In addition to optional front-seat-mounted side airbags, the 2004 Highlander receives optional first and second row curtain side-airbags. Given that small children and
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| Further enhancing the Highlander's safety components, Toyota has installed a tire pressure warning system as standard equipment. (Photo: Toyota Canada) |
infants are safer when riding in the rear seats, Toyota has equipped the second-row seat with a child restraint LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) that provides top tether anchors for all three seating positions and lower anchors for outboard seating positions. Hoping to avoid a loss of handling or stability, Toyota has installed a tire pressure warning system as standard Highlander equipment as well. This technology can help prevent an accident by reducing the possibility of a serious loss of tire pressure while underway.
While I only tested the 4WD Highlander, it is also available in a 2WD configuration. This is the entry-level vehicle. Paul Given explained that it remains in the Highlander fleet as a price-point leader and is only available with the base engine, which is a 2.4-liter, 16-valve inline 4-banger that generates 160-horsepower and 163 foot-pounds of
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| The 2WD base Highlander is the entry-level vehicle, with a segment leading price point. (Photo: Toyota Canada) |
torque with the use of variable valve timing. Since Toyota discontinued the Camry wagon, vehicles such as the front-wheel drive Highlander and RAV4 have been expected to pick up the slack. Paul estimates that only 8 percent of the Highlanders sold will be of the 2-wheel drive variety. In Canada the 4WD Highlander is structured around two trim levels. A lengthy standard equipment list applies to the base vehicle, which includes defroster-linked air conditioning with a cabin air filter, UV-reduction glass, power windows and door locks, cruise control, tilt steering wheel, variable intermittent windshield wipers and a deluxe 3-in-1 AM/FM/ETR cassette/CD sound system with six speakers.
