The Toyota Highlander is an SUV midsize crossover produced by Toyota. Toyota Highlander is built on the platform of the Toyota Camry. Announced April 2000 at the New York Auto Show and arrive by the end of 2000 in Japan and January, 2001, in North America, the Toyota Highlander became the first car-based midsize SUV or midsize crossover. The Highlander is a crossover counterpart to the more rugged, midsize truck-based Toyota 4Runner and SUV before being surpassed the smaller Toyota RAV4 in 2006 in Japan the best-selling Toyota, the Kluger is only dealership network that Toyota NETZ a larger alternative to the Toyota RAV4. Can not use the name of the Toyota Highlander in Japan and Australia for trading Hyundai Terracan line trim, Toyota calls the Toyota Kluger (Also called Klu-ger), the name is derived from the German word klüger, which is smart or wise.

Toyota Highlander First Generation (XU20, 2000-2007)

The Toyota Highlander (or Kluger in Japan and Australia) shared a platform and Lexus Rx / Toyota Harrier his cousin. Then, in five years (2001-2007) and seven-seat (2004-2007) configurations and became a sales success for Toyota in many markets around the world. The Toyota Highlander came standard with front wheel drive and offered all wheel drive. Unlike the Toyota 4Runner Toyota’s own and other midsized competitors such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, or Chevrolet Trailblazer, the Toyota Highlander aimed for on-road comfort with its unit body construction and independent rear suspension. Although there was a time longer than the 1996-2002 4Runner at the time it was launched, the Toyota Highlander was surpassed in length by the Toyota 4Runner in 2002.

The Toyota Highlander was available in three trim lines in the United States: the base model, the Sport model, and the model Limited. The base and Limited models were present at the Toyota Highlander at the beginning of the launch, and the Sport model was introduced in March 2006. In Japan, it is regarded as a luxury car as Kluger exceeds the Japanese Government regulations governing the engine displacement and dimensions of the exterior.

In 2004 the wheels on the Toyota Highlander Limited trim changed from a six-spoke, to a variety of five-spoke. The base-model Toyota Highlander wheels changed with steel rims to the alloy wheels that were on the 2001-2003 model year Highlander Limited and B-Package. The Toyota Highlander Sport models had a distinctive grille design, to distinguish themselves from the non-Sport models. Wheel styling and serves to distinguish various ways sports hybrid a twin-spoke design unique. The Kluger was introduced to Australia in 2003. It was available in three touch guises: CV, CVX, and Grande. A limited edition CV Sport model was also released in 2006 was the hybrid model available in Australia. The only engine offered was 3.3-liter 3MZ-FE V6.

Toyota Highlander Second Generation (XU40, 2007-2013)

Toyota revealed Highlander second-generation and Toyota Highlander Hybrid at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, and American sales beginning in July and seed in late September. But Highlander second-generation and Highlander Hybrid are not sold in Japan. The five-seat Highlander United States and Canada ended with the larger feared filed.

Initially the sole powertrain for the Toyota Highlander2008 was 270 horsepower (201 kW) 3.5-liter 2GR-FE V6 mated with a automatic five-speed. Had The model-cylinder but added again in 2009. Although 3.5-liter engine has 55 BHP more than the previous 3.3-liter V6 and an increase in dimensional and increased sound proofing added nearly 500 pounds to the curb weight of the car for about 4,000 lbs, fuel economy is slightly improved. EPA estimated fuel economy for front-wheel drive model is at 18 mpg-US (13 L / 100 km, 22 mpg-imp) city / 24 mpg-US (9.8 L / 100 km, 29 mpg-imp) highway (last gen: 17 mpg-US (14 L / 100 km, 20 mpg-imp) city / 23 mpg-US (10 L / 100 km, 28 mpg-imp) Hwy).

For 2009 Toyota Highlander, Toyota also gave 4-cylinder 5 passenger front-wheel drive models with all-new Lev-II certified 2.7-liter 1AR-FE I4 paired a automatic six-speed. It generates 187 hp (139 kW) at 5,800 rpm and 186 lb · ft (252 N · m) of torque at 4.100 rpm on regular 87 octane fuel. The cylinder delivers EPA estimated fuel economy of 20 mpg-US (12 L / 100 km, 24 mpg-imp) city and 27 mpg-US (8.7 L / 100 km, 32 mpg-imp) highway. This is better than the previous model four-cylinder 19 mpg-US (12 L / 100 km, 23 mpg-imp) / 25 mpg-US (9.4 L / 100 km, 30 mpg-imp).

The same three trim levels offered (Base, Sport, and Limited) until early 2010 when the Toyota Highlander SE Sport model, consumers are able to choose between front-drive or all-wheel drive on V6 platforms. Replacing an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system. Sport and the Limited models get a standard backup camera using the 3.5 inch LCD display. Major options include leather a navigation system touch-screen DVD-based seats, heated seats, a new Smart Key System, an upgraded JBL Synthesis stereo, rear-seat DVD entertainment system with 9-inch screen, and towing package that increases towing capacity of 5000 pounds .

Toyota Highlander Third Generation (XU50, 2013-Present)

On March 27, 2013, Toyota unveiled the third-generation XU50 series Toyota Highlander at the New York International Auto Show, to car dealerships reach in early 2014. Production began on December 5. This version of the long and extensive than it stops the generation and its design has changed from the look of its boxy one that is similar to other mid-size SUV (ie, Jeep Grand Cherokee), but in the crossover. Toyota hopes to identify the people who make and version of the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder, whose designs are somewhat similar to the Highlander and set the MSRP in the $ 29,000 to $ 30,000 (US) range, making it less affordable than the last two.

In addition to the changes, the other one will be seating eight people with a sliding second-row entry point that gives it 4.3 inches of added space and width, soft-touch materials on the instrument panel, the lane-departure warning, pre-collision warning and blind spot monitoring systems. HD Radio and Bluetooth will be standard on all trims for the US version, which is also equipped with Antun multimedia system Toyota and 6.1 inch screen display audio system. An eight-inch screen system and Toyota Antun app suite 12 JBL speakers will be offered as optional feature. The three trims powertrain that will be offered include a 2.7L / 6-speed front-wheel drive base model, a model of 3.5L / 6-speed 6AT both the front wheel or all wheel drive, and awd Hybrid trim with 3.5L / V6 mated to an eCVT .

Toyota Highlander Safety

All models come standard with enhanced Vehicle Stability Control which immediately alters electric powering steering assist w / traction control, anti-lock brakes, brake assist and EBA electricity. And the average monitor tire pressure, driver’s knee airbag, front seat-mounted side chest airbag, side curtain airbags, all three lines including rollover sensor and active front headrests. Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) is also standard which prevents rolling backwards on slopes, and Downhill Assist Control (DAC) on standard awd trims.

The IHS rates the Toyota Highlander “Good” overall in frontal offset crash test, and good in all categories except “Head / neck,” which is rated as “acceptable.” And “Good” overall in the side impact crash test, and “Good” rating in all nine categories measured. The Toyota Highlander is not doing the “Good” in the roof strength test, giving it a Safety Pick award.

Toyota Highlander 2015 XLE AWD