Of course, winter is where a vehicle like the Highlander can truly shine- and with three-zone automatic climate control, heated mirrors and heated wipers, it's ready for a trip any day of the year.
Ride and Handling
Highlander is compliant and gentle on most surfaces, with the large wheel and tire combination transmitting only minimal harshness and noise back into the cabin in exchange for the great looks and cornering they provide.
They don't flatter the Highlanders stability on the highway though, as it can feel nervous and disconnected. It's a function of an over-assisted and vague electric steering setup combined with the sport suspension and big wheels. With these fitted, Highlander sends every movement of the steering wheel directly to the road- like a sports car- but with a hefty pound curb weight and tall ride height, it can feel a bit more twitchy than well-planted. Additionally, in cross-winds, Highlander is pushed around like it's half its size. On windy days, it's like a big four-wheel-drive kite. A heavier steering with a bit more feel could work wonders here.
Automatic 4x4 off the road
Drivers needn't worry about the 4x4 system. It's unsupervised but trustworthy as it delivers power automatically to all four wheels to maintain traction invisibly on any surface. Off the beaten path and into the woods for some late November off-road testing, the Highlander imparted a sense of confidence with respectable ground clearance and no-nonsense 4x4 operation. The system did a bang on job of finding grip smoothly on any surface, and Highlander has little trouble traversing rutted trails or climbing steep, slippery grades. The factory-installed tires weren't quite aggressive enough to dig into serious slush and mud though- preferring to float over top instead.
Toyota's even included a Downhill Assist Control function which electronically walks the machine down slippery hills, as well as a 'snow' setting for the transmission to help prevent skidding. There's a stability control system fitted to this end too- though it activates during most slides and can't be disengaged- even by pressing the button that's supposed to turn it off. It beeps incessantly too, just in case you don't notice.
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| The Highlander is sensitive to crosswinds. |
Ride and Handling
Highlander is compliant and gentle on most surfaces, with the large wheel and tire combination transmitting only minimal harshness and noise back into the cabin in exchange for the great looks and cornering they provide.
They don't flatter the Highlanders stability on the highway though, as it can feel nervous and disconnected. It's a function of an over-assisted and vague electric steering setup combined with the sport suspension and big wheels. With these fitted, Highlander sends every movement of the steering wheel directly to the road- like a sports car- but with a hefty pound curb weight and tall ride height, it can feel a bit more twitchy than well-planted. Additionally, in cross-winds, Highlander is pushed around like it's half its size. On windy days, it's like a big four-wheel-drive kite. A heavier steering with a bit more feel could work wonders here.
Automatic 4x4 off the road
Drivers needn't worry about the 4x4 system. It's unsupervised but trustworthy as it delivers power automatically to all four wheels to maintain traction invisibly on any surface. Off the beaten path and into the woods for some late November off-road testing, the Highlander imparted a sense of confidence with respectable ground clearance and no-nonsense 4x4 operation. The system did a bang on job of finding grip smoothly on any surface, and Highlander has little trouble traversing rutted trails or climbing steep, slippery grades. The factory-installed tires weren't quite aggressive enough to dig into serious slush and mud though- preferring to float over top instead.
Toyota's even included a Downhill Assist Control function which electronically walks the machine down slippery hills, as well as a 'snow' setting for the transmission to help prevent skidding. There's a stability control system fitted to this end too- though it activates during most slides and can't be disengaged- even by pressing the button that's supposed to turn it off. It beeps incessantly too, just in case you don't notice.
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| If you are looking for traction, the Highlander will you plenty. |