GRAVENHURST, Ontario – The Highlander returns for 2011 with an outwardly tweaked and massaged appearance. But the biggest change is under hood, where the 3.3L V6 has been replaced with a more fuel-efficient 3.5L V6, and paired with an enhanced electrical motor and generator system. To improve cold starts in our Canadian winters, there's a new exhaust heat-recovery system.
Outwardly - that grille, resembling an exposed radiator, or kitchen strainer, has been replaced with a more conventional horizontal chrome-bar piece, integrated with stylishly narrow and protruding headlamps. The lantern-jaw of its predecessor gives way to a chrome trimmed air dam with foglights housed in matte-chrome. Character-lines add interest where it once tended to slab-sidedness, with arched- fender flares and black rockers creating an aggressive, sporty look.
Once optional, now standard - all Highlanders are equipped with 3rd row seating for a capacity of seven passengers. And the third row now splits 50/50 for more versatility when carrying odd-shaped loads. The second row still slides back and forth and with its 40/20/40 split - offers a variety of stowing configurations.
Seats are comfortable and our tester's sport what I like to call "mouse-fur" - a velour-like cloth. The cockpit is outfitted in attractive two-tone charcoal and light grey, with a sweeping dash that blends into the centre console. The integrated centre stack is well designed and very straightforward, although the information display at top is placed well out of the driver's sightline, rather than in the gauge cluster, which would be more intuitive. The display features nifty graphics that reward the more frugal driver with feedback on fuel usage and energy regained by regenerative braking.
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| The Highlander returns for 2011 with an outwardly tweaked and massaged appearance. (Photo: Toyota) |
Outwardly - that grille, resembling an exposed radiator, or kitchen strainer, has been replaced with a more conventional horizontal chrome-bar piece, integrated with stylishly narrow and protruding headlamps. The lantern-jaw of its predecessor gives way to a chrome trimmed air dam with foglights housed in matte-chrome. Character-lines add interest where it once tended to slab-sidedness, with arched- fender flares and black rockers creating an aggressive, sporty look.
Once optional, now standard - all Highlanders are equipped with 3rd row seating for a capacity of seven passengers. And the third row now splits 50/50 for more versatility when carrying odd-shaped loads. The second row still slides back and forth and with its 40/20/40 split - offers a variety of stowing configurations.
Seats are comfortable and our tester's sport what I like to call "mouse-fur" - a velour-like cloth. The cockpit is outfitted in attractive two-tone charcoal and light grey, with a sweeping dash that blends into the centre console. The integrated centre stack is well designed and very straightforward, although the information display at top is placed well out of the driver's sightline, rather than in the gauge cluster, which would be more intuitive. The display features nifty graphics that reward the more frugal driver with feedback on fuel usage and energy regained by regenerative braking.
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| The cockpit is outfitted in attractive two-tone charcoal and light grey, with a sweeping dash that blends into the centre console. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com) |