Comparison Test Countdown: #4 2008 Toyota Highlander Limited
If the Pilot was the most truck-like, the 2008 Toyota Highlander felt the most like a wagon. That's probably because it's the smallest vehicle in our test -- length, width and curb weight were all at the bottom of the pack. This size difference certainly contributed to many of the Highlander's highs and lows, although ultimately, it was unimpressive driving dynamics and Toyota's slipping interior execution that cemented it into the fourth spot.
Read the complete 2008 Toyota Highlander Review
Like most Toyotas saddled to the company's 3.5-liter V6, the Highlander's powertrain proved to be its best attribute. With 270 horsepower, it produced the quickest 0-to-60 time at 7.8 seconds and had the best EPA-estimated fuel economy at 17 mpg city, 23 mph highway and 19 mpg combined (the Buick actually equaled the Highlander, but only because it was front-wheel-drive). We also like the responsive transmission, which quickly produced downshifts when called upon.
We were less enthusiastic about the Toyota's brakes. Unlike the Pilot's, they performed well but were touchy and non-linear. A few of our drivers found themselves herking and jerking about for the first few miles. The steering is also over-powered and devoid of communication. While its low-effort weighting was nice at lower speeds, the steering's vague performance at higher speeds doesn't lend much confidence -- overcorrecting in emergency situations is possible. The Highlander battled the Pilot for being the least engaging to drive.
Inside, the Highlander exhibited the same downward quality trend that has been showing up in recent Toyotas. Plastic panels didn't line up properly and often didn't match up in color. The bright orange trim is allegedly supposed to evoke wood, but there's no wood we know of that bends and shapes in this manner -- nor that's the precise shade of Oompa Loompa. We also didn't care for the tightly stretched leather upholstery, which felt almost like vinyl. In terms of interior quality and fit/finish, the Highlander looks nice at first, but a closer inspection revealed it to be at the bottom.
Second-row seat space was OK, though, and we liked the innovative hideaway middle seat that can be removed and stored in the front center console. The third row seat was at the bottom of the pack, with only the Veracruz trailing in space and comfort. The seat is low to the floor to compensate for a low roof, and it's only suitable for children. The Highlander's third row is also the only one in the test not to feature a split seatback, limiting the ability to ferry passengers and cargo simultaneously. The second-smallest cargo hold aft of the third row doesn't help things.
As the lone mom in the test, Senior Editor Bryn MacKinnon found the Highlander immediately easy to use and thought it felt really dialed in for life with kids. And yet, she placed the Highlander behind the Buick in terms of what she would recommend to the average buyer. Why? Even with higher feature content and leather upholstery, the Highlander had a less rich, lower quality interior and less family-friendly space. And hense, you have the Achilles' Heel.
Pick Score: 13
Recommended Score: 15
Weighted Total Score: (40/60%): 28.4
Each editor ranked each crossover from first to last for what they would personally buy (picks) and what they suggest the average consumer buy (recommended). First place was awarded five points, last place got one.
- Posted by
- James Riswick July 9, 2008, 12:00 PM
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- Car Buying
I just turned in my 2005 Highlander and took the 2008 for a test drive, expecting to be impressed... but I wasn't, at least, not much. True, the newly designed Highlander has an infinitely better transmission than my old one, but the new one seems to have lost something in the "tossability" category. It, like the Pilot, still felt too trucky for me. I prefer the Enclave and the Veracruz as well: http://blogs.edmunds.com/strategies/2008/05/2008-hyundai-veracruz-small-price-to-pay-for-happiness.html
It looks so dumpy, the back I admit doesn't look so bad in person but in the pictures and on the streets that nose is horrific.
Two problems for me - Small cargo area, and the 3rd row is a single piece. If I was going to try and make do with a crossover, I'd want a split folding third row so that I'd have at least half of a rear cargo area when only one person was back there. The hide-away second row middle seat is a nice touch, but since this one is the narrowest vehicle in the test, I suspect it would be difficult to fit three booster seats across that second row. With three kids, you either have to fit them all three across, or keep that third row up and not have enough cargo space for even a week's worth of groceries. Imagine trying to bring home a Costco haul, or carry a dog kennel to the park (I don't like the dog wandering freely about the vehicle). Just don't see the point of this vehicle.
ahightower -- Right on. I hated the fact that my third-row seat in the Highlander wasn't split, and in fact it was a "dealkiller" when I thought about getting the new Highlander. I think it's the only one in this class with this problem, and it's ridiculous that a company as smart as Toyota can't get around this. The area behind the third row is indeed skimpy... in fact I think I've got more cargo room in the trunk of my Altima hybrid -- which is "compromised" to make room for the hybrid battery.
As for fitting three booster seats across, fugedaboutit. You can't do that in the new Highlander nor in a number of "family friendly" cars.
It appears that your thoughts have changed quite a bit from your earlier, complete review of the 2008 Highlander. I didn't see any mention of the just ok 2nd row seat, or the ill fitting trim and gaps, or the "orange" trim either. Everyone is aware, by now, that the smaller Highlander does not have the same 3rd row seating or storage. I also did not see any mention earlier of just fair brakes.
I have had my 2008 Limited since January, with about 10,000 trouble free miles, and am more happy with the car as time goes by. I find the brakes work very well, the leather seats are very similar to other leather seated cars I have owned, my interior trim has no gaps, and after about one week, I got totally used to the light steering....so much so that driving my wifes 2000 Lexus GS300 feels almost trucklike. It has caused me no sudden manuever mishaps, and the car tracks perfectly on the freeway. I average 19 mpg with mixed driving, and have made 24+ mpg on trips, at 75-80 mph and a/c on. To me, the fit and finish on the car are first rate, the car is small enough to be very easy to park and manuever in tight areas, and it has a wonderful drive train. I'll put up long term Toyota reliability against any of those other makes, and so will Consumer Reports, based on real world ownership of all those other cars