- suv
- Lakeland, FL
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- autoshopper.com
2003 toyota highlander review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Smooth, no-hassle hauling for people and gear. introductiontoyota highlander is among the easiest of motoring companions. Getting in and out of it couldn't be easier. The rear seats can be folded down for cargo carrying. Yet it can swallow impromptu flea-markets buys with ease, and tote them home despite sudden worsening of the weather. There's also a choice of engines: a 2. 4-liter inline-4 comes standard, and is rated 155 horsepower. A 3. 0-liter v6 that produces 220 horsepower is optional. Some of the limited's standard features are offered as options on the base highlander, either by themselves or grouped into packages. highlander limited 29,935 with 2wd, $30,795 with 4wd) comes with the v6 as standard equipment, and adds automatic climate control, an eight-speaker jbl sound system, eight-way power driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support, aluminum wheels, roof rack, fog lights, rear privacy glass, heated mirrors, remote keyless entry with security system and engine immobilizer, wood-grain interior trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and other amenities. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, and an in-dash six-disc cd changer are optional. with either trim level, and especially with the v6, we highly recommend the optional traction control with vehicle skid control 850). We also recommend the seat-mounted side-impact airbags 250). . walkaroundtoyota highlander looks smart and trim, falling somewhere between the edgy high style of the rav4 and the intense purposefulness of the 4runner. The highlander is actually roomier than the outgoing lexus rx 300. The family resemblance to the lexus is evident, but the highlander is dressed down, rather like wearing faded jeans and a favorite windbreaker instead of dry-clean-only lunch-with-the-ladies attire. entry, both for cargo and for people, is easier than in truck-based suvs. With its more car-like step-in and lift-into, the highlander is even friendly to wearers of tight skirts. Not so the usual truck-based suv. . interiorwhen it comes to ingress and egress (getting in and out), toyota highlander has no peers. Neither climbing up nor stepping down is required. Simply slide into one of the comfortable front seats. This makes highlander one of the most convenient vehicles on the planet for running daily errands. The seats are supportive and comfortable and adjust to suit various-size drivers. Part of the appeal of suvs is the ease of seeing out at every angle. Power window buttons are right there on the doors. Radio and heater controls use simple dials and amply sized buttons and operate intuitively. V6 models come with aluminum interior accents. Wood and chrome touches warm and brighten the limited edition. the shifter is uniquely positioned more as a part of the dash than on a central console. This opens up the space between the front seats. It also lends an open, unconfined air to the cockpit. Map pockets, visor mirrors, and front and rear auxiliary power outlets are provided. . driving impressiontoyota highlander is easy to drive and operate. It feels instantly familiar with no fumbling for controls. The highlander is quieter than truck-based suvs both in engine and road noise. It rides smoothly on a variety of surfaces, true to the car side of its suv heritage. It's far easier to deal with on a daily basis than a truck-based sport-utility. It also gets better fuel economy (22/27 mpg city/highway vs. 18/22 for the 4wd v6). The steering is sedan-like with an appropriate feel. Braking is certain and smooth. Acceleration is nimble. We didn't feel like we were missing something by not having the v6. highlander feels at home around town, amidst traffic lights and parking seekers. It's a good size for city streets and soaks up potholes and irregular pavement well. Rolling into suburbia, the highlander fits right in. It's a natural mall-crawler, maneuverable and quick to nose into a parking slot. Steering effort is very light at low speeds, so it's easy to turn in tight quarters. It cruises well on major highways, offering good stability and a smooth, quiet ride. highlander deals with mountain roads like an expert speller in the early stages of a championship bee. Snow melt, muddy ruts, icy patches on shadowed curves were easily handled by a 4wd v6 model. On a meandering backroad, the highlander cut up hills through eight inches of newly fallen snow like a snowplow on a rescue mission. highlander is intended primarily as a highway and street vehicle with all-weather capability. It is not meant for boulder bashing and serious off-road driving. That said, we found the highlander more capable in demanding situations than toyota publicizes. After all, toyota has the 4runner for serious off-road duty. . summarytoyota highlander is an excellent choice as a no-hassle wagon. It is a jack of all trades. Its ease of operation and convenience features make it eminently easy to live with. Toyota's reputation for quality, durability and reliability should mean trouble-free ownership and a strong resale value. toyota is determined to have the best-outfitted suv stores on the planet, with an array of both truck and car-based models ranging from compact cute-utes to hulking suburban fighters. Five different sport-utilities are now available from toyota, and that's not counting the two from lexus. Clearly, toyota's goal is to meet every need, want, taste and whim of the suv shopper. Highlander meets the needs of what most people want from a modern, on-road sport-utility. . model lineup4-cyl 2wd 23,880); 4-cyl 4wd 25,280); v6 2wd 25,460); v6 4wd 26,860); limited 2wd 29,395); limited 4wd 30,795). assembled inkyushu, japan. options as testedvehicle skid control and traction control 650); side airbags 250); qo quick order package 630) includes remote keyless entry, tonneau cover, privacy glass; he preferred package 645) includes 8-way power driver's seat, homelink garage door opener, illuminated sunvisor vanity mirrors, immobilizer pre-wire for alarm; floor and cargo mat set 170); aluminum wheels 520); color-keyed mudguards 80); heated folding outside mirrors 30). model testedtoyota highlander 4x2 23,880). Bucket Seats✔ Power Windows✔ Anti-lock Brakes✔ Climate Control✔ Cruise Control✔ Air Conditioning✔ CD Changer✔ Aluminum Wheels
Lakeland, FLLakeland, FL at autoshopper.com