Both versions are equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (traction control, stability control, etc.) as well as Hill Start Assist Control. On-Demand Electronic 4WD is also standard.
Versatile cabin
The spacious cabin can accommodate a small family. The middle row is split into three (45/10/45) and allows for various configurations. The back row is suitable for young children, but not adults.
The cargo area isn’t the most impressive compared to the Pilot and, especially, the Flex and Traverse, both of which are longer than the Highlander. When the rear bench is up, loading capacity is minimal at 290 litres – that’s 10% more than a Yaris with the seat up! However, fold the middle and back benches down and you get decent cargo space, similar in size to that of the Honda Pilot. Now we’re talking.
On the road
The Highlander’s handling doesn’t shine as much as its functional cabin. The electric power steering is light and requires regular input on the highway. It gets annoying.
Acceleration is lively thanks to the dual electric engines that induce their power almost instantaneously, allowing the ute to bound from 0 to 100 km/h in under 8 seconds. Under aggressive acceleration, however, the torque steer is quite irritating.
The absence of an engine brake, due among other things to the use of a CVT, means braking effort is often hard to measure out. The passengers suffer the consequences and are thrown abruptly forward.
 |
| A rear-view camera is delivered standard. The images appear on a tiny screen in the Highlander Hybrid (pictured here) and on a large navigation display in the Limited edition. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |
Versatile cabin
The spacious cabin can accommodate a small family. The middle row is split into three (45/10/45) and allows for various configurations. The back row is suitable for young children, but not adults.
The cargo area isn’t the most impressive compared to the Pilot and, especially, the Flex and Traverse, both of which are longer than the Highlander. When the rear bench is up, loading capacity is minimal at 290 litres – that’s 10% more than a Yaris with the seat up! However, fold the middle and back benches down and you get decent cargo space, similar in size to that of the Honda Pilot. Now we’re talking.
On the road
The Highlander’s handling doesn’t shine as much as its functional cabin. The electric power steering is light and requires regular input on the highway. It gets annoying.
Acceleration is lively thanks to the dual electric engines that induce their power almost instantaneously, allowing the ute to bound from 0 to 100 km/h in under 8 seconds. Under aggressive acceleration, however, the torque steer is quite irritating.
The absence of an engine brake, due among other things to the use of a CVT, means braking effort is often hard to measure out. The passengers suffer the consequences and are thrown abruptly forward.
 |
| Acceleration is lively thanks to the dual electric engines that induce their power almost instantaneously, allowing the ute to bound from 0 to 100 km/h in under 8 seconds. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |