The Highlander has so much leg room in front seats, you can move them forward a little and then move the second row up a little to give third row more room. We do this and it works great. Plenty of room in front still. We have the top Limited Platinum. Love the full moon roof, bird's eye camera and heated steering wheel and many others
I BROUGHT one 2019 hIGHLANDER LE last year with 39,293 miles on it love rides great just the option i needed on it ride like new it is a keeper fpr lomgtime i am 67 it willout last me
I honestly think it’s the best affordable SUV on the market right now. I mean there are others that cost so damn high but this is one where every family can enjoy.
This is why I like a lot of Toyota’s, they’re not necessarily cutting edge and class leading in _all_ regards, but they hit all the right notes and stick to it for a long time. There are more modern crossovers in this segment, but the Highlander is just a good all around option - I like it!
We love the pop up hatch window in the back of our 2015 Highlander. It does come in handy, especially when items have shifted around in transit and you don't want them spilling out when the door is opened.
3:17 We were looking for an SUV to replace our sedan, because we were having kids, and ended up settling on this car. This review pointing that feature out was one of the factors that tipped me into getting the outgoing model instead of waiting for the next year's model. That feature has been so useful. I can't tell you the number of times I've either dropped something into the back by just popping he rear window, or used it to check how things have shifted in the back and whether or not the jug of milk is going to attempt a concrete cannonball the minute I open the gate. We've been so happy with that car. As it turns out, the next generation lost a couple of inches of headroom, and probably wouldn't have worked out for me. My wife runs the drivers seat all the way up to the top, and I run the driver's seat all the way to the bottom.
There is not much of anything out there that can match the good solid feeling of the Highlander. We have our original Highlander 2001 with AWD/V6-193,640 miles. We have just bought our new LE PLUS, we love it. Have driven the competitors like you have and we are back with the Highlander.
I have 2014 Highlander and it’s a great vehicle. I hope that Toyota gives it standard led headlights and upgrade infotainment system in the next few years
most cars are getting bigger every generation. If she buys a new 2019 Pilot, she'll be satisfied with the amount of space it has. But to me it's just too big. It'll be harder to park it in my garage compare to the Highlander. I just saw the spied photos of the new Honda Passport , and I'm really excited. It's the right size SUV that I'm down to get one.
Johnson L, Toyota will add upgraded infotainment in every car. It's just a matter of time. Avalon and Corolla Hatch is getting it this year, others will follow starting next year. On Lexus side, the new ES will get it and others starting next year hopefully.
I' m Owner new highlander 2018 is the best drive in highway , My one is LE V6 Convenience PKG Trim, But headlight need update LED for future, This one is best SUV FOR Owner..... I loving to driver it...
This is a great auto, I own the 2018 Highlander AWD, it's driving great. It is not as loaded as the Limited edition but I'm happy with the specs it has.
Drove them all. Got the CX-9. Best handling by a long shot and way more fun to drive. Not important to all but it is to me. Tough to beat the looks of the CX-9 as well.Looks and feels like a luxury brand.
I have a 2018 8 passenger Highlander. And the third row isnt that bad. Lots of videos dont show the third row reclining for head room and also makes it a bit more comfortable to sit in.
So glad you pointed out that rear glass. I hate to say it but I assumed they all had that. I bought my Ford Edge and found it didn't have it. Now, I have to keep my old Expedition around just for that one reason. Seriously considering swapping it out. But for me the Edge Sport fully loaded was such a wonderful fit. Good size, no third row, lots of power, not leather when it is fully loaded.
I was interested in your take on the Highlander since it was one of the vehicles we considered when we replaced our 2012 Kia Sorento a few months ago. The Toyota did have a few advantages over the 2018 Sorento we eventually purchased. The most notable were the eight speed transmission versus the six speed unit in the KIA (now replaced with an eight speed for 2019), lane keeping assist (again, now standard on the KIA for 2019), and the trick rear window opening in the Highlander. On the whole, however, the KIA offered much more at considerably less money ($8,000 off MSRP in our case) than the comparable top trim of the non-hybrid V6/AWD Highlander. A longer warranty (bumper to bumper and drivetrain). Apple Carplay and Android Auto. A much, much better infotainment system including real-time traffic navigation (included with a five year subscription). More upscale interior including Nappa leather seating, etc. The Sorento is slightly smaller on the outside than the Highlander, as you noted. Frankly, though, that was an advantage as far as we were concerned. Marginally easier to maneuver and park in the city. And on the interior the Sorento had more room, especially leg room in the third row, than the Highlander. Neither vehicle, of course, is adequate for seven or eight passengers for more than short trips. But of the two, the KIA is more accommodating. Our 14 y/o daughter and her girlfriends find it preferable to the second row presumably to get as far away as possible from her parents. We found the Highlander a good choice. Just not as good as the SX-L Sorento. And for thousands of dollars less in real world pricing, there was no contest.
Stephen Hendricks I also like the Sorento a lot. But the horrible resale value negates the initial price discount. This is the main factor holding us back in getting the Sorento. Otherwise it’s a terrific car
wasabi9111: I usually keep my cars for a minimum of five to six years and up to eight so resale value is less of a concern to me than if I leased or traded a vehicle more frequently. And you're correct that Toyotas hold resale values extremely well. However, I traded our 2013 Sorento when I bought the new vehicle and got $14,000 in the trade in addition to the $7000 discount off MSRP on the 2018 model. That put the resale value within about $1000 of the KBB estimated resale value of a 2013 Highlander. So, as you can see the discount was not "negated" by the resale value. It appears, especially here in the Pacific Northwest, that Kia's old reputation for building low quality vehicles is rapidly disappearing as their more recent offerings have improved so much. And that has a trickle down effect on resale value. The dealer where I traded my 2013 Sorento had a large sign in the showroom soliciting trade-ins for Sorentos and sold mine in 3 days for $18,000. I suspect I could have sold my 2013 model for a couple thousand more than I received in trade. YMMV, of course. I have a feeling that Kia's popularity is stronger on the coasts, especially the west coast.
Stephen Hendricks that’s terrific! I’m excited to test drive the new 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe to compare to the Sorento. I don’t need the 3rd row. Just like the size as both of them as they are the same size as my 2010 Lexus RX. I much prefer the user friendliness of the Hyundai/Kia infotainment than that of the new Lexus.
wasabi9111: As a family of three plus a big dog we don't need a third row 95% of the time, either. In fact, my wife swore me to secrecy about the existence of the third row in our previous Sorento so she wouldn't end up being the default chauffeur for the neighborhood children. :) Have to say, though, that on those occasions when we take the kid and another couple out to dinner, it's very convenient not to have to cram everyone in two rows or take two vehicles. We did look seriously at some two row SUV's. Though my wife isn't a fan of the larger SUV's she wasn't prepared to give up the "command" driver position of the Sorento compared to the compact SUV's like the Honda CR-V, the Subaru Forester or Outback, or the VW Tiguan. Personally, I loved the Ford Edge Sport with its 2.7 Liter twin-turbo V6 but the Sorento is mainly my wife's car and she's not afflicted with testosterone poisoning as I am. In the end, the Sorento was a "goldilocks" choice. Not too big, not too small. A usable third row but not at the expense of overall size .
Those are the kind of items that will to the price of the factory vehicle. I can buy aftermarket HID or LED for pennies on the dollar compared to the price of the factory "option" of the same item. Let's leave them to invest on things like better paint or better instruments or ball joints, or finer metals for the engine that we cannot add aftermarket.
Leave the 3rd row seats up, rear hatch closed, and use the glass hatch to stuff the S outta the cargo area. The LE Plus is nicely equipped if you don't care about leather. That 3rd row is wide & you can play with the seats to get leg room but that ceiling is just too low.
For my family and I the Highlander offered incredible long-term reliability. I pay for my vehicles cash and I keep them a very long time and really rack up the miles. I drove the Highlander in 2018 and I felt it was incredibly refined. I was comparing it to a 2018 Ford edge that had a six speed transmission and a very loud 3.5 L engine with less gas mileage and less room. As much as I am a Ford guy owning a Shelby GT 350 I couldn’t justify purchasing the Ford edge. The refinement really rings true when you drive as long as 2000 mile trips. The Kia is very nice and I rented one for a week. However the resale value value craters as soon as you drive it off the lot. A GMC Arcadia is a good vehicle but in my eyes much more unreliable. When GM tried the polymer/plastic timing chains I was shocked. I would never own a vehicle with that engine.
I previously had a 2015 Chevy Traverse, which was an exceptionally good driving vehicle. I am used to European handling and the Chevy felt very similar to my Opel based SAAB I had years ago. Now I am looking for another three row crossover. I have been test driving different models. A few days ago I test drove a 2018 Highlander XLE. I was utterly shocked how bad it was. The handling was extremely poor, the steering was terrible, the transmission was unresponsive and I basically could not drive it the way I normally drive. I drove a Subaru Ascent right before driving the Highlander and it was quite good, although not quite as good as my old Traverse. The Highlander also seemed very cramped, with much less room for passengers and cargo. I cannot believe that people buy so many of these, as to me the Highlander is very much a substandard choice in this segment. Hell, even the ancient Ford Flex is much better on every level.
Most people with larger hauling needs would be better served with the new Traverse than the larger SUVs like the Expy, Yukon or Tahoe - and at a savings of 25K with the loaded models.
vkozlovsky "The Highlander also seemed very cramped, with much less room for passengers" - Absolutely. I am 6'3", and Highlander is awful for me. As for sfjava, I assume you are short, because otherwise you would know that the "just slide is back" is bs because once you do that, you cannot reach the steering wheel. Most vehicles today are made only for the new median demographic. Tall people need not apply. Part of the problem is the useless center console that robs taller drivers of the knee room, but hey, as long as that short fatso has a place to put the big gulp and extra fries, we're good.
Alex, as usual, an OUTSTANDING automotive review; you remain the gold standard for online car reviews. Now, I know you're a fan of the Sorento, but I have two concerns. ONE: two Sorentos I've driven in the past two years have had a serious (ie., dangerous) steering trait where they required constant correction to travel straight down even a level, straight road - you dare not take your eyes off the road for scarcely a second, or you'll be in the ditch or have a head-on collision. Compare that to a new '18 Ford Edge (for example), where I can aim the car over the same stretch of road, release the steering wheel, and it will track (travel) straight in it's lane for well over 200 yards before any correction may be needed. I've asked other reviewers of the '19 Sorento if this documented (Kia knows about this) steering problem still exists - crickets - no response. TWO: Unlike Toyota, Kia dealers in Central & South Florida will rape a prospective Sorento buyer on any trim level over a LX. They're just not worth the money, particularly considering the space provided as well as the potential ongoing steering issue. At least most Toyota dealers are more willing to deal with you than Kia dealers, and some will make a fairly reasonable offer on a new Highlander. Hopefully, the new Toyota RAV4 will arrive faster than anticipated, and someone will do a quick review on one - that vehicle is more suitable for me & the wife for our needs.
Eskie Man I have owned my 2018 Sorento SXL for a year now and I have no idea what you are talking about in terms of the steering. I am currently on a road trip from AZ to NM and have driven it back and forth several times over the year and I can take my hands off the wheel and it will go straight just fine. Maybe it is a trim level difference? When I was comparing the Sorento to the CX-9, there is no doubt the CX-9 was fun to drive but it didn't have a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats or Apple Carplay. None of the other crossovers checked as many boxes as the Sorento...adaptive cruise control, heated steering wheel, power thigh support, surround view camera and built in rear passenger sunshades. It is the first vehicle I've owned new that hasn't had any issues, squeaks, rattles, factory missteps at the first year mark. It does what it is supposed to do without incident. I didn't expect to like it as much as I do. My favorite SUV I've owned previous was a 2008 VW Touareg V8 and I like this stupid Kia as much if not more.
I’ve seen a review and direct comparison of the new Pilot vs the Highlander and the Pilot is a really good buy. They updated the infotainment system so that it has the latest software and a volume knob. It also has LED headlamps on the Touring and Elite whereas the Highlander doesn’t get them at all. Lastly the Pilot has a handsfree tailgate which previously was exclusive to the Ford Explorer in the segment (and they won’t let you forget it)
I disagree. You should speak from actual fact and statistics. Not what they want to portray. There are SUV's that can do better in all of these statistically and factually called Kia.
@Paul; "Not what they want to portray"....really? I'm sure people buy Toyota for their looks and not their reputation. BTW, Kia's are good...but not Toyota great...yet.
Please do some research and find out which has better reliability. Not by brand but by model. Don't just spit out garbage because you been brainwashed by Toyota brand.
I have been thinking about trading my highlander (2017 SE) for a Lexus GX, but I'm having a hard time letting it go lol. It's such a great car. Great value. It even has more tech than the GX!
So the 2019 Kia Sorento has a Pro of a Long "wartranty". Is that a wart on a rant? Just kidding of course...I have been a subscriber for a very long time, because you set the standard for reviews. This is the first minor editing error I have noticed which speaks to the high quality of your presentations.
No Android Auto & Apple carplay, less internal space compared to competition, seats that is not best suitable for child seats, 3 years or 36k miles warranty....Toyota should step up their game. 2 main pros of Toyota are reliable & resale value, which other companies are catching also up.
They know people will buy their cars even if they reduced the current warranty. They look at other OEMs to see what tech works and then slowly introduce it to Toyota to reduce costs and increase reliability. IMO this is why they are a good 3 years behind the front runners. Increase warranty, maybe in about 3 years time.
Uunfortunately their safety systems do not work either. That may be why insurance companies are not giving discounts for auto braking. th-cam.com/video/_KyipiAcOMQ/w-d-xo.html
@ Norm T ...You realize no PCS will brake for a cardboard box? Cardboard is invisible to radar and a camera or laser-base system should consider it a possible false positive and not brake either (ideally, Tesla's system reacts to false positives with gentle braking) Precollision systems only react to cars and humans, nothing else. Insurance companies don't give discounts because auto-braking increases the cost if the windshield is broken or the car is stolen. If you're a particularly safe driver, some (short-sighted) insurance companies might even increase your premium because it increases their actuarial risk even though it makes you less likely to die in an accident.
Personally, no Android Auto and Apple carplay is a deal breaker for me. For a 2018 vehicle that is unacceptable for me. This makes the vehicle feel aged already. If it wasn't for that, I would have purchased a Highlander..
Shawn Daybell technology makes my decision, I am really into tech. It's fine if you are not, everyone has their priorities. Toyota/Lexus are known to have the worst infotainment systems out. Besides driving that is the system you have to interact with most, it should be enjoyable
The, "headrests" are not for comfort, but are for safety, to reduce neck injuries. I did remove the headrests from the second row seats, so I could use the floor space in front of them with the seats folded down.
If you need more space than the Highlander but want to stay in a crossover the current gen Traverse is the way to go. More cargo space than a Tahoe and a functional 3rd row.
This is imo the best SUV, its not small but its not massive like these new American SUVs, it is luxurious but fun as well, and it is actually rather cheap for all the features. Ive been wanting to get one for a long time and this video only inspires me more.
By Toyota tax it means that it'll cost a premium because people know it will be reliable. The Sorrento is better than this IMO because with the Sorrento, you don't get that tax, so it'll be significantly cheaper. Both are fantastic, but there's more value in the KIA now.
Agreed. I think Alex omitted the 2019 Ascent since he hasn't been offered one for a full week of testing. Once they become available for his review I think the Ascent will rise to the top of the SUV comparison list. I test drove the 2019 Ascent and 2918 Highlander recently. It seemed like the Highlander's V6 was quieter than Subaru's Turbo 4 when accelerating. I really wanted to buy the new Ascent but am concerned about the reliability of a Turbo-charged engine and issues with carbon buildup on the intake values on direct-injected motors. Toyota's updated V6 motor uses both port and direct injection to avoid costly servicing every 30,000 miles that many DI motors will require. If the Highlander offered Android Auto and LED headlights I'd probably buy one this year. I'm thinking they will offer a completely new model in 2020 since they upgraded their global platform for Camry in 2018 and Avalon in 2019. Highlander rides on the same platform and is probably next.
Hi Alex, love your reviews! I am torn between the 2019 Highlander, Ascent, and CX9, (top trim of each). My concerns are, lack of apple carplay and dated interior on the Highlander. For the Ascent, new model year reliability, and turbo/cvt long term reliability. For the CX9, smaller cargo area and very mixed reviews on infotainment quirks and ease of use. Please help! I don't have young children, so third row usability is not a concern. Thanks you!
Nice review....as always! Remember my sister's early 2000's top of the line Highlander that we drove from Glenwood Spring CO to LA. So easy to cruise way over the limit at near silence...rockin' to the JLB sounds only to catch a nail in the tire that was flat by morning in LA. Quick fix at a tire shop and loved every minute behind the wheel. Quality back then seemed Toyota tried a bit harder...Thanks for the current version update!
My 1983 Celica had the exact same dashboard clock except it was green. Toyota must've gotten a heck of a deal on a bulk purchase of LCD clock faces and buttons. For those of us in cold climates, it sucks that Japanese and Korean manufacturers make you buy the top trim level to get a heated steering wheel (e.g. a heated steering wheel in a Highlander will cost you $15,000 vs $500 in a BMW or Audi or Mercedes).
Had to settle for the LE trim with the 2nd row bench. Wife was insistent on this and none of the upgraded trims we looked at had this, only captain chairs. Funny thing is the previous owner had apple CarPlay installed and the sales guy knew nothing about it. This is the last year for gen 3. I don’t like the “iPad” glued to the dash on the gen 4.
Toyota Highlander is best in class because it is the only one that has additional port fuel injection which prevents internal carbon build up. This makes it much more durable and reliable than the others. Also it is the only one with an optional hybrid.
"most men don’t want to be seen driving a minivan" -- People that insecure in their masculinity need counseling. Maybe Oprah might help? God, what a society of wimps we have now.
What if you need all wheel drive because you live in an area with inclement weather, and you want to be able to tow at least 4000 pounds every now and then?
"What if you need all wheel drive because you live in an area with inclement weather, and you want to be able to tow at least 4000 pounds every now and then?" -- I like how you carefully added 500 lbs over the Sienna's limit. Nice touch. BTW, Sienna does come with AWD. But by all means, come up with more contrived scenarios to prove how superior an SUV is for average Joe over a minivan.
Definitely one of the most popular 3-row CUVs in the market due to its reliability and high resale value...it is a good "all-rounder" but let's admit it is not great in any particular aspect. I cross-shopped this a year and a half ago but didn't end up buying it...the interior looks out-dated and a lot of cheap plastic materials not to mention a lot of the competition offers standard LED lighting but this still uses halogen headlights...come on it's already 2018 even corolla has LED on the base model! I also just couldn't get past on the old stalk switch for the cruise control...my 2004 Sienna had that and fast forward to 2018 Toyota still uses that same stalk switch and even used in Lexus!
Tek z This isn’t the first time I’ve seen someone complain about Toyota’s cruise control stalk. I really don’t see what the big deal is. As long as the car looks nice and works I’ve never seen the need for manufactures to redesign every single little thing in the car because it’s new
ALEX, IMO the best reviewer of vehicles on TH-cam. Questions, Do you think the Highlander will get a MAJOR refresh for the 2020 model year? Do you think Toyota will add a plug-in hybrid version of the HL? With cali traffic mess, I'd like a PHEV Highlander for the Carpool sticker. Pacifica would be great, except FCA has not been reliable!
Haha, Alex you said "hopping into the 3rd row" when starting to review the 2nd row. :) Love your reviews! Any idea when you'll be able to review the new 2019 Nissan Altima?
A suggestion. When you mention the USB ports in a vehicle can you also list what kind of amperage they also provide? Some vehicles have USB ports that are mainly for data transfer but insufficient for actually charging a smartphone like an iPhone 7/8 Plus. Some manufacturers seem to disclose that information but for most do not. I have a 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF, which provides 2 USB ports, but they are essentially useless for actually charging a phone. I think I do see more manufacturers making USB ports powerful enough for charging phones.
Hi Alex Great Video again. However I am a big man and I do long distance driving NY to Florida. So I want a 2 role midsize SUV. I was wondering your thoughts about Nissan Murano SL. It has standard safety features and navigation and most importantly apple carplay. The bonus Nissan are giving big discounts on them. I appreciate your opinion. I also find the front seats very comfortable with zero gravity seats. I am looking at GMC Acardia or Jeep GC and Kia Sorrento
don't care about what the dimensions on paper say. We traded a 2016 sorento for a 2018 highlander and the highlander is or at least feels way bigger inside. Its no comparison at all. Third rom in the highlanders useless with the second rom all the way back. But move the second row up just a little and its fine for medium size adults. The sorento had better acceleration and drove more like a car. The highlander feels more lethargic and more truckish than the sorento.
It has nothing to do with being less reliable, no car lasts forever and hybrids cost way more to diagnose and repair than a standard car. I know because I currently own a small fleet of Prius cars and the gas savings vs repair costs virtually cancel each other out. I plan on buying Corollas or something equally simple as I replace cars. Hybrids make much more sense to buy used than new.
I'll wait and see what the 2020 version offers. I hope they don't extend it too much farther; If they do, they'll need to slot a new vehicle between the small Rav4 and ever-growing Highlander like Honda just did with the Passport. That way people that need more than the compact Rav4 , but don't need the 3rd row of the over-sized mammoth mega family movers, (Pilot,Atlas,Ascent,Palisade,Telluride,Explorer,Traverse, Enclave, among others) will have a reasonably sized, quality vehicle. We still have a 1st Gen Highlander(still a great car) and would love to see a slightly larger, high tech version to compete with the Passport; with Toyota reliability, I think they can win back the larger 2 row segment
@@euci3207Thanks. I hope you are right, but I hope they make it into a mid-size SUV. This rig is a better size for us at only 189". If they raised it another 5" to about 68"+ and gave it 43" front seat legroom and kept the 39" second row legroom; this car would be perfect. We'd have to drive it, but I'd almost guaranty that we'd have the car we need and it would keep us from buying the new Honda Passport or the new Subaru Forester, which has wonderful legroom in an even more manageable size car to drive.
The simple answer is that the longer you keep the vehicle the more the reliability of the Toyota will pay off. Autoguide has recently posted videos on cars that owners keep the longest and cars that last 200K miles. There are no Hyundai/Kia products in the Top 10 of either category.
Right Lane Hog ...that's because there are no new Hyundai or Kia cars from this generation that have been on sale long enough. The Korean cars are as good or better than anything made in Japan and they back it up with the best warranty in the market.
JH, Do you sell Kia/Hyundai cars for a living? While Hyundai/Kia have taken substantial steps forward, they simply need a longer warranty due to their historic legacy of abject mediocrity. Did you notice VW has also increased their warranty lately? Does that mean a VW is as reliable as a Toyota? BTW I never used the term "Japanese cars" . Japanese brands vary greatly in objective reliability ratings. Toyota/Lexus has been at the top of CR long-term reliability ratings for nearly 4 decades. They don't need to buy good ratings from JD Who to 'prove' anything.
Well when it comes to reliability the Koreans take 2nd place and Japanese take 1st. While Hyundai and Kia reliability has been a rollercoaster for decades , nowadays they are above average from what I've seen. One of my friends owns a 2011 Sorrento which has exceeded above 100,000. Since then the continuation of the ownership has been solid even with the warranty gone (Just because they offer a long warranties doesn't mean their vehicles won't be reliable without it). Autoguide (Or consumer reports rather) ranked the cars based off of previous generations of the nameplates reliability according to owners So it's not surprising to see many Toyota's and Honda's on the list. It was 50/50 with a Hyundai or Kia until around 2008 (Honda and Toyota have well established themselves for good reliability) so we would need to give them a little more time to ensure their vehicles have gotten away from the dreadful reputation of the 90s and early 2000s.
Which 3 row crossover would you recommend for child seats? Was looking at the Durango but the seats are not child friendly. Reliability is a huge factor too which is why I'm watching your Toyota Highlander video
Hello Alex the graphs you use for size and inside room (like the one at 2.00 in this video) Do you have them available anywhere for download? It would be a great tool when shopping for an SUV/crossover to have access to.
A suggestion. When you mention the USB ports in a vehicle can you also list what kind of amperage they also provide? Some vehicles have USB ports that are mainly for data transfer but insufficient for actually charging a smartphone like an iPhone 7/8 Plus. Some manufacturers seem to disclose that information but for most do not. I have a 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF, which provides 2 USB ports, but they are essentially useless for actually charging a phone. I think I do see more manufacturers making USB ports powerful enough for charging phones. I end up having to use the 12V port to use an adapter that can provide enough power to charge my iPhone 7 Plus
toyota highlander is ok suv the tech packages are pretty good but not as nice like other competitors. i think the only thing i like about this car is the v6 engine they have. but it you want specious suv with extra power i suggest to other brand like pilot, travers, explorer subaru ascent etc. good video btw ✌️
pilot is better for families. better gas mileage (not including hybrid), more usable and roomy 3rd row, android auto and apple car play and other tech features. its also faster when trying to race 1/4 mile.
The Highlander has so much leg room in front seats, you can move them forward a little and then move the second row up a little to give third row more room. We do this and it works great. Plenty of room in front still. We have the top Limited Platinum. Love the full moon roof, bird's eye camera and heated steering wheel and many others
Did you find the lever near driver front foot to be obstructive? It kept hitting my left foot while driving.
Just bought a 2019. I can’t believe how smooth it drives and how comfortable. Absolutely love it❤
I BROUGHT one 2019 hIGHLANDER LE last year with 39,293 miles on it
love rides great just the option i needed on it ride like new it is a keeper fpr lomgtime
i am 67 it willout last me
We just bought a 2019 highlander, it's like a space capsule.We love it!!
Congrats! I did too in January lol which model did you get
@@joseochoa7043 lol he got a 2.7 base model
I honestly think it’s the best affordable SUV on the market right now. I mean there are others that cost so damn high but this is one where every family can enjoy.
This is why I like a lot of Toyota’s, they’re not necessarily cutting edge and class leading in _all_ regards, but they hit all the right notes and stick to it for a long time. There are more modern crossovers in this segment, but the Highlander is just a good all around option - I like it!
I test drove one of these just recently and loved how smooth it drives. I'm impressed by all of the value stuffed into this offering.
We love the pop up hatch window in the back of our 2015 Highlander. It does come in handy, especially when items have shifted around in transit and you don't want them spilling out when the door is opened.
Sean Martin I wish my 2011 rav4 had this feature! I loved it in my 1995 Nisan pathfinder!
You are one of the best, if not the best automotive reviewer on TH-cam period!👍
Yes, he has fantastic reviews filled with lots of info including trim packages and pricing!
3:17 We were looking for an SUV to replace our sedan, because we were having kids, and ended up settling on this car. This review pointing that feature out was one of the factors that tipped me into getting the outgoing model instead of waiting for the next year's model.
That feature has been so useful. I can't tell you the number of times I've either dropped something into the back by just popping he rear window, or used it to check how things have shifted in the back and whether or not the jug of milk is going to attempt a concrete cannonball the minute I open the gate.
We've been so happy with that car.
As it turns out, the next generation lost a couple of inches of headroom, and probably wouldn't have worked out for me. My wife runs the drivers seat all the way up to the top, and I run the driver's seat all the way to the bottom.
Such an underrated feature, my 2012 pathfinder had this.
In a review of DMV data, more initial owners kept their Highlander for 15 years than any other vehicle in the US.
Highest selling 3 row SUV of year the 2019
✌✌✌✌✌
There is not much of anything out there that can match the good solid feeling of the Highlander. We have our original Highlander 2001 with AWD/V6-193,640 miles. We have just bought our new LE PLUS, we love it. Have driven the competitors like you have and we are back with the Highlander.
The best car reviews in the history of reviews. Always very informative. Thank you Alex!
I have 2014 Highlander and it’s a great vehicle. I hope that Toyota gives it standard led headlights and upgrade infotainment system in the next few years
haha it's not that bad. For short people, it's perfectly fine. I rarely use it, but it's good to have in case if I want to haul more than 5 people.
most cars are getting bigger every generation. If she buys a new 2019 Pilot, she'll be satisfied with the amount of space it has. But to me it's just too big. It'll be harder to park it in my garage compare to the Highlander. I just saw the spied photos of the new Honda Passport , and I'm really excited. It's the right size SUV that I'm down to get one.
Johnson L, Toyota will add upgraded infotainment in every car. It's just a matter of time. Avalon and Corolla Hatch is getting it this year, others will follow starting next year. On Lexus side, the new ES will get it and others starting next year hopefully.
Highlander has way better resale value at trade in time
I think of a vehicle as an investment as well as a ride...Who wants to loose thousands of dollars in value after only a few years?
@@MegaLifeChanging That only applies if you buy brand new though!
Hell yea, I can't find a 2017 xle for under 30k even with 40k miles, unbelievable.
Z A86 try miami
Value still holding up well!
I' m Owner new highlander 2018 is the best drive in highway , My one is LE V6 Convenience PKG Trim, But headlight need update LED for future, This one is best SUV FOR Owner..... I loving to driver it...
tbh, I never understood companies skimping out on front passenger seats not having the same range of movement as the driver seat.
Yes still is and always the best, Toyota Highlander !
The Highlander doesn't seem to get upset over broken pavement... I just love this guy!
Johnny Sanchez he uses that line on many reviews lol I love it and he usually says the transmission is well sorted!
This is a great auto, I own the 2018 Highlander AWD, it's driving great. It is not as loaded as the Limited edition but I'm happy with the specs it has.
Drove them all. Got the CX-9. Best handling by a long shot and way more fun to drive. Not important to all but it is to me. Tough to beat the looks of the CX-9 as well.Looks and feels like a luxury brand.
This is my favorite SUV!! Good video Alex.
If Alex designed a "Mother In Law Seat" i'd probably be pretty horrific.
Ivan Vojt i wonder how much he hates his mother in law lol
Ace of Base playlist makes this the best car review I've seen so far.
I love how thorough you are in your review I find myself watching reviews that I'm not interested in haha :)
I have a 2018 8 passenger Highlander. And the third row isnt that bad. Lots of videos dont show the third row reclining for head room and also makes it a bit more comfortable to sit in.
Yes exactly, I have the 2018 SE AWD, third row is fine if you're an average person size.
So glad you pointed out that rear glass. I hate to say it but I assumed they all had that. I bought my Ford Edge and found it didn't have it. Now, I have to keep my old Expedition around just for that one reason. Seriously considering swapping it out. But for me the Edge Sport fully loaded was such a wonderful fit. Good size, no third row, lots of power, not leather when it is fully loaded.
12:00 Tech is so out of date it plays Ace of Base LOL!
I was interested in your take on the Highlander since it was one of the vehicles we considered when we replaced our 2012 Kia Sorento a few months ago. The Toyota did have a few advantages over the 2018 Sorento we eventually purchased. The most notable were the eight speed transmission versus the six speed unit in the KIA (now replaced with an eight speed for 2019), lane keeping assist (again, now standard on the KIA for 2019), and the trick rear window opening in the Highlander.
On the whole, however, the KIA offered much more at considerably less money ($8,000 off MSRP in our case) than the comparable top trim of the non-hybrid V6/AWD Highlander. A longer warranty (bumper to bumper and drivetrain). Apple Carplay and Android Auto. A much, much better infotainment system including real-time traffic navigation (included with a five year subscription). More upscale interior including Nappa leather seating, etc.
The Sorento is slightly smaller on the outside than the Highlander, as you noted. Frankly, though, that was an advantage as far as we were concerned. Marginally easier to maneuver and park in the city. And on the interior the Sorento had more room, especially leg room in the third row, than the Highlander. Neither vehicle, of course, is adequate for seven or eight passengers for more than short trips. But of the two, the KIA is more accommodating. Our 14 y/o daughter and her girlfriends find it preferable to the second row presumably to get as far away as possible from her parents.
We found the Highlander a good choice. Just not as good as the SX-L Sorento. And for thousands of dollars less in real world pricing, there was no contest.
Stephen Hendricks I also like the Sorento a lot. But the horrible resale value negates the initial price discount. This is the main factor holding us back in getting the Sorento. Otherwise it’s a terrific car
Stephen Hendricks Thanks for avoiding the "Toyota Tax".
wasabi9111: I usually keep my cars for a minimum of five to six years and up to eight so resale value is less of a concern to me than if I leased or traded a vehicle more frequently. And you're correct that Toyotas hold resale values extremely well. However, I traded our 2013 Sorento when I bought the new vehicle and got $14,000 in the trade in addition to the $7000 discount off MSRP on the 2018 model. That put the resale value within about $1000 of the KBB estimated resale value of a 2013 Highlander. So, as you can see the discount was not "negated" by the resale value.
It appears, especially here in the Pacific Northwest, that Kia's old reputation for building low quality vehicles is rapidly disappearing as their more recent offerings have improved so much. And that has a trickle down effect on resale value. The dealer where I traded my 2013 Sorento had a large sign in the showroom soliciting trade-ins for Sorentos and sold mine in 3 days for $18,000. I suspect I could have sold my 2013 model for a couple thousand more than I received in trade. YMMV, of course. I have a feeling that Kia's popularity is stronger on the coasts, especially the west coast.
Stephen Hendricks that’s terrific!
I’m excited to test drive the new 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe to compare to the Sorento. I don’t need the 3rd row. Just like the size as both of them as they are the same size as my 2010 Lexus RX. I much prefer the user friendliness of the Hyundai/Kia infotainment than that of the new Lexus.
wasabi9111: As a family of three plus a big dog we don't need a third row 95% of the time, either. In fact, my wife swore me to secrecy about the existence of the third row in our previous Sorento so she wouldn't end up being the default chauffeur for the neighborhood children. :) Have to say, though, that on those occasions when we take the kid and another couple out to dinner, it's very convenient not to have to cram everyone in two rows or take two vehicles.
We did look seriously at some two row SUV's. Though my wife isn't a fan of the larger SUV's she wasn't prepared to give up the "command" driver position of the Sorento compared to the compact SUV's like the Honda CR-V, the Subaru Forester or Outback, or the VW Tiguan. Personally, I loved the Ford Edge Sport with its 2.7 Liter twin-turbo V6 but the Sorento is mainly my wife's car and she's not afflicted with testosterone poisoning as I am. In the end, the Sorento was a "goldilocks" choice. Not too big, not too small. A usable third row but not at the expense of overall size .
I feel like any car over 30k should have fully LED for every light!
Those are the kind of items that will to the price of the factory vehicle. I can buy aftermarket HID or LED for pennies on the dollar compared to the price of the factory "option" of the same item. Let's leave them to invest on things like better paint or better instruments or ball joints, or finer metals for the engine that we cannot add aftermarket.
RDV V the only thing I hate about xenon is their warmup time
dygardion 91 30 grand is nothing for a new car! quit complainin
Not everyone wants to spend hundreds of dollars replacing them when they burn out.
@@cargueone1971 this is the thing, people complain about there not being any affordable cars while wanting all power everything with led everything.
Leave the 3rd row seats up, rear hatch closed, and use the glass hatch to stuff the S outta the cargo area. The LE Plus is nicely equipped if you don't care about leather. That 3rd row is wide & you can play with the seats to get leg room but that ceiling is just too low.
Unless you have the 2nd row bench that is a lot of money to seat 4 adults.
Best automotive journalist on TH-cam
Detail and down to earth review of Autos, thanks alex for helping me decide which car to get!!
For my family and I the Highlander offered incredible long-term reliability. I pay for my vehicles cash and I keep them a very long time and really rack up the miles. I drove the Highlander in 2018 and I felt it was incredibly refined. I was comparing it to a 2018 Ford edge that had a six speed transmission and a very loud 3.5 L engine with less gas mileage and less room. As much as I am a Ford guy owning a Shelby GT 350 I couldn’t justify purchasing the Ford edge.
The refinement really rings true when you drive as long as 2000 mile trips. The Kia is very nice and I rented one for a week. However the resale value value craters as soon as you drive it off the lot. A GMC Arcadia is a good vehicle but in my eyes much more unreliable. When GM tried the polymer/plastic timing chains I was shocked. I would never own a vehicle with that engine.
Toyota is going hard on the old school Cylon Centurions look
I previously had a 2015 Chevy Traverse, which was an exceptionally good driving vehicle. I am used to European handling and the Chevy felt very similar to my Opel based SAAB I had years ago. Now I am looking for another three row crossover. I have been test driving different models. A few days ago I test drove a 2018 Highlander XLE. I was utterly shocked how bad it was. The handling was extremely poor, the steering was terrible, the transmission was unresponsive and I basically could not drive it the way I normally drive. I drove a Subaru Ascent right before driving the Highlander and it was quite good, although not quite as good as my old Traverse. The Highlander also seemed very cramped, with much less room for passengers and cargo. I cannot believe that people buy so many of these, as to me the Highlander is very much a substandard choice in this segment. Hell, even the ancient Ford Flex is much better on every level.
vkozlovsky saab makes some good sandwich
Get and Atlas or Traverse for best in class room, or Enclave. Avoid the "Toyota Tax"
Most people with larger hauling needs would be better served with the new Traverse than the larger SUVs like the Expy, Yukon or Tahoe - and at a savings of 25K with the loaded models.
Less room for passengers and cargo? Probably you didn’t slide it back, on the video, it seems passenger has plenty of room on second row.
vkozlovsky "The Highlander also seemed very cramped, with much less room for passengers" - Absolutely. I am 6'3", and Highlander is awful for me. As for sfjava, I assume you are short, because otherwise you would know that the "just slide is back" is bs because once you do that, you cannot reach the steering wheel. Most vehicles today are made only for the new median demographic. Tall people need not apply. Part of the problem is the useless center console that robs taller drivers of the knee room, but hey, as long as that short fatso has a place to put the big gulp and extra fries, we're good.
Toyota must have billions of those digital clocks in the warehouse, they just won't stop putting them in their cars!
Alex, as usual, an OUTSTANDING automotive review; you remain the gold standard for online car reviews. Now, I know you're a fan of the Sorento, but I have two concerns. ONE: two Sorentos I've driven in the past two years have had a serious (ie., dangerous) steering trait where they required constant correction to travel straight down even a level, straight road - you dare not take your eyes off the road for scarcely a second, or you'll be in the ditch or have a head-on collision. Compare that to a new '18 Ford Edge (for example), where I can aim the car over the same stretch of road, release the steering wheel, and it will track (travel) straight in it's lane for well over 200 yards before any correction may be needed. I've asked other reviewers of the '19 Sorento if this documented (Kia knows about this) steering problem still exists - crickets - no response. TWO: Unlike Toyota, Kia dealers in Central & South Florida will rape a prospective Sorento buyer on any trim level over a LX. They're just not worth the money, particularly considering the space provided as well as the potential ongoing steering issue. At least most Toyota dealers are more willing to deal with you than Kia dealers, and some will make a fairly reasonable offer on a new Highlander. Hopefully, the new Toyota RAV4 will arrive faster than anticipated, and someone will do a quick review on one - that vehicle is more suitable for me & the wife for our needs.
Eskie Man I have owned my 2018 Sorento SXL for a year now and I have no idea what you are talking about in terms of the steering. I am currently on a road trip from AZ to NM and have driven it back and forth several times over the year and I can take my hands off the wheel and it will go straight just fine. Maybe it is a trim level difference? When I was comparing the Sorento to the CX-9, there is no doubt the CX-9 was fun to drive but it didn't have a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats or Apple Carplay. None of the other crossovers checked as many boxes as the Sorento...adaptive cruise control, heated steering wheel, power thigh support, surround view camera and built in rear passenger sunshades. It is the first vehicle I've owned new that hasn't had any issues, squeaks, rattles, factory missteps at the first year mark. It does what it is supposed to do without incident. I didn't expect to like it as much as I do. My favorite SUV I've owned previous was a 2008 VW Touareg V8 and I like this stupid Kia as much if not more.
I’ve seen a review and direct comparison of the new Pilot vs the Highlander and the Pilot is a really good buy. They updated the infotainment system so that it has the latest software and a volume knob. It also has LED headlamps on the Touring and Elite whereas the Highlander doesn’t get them at all. Lastly the Pilot has a handsfree tailgate which previously was exclusive to the Ford Explorer in the segment (and they won’t let you forget it)
Jay Mac we have 2017 pilot touring and it's had some issues. I believe the Toyota is much more reliable but I agree the pilot has a better interior
Nothing beats the Highlander, looks, ride, reliability, durability and value. No other SUV can do that.
Then why don't they give 10 year warranty.
@Paul; they've built their reputation...so they don't have too.
I disagree. You should speak from actual fact and statistics. Not what they want to portray. There are SUV's that can do better in all of these statistically and factually called Kia.
@Paul; "Not what they want to portray"....really? I'm sure people buy Toyota for their looks and not their reputation. BTW, Kia's are good...but not Toyota great...yet.
Please do some research and find out which has better reliability. Not by brand but by model. Don't just spit out garbage because you been brainwashed by Toyota brand.
I have been thinking about trading my highlander (2017 SE) for a Lexus GX, but I'm having a hard time letting it go lol. It's such a great car. Great value. It even has more tech than the GX!
So the 2019 Kia Sorento has a Pro of a Long "wartranty". Is that a wart on a rant? Just kidding of course...I have been a subscriber for a very long time, because you set the standard for reviews. This is the first minor editing error I have noticed which speaks to the high quality of your presentations.
I have a 2018 and I love it!
No Android Auto & Apple carplay, less internal space compared to competition, seats that is not best suitable for child seats, 3 years or 36k miles warranty....Toyota should step up their game. 2 main pros of Toyota are reliable & resale value, which other companies are catching also up.
They know people will buy their cars even if they reduced the current warranty. They look at other OEMs to see what tech works and then slowly introduce it to Toyota to reduce costs and increase reliability. IMO this is why they are a good 3 years behind the front runners. Increase warranty, maybe in about 3 years time.
Uunfortunately their safety systems do not work either. That may be why insurance companies are not giving discounts for auto braking.
th-cam.com/video/_KyipiAcOMQ/w-d-xo.html
Robin. Sam And they still charge a "Toyota Tax".
Robin. Sam exactly my thoughts as well
@ Norm T ...You realize no PCS will brake for a cardboard box? Cardboard is invisible to radar and a camera or laser-base system should consider it a possible false positive and not brake either (ideally, Tesla's system reacts to false positives with gentle braking) Precollision systems only react to cars and humans, nothing else.
Insurance companies don't give discounts because auto-braking increases the cost if the windshield is broken or the car is stolen. If you're a particularly safe driver, some (short-sighted) insurance companies might even increase your premium because it increases their actuarial risk even though it makes you less likely to die in an accident.
Personally, no Android Auto and Apple carplay is a deal breaker for me. For a 2018 vehicle that is unacceptable for me. This makes the vehicle feel aged already. If it wasn't for that, I would have purchased a Highlander..
Ma J So, your phone makes your decisions for you? That's sad.
Shawn Daybell technology makes my decision, I am really into tech. It's fine if you are not, everyone has their priorities. Toyota/Lexus are known to have the worst infotainment systems out. Besides driving that is the system you have to interact with most, it should be enjoyable
Ma J You shouldn't be interacting with your device while you're driving. You're endangering all of our lives.
Shawn Daybell so you don’t ever use your infotainment when your driving? Or the radio?
Sorry but...you're an idiot. The dealbreaker is apple carplay???? Do me a favor...keep taking the bus. Thanks
Thanks for a thorough review. I plan on purchasing the 2019 Highlander XLE this summer.
Did u buy?
Amos Thomas Yes!
Me too. How much did you pay otd?
Amos Thomas just got a quote for 36000 OTD today for XLE. Is it good?
@@Albertelmstreet that's amazing take it right nowww!!! Which state are u in? Also awd or fwd?
The, "headrests" are not for comfort, but are for safety, to reduce neck injuries. I did remove the headrests from the second row seats, so I could use the floor space in front of them with the seats folded down.
What a peaceful backyard Alex has! Envious.
If you need more space than the Highlander but want to stay in a crossover the current gen Traverse is the way to go. More cargo space than a Tahoe and a functional 3rd row.
This is imo the best SUV, its not small but its not massive like these new American SUVs, it is luxurious but fun as well, and it is actually rather cheap for all the features. Ive been wanting to get one for a long time and this video only inspires me more.
This is one of the oldest 3-row crossovers you can buy but far from the best. It is probably the most expensive considering the "Toyota Tax".
pmerk36 "Toyota Tax"
By Toyota tax it means that it'll cost a premium because people know it will be reliable. The Sorrento is better than this IMO because with the Sorrento, you don't get that tax, so it'll be significantly cheaper. Both are fantastic, but there's more value in the KIA now.
pmerk36 most expensive, economy, 3-row you can buy as it is the oldest.
Ifti Plays are you talking about the same car? It's luxurious and fun? Seriously
Hey Alex, great review as always, just wondering why you omitted the Subaru Ascent in the comparisons. I think the Subaru is a worthy competitor.
M11sanman Fuelly has the Ascent at 19 mpg...ugh.
Agreed. I think Alex omitted the 2019 Ascent since he hasn't been offered one for a full week of testing. Once they become available for his review I think the Ascent will rise to the top of the SUV comparison list. I test drove the 2019 Ascent and 2918 Highlander recently. It seemed like the Highlander's V6 was quieter than Subaru's Turbo 4 when accelerating. I really wanted to buy the new Ascent but am concerned about the reliability of a Turbo-charged engine and issues with carbon buildup on the intake values on direct-injected motors. Toyota's updated V6 motor uses both port and direct injection to avoid costly servicing every 30,000 miles that many DI motors will require. If the Highlander offered Android Auto and LED headlights I'd probably buy one this year. I'm thinking they will offer a completely new model in 2020 since they upgraded their global platform for Camry in 2018 and Avalon in 2019. Highlander rides on the same platform and is probably next.
My mother-in-law kicks ass! There's no way I would put her in the third row seats.
Hi Alex, love your reviews! I am torn between the 2019 Highlander, Ascent, and CX9, (top trim of each). My concerns are, lack of apple carplay and dated interior on the Highlander. For the Ascent, new model year reliability, and turbo/cvt long term reliability. For the CX9, smaller cargo area and very mixed reviews on infotainment quirks and ease of use. Please help! I don't have young children, so third row usability is not a concern. Thanks you!
try not to get the turbo
The mother in law comment was LOL 😂
Nice review....as always! Remember my sister's early 2000's top of the line Highlander that we drove from Glenwood Spring CO to LA. So easy to cruise way over the limit at near silence...rockin' to the JLB sounds only to catch a nail in the tire that was flat by morning in LA. Quick fix at a tire shop and loved every minute behind the wheel. Quality back then seemed Toyota tried a bit harder...Thanks for the current version update!
My 1983 Celica had the exact same dashboard clock except it was green. Toyota must've gotten a heck of a deal on a bulk purchase of LCD clock faces and buttons. For those of us in cold climates, it sucks that Japanese and Korean manufacturers make you buy the top trim level to get a heated steering wheel (e.g. a heated steering wheel in a Highlander will cost you $15,000 vs $500 in a BMW or Audi or Mercedes).
Great review. Highlander is like the Volvo Sportwagon of today.
Picking mine up today! Let’s go
Had to settle for the LE trim with the 2nd row bench. Wife was insistent on this and none of the upgraded trims we looked at had this, only captain chairs. Funny thing is the previous owner had apple CarPlay installed and the sales guy knew nothing about it. This is the last year for gen 3. I don’t like the “iPad” glued to the dash on the gen 4.
Toyota Highlander is best in class because it is the only one that has additional port fuel injection which prevents internal carbon build up. This makes it much more durable and reliable than the others. Also it is the only one with an optional hybrid.
Mgoblagulkablong japanese dining at its finest
Mgoblagulkablong "Toyota Tax"
Agree! Honda, Audi, VW, BMW are too cheap to add port injection on their engine. I usually buy a new car every 10 years.
But after the lease someone else buys the car...
pmerk36 70% of new Toyotas are bought, only 30% leased.
Surprised you didn't have the CX-9 in there at the end to compare. I guess it's almost in it's own category.
I still think the pilot is the best in the class, might be ugly but it's the best in every way (6spd tho)
Front seats are uncomfortable weighing 262. So Iv done the keto diet no exercise lost 85 pounds in 10months now the driver seat is good
For all considerations... a minivan would be a MUCH better investment and vehicle.
quietguy well yeah but most men don’t want to be seen driving a minivan
"most men don’t want to be seen driving a minivan" -- People that insecure in their masculinity need counseling. Maybe Oprah might help? God, what a society of wimps we have now.
Qua Pro Pro But why? We all assume you're a soccer mom if you drive a 3 row crossover. A van is more masculine at this point.
What if you need all wheel drive because you live in an area with inclement weather, and you want to be able to tow at least 4000 pounds every now and then?
"What if you need all wheel drive because you live in an area with inclement weather, and you want to be able to tow at least 4000 pounds every now and then?" -- I like how you carefully added 500 lbs over the Sienna's limit. Nice touch. BTW, Sienna does come with AWD. But by all means, come up with more contrived scenarios to prove how superior an SUV is for average Joe over a minivan.
Definitely one of the most popular 3-row CUVs in the market due to its reliability and high resale value...it is a good "all-rounder" but let's admit it is not great in any particular aspect. I cross-shopped this a year and a half ago but didn't end up buying it...the interior looks out-dated and a lot of cheap plastic materials not to mention a lot of the competition offers standard LED lighting but this still uses halogen headlights...come on it's already 2018 even corolla has LED on the base model! I also just couldn't get past on the old stalk switch for the cruise control...my 2004 Sienna had that and fast forward to 2018 Toyota still uses that same stalk switch and even used in Lexus!
Tek z This isn’t the first time I’ve seen someone complain about Toyota’s cruise control stalk. I really don’t see what the big deal is. As long as the car looks nice and works I’ve never seen the need for manufactures to redesign every single little thing in the car because it’s new
Nailed it great review. Please add the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL to the reviews/comparisons!
The Ascent, Atlas and the Outlander would be interesting to compare with the Toyota
ALEX, IMO the best reviewer of vehicles on TH-cam.
Questions, Do you think the Highlander will get a MAJOR refresh for the 2020 model year? Do you think Toyota will add a plug-in hybrid version of the HL? With cali traffic mess, I'd like a PHEV Highlander for the Carpool sticker.
Pacifica would be great, except FCA has not been reliable!
FIRST! Yes! Nice work like always, Alex.
Haha, Alex you said "hopping into the 3rd row" when starting to review the 2nd row. :) Love your reviews!
Any idea when you'll be able to review the new 2019 Nissan Altima?
2014 Highlander I'm 6'3" and I can fit in the third row.
@Josh's Drawing Life no I didn't
great review
Highlander Hybrid XLE !!!
So how do you rate a Subaru Ascent? Thank you for your video, I enjoyed it! Roger
Hey Alex kudos to your review. What’s your favorite 3 row cross over. When it comes to driving, value, practicality for a small family
A suggestion. When you mention the USB ports in a vehicle can you also list what kind of amperage they also provide? Some vehicles have USB ports that are mainly for data transfer but insufficient for actually charging a smartphone like an iPhone 7/8 Plus. Some manufacturers seem to disclose that information but for most do not.
I have a 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF, which provides 2 USB ports, but they are essentially useless for actually charging a phone. I think I do see more manufacturers making USB ports powerful enough for charging phones.
Too much wind noises from the windows on the highway . I like the exterior and inside storage under the dashboard .
Hi Alex Great Video again. However I am a big man and I do long distance driving NY to Florida. So I want a 2 role midsize SUV. I was wondering your thoughts about Nissan Murano SL. It has standard safety features and navigation and most importantly apple carplay. The bonus Nissan are giving big discounts on them. I appreciate your opinion. I also find the front seats very comfortable with zero gravity seats. I am looking at GMC Acardia or Jeep GC and Kia Sorrento
don't care about what the dimensions on paper say. We traded a 2016 sorento for a 2018 highlander and the highlander is or at least feels way bigger inside. Its no comparison at all. Third rom in the highlanders useless with the second rom all the way back. But move the second row up just a little and its fine for medium size adults. The sorento had better acceleration and drove more like a car. The highlander feels more lethargic and more truckish than the sorento.
Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander better than the 2019 Toyota Highlander? Or does it really matter?
Hybrid sounds like the way to go.
If you like wasting $10k up-front and massive repair bills at the dealer, then sure.
Did you BOTHER to read the actual prices that Alex listed? Do you have ANY evidence, data or statistics that show Toyota's hybrids are unreliable?
It has nothing to do with being less reliable, no car lasts forever and hybrids cost way more to diagnose and repair than a standard car. I know because I currently own a small fleet of Prius cars and the gas savings vs repair costs virtually cancel each other out. I plan on buying Corollas or something equally simple as I replace cars. Hybrids make much more sense to buy used than new.
I'll wait and see what the 2020 version offers. I hope they don't extend it too much farther; If they do, they'll need to slot a new vehicle between the small Rav4 and ever-growing Highlander like Honda just did with the Passport. That way people that need more than the compact Rav4 , but don't need the 3rd row of the over-sized mammoth mega family movers, (Pilot,Atlas,Ascent,Palisade,Telluride,Explorer,Traverse, Enclave,
among others) will have a reasonably sized, quality vehicle. We still have a 1st Gen Highlander(still a great car) and would love to see a slightly larger, high tech version to compete with the Passport; with Toyota reliability, I think they can win back the larger 2 row segment
Toyota is rumored to bring back the venza
@@euci3207Thanks. I hope you are right, but I hope they make it into a mid-size SUV. This rig is a better size for us at only 189". If they raised it another 5" to about 68"+ and gave it 43" front seat legroom and kept the 39" second row legroom; this car would be perfect. We'd have to drive it, but I'd almost guaranty that we'd have the car we need and it would keep us from buying the new Honda Passport or the new Subaru Forester, which has wonderful legroom in an even more manageable size car to drive.
It funny how the comment doesn’t have comment complaining how it doesn’t have Apple CarPlay or android Auto this time.
I agree with your pick but do you think the Sorento is just as reliable as Toyota?
rmwarriors16...If JD Power, and stats from the last few years are worth something, then yes, the Sorento is awesome! Far better warranty too.
The simple answer is that the longer you keep the vehicle the more the reliability of the Toyota will pay off. Autoguide has recently posted videos on cars that owners keep the longest and cars that last 200K miles. There are no Hyundai/Kia products in the Top 10 of either category.
Right Lane Hog ...that's because there are no new Hyundai or Kia cars from this generation that have been on sale long enough. The Korean cars are as good or better than anything made in Japan and they back it up with the best warranty in the market.
JH, Do you sell Kia/Hyundai cars for a living? While Hyundai/Kia have taken substantial steps forward, they simply need a longer warranty due to their historic legacy of abject mediocrity. Did you notice VW has also increased their warranty lately? Does that mean a VW is as reliable as a Toyota? BTW I never used the term "Japanese cars" . Japanese brands vary greatly in objective reliability ratings. Toyota/Lexus has been at the top of CR long-term reliability ratings for nearly 4 decades. They don't need to buy good ratings from JD Who to 'prove' anything.
Well when it comes to reliability the Koreans take 2nd place and Japanese take 1st. While Hyundai and Kia reliability has been a rollercoaster for decades ,
nowadays they are above average from what I've seen. One of my friends owns a 2011 Sorrento which has exceeded above 100,000. Since then the continuation of the ownership has been solid even with the warranty gone (Just because they offer a long warranties doesn't mean their vehicles won't be reliable without it). Autoguide (Or consumer reports rather) ranked the cars based off of previous generations of the nameplates reliability according to owners So it's not surprising to see many Toyota's and Honda's on the list. It was 50/50 with a Hyundai or Kia until around 2008 (Honda and Toyota have well established themselves for good reliability) so we would need to give them a little more time to ensure their vehicles have gotten away from the dreadful reputation of the 90s and early 2000s.
Great review! Thanks.
I feel the 2018 has gotten smaller compared to my 2011 which I don't think IAM gonna trade anytime soon.
Will Toyota be using their new modular platform for this vehicle in the future?
Adaptive Cruise Control does not work below ~28 mph!!! So it’s no help in rush hour traffic :-(. The new 2020 Highlander should fix this.
"naughty children and perhaps mothers-in-law" LOL!!!!
🤣🤣🤣😜
Which 3 row crossover would you recommend for child seats? Was looking at the Durango but the seats are not child friendly. Reliability is a huge factor too which is why I'm watching your Toyota Highlander video
I have 2013 Sienna SE trim, only 25k miles. I was wondering if switching to Highlander will be a wise decision.
Hello Alex the graphs you use for size and inside room (like the one at 2.00 in this video) Do you have them available anywhere for download? It would be a great tool when shopping for an SUV/crossover to have access to.
A suggestion. When you mention the USB ports in a vehicle can you also list what kind of amperage they also provide? Some vehicles have USB ports that are mainly for data transfer but insufficient for actually charging a smartphone like an iPhone 7/8 Plus. Some manufacturers seem to disclose that information but for most do not.
I have a 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF, which provides 2 USB ports, but they are essentially useless for actually charging a phone. I think I do see more manufacturers making USB ports powerful enough for charging phones. I end up having to use the 12V port to use an adapter that can provide enough power to charge my iPhone 7 Plus
Can you please review the Toyota Sequoia 2018 Platinum
toyota highlander is ok suv the tech packages are pretty good but not as nice like other competitors. i think the only thing i like about this car is the v6 engine they have. but it you want specious suv with extra power i suggest to other brand like pilot, travers, explorer subaru ascent etc. good video btw ✌️
pilot is better for families. better gas mileage (not including hybrid), more usable and roomy 3rd row, android auto and apple car play and other tech features. its also faster when trying to race 1/4 mile.
Worth every penny
A Y Avoid the "Toyota Tax"
Norm T You're posting Toyota tax on every single comment. What's wrong with you?
Shawn Daybell ikr
@@埼玉はぱ Norm is a salesman for GM, so....
How the hell is this thing a crossover? Its fucken HUGE!
A cx3 or a kona. That's a crossover. The highlander is a full blown SUV.
Quite disappointed that the comparison didn’t include the newest entry of the Subaru Ascent.
Can you please do a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe test... eagerly waiting for that video!