Suspension components play a large part in keeping you comfortable and for a vehicle that people rarely use off-road; Toyota has kept a long travel suspension as standard equipment. The wheel articulation makes getting over rocks or curbs quite easy. In addition, when you do hit a hole, the suspension is able to soak it up and you don’t bounce around as much as in some of the lower, average suspensioned SUVS.
One drawback that I found to long travel is cornering. The more the suspension travels to control moment, the further over you feel you are going when pressing hard into a corner. I found that on and off ramps felt comfortable at or maybe slightly above the posted limit. After that body lean gave you the feeling of being about to fall over and the tires were about to let go. Neither was true because when pushed the Highlander can corner quite quickly, just not comfortably.
With three rows of seats and seven potential passengers, you need to learn how to behave anyways. I never did have more than five in the Highlander so I never used the third row for more than groceries and it did hold my month shop at Price/Costco with ease. As for the second row, three XL adults were a bit crowded for space, but it was bearable for short trips. Two in the back is a much better number and they did find the seat both comfortable and roomy with good leg and knee room.
The Highlander may feel a bit on the large side, but it does make a pretty decent urban assault vehicle. You are up high enough to see what is going on and nimble enough to take advantage of openings in traffic. It fits into all but the smallest of parking spaces and when there is enough room, the doors open wide enough to make getting in and out to easy.
To top everything else off, this year Toyota is bringing out a four cylinder version to complement the existing V-6 and hybrid models. If you do most of your driving at low speed or aren’t worried about 0 to 100 kph times and don’t want to spring the extra for a hybrid, you may be interested in the four. After all gas prices may be down for now, but the forecast is for up, up and up farther.
photo:Charles Renny
One drawback that I found to long travel is cornering. The more the suspension travels to control moment, the further over you feel you are going when pressing hard into a corner. I found that on and off ramps felt comfortable at or maybe slightly above the posted limit. After that body lean gave you the feeling of being about to fall over and the tires were about to let go. Neither was true because when pushed the Highlander can corner quite quickly, just not comfortably.
 |
| I never used the third row for more than groceries and it did hold my month shop at Price/Costco with ease. |
With three rows of seats and seven potential passengers, you need to learn how to behave anyways. I never did have more than five in the Highlander so I never used the third row for more than groceries and it did hold my month shop at Price/Costco with ease. As for the second row, three XL adults were a bit crowded for space, but it was bearable for short trips. Two in the back is a much better number and they did find the seat both comfortable and roomy with good leg and knee room.
The Highlander may feel a bit on the large side, but it does make a pretty decent urban assault vehicle. You are up high enough to see what is going on and nimble enough to take advantage of openings in traffic. It fits into all but the smallest of parking spaces and when there is enough room, the doors open wide enough to make getting in and out to easy.
To top everything else off, this year Toyota is bringing out a four cylinder version to complement the existing V-6 and hybrid models. If you do most of your driving at low speed or aren’t worried about 0 to 100 kph times and don’t want to spring the extra for a hybrid, you may be interested in the four. After all gas prices may be down for now, but the forecast is for up, up and up farther.
photo:Charles Renny
2009 Toyota highlander 4WD V6 Sport
2009 Toyota highlander 4WD V6 Sport
Article Gallery