2008 Toyota Highlander First Drive

As a general rule, we tend to operate our lives under the premise that “less is more.” Carrying less weight around our midsection makes us healthier. Buying less “stuff” makes us richer in the long run. You get the picture.

While we’re not ready to pitch that long-held world view into the philosophical dumpster, we are here to tell you that the all-new 2008 Toyota Highlander has caused us to take a good hard look at our own golden rule.

In fact, this new Highlander – which comes loaded with more of everything from horsepower to innovative standard features – has us prepared to admit that sometimes “more” can actually be a pretty good thing too.

While many of us – both consumers and automotive journalists alike – may have come to take the Highlander for granted over the past half-dozen years, in hindsight we have to admit that this vehicle was ahead of its time.

As one of the first midsize car-based sport-utility vehicles when it was launched in 2001, the Highlander helped create a new automotive category called the “crossover utility vehicle,” or “crossover” for short. Blending the practicality of an SUV with the comfort of a passenger car, mid-size crossovers have grown to become one of the hottest new vehicle segments around, with nearly a dozen models currently on dealers’ lots and another five new nameplates expected to be introduced within the next 12 months.

Page 2

One way the folks at Toyota hope to stay on top of this wave of new competition is by offering consumers a wide range of choices. Counting the two new hybrid models that go on sale later this year, there will be a total of five different Highlander variants including the conventionally-powered Highlander, Highlander Sport, and Highlander Limited. Environmentally-conscious types can choose between the entry-level Highlander Hybrid and the upscale Highlander Hybrid Limited models. All 2008 Highlander models will offer three rows of seats standard for up to seven-passenger capacity, which means the only major decision buyers have to make is trim level and the number of driven wheels (front or all) they want for their Highlander.

Even the entry-level Highlander model comes nicely equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, halogen headlights, color-keyed bumpers, mirrors, and door handles, deep-tinted rear privacy glass, and a rear spoiler. Most of the expected creature comforts are standard, such as air conditioning, cloth upholstery, power windows and door locks, cruise control, variable intermittent windshield wipers, and a six-speaker audio system with an auxiliary audio input jack.

Step up to the Highlander Sport and you get sharp-looking 19-inch alloy wheels, unique exterior trim including smoke-colored headlight and taillight lenses, a “sport-tuned” suspension, and front fog lights. Inside, upgrades include power-adjustable front seats, a back-up camera and trip computer with a dash-mounted 3.5-inch display, and a satellite radio-ready audio system with six-disc in-dash CD changer.

While the Highlander and Highlander Sport models are attractive enough, the Highlander Limited is the headturner of the bunch. Major additions to the Sport model’s standard equipment list include chrome exterior and woodgrain interior trim, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a keyless entry/starting system, universal garage door opener, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with built-in digital compass display.

Both Highlander Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid Limited models get distinctive exterior styling details to help them stand out from their conventionally-powered counterparts including a unique grille, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED taillights, and blue-tinted headlight and taillight lenses. Compare standard equipment lists and you’ll discover the Highlander Hybrid base model is equipped comparably to its gasoline-powered cousin (with the addition of a few desirable items including that keyless entry/start system and back-up camera/trip computer), while the Highlander Hybrid Limited list of bells-and-whistles parallels the mainstream Highlander Limited.

Page 3

Available options include three-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated seats, a power moonroof, and a heavy-duty towing package. Electronic gizmos include a voice-activated navigation system with an eight-inch screen, Bluetooth cell phone connectivity, a rear-seat entertainment system with a nine-inch drop-down video monitor, and a JBL premium audio system with six-disc CD changer and nine speakers.

Toyota notes that the 2008 Highlander adds all this new equipment and size with only a modest price increase. This is mostly true when you compare apples to apples, but remember that the 2008 Highlander has no four cylinder model and the third row is standard. Also, the destination charge increased $40 to $685. With that in mind, the base model 4x2 is $27,985 with destination; add four-wheel drive and you’re looking at $29,425. That represents price increases of $510 and $560, respectively. Mid-level Sport models start at $30,635 for the 4x2 and $32,085 for the 4x4, which is $985 and $965 more than the outgoing models. Top-of-the-line Limited models have the biggest price increase thanks to the higher level of equipment. The Limited 4x2 price increases by $1,890 for a total of $33,385 with the new destination charge, while the 4x4 price goes up $1,940 for $34,535.

What hasn’t yet been announced is pricing for individual options, however we don’t expect huge changes in that department. Also, prices for the Highlander Hybrid models will be announced closer to when those vehicles launch in September.