As I climbed into the Highlander's warm cab the winter sun was shining intensely through the windows, perpetuating the delusion that summer had arrived. With sunglasses filtering the UVs, my ride-partner and I set off for destinations unknown - unknown mainly due to our inability to follow the route guide (it's a guy thing). In addition to
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| I was appreciative of the quality and comfort Toyota has built into its midsize SUV. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
sincerely appreciating the blast of warmth from the Highlander's heating system, I was appreciative of the quality and comfort Toyota has built into the SUV; except of course for the third-row seat, which should come with its own chiropractor. This seat will accommodate two "friendly adults" but is best left for their offspring instead. As with any Toyota of late, the Highlander is extremely well assembled. Interior joints and seams fit together with exact precision, and most surfaces were pleasing to the touch. Nothing screamed "low rent," but there were a few areas such as door panels and the plastic center console that I thought could have been composed of better quality
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| Although said to be able to accommodate two adults, the third row seats are best left to children. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
ingredients. But such demerits are more likely a product of Toyota's effort to keep the Highlander's price tag as reasonable as possible, rather than inferior design and any lack of attention to detail. After adjusting the power driver's seat in my near base level V6, 7-passenger Highlander, I put the shifter into drive and departed for the back roads north of Calgary. My immediate impression was that it is a very comfortable, easy to drive SUV. In fact, of the various Toyota products that I piloted during the trip, it was the one I would choose for any long distance hauling. The Highlander's driving dynamics make it a pleasure cruise in, and that can be attributed to its Camry roots.
