got a 2006 highlander with 200k miles, hybrid. Still runs like new and passes all inspections.
@@singular9 👍
I agree with this review completely. Test drove the Telluide and the Highlander.
10/10 would drive the Highlander again.
Jack laughing far away in the background after commenting about his size was hilarious!
You're never going to get young Jack out of your basement if you keep cracking him up.
My wife and I just purchased a 2021 Limited after watching this review. After nine Hondas, we are very pleased with the Highlander
We traded our Cadillac XT-5 for a highlander. It’s my wife’s car, we test drive everything. When it comes down to it you cannot beat the reliability of a Toyota. There might be better equipped models from other manufactures out there, but knowing that when your gone that your wife’s car won’t breakdown on her has its merit. There’s tons of room in this thing, if your looking for a great three row SUV I highly suggest a highlander
Best reviews on TH-cam.
just bought 2021 highlander XSE. one of the most amazing SUV i have ever driven. The quite ness and smoothness and the sporty character in this SUV is just phenomenal.
Is it a hybrid?
Thanks, as always, for reviewing cars on what their potential buyers actually value. Too many other fools want every car to have leather, fat exhaust pipes, and 500 horsepower. Sometimes being a reliable appliance is almost enough.
Excitement shouldn't really enter the equation when you're reviewing SUVs and trucks. 99.99% of people on the planet don't have the cash or the motivation to spend close to $100,000 on a loaded, 575-horsepower Range Rover or $125,000 on a 541 horsepower Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Hell, most of us can't even afford a $55,000 400 horsepower Ford Explorer ST.
Car reviewers get so spoiled and jaded from driving so many cutting-edge, super-expensive, high-performance vehicles, they lose sight of what it's like to be a common, everyday person with a 9 to 5 job. I'm a military retiree and high school teacher. I've never even ridden in a BMW, Lexus, Ferrari, Corvette, Supra, ZL1 Camaro, Shelby Mustang, or even a Mazda MX5. I have a 2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport, and a 2003 Acura TL-S. I bought both of those cars new, and I will drive them until they're ready for the scrap yard.
You made really good car choices IMO
Because of my occupation I’ve driven all the cars you’ve mentioned and more trust me there overpriced rubbish poorly made
@@sharons9367 I think it's sad how much attention car reviewers give to supercars and ulta-expensive luxury vehicles. They're basically unicorns that most people will never even see on the road, and only a microscopic fraction will ever purchase.
I wish that manufacturers would make more affordable performance cars for the masses. In 1986, the Toyota Supra sold for $16,000 which is the equivalent of $24,000 in today's dollars. But the starting price for a 2020 Supra is around $55,000. That price is just silly. It's a Toyota, not a McLaren.
@@zzanatos2001 Toyota makes the 86 Coupe which starts under 30 thousand dollars, and Mazda makes the Miata which is also under 30 grand. These (and others) are still affordable options for those who wish to spend wisely on a performance vehicle.
Actually $16,000 in 1986 is equivalent to over $37,000 today, not $24,000.
This is the best review of this car!No nitpicking about useless features
I purchased a 2020 Highlander limited and love it. The car is smarter then me. It has a lot of extra features that I am just now finding.
But Audi is cool
Great video. Think you really captured what this car is all about. We have a 2019 highlander that we purchased for our main family vehicle. You’re correct in calling this car boring. It doesn’t elicit any emotion. Wife originally wanted an outback but we settled on Toyota primarily for their reliability and family friendly features.
I originally wanted a Kia Telluride, so I went to the dealer to test one out. I liked it, it definitely looks very good. But then, I decided to try a toyota because I've always heard hype about their reliability etc etc, but I've always found them boring. So I test drove a Highlander....let me tell you... I was BLOWN away at the difference between this and the Kia. It might not be as flashy as the kia or others, but the build quality is astronomically better. The kia felt so plasticky and weak compared to this. It didn't strike me at first because I didn't really have a reference, but once I tried the toyota I could just FEEL the cheapness of the Kia. It was really eye opening. If you want solid built, definitely go for toyota.
There are so many mods you can put on Toyotas to make them look more flashy. The money Kia used on interiors, Toyota used on the parts that matter. That’s how I look at it. You just save more money on maintenance usually, and on gas if you go hybrid. Kia is good for people who switch out cars every few years tho. If you want a car you can have for over a decade go Toyota. There are different types of buyers is all
Thanks for the great video. I was struck the statement that the chief engineers, who are Japanese, spent time in USA to understand the American consumer. My guess is that chief engineers for Ford or GM don't do bother understanding foreign consumers.
Yup thats the reason they are leading the industry.... same thing happen when the launch lexus back in 90’s....you can easily youtube it and see how much man power and R&D they put in before launching the lexus.....and here our big 3’s we bail them out just 12 years a go and they are almost at the same point again.
Ford engineers need to spend more time in the US lol
Most likely they don't considering US cars have close no marketshare outside the US.
Ford has a European division that designs and manufactures vehicles for that market. In recent years more of their vehicles have been true world vehicles, but plenty of those were designed in Europe. Ford also has special simpler vehicles for China and the developing world, cars you'll see if you go to Mexico (and a lot of other places). Ford has been one of the most international automakers for a century. GM used to be, to a lesser degree, but some off their European divisions. They still make models designed for China developing countries, though they've been struggling.
Ford and GM have engineers?
Very good review. Crucial facts and reasonable opinions. The "no visits to the dealer" part of me loves this SUV. $46k for this vs a GLE350 at $52k is an interestint comparison. Having dealt with so many horrible MB dealers for the same, repeating issues, I'll pass on sexy (GLE450 or GLE53)...dont need that drama.
German cars are good right about until the last day the warranty expires. Thereafter, they become a money pit. Nothing like Japanese engineering. i choose the 2011 MDX base which was still made in Japan at the time over the BMW x5. My brother in law choose the X5, last 4 years, after that tons of electronic issues, car is gone and he is now driving Tesla. I am still driving my MDX with 110K miles and going strong. a car is a long term investment for me, at least 10 years, if i get more, its a bonus!
@danielmelendez9943 they've very good to lease. Terrible to own, and most people don't buy German, especially the top models.
There are nearly 20 mainstream midsize crossovers offered in the US market. One group consists mainly of two row models and with the exception of the VW Cross Sport (195.5" long) range in length from about 188" to 192". A second group of three row vehicles are typically larger, ranging in length from 195" to 204". Here the outlier is the KIA Sorento, 189" long while providing 3 rows of seats. The previous version of the Highlander was also an outlier with three rows in a vehicle about 192" in length. In 2020 Toyota added almost 3" to the Highlander's length to put it (barely) in the larger category and bring it close to the size of Pilot, the Ascent, the Telluride, and the Palisade.
So why do some consumers shopping for a midsize SUV select a three row model? Presumably because they want to use the additional third row seats on at least an occasional basis. Of course, few midsize 3 row SUV's offer truly roomy rear seats. But almost all offer 31+" to 33+" of legroom. The Sorento, for example, provides 31.7" in a vehicle that's half a foot less in length than the Highlander. Only two mainstream midsize SUV's provide less than the 30" of legroom found in the back seat of a Mustang; the cramped CX-9 (29.7") and the ridiculously cramped Highlander. At 27.7" that's 4" less than a Sorento and no more than the previous generation of the Highlander. It's noteworthy that the video shows Jack climbing into the back seat but not actually sitting there with his knees supporting his chin. And the third row accommodations are not "pretty close" (4:38) to that of a minivan, Mark. The Sienna, for example, has 36.3" of legroom in the 3rd row, 8.6" more than the Highlander. That ain't nowhere close to "pretty close."
Of course it's common for reviewers of 3 row SUV's to note that the third row is mainly for "kids." But children aren't all the same size. And as parents know, they have an annoying habit of getting larger on a regular basis. Children in child or infant seats shouldn't be seated in the third row for safety reasons. And a nine year old who fits in the rear seat of a new Highlander may well be too tall by the time that same kid is 12 years old. Toyota vehicles are known for their long term reliability but that doesn't mean much if after 3 years of ownership the Highlander can't accommodate the same family it did when it was new. As a "family hauler" that's a point to consider seriously.
So what's the basis for Toyota's claim that the Highlander seats "up to 8" passengers or to 7 in the versions with 2nd row captain chairs? Simple. The Highlander has 3 seat belts in the third row while rivals provide a far more realistic two seat belts. In reality, the Highlander seats five human beings or four in the top trim with captain chairs in the second row. If the cramped rear seat is a cruel joke, the three seat belts add insult to injury.
So why don't those who want a midsize Toyota crossover but don't need or want a typically useless third row of seats get a two row vehicle? Again, the answer is simple. Toyota, unlike most other brands, doesn't currently offer one. Want a two row Highlander? You're outta luck. Get a RAV4. But there's evidence that Toyota recognizes the problem. The forthcoming Venza is that midsize two row vehicle. Until then, Toyota fans can get a Highlander with a third row they don't need or want, get a compact RAV4, or opt for any of a number of alternatives with greater versatility, most at a substantial initial savings.
Stephen Hendricks When I saw Toyota lengthened the Highlander, I thought, "Great, more 3rd row leg room!" Nope! More cargo space... That doesn't make sense to me. I don't think the Highlander can even fit 3 averaged sized males behind each other even with the seats are moved to accommodate each person. This is why I like minivans more then 3 row CUVs (granted I'm looking at Sienna vs. Highlander or Odyssey vs. Pilot).
This was an interesting read, my aunt has a '11 highlander with a 2 row 5 seat config. Much more roomy in the back seats than her previous rav4 with no compromise on cargo capacity. I do not see how, even with a lengthened body, you could fit just 2 people in a 3rd row without eliminating the trunk altogether.
Damn there's more research and well written information here than I do my essays for college on a comment
These three row SUV's are simply too big for many. And the RAV4 does not offer a V-6. No turbo from either. Seems like some pretty poor choices from Toyota.
To your point..Maybe someone can help me. I am 62 and single and wanted an SUV. I am sort of spoiled as I had a 2006 X5. I have been looking for an SUV for about 3 years now. I was going to look at a Highlander...but you cannot get tow with premium package and therefore if you want tow you cannot get cooled seats or leather...and I do not need and really don't want third row seating (no need...useless...just carrying extra weight around). You are right about the RAV4..only 4 banger. Highlander has the 5k towing capacity..more than RX350 (only 3500). A GX/Forerunner gets you 15 mpg. It seems like there just isn't the right vehicle for me (a BMW X3M...run flat tires and staggered wheels..no rotation) or a pricy Audi SQ5. The Highlander does have the reliability and I like 300 HP and no turbo. I guess I will keep looking. However, to date, I guess the RX F sport AWD with tow (albeit only 3500 capacity) is probably the best suited for me. PS: Side issue....the presenter (good job by the way) keeps comparing to the Hyundai, Kia and a Camry...not stiff competition.
We still drive our 2010 Highlander Limited with only 125K miles! Just the usual maintenance with the exception of the water pump needed to be replaced last year. Love Toyota/ Lexus products!
I think Audi is a real competitor
Man! I love how he review the underside as well, my best car reviewer PERIOD!
People todays only looks at what interiors tech and that's it!! No one cares about for example independent suspensions which is a deal breaker if a car didn't have it (for me)...
Oh and nowadays every car manufacturer aim for sportiness while at the end you'll be crusing most of the time WITHIN THE SPEED LIMIT
Bucket seats are the worst of the worst
AC control from touch screen !? That’s big big negative especially in places like texas when i entered my car in middle of summer i just rotate a simple button as fast as possible without even looking at it! I hate these unnecessary gimmicks 🤦🏻♂️
Agreed.
In Texas in the summer, everyone's car must feel like a straight up convection oven. I hate the heat so i don't know how people in Texas deal with 100 degrees at night nvm 120 during the day
Tjk 92 best solution get white car with no moonroof or panoramic and no leather! And add good heat insulation on glass ! Why i said no panoramic or moon roof because more glass means more heat will accumulate inside the car add leather your butt will be grilled
Specific brands like bmw and probably others allow you to drop the windows with the key so you can open up the car when your walking up to vent it.
@@tjk9263 120 degrees is Arizona heat. Texas summers regularly reach triple digits for high temperatures, but it doesn't usually travel too far over the century mark. It's still like stepping into a blast furnace, mind you, but it doesn't get to 120. Then again, folks from Arizona will remind you that it's a dry heat. It can range from dry to humid in Texas, depending on your location. And in the summer, it will go back down to the 70s and 80s at night. It's not staying anywhere near 100 degrees at night, no matter where you are.
Best review of the highlander yet! Pros and cons described well. In this market, for me, reliability, cargo space, awd, and comfort are the important things. This does all of those well.
Cargo space is competitive. Third row accommodations are not. And in a "family hauler," a vehicle with a third row that verges on unusable as kids reach 12 years old or more is at a distinct disadvantage. Toyota's reputation for reliability is a strong selling point. But if you have one or more kids who outgrow the seat in the third row in 3 years, that reliability has much less importance.
Stephen Hendricks For me. No kids, just use the cargo space. If you have a larger family, that may be an issue for you like you said.
We had a rental Highlander once. It took us twenty minutes to figure out how to operate the tailgate. Times have a-changed.
lmao the sense of humor in your videos is top notch. "I'm in the process of building a gingerbread house for me and my friends". Gold. Onto the topic of this video: This is a great car, and looks great too, IMO.
I just cant stop building things with my hands 😂 I love you Mark
I think highlander satisfies the segment requirements(provided most people need 3rd row for kids).The features in other competitors like telluride aren't really required in this segment(they are just hyped in reviews)
I’m getting a older Highlander from my Mom in a couple of months. She has quit driving and I’m going to take over the SUV. It’s a 2003 with only about 30000 miles on it. Being an older retired lady she didn’t drive very much. It is only FWD and it has the 4 banger under the hood. Should get pretty good mileage for an SUV. I only drive 3 miles to work every day so it should last me a long time.
Dj Project That’s an awesome deal! That thing should last you many more years to come. Just keep up with the maintenance!
Driving only 3 miles is going to kill your engine. Just ride a bike, should take no more than 15 minutes.
Make sure you take it out for some regular longer drives, too. Engines don't do so well on a steady diet of short trips where they never get fully heated up. If you treat it right your Highlander could last a long time.
This is the exact kind of vanilla review i need right now to get my head away from the shitshow happening all around me Thank You Savagegeese.
"I stuffed a lot of things back there."
Pussy
Anything's a dildo if you're brave enough...
@@whoknows8678 Or experienced enough.
Another winning product from Toyota.
I wouldn’t say it’s boring but it’s just so good that it gives you nothing to worry about. With that V6 this thing will prob ever die. That interior is luxury level. Good styling on the exterior not over the top but very nice (XSE trim looks even better)
Canada. "you have a nook and cranny for 2 charging ports"
America. "you have space for a 9mm and 2 spare mags"
I'm American. Just typing what I was thinking.
Evidently that American idea of space just may come in handy these days
@JT they trashed a benz dealership lootin a Toyota one would be good for technicals lmao
Canada: you have space for two joints and 3 lighters.
Hahaha nice one
Glad to see a reviewer who seems to hate touchscreens as much as me!
Once again, great well produced video. Always a pleasure to watch and digest.
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Great job SG, this is my wife's next vehicle, same color. She is leasing the 2018 Highlander so yeah she will be buying this one.
Perfect upload timing, now I can enjoy breakfast with another great video from Mr. Goose himself.
Best review on highland so far. Cant Wait to see the top trim hybrid coming to Australia next year.
Your're getting better and better with music.
In other news: Europe is getting the Highlander as well in early 2021.
You guys are genius at judging vehicles according to their mission:
- No whining about lack of "rock crawling" ability
- No whining about "needs 500hp"
- No expectation that it be $22k
These are owned by grown-ups who pay cash, don't need a pretentious badge, aren't concerned what others think about them, and who don't tie their ego to a Nurburgring lap time or street "racing" showdowns.
I don't own one, but that's how I see the Highlander being used: Good, low cost, reliable family hauler so you can have more $ for fun stuff.
Don Swier It’s the Toyota way!
Low cost?
This is the best review ever, it's big upgrade from Rav 4. The hybrid is really good, as functional as minivan
get the sienna, which are all hybrid with more space for 2021
Not really close to minivan. Sienna fit 7 adults in comfort + awd + hybrid+ cost less.
Appreciate the sound testing. If you can add a decibel test for hwy, 45 mph… to see how quiet some of these vehicles are that would be great. That would set you apart from all other reviewers from reading the website and brochure.
I go for Bike rides in my Upper class neighborhood and I see 1-2 million+ dollar homes with brand new Highlanders on the driveway often
Well at least these people weren't obsessed with premium luxury badges and bought Toyotas instead, where I live I'm surrounded by idiots who think they're rich and will look down on anything that's not a Mercedes, BMW, Audi, or a Land Rover for example. I only like Japanese cars.
Our family has a 2018 Highlander XLE. Bought it because we also have a 2006 Sienna with 400000 km. Toyota still believes in normally aspirated engines. No turbo to go wrong. The car is totally boring, but it eats up the miles on long trips. My neighbor likes my Highlander better than his much more expensive Infinity.
Dec 2022: Highlander is approaching 5 years old now. Still boring transportation. To be honest for everyday driving boring is good. The only 2 negatives are that when we go out with friends they always want to go in the Highlander. The other is that the dealer calls me every week to beg me to sell it back.
This video is such a breath of fresh air
I'm not a fan of Toyota but I subscribed to the channel. I like the way you review cars. Very detailed and great information
Amazing review on this new vehicle, SavageGeese. Keep up the good work, and I hope you're safe and doing well during these hard times.
Most reviews agree that the Telluride is quieter and has a lot more space for the third row passengers with the access of usb ports. It is a tough market for the Japanese manufacturers right now.
Thiese guys are creating the next generation of car channels
csb : I prefer having this savagegeese Highlander review in the background as I clean dishes @ 5:30am over sports car reviews from other auto journalists.
My favorite auto review channel for a reason. Always very well put together. And I'm happy to have someone agree with me that a stuck on, 50" screen looks terrible.
Just got the 2021 platinum and it’s nice. But coming from older Toyota’s you can tell how much less material they use now in the metal and plastics
N/A V6 with direct injection AND port injection. Timing chain instead of a belt. Real transmission. It’s gonna run forever.
The Highlander has always been great but they're pricing themselves out of the market. They push $60k here in Canada for a new XLE or Limited.
Not to mention an all in one hvac system...pass
For 2021, the XSE trim has the dynamic torque AWD system. Bought one over the Honda Passport/Pilot. Traditional shifter, smoother power delivery, better audio and a timing chain over the Honda’s (Honda V6 have timing belts).
Pretty simple - I see an SG video and I hit like
My 2010 Highlander is still purring along with only 135K miles on it so maybe I'll be looking at replacing it in another ten years. People buy Toyotas because they last. Are they stodgy?, yes, but they work, hold their value, and fit a lot of needs.
The Supra 15:07 is 🔥🔥🔥
I like that, too. The matte paint really brings out the curvy lines of the Supra. Matte paint is no picnic to take care of, though. I've got it on my motorcycle, and it's work to get it clean.
Thank you. I prefer reliability than the latest bells and whistles.
I would assume that most of the systems on the Highlander are just as automated as my Sienna. I haven't touched the climate control in months. I set the temp I want, just like my house and it adjust the temp and fan speeds for me. Having controls on a touchscreen just wouldn't be that big of a deal as long as there is a physical button to set the temp. I will say, that most time its just me and my wife so the 3 climate zones are usually sync'ed together and we keep it at 66.
4:57 I love Jack's laugh
Damn, all of these cars and crossovers....aaaaaand they're a pipe dream with that price tag($$$$$$$$)
But it looks better than minivan though. Large ground clearance gives better proportions to tall cars. That's the real reason people buy those, visual proportions, almost no one thinks of off-road. I don't know why people don't get it that ground clearance is purely a visual thing, not off-road thing in most of cars. Of course, some cars look best with low suspension setup (coupes). But when you have to choose a typical minivan or minivan with large ground clearance (SUV), the second one looks better.
The new Sienna looks better to be honest, though toyota getting rid of the gasoline model is REALLY dumb.
This is a very well designed SUV.
As someone who has owned Toyota's for the last 30 years and currently owns a 2015 Highlander, the drivers' lower seat cushion is ALWAYS too short for my comfort. Even tilting the seat edge upward(in power seat cars) is just OK. Other vehicles I have driven are not like this.
Should totally bring back the savage part of that geese more often please
I'm rendering Jack's laugh to be my text message alert. Mr. Goose, can you please share that clip if available, I'm in the Patreon group 😂😂
Having owned the Highlander Platinum for 8 months. Good car overall, but for 50k sticker
Whistling noise from driver door above 40mph
Rattling noise from dash and driver door handle
Cheap cost cutting plastic parts in the dash and other areas
Noticed these issues a month after purchase.
Check out these areas before buying
Reliable - Yes. Quality - Check.
Personality- Hmmm.... Design- Hmmm... Other manufacturers doing it better - Yes.
You said that the Highlander is a joy to drive....yet it's boring. I'm sure it doesn't drive like a sports car, but a joy to drive and boring seem like total opposites. You also compared the engine to that of the Telluride and Palisade. However, when you reviewed the Pilot, 7 months ago, you said that it has one of the best engines in the class. But you never mentioned it with the Highlander. Still I loved the review and I'm looking at buying a new Highlander.
I think I'll choose a Sienna, minivans are cooler than "suvs" nowadays. But for that money, maybe a little more money, I'd get a Genesis GV80
SUVs lost everything that made them SUVs in order to be more like minivans, so I think they are still a much better value for the money.
New Highlander is a great family hauler, but I'll take the new Sienna hybrid all day long
Kirk Kreifels Hey Kirk, love your videos man. Can’t wait to see the new Venza! Hopefully it’s differentiated enough in this crowded market.
1:36 that’s actually what I thought when I test drove one it’s basically a mini van in a suv skin
The 2020 Highlander is sharp.
Really awesome video thank you man! Love the detailed look at this!
Always entertaining and informative! Thanks.
I love this. Reliability, sure footed and comfortable ride and nice looks inside and out (imho) and enough get up and go power for passing and merging onto highways.
Listening to your complaint about the annoying beeps, bells, and whistles, I am reminded of that old Three Stooges short, "Men In Black". At the end of the film, they finally discover the location of the hidden speaker which had been relentlessly paging them throughout the entire skit, and they utterly destroy it. Since so much of what a car does today is software related, I'm surprised that there isn't a company dedicated to fixing many of the built in annoyances that are baked into modern vehicles. Take for instance, the *Stop / Start* feature, which in many vehicles can be disabled, but it usually has to be done each and every time the vehicle is started. This is also the case with many of the driver safety nannies. Surely there is someone with programming skills who can come up with a work-around that won't destroy the car, or void the warranty. They do it all the time with aftermarket performance mods, which include both hardware and software enhancements.
Most of those mods do void the warranty, if they catch you. I'm sure the same would hold if you were caught monkeying with the safety software.
I wish you also could mention about fuel economy of it. Great video thanks
Funny thing about that flooded section of road, I always see people drive these big SUV's with all this ground clearance like a sports car, they'll stop and turn around.
The Highlander (like most new cars) has gotten quite expensive. A mid trim XLE with AWD is like $42K. A fully loaded Platinum with AWD is just over $50K. Granted, it’s very reliable and has excellent resale value, but I feel like asking $50K for a mainstream family SUV is a little crazy. It seems like the gap between luxury and mainstream cars has gotten narrower both in terms of price and the availability of technologies. If this thing is $50K, a $55K or $60K Lexus RX or Acura MDX doesn’t seem too bad. You can even get a lower trim Volvo XC60 or Audi Q7 with these price tags. I love the exterior design of this Highlander tho, and you can’t really go wrong with a Highlander.
The average car in the US costs 42k
My parents have one and only complaint i have is the amount of wind noise you hear inside
really like where they're going and putting some style in .. just hate huge touch screen sticking out .. .. for the love of God when with manufacturers get rid of the piano gloss black ....
The highlander has the soul of a reliable butler, instead of the excitement of a one night stand with a random person
love the way it looks, i have seen it in person and it stands out
I cannot wait to see the review of an eventually redesigned Sienna :D
Don't get too happy, the 2021 Sienna second row cant be removed sadly. Also its built on the same platform as this highlander, they're almost the same car. Look it up!
It’s also going to be completely a hybrid, no more V6 option.