Bigger and better
Toyota appears to have taken the theory of evolution and turned it into an art form. The company rarely makes a quantum leap with a new vehicle, instead they tune and tweak, making small, but significant, changes.
The 2008 Highlander is a case in point. This is only the second generation of the mid-size crossover utility first introduced as a 2001 model. That’s seven years, but the changes are subtle — and effective.
The new edition is bigger, more powerful, roomier and safer than its ancestor. It tows more, too, but it’s less expensive to run.
Available in four models: Base, SR5, Sport and Limited, the exterior is more refined with less aerodynamic drag. All are powered by a new 3.5-litre V6 engine with VVT-I that turns out 270 hp at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700.
Power is delivered to all four wheels through a full-time four-wheel-drive system while shifting is handled by a five-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and “Snow” mode. Torque split is 50/50 front-to-rear all the time. The system uses brake intervention to handle wheelspin situations.
Stomp on the gas and you feel a satisfying, if unspectacular, surge off the line. You aren’t going to win any stoplight races, but you aren’t going to be a rolling speed bump either. More importantly, there’s plenty of power for passing on the highway.
The additional power also boosts towing capacity to 5,000 lbs. (2,268 kg).
All in all, the new Highlander is a pleasant piece to pilot. The new drive-by-wire steering setup responds quickly to steering inputs and gives the driver a good feel for what’s happening under the front tires. Understeer is minimal; the car goes exactly where you point it, handling corners with little body lean or dive.
Standard across the lineup are power assisted disc brakes with ABS, EBD and brake assist. Traction control and Vehicle Stability Control, which the driver can switch off, are also on the standards list.
When you get into hilly situations (and Highlander has the ability to take you on the path less traveled), Downhill Assist Control (DSC) with the transmission in low range, keeps the vehicle speed to a crawl on steep downhill grades. Going the other way, HAC (Hill-start Assist Control) keeps the vehicle from rolling back when the driver releases the brake.
Highlander’s suspension has been upgraded and it shows. Uneven road surfaces don’t upset your comfort and precious little road noise finds its way into the cabin. Wind noise is also well muted.
Three rows of seating is the standard setup and everybody gets airbag protection either from front, side or side curtain bags ... and the driver gets a knee bag as well. On every model except the Base, you get a backup camera that displays on an in-dash screen — you don’t have to move up a couple of models so you can get a nav screen. The only downside to the smallish backup screen (which doubles as multi-function display) is that the display is difficult to read when wearing sunglasses.
The interior makes plenty of room for five people. Head, leg and hiproom is plentiful. Second-row 40/20/40-split folding seats recline to comfortable riding and they fold and stow to enlarge cargo area. The centre section can be removed and stowed in the rear of the front centre console. You will probably find you stow it more than you use it unless you put a child back there. The average adult is just too wide in the beam to be comfy on that perch.
The third-row bench seat, which is reasonably easy to access, will hold two adults comfortably enough for shorter jaunts. It folds easily to make room for your stuff.
As for equipment, the entry-level vehicle comes with a number of unexpected standards including climate control, cruise, 17-in. wheels, power windows and locks with keyless entry and a six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with auxiliary input and MP3/WMA capability. It runs on 17-in. wheels.
SR5, which, oddly, does not carry that badge, upgrades the audio and seat fabric. Front seats get power adjustment and the steering wheel is wrapped in leather. Also added is the 3.5-in. display screen, flip-up glass panel on the rear hatch, power rear door and fog lamps.
Sport boosts performance and stiffens the suspension and mounts 19-in. alloy wheels. You also get power adjustable and heated driver and front passenger seats and a power tilt/slide sunroof.
Limited gives you pretty much the whole ball of wax with premium JBL audio, steering wheel controls for audio and air, electrochromic rear view mirror, chrome accents and smart key system. You can also add DVD navigation system with eight-in. display.
The only real big downside is price ¬— it’s more than $12,000 more than similar models in the U.S., despite the strengthening Canadian dollar.
Fact File
2008 Toyota Highlander
MSRP as tested, before tax: $41,040 - $54,440
Configuration: front engine/ AWD
Engine/Transmission: 3.5-litre V6/ 5-speed augtomatic
Horsepower: 270 @ 6,200 rpm
Torque: 248 @ 4,700 rpm
Freight: $1,390
Fuel required: 72.5 litres, regular
EnerGuide fuel ratings (L/100 km): 12.3 city; 8.8 hwy.
Warranty: 3 years/60,000 km basic
Competition: Honda Pilot, Saturn Outlook, Hyundai Veracruz
Highlights: Standard backup camera, rides like a sedan, big controls
Model price range: $39,650 - $49,900
Engines available: 3.5L V6
Transmissions available: 5-speed automatic
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