2019 Toyota Highlander SE AWD On and Off-Road Review
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.พ. 2019
- Is the 2019 Toyota Highlander SE any good with put against rugged, offroad conditions? In this full review we find adventure, as we tackle snow, mud, rocks and road to see if this 3-row family crossover still has what it takes to compete in a crowded market. It also gets compared against the Subaru Ascent, Honda Pilot and Dodge Durango.
#toyota #offroad #crossover
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Heavy Metal Ned Flanders... yay or nay?
Do this review against the Subaru ascent
This guy doesn’t deserve or need to around any vehicle. Clueless, fuck pickle.
Can't wait to see what you do with the 2020 Highlander! :)
Hello Ryan, Where do you do your off road test? It looks like its somewhere near Mount Si. I am new to this and interested in doing some off roading.
This highlander style much better then 2021-2022 highlander for me, so why i bought 2019 highlander
That’s the most fun I’ve seen anyone have with a Highlander. I appreciate the work you out in taking it off road and in the snow. Great video!
Great, thorough, comprehensive & complete review, on & off road. Extra video length was well worth qualitative & quantitative evaluation. Please review all cars from now on. :)
I'm not even into cars, and your video made me want to like and subscribe! Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I will be picking up my first Highlander this weekend!
I really enjoyed your video. The way you explain the detailed mechanics of DTV is something that you dont get on other channels. Nice one.
Thanks for a great real world driver review. That's great to see the AWD system operating in those conditions. Don't think it would have made it through my driveway a couple winters ago in the 2 feet of snow we had though, maybe it would have but I doubt it. Good to see the AWD system works better than you anticipated, I too had my doubts.
Excellent review. Not that I go off road much, but I wanted to see real world application, then I find out its here in PNW. Traveling the exact roads (14 & 84). Great job guys!
Just picked up this exact car (w/o the entertainment) and was very surprised to find this video. Love it so far. Good to be coming back to Toyota after visiting with Subaru and more recently a Nissan Pathfinder with three transmissions. Hopefully it lives up to my past experiences with Toyo and last my family many years. Great vid and I really do love the color and SE!
After watching your video went and bought one a 2019 SE a great deal before the year end. Love it ever since
I've sent my 2008 highlander through stuff harder than that. You're good bro.
An awesome video, very well done and very informative! Thank you.
I went back and watched this video again. I bought a Highlander AWD last year after watching your review. I have loved my Highlander for over a year now. It has been a great SUV! Keep up the good work Ryan. I love watching all your reviews, even though I am not in the market for anything. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Merry Christmas to you as well!
Huge improvement in the channel. Nice
As I watch this I wonder why I am so compelled by your review. And then it occurs to me, you are a really, really good presenter. If you were a realtor, you’d be a million dollar producer for sure.
Love your videos!! You look like you have so much fun!!
Awesome video. Just got myself a 2018 Highlander for my active lifestyle. Awesome to see that this was in the PNW too. Another reason why I about it cause of the weather here in Oregon. Can't wait to take nine to Mexico to test it out there too
I have the same exact car, in grey color, and it is fun to watch this, excellent video!
thanks for the review on the AWD. I just bought the AWD instead of FWD.
One of the top 10 cars that people keep own it for years.
Thanks, great video.
We have had 4 new ones and never kept them longer than 3 years. When they need tires or are approaching end of warranty we trade it in towards a new one! Best family SUV for us hands down!
Can't wait for the AWD system video upcoming
Thanks for the super informative video. Have you test driven a non-SE trim 2018/2019 Highlander? I'm curious how noticeable the difference is between the sport-tuned & regular suspensions for road driving. Much appreciated,
Really like your reviews.
Mindbuildingsolutions approved!
Excellent video.
Seeing this, and knowing that mine has the center locker in addition to the performance we saw in the video, and my planning on throwing on some Falken Wildpeaks when the time comes? I feel so comfortable and reassured with my buy. My first "expensive" car buy, a 2017 Highlander LE Plus (what I think is the 2017 equivalent of the SE? Maybe a half step up). Good to see.
Amazing Video. Keep it up
I just finished a weekend away in a wine region with the wife and rented the Grande flavor. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I came away wanting one - despite the outdated infotainment and dash. I think once it gets updated, this thing will be a market leader. The way it makes use of the v6 - it almost felt like a v8 to me (given the size of the car). I really, really enjoyed living with it for 3 days.
I'm an older, 1st gen Highlander owner and the reliability is great. I was disappointed that this new vehicle still doesn't have Apple Carplay, especially when Toyota finally has it in other models this year. Maybe I can keep waiting for a hopeful new redesigned model by 2020, but I fear they will continue to add additional length to the vehicle ( this years model is already 8" bigger than our present car and adding another 4" to compete with the Ascent and Pilot is too much. We don't need the extra seats or space, that is why we were hoping that Apple Carplay would be on this years model..
We were also seriously looking at the brand new Subaru Forester touring, actually 1 1/2" shorter than our 1st gen Highlander but with 3" greater front row legroom and 1 1/2" extra second row legroom. The top end touring trim was impressive, very comfortable, just the right size legroom wise, better crash test scores than the Highlander, some features this Highlander doesn't have and priced at or below the base level Highlander. What stopped us was it's under powered engine and slow 0 to 60 times for my wife's freeway work commute and no other engine options was the deal breaker. We checked out the new Rav4 hoping that it had grown up enough, but it was still too small and still didn't have the leg space we needed. We will be seriously checking out the new Honda Passport when it comes out. It's smaller than this generation of Highlander and offers Apple Carplay.
that was fun- pleasantly surprised
I love my New Toyota Highlander 😍
was looking at 2019 honda pilot for Rear Entertainment system, didn't know Highlander have one too. Might have to reconsidered
This Video is why I bought the 2019 XLE AWD. We put 6000 miles on our Highlander on vacation. We did some creek crossings with AWD button. Very little wheel spin climbing out of the creek. Drove through snow and sleet. We drove over mountains on a dirt road up in the clouds. Could not see 50ft in front of us. The Highlander average fuel mileage for the whole trip was 25.9 with a best of 29.2. Best mileage was staying below 80 was not easy. Next vacation I will have roof storage .
The power mode does change the throttle response just a bit to make it feel a little more responsive.
Remember there is the power mode setting which really does tighten up your transmission response.
I just turned in my 2018 SE lease. Loved it, but definitely not an off road SUV. Mainly a front wheel drive AWD with the engine in sideways. Zero skid plates. Good for driving on packed sand beaches, dirt roads or grass. You see a lot of highlander on the road, mostly all family's with kids. Which is what we are.
That was awesome video
Great review.
This was a proper review as most AWD buyers wanted to see snow performance rather than going uphill on gravel. I had looked at Highlander and found out the price was much higher than Honda, and even Acura. Most standard (power and leather seats) from other mfg weren't available on Highlander and it didn't even have LED headlights or fog lights.
Love you your video
Up until this review I had assumed that this AWD system was just another "grip 'n slip" variant. I do make the assumption that some of the rotation you felt was attributable to inner front wheel braking. Once again, great review - shedding light on the capabilities of the various AWD systems on offer.
We're doing a video to try and explain how it does what it does. Quite possibly it is inner front wheel braking that caused the rotation. Getting information out of anyone about these systems is terrifically difficult, but we are doing a press event in a couple weeks with Toyota and we'll sit them down to get some answers (which will go into a RAV4 AWD tech video... keeping in mind this is the same BASE system in the new AWD RAV4 -- according to Toyota.)
The Toyota FWD based AWD systems have brake-based torque vectoring while most others are going to a true torque vectoring AWD that ca. actually propel the outside wheel.
i have 2018 model highlander Front wheel drive, and its so good at fuel saving and drives great in city with all my family.
I love the TOYOTA HIGHLANDER the best SELLING SUV. I am TEAM TOYOTA
same here
ok
YEAH BOIIIIII
Deklen Martin cool
I have this vehicle but in the Nightshade model in all black. Love it!!!
I would want to see how the hybrid version with the 18s (xle hybrid) works on those course lol
Just traded in our 2007 Yukon for a 2019Highlander Limited Platinum. Love it.
I hope They have LED head LIGHTS for redesign 2020 HIGHLANDER
I own a land cruiser, but one of my friends own a highlander, and he really likes it!
Hello sir, if you have a choice toyota highlander 2019 or honda pilot 2019? Which is the best for you.
I really like the whole video...but when you said donuts...I was like 🙋♂️...ooooh yeah!
I definitely appreciate the technical details. Seems most don't even go over all of the "Awd" systems out there.
Nice information
Power mode was left out for the highlander SE awd. You should try it out on shiftronic mode. It's very aggressive.
Just bought my 2008 Limited this winter for $11,600 cash, the thing looks brand new still albeit 100,000 miles on it. I absolutely love it and it did amazing on my spring break drive from Indiana to Telluride and Vail to ski! So much fun mountain driving, turned off traction control and did some donuts, now I am trying to put a nice set of wheels paired with BFG KO2 tires on for a more agressive look. I threw a roof rack, kayak bars, LED pods all the way around for 360 lighting, to make it my perfect little hauler for my mountain bikes, dirtbike trailer, kayaks, camping gear, DJ equipment and future kiddos. Definitely a great choice, I would have gotten into way too much trouble if I had bought a 4Runner like I originally planned, would have tried to offroad it every chance I got and end up breaking a daily driver, so best to go buy a mud toy seperate!
Hell yeah, bro, my mom has a 2004 Toyota Highlander with the 3.3 v6 and it just rolled over 300k today when we took it to Estes Park Colorado. I love the Highlander because it's basically a Camry so it's light and peppy around town and gets great MPG. And because it's a Toyota you'd have to try to kill it, we rarely change the oil in it and it still runs fine lol.
Ok to expensive. Should have gone with gx 470 lexus there are plenty of suv on autotrader for that same price with same year and same milage although fuel economy is crappy but it will go offroad for real truck based 4x4.
@@mjfamgo6563 any near me already have 200,000 miles on em but going for $9k. I'm good with the Highlander, but yeah a truck would have been nice, mine does everything I need it to as an outdoor toy and camping hauler though. I shouldn't offroad my daily anyways
@ Still want a 4runner in the future for some overlanding/offroading trips as a toy so I don't ruin a daily driver. I am sure you are gonna have fun with a 4runner lucky!
@ yeah my personal opinion is Toyota Land Cruiser anf 4runner are king based on offroadability and reliability and able to go half a million miles+ ive been riding dirtbikes since I was 4 If that counts as offroading. Always trail riding in the woods, now just gotta apply it to a vehicle and good line choice
I currently own a accord, but its just a normal car. Hopefully i can sell this accord for decent price and buy a highlander. Ive seen a few suvs, ranging from infiniti, lexus, dodge, but Toyota i think is very reliable and at the same time the v6 and awd is just really good
I love Netflix I love streaming but guess what when you’re in a random part of the country that doesn’t have great cell service you know it works every time A DVD/Blu-ray
It does have torque vectoring and can transfer power side-to-side. It doesn't have actual clutch packs so it uses the ABS instead to clamp down on the spinning wheel to send the power to the other side.
Does the rearview entertainment system offer an SD card slot? Maybe parents could upload movies and shows up onto a card for the kids that way. Or, if there's a USB connection to the rear screen, maybe an external HD could hold movies and shows of the kids.
Wow Nice Video
I love that car and i am going to buy that car
The highlander is a well sorted vehicle by now so I'd like mine in limited trim please.
Yes there is a power mode, just set it. Very simple and must more positive engine and transmission mapping.
2019 toyota rav4 xle premium awd please? Or the torture vectoring limited trim
I am wondering how much is the real combined gas consumption of Highlander? Do you have any idea for that? It will help me to decide which model to buy. Highlander or Honda passport.
Thank you
Toyota highlander is a good car to buy because it has so many aspects that one can need on a mid size SUVS. I love this car
Do this in a review against the Subaru ascent
kinda weird how almost zero car reviewers compare the Highlander to the Mazda CX9; for us, the CX9 was its main competitor and drove quite a bit more athletically. We're finally going with the Highlander due to its characteristic sheetmetal and paint which are both more kid-proof than Mazda's Miata-like build, but the CX9 was by far a stronger contender than any of the other 3-row competitors. North Americans manufacturers can't build cars and CVTs belong on vehicles less than 500kg (unless you're Toyota). I just wish our 2018 was a PHEV.
I really like Toyota. One of the most reliable brands I’ve owned. So I’m looking to buy one and these dealers in LA are damn expensive and crazy they want 43k$ and these are left overs . The 2020 third seat is a joke the seat is maybe 1.5 inches from the floor so you’re sitting in a yoga pose back there.
Do an acura mdx next with this test!
Like this design over 2022 model
I like the front end of the SE model (with the black grill and LED DRL). I hardly see any Highlanders in the SE trim tho, all I see is Highlanders with the XLE badge on them.
Baasil F. Highlanders go from base trim level start as follows: LE, SE, XLE, LIMITED. . ALSO HYBRID BASE, HYBRID XLE & HYBRID LIMITED
@@shiboi941 wrong, LE, LE PLUS, XLE, SE, LIMITED, LIMITED PLATINUM, all offers AWD and Hybrid
Is the AWD system in the 2019 Highlander any better than the 2017 model? It’s quite disturbing to see it’s bad performance in the roller and diagonal test, I was about to finalize a deal.
It is a hard choice between the 3. Toyota has a history of reliability. Don’t know now. Were you test driving in the Sweethome, Oregon area up highway 20?
Own the limited it made a fan out of me we tow a boat travel and very light offraod as in a dirt lane or two it us in ice and snow every year has been worth every penny
Pano roof is offered on the platinum trim
Old video but there is a power mode in the dash menu's which adjusts the throttle etc......... basically sport mode.
prefers subaru but I wonder when its engine or cvt will blow.
We bought it the 2019 limited love it
38.335. Out the door do your homework
Thanks
Limited, touring or whatever they all same. After driving m235xi for 4 years, it feels garbage vehicle. Everything feels sluggish in Highlander. Bought it only for commute to put heavy miles. Toyota need to amp up their game by providing low end torque. Even turtle may beat most Toyotas.
@@rauleyshar3635 You chose the right car. My moms Highlander hit 300k miles today and we abuse the fuck out of the car, one time I changed the oil and it came out looking like molasses.
That' sounds about right.
SE trim is much better then XLE
The Subaru Ascent has been found to have not aged well. They have lots of transmission problems. in 2019 I went the highlander over the Ascent and I have to say I couldn't be happier now with 75k. Still running like a champ
Superb and entertaining review. Toyota needs to make something like the new Honda Passport. They need a two row sporty V6 shorter and higher soft reader. Highlander is beginning to look and feel its age.
I totally agree. They will probably stretch the next generation of Highlander by 4" to compete with the Pilot and the Ascent. They need to slot a vehicle in between the small Rav4 and the growing Highlander; just like Honda just did. I'm a Toyota Owner and fan, but time will tell if they offer a right size vehicle for us.
@@wind7sailor Or just increase the size of the RAV4 slightly and bring back the V6. The RAV4 is fine but after getting to drive a Highlander for a few days I'd rather buy the Highlander, more room, V6, and a little more refined. They have the Toyota C-HR now to fill the void by increasing the size of the RAV4 slightly and doing some refining on the RAV4 and the Highlander in the next model years. They have a great lineup and I'd gladly drive a RAV4 AWD but if I had to choose I'd definitely go with a Highlander for the added room and the V6 with some light duty towing capability that the RAV4 is lacking.
@@wildbill23c yea, totally agree about the new Highlander being smoother, quieter and more refined, but it's getting too big/long for my wife as we only need space for 5 and she doesn't want the almost foot-longer 3-row and the Highlander has joined this club. I would love the larger vehicles, but this is mainly my wife's car. I loved our test drive of the 2019 limited platinum Highlander, but sadly it still didn't have Apple Carplay. I even contacted Toyota to see if I could upgrade this entune 3 system to Carplay like people can do with older Ford Sync 3 systems, but the answer is NO and you have to get the even longer Highlander.
@@wind7sailor Have you checked out the RAV4? Its quite a bit smaller than the Highlander, course cheaper too. I've driven the Rav4 and Highlander both, and like the Highlander with the larger cargo space, don't need 3 rows of seats but you can always just leave the 3rd row folded down. If you haven't done so checkout the Rav4, your wife may like it for its smaller size. I enjoyed the loaner Rav4 I had for a week last year, it was pretty smooth riding as well.
I don't do anything in my vehicles with electronic devices so no apple or android crap is just fine for me LOL.
@@wildbill23c I'm taller and the shrinking, tightness and excessive noise of the new, smaller Rav4 makes it marginal at best. If I could take the stronger engine of the Rav4 hybrid and put it in the Subaru Forester would make the perfect car for us. Just don't like the Forester's marginally adequate engine and the shuttering Stop/start system, I'd take the Highlander's smoothness and quietness over the Forester any day. Just wish Toyota would make a larger 5 seat model to fill this void like Honda just did.
Oh I love nature
I own a 2017 Highlander XLE. I should have done a bit of research because I “ thought “ the SE was just a level up from the LE and a XLE was above both. I guess the SE is essentially an XLE with the sport tuned suspension some blackout treatment and accent stitching on the seats because everything else on my same colour as this one XLE has all the same things inside minus the cargo mat ( we have the optional plastic “ trunk “ liner ). Just about 6 or 7 months ago I took our Highlander up a very similar road with a few spots where 4x4s had put some pretty deep ruts in the mud between the rocks. I just drove on the high spots between the ruts and it did fine. I did however push the 4x4 button in front of the shifter as a precaution but ran in normal mode for the rest of the road which is a sea level to 2200 feet mostly steep 2 or 3 mile bumpy rocky muddy goat path. I was wondering if the sport tuned suspension is simply different struts / shocks than the LE, XLE and Limited trims? Could someone replace the regular struts with the SE’s struts without any other mods and get that “ stiffer “ ride and is the SE’s lower profile 19 inch tires most of that stiffer ride? My XLE rides great although it “ leans “ more towards comfort than handling. We have a 2023 RAV4 Limited hybrid and it”s ride is more taunt and I like it. Not that the 2017 XLE is concerning to me when cornering after all it’s an SUV with 8inches of ground clearance so some “ roll” is to be expected. Oh and on the ground clearance thing, the only thing that hangs lower than the other critical underbody stuff is the exhaust where it runs under the rear diff so be aware to not put any bigger rocks to the middle of the chassis.
P.s. you mention no “power mode “. Maybe I misunderstood but there is one if you go to the middle of the dash info screen and find the screen with on and off options for the LDA and other options.theres one for “ ECO “ which I’ve changed to Power ( I think it’s called ) and the acceleration is noticeably better for passing quickly. Otherwise ECO mode will get you up to speed pretty decently as well.
Would like to have the SE but I want AWD and I can not find one in our area in White. Buying the XLE AWD
Thats so sad! Hope you like your XLE!
Is this similar to my 2009 Lexus RX350 AWD?
There is a power mode. (Sport) its in the settings
I really like the Ascent but they are a new vehicle around $40k. I can get a 2016 Highlander XLE for $28,000 to $30,000.
Is that how the wipers move on the XLE too
Plz test 2019 Mazda CX-9
Hey so you said that the highlander is gonna get a refresh meaning a new design and etc what year would that be? Do you know?
2020 is all new. We should be filming a review early next year.
Needs an immediate refresh to even consider buying
I hope they restyle the front and get rid of the giant grille slats.
Does this have open country tires?
Do a review on the Dodge Durango RT and SRT and Jeep srt !!!
We couldn’t get a Durango RT/SRT (none in the press fleet in Seattle right now) but we do have a Durango GT video dropping next Tuesday!
The next Jeep were filming is the new Gladiator.
And a follow up review two years later on them.
Two years later: customer's wallets are emty..
How do you turn on the back wiper
Hello Mr. Highlander 2019, how much does it cost?
No LED headlights even on the top trim levels is a bit ridiculous for 2019.
Another symptom of a rig that is due for an update.
All I saw was standard led fog lights on the limited trim
no they have them limited and up and Im pretty sure they have it on se. I saw it when I went to get my highlander but I ended up getting limitied becuase I dont like the se seat trim
1:08 here they are
@@RJ-xj3ct no trim of the Highlander has LED headlights. Not even a Limited Platinum.
Hello awesome video. I have 2006 Toyota highlander but I want to buy 2019 suv which suv do you recommend because I am looking for suv that reliable , safety, good and quality please help me thank you
Favorite right now is the Ascent if you want a three-row all-arounder. If you need serious off-road ability: 4Runner.
No memory seats!?
It does have a center locker button.
Guessing crawling through the rocks that this mode would have helped...
I will be disappointed if the AWD with torque vectoring, a new infotainment system with Apple/Android car play, LED headlight, and a 'real' leather seats are not part of the 2020 Highland especially when Highlander is approaching the $50K price point. On the other hand, Toyota has one thing going for them, its' bullet proof reliability as I don't think any car surpassed its yet in that department. My 2007 Sienna still drives like new :).
I’ve found Subaru’s 8.7” ground clearance really can’t handle anymore than a trail. Solid Skid plates will do way more than an extra 0.6” of clearance on a highlander
Why no led headlights?