Highlander offers new look, new attitude for 2008

Highlander offers new look, new attitude for 2008

2008 Toyota Highlander
By: Rob Beintema

CALGARY - Ah, the Toyota Highlander. In the past, there have been a lot of good reasons to own one. But never a compelling reason to buy one. At least, that’s been my take on this mid-size SUV since its 2000 debut.

No knock against the Highlander, it has fulfilled its role admirably as a gap-filler, a bridge between the entry-level RAV4 and Toyota’s truck-based sport utes.

The Highlander was a compromise vehicle built on the Camry’s passenger-car platform, blending car-like ride, handling and fuel economy with just enough sport ute flavour to offer a logical and attractive mid-size alternative to minivans.

Hmm, I almost balked there at calling it “attractive” because, to me, it always seemed as if the Highlander had been designed to be inoffensive rather than inspirational. Cleanly-styled and ergonomic in all the right places.

But with no passion. With the kind of bland, play-it-safe, inside-and-out looks common to other, good ol’ reliable Toyota models like the Corolla, like the Camry and like the . . , uhh, the . . , uhh, sorry, I drifted off for a moment there.

But then, recently, some kind of dimensional paradigm shift happened, universes collided, I’m pretty sure hell froze over and Toyota designers started taking styling risks, hatching a funky little Yaris, building an award-winning Camry that was, ooh, damn sexy, and pumping out new Tundra pickup trucks that looked mean, gritty and, well, like real trucks. A look that would inevitably trickle down to an all-new and redesigned 2008 Highlander.

The Highlander was also being goosed from below by a bigger and better entry-level RAV4, all the more reason for an evolutionary upward shift in both size and sophistication.

And, as happy as Highlander owners were with what they already had, they ticked off a few items on their wish lists for the new model. Mainly, the aforementioned bump up in styling excitement with bigger wheels to match, and a little more interior space, especially in the second row.

Toyota was listening.

The new 2008 Highlander is bigger. One inch (25mm) taller and almost four inches (96mm) longer with a three inch (75mm) wheelbase stretch. Overall width has also increased by just over three inches (75mm), which has naturally broadened track width by two inches (64mm). The corresponding space increase inside the seven-passenger interior is notable, especially in subjective shoulder room and the second and third rows each offer almost four inches of added legroom.

Cargo space is up, maxing out to 2701 litres (or 95.4 cu. ft.) with the second and third row seats folded, significantly up from the previous model’s 2282 litres (80.6 cu.ft).

The one-piece third row bench flops forward with one-handed ease and there’s an available remote release system with two levers for the second row, also operated from the cargo area. Very convenient for quick loading and it saves all that running around from seat to seat. A pull-out tonneau cover has been stashed underneath the cargo floor along with extra storage hideaways. And a separate glass hatch in the tailgate door is now available in midrange and upscale models.

The 40/20/40 second row seating system shows some versatility too, with a unique, new Centre Stow Seat that can be removed and stowed under the front centre console, converting the second row bench into two captain’s chairs with a small pass-through between.

Up front, the interior shows more flash and flair, tastefully done in a variety of palette choices depending on trim level selection. There are nice available and thoughtful touches too - plenty of storage spots, a flip-down conversation mirror, and a unique-for-Toyota 3.5-inch backup screen and camera system independent of the Navigation system.

These back up a loaded list of standard items that includes seven airbags, keyless entry, power remote heated exterior mirrors, tilt/telescoping steering, cruise control, new Optitron gauges, accessory power outlets, and a 6-speaker 160-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3 input jack, to name just a few.

But enough frivolity. On to the engine compartment, where a newly-developed 3.5-litre V6 engine harnesses 270 hp @ 6,200 rpm and 248 lb-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm. That’s up 55 hp and 26 lb-ft over the 3.3 litre V6 used in the previous generation Highlander and, combined with some cooling improvements and structural reinforcement, it also bumps the Highlander’s towing ability from 3500 lbs to a new 5000 lb rating.

The engine power comes on smoothly and is complemented by excellent handling, larger platform poise and a very civilized ride feel that still shows its Camry roots.

With the increase in size, there’s a logical increase in curb weight, about 100 kg across the board (although that’s hard to measure and compare accurately considering changes in trim levels and content) but, overall, the power to weight ratio has definitely improved with even slightly better fuel economy, rated at 12.3L/8.8L/100 km (city/hwy). Pretty close to the numbers we got on our limited, one-day test drive at the vehicle launch.

All Highlander models in Canada come equipped with full-time four-wheel drive (4WD) and a five-speed, Super Electronically Controlled Transmission (5 Super ECT) that features sequential shift-matic manual controls.

A tech-heavy list of dynamic driving features includes new speed-sensitive electric power steering, Antilock Braking Systems (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system is also standard, bolstered by Traction Control (TRAC).

And, new this year, Toyota has added a Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) that prevents rollback when releasing one’s foot from the brake, and Downhill Assist Control (DAC), for descending steep grades.

All these techy bits are wrapped in a new, bigger body with bolder lines, bulging fenders, mounting the swept-back headlamps and trapezoidal grille that is the new look of Toyota trucks and standing on larger, up-to-19-inch wheels wearing fatter P245 rubber.

So, in summary, the 2008 Toyota Highlander, as good as it was, had made some significant changes.

Changed its size, changed its shape, changed its power, performance and content levels. And, when it comes to compelling reasons to buy one, it has probably changed my attitude.



The 2008 Toyota Highlander starts at $39,650 Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Base Model. The SR5 model begins at $41,900. The Sport has an MSRP of $46,200. Finally, the fully-loaded Limited starts at $49,900. The NAV package adds $3,150.

The 2008 Toyota Highlander goes on sale in Canada in August of 2007. For more info, check out Toyota.ca and look for a new Highlander Hybrid to follow in the fall.

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