2008 Toyota Highlander
Test drove: 8/09/2007 to 8/21/2007
SUV Appears to Have Spent Serious Time at the Spa
A day at the spa is absolutely brilliant. I usually arrive tuckered out, left in a lusterless state by any number of restless nights, yet depart hours later with a rejuvenated spirit and a fresh vitality that radiates out from within. Of course, this invigorating glow typically vanishes faster than a roll of Charmin around my toilet-training tyke, but still I embrace those moments of quiet pampering that leave me looking like new.
The new Toyota Highlander, redesigned for 2008, looks like it too has spent some time in a spa; Toyota has somehow managed to transform it from a dull and unexciting car into today’s revitalized SUV.
When I went to pick up my test vehicle for the week, I was expecting a big honking SUV, so when the Highlander appeared in my field of vision my eyes lit up and I made a direct beeline to it, pleasantly surprised by its sharpened appearance. New lines, more contour, a sassy snout and a higher profile? Did someone pimp this ride, or what?
Up until now, I had always discarded the Highlander as a car that was just plumb U-G-L-Y, yet here I was suddenly marveling at it, admiring its face-lift. When I got closer for a peek inside, things only got better.
Listen up, Mamas: The second row comes with an extremely groovy feature. It can be converted from a three-seat row into two captain’s chairs, with the removable middle seat storing neatly into the rear of the center console. The captain’s chairs made the car feel van-like and roomy, but there’s nothing van-like about it when you’re speeding down a dirt road in a torrential downpour that quickly turns into a nail-biting hailstorm. I kicked the Highlander into “snow” mode, hastened along and made it to my son’s school to pick him up with time to spare. Whew! I could have used another spa treatment right about then.
I was able to easily keep tabs on the time during that ordeal, as the simple-to-read blue clock/outside temperature display is conveniently located. When you turn on the ignition, this area also displays an initial system check, and one morning when I left the trunk ajar the display alerted me to the exact location of the open door.
Fourteen cupholders, four of which are bottle holders, add to the comfort in the Highlander. Also, when the second row is in its captain’s chairs configuration, it offers a clever two-part activity-table/storage-and-armrests area between the two seats that was big enough to easily diffuse any squabbling between my kids. Furthermore, the crafty conversation mirror allowed me to clearly see who really “did it.”
The test vehicle I drove was even equipped with an engine start/stop button. That allowed me to keep the car key clipped in my diaper bag most of the time. When entering the vehicle, I simply pulled on the car’s exterior handle and the door automatically unlocked as it sensed the key fob’s proximity. Once inside, all you have to do is depress the brake while pushing the start button and the car turns on. Finally, to lock the car once you’re outside the vehicle, just push the small black button on the exterior handle and, again sensing the key fob, the doors lock. My biggest worry with this feature was the “I have no idea where the key is, but it must be somewhere in my bag, because I’m driving, aren’t I?” mentality.
Additional features that impressed me included the standard backup camera; a plethora of airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag; and daytime running lights.
That’s not to say there weren’t a few gripes: The third row doesn’t split, which is an absolute shame, and the “Select” button on the DVD player in the rear was useless. After multiple failed attempts to select “Play” (the curser always jumped to an unwanted location), my husband and I were happy to accidentally select the repeat-play feature because it meant the movie actually came on.
Minor gripes aside, the 2008 Toyota Highlander is radiant. Stylish? Yes. Functional? Yes. Family-friendly? Yes. Sassy? Yes. Van-like comfort? Yes, and without ever having to drive a van. Hybrid option? Yes. Wow! If only my days at the spa had such long-lasting benefits.
*For more information on the 2008 Toyota Highlander and its safety features, visit Cars.com. With questions or comments regarding this review, write to editor@motherproof.com.
LET’S TALK NUMBERS
Latch Connectors: 2
Seating Capacity (includes driver): 7
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample
SENSE AND STYLE
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Great – Excellent
Fun Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove On): Good Times
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| 2008 Toyota Highlandrer AWD Limited | |
| Base price: | $34,150 |
| Price as tested: | $42,059 |
| Engine: | 270-hp, 3.5 liter V-6 |
| Fuel: | 17/23 mpg |
| Length: | 188.4” |
| Width: | 75.2” |
| Ground Clearance: | 8.1” |
| Turning Radius: | 19.4’ |
| Cargo space: | 10.3/95.4 cu. ft. |
| NHTSA Crash-Test Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Frontal Impact | |
| Driver’s side: | Not Rated |
| Passenger’s side: | Not Rated |
| Side Impact | |
| Front occupant: | Not Rated |
| Rear occupant: | Not Rated |
| Rollover resistance: | Not Rated |
Comments
Hello,
Thanks for the review. It was helpful however my husband and I are looking for a site or any discussion where someone has experience with the Infant and child car seat in the center seat in the second row. As there is a removable middle seat but i find its not very secure to put the child's car seat. Also we noticed that the length for the removable seat is not the same as the other pilot seats. Any ideas or comments pls let us know.
Posted by: Noor | Apr 20, 2008 5:31:49 PM
Hi, So far, I love the new Highlander! The only thing that I am concerned about is the 3rd row. I have 4 kids; is the 3rd row meant to be used full time? Is it too close to the tailgate to be 'safe'? Any help would be great.
Posted by: Lisa | May 8, 2008 10:33:02 AM
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I'm so happy that I found this site! It's great to see a car site that truly takes into consideration a woman's needs. We buy cars too!!! ;D I remember a few years ago that I saw on TV a competition sponsored by one of the car makers in which women engineers designed a car for women. There were features that I still remember because I'm sad that we're not seeing them on the market. (Not that I'm aware of, anyway.) Thanks again! Please keep it up! (Maybe someday the salesguy will address me first when I take my husband car shopping with me!)
Posted by: Marlo | Nov 9, 2007 8:57:12 PM