![]() Inside the Highlander, first- and second-row passengers are treated to spacious and comfortable accommodations, but third-row passengers aren’t so lucky. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars. 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD Tested!ĮPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time.Driven! 2017 Toyota Highlander Kicks It Up a Notch.Like other three-row crossovers, enthusiast drivers will be, well, unenthused by the Highlander-attacking apexes just isn’t its forte. If a comfortable ride is the only metric you’re interested in, the Highlander will suffice. Neither did the Highlander’s dull handling or lifeless brakes. Tepid acceleration numbers from both our test vehicles didn’t exactly have us clamoring for seat time. Passing power is significantly better in the hybrid thanks to the CVT, which provides more immediate responses. This setup is similarly easygoing, but the CVT lets engine revs hang annoyingly high under heavy throttle. The hybrid uses a retuned version of the 3.5-liter V-6 and two electric motors to produce 306 horsepower a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is standard, as is all-wheel drive. Throttle response is sleepy, and the transmission is hesitant to downshift for extra power when called upon. We’ve not had the opportunity to test the 2.7-liter four-cylinder model, but the 3.5-liter V-6 makes 295 horsepower and is hooked up to an easy-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. Its performance is average, and both the V-6 and hybrid should satisfy-but not thrill-buyers. With three different powertrain choices-including a hybrid-the Highlander is a unique option in the three-row-crossover marketplace. The gas-powered Highlander gains a sporty-looking SE model, and the Highlander hybrid is now offered in entry-level LE and midrange XLE trims. Four new USB ports join the infotainment party, bumping the total number of ports to five. A backup camera is also standard for 2017, while XLE models and above now come with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. On the safety front, all Highlander models now come standard with Toyota’s Safety Sense P active safety suite, which includes automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlamps. An automated stop/start function, which shuts off the engine when idling to further save fuel, is standard on all but the base LE trim. Updates to the Highlander’s powertrain include a more powerful 3.5-liter V-6 and new eight-speed automatic transmission. What's New for 2017?įor 2017, the Toyota Highlander lineup sees not-so-subtle updates to its exterior in the form of a new more extroverted front grille and headlamps, sleeker LED taillamps, and revised bumpers. Still, if a well-built, unpretentious, and highly flexible crossover is what you seek, the Highlander is worth a look. Its light refresh for the 2017 model year brought styling, active safety, and powertrain enhancements but-disappointingly-didn’t add Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or onboard Wi-Fi gadgetry. Instead, it relies on its core strengths: people and cargo hauling, fuel-efficient powertrains, and an agreeable ride. It’s a hard-working, capable three-row crossover, but despite its snappy new looks, it’s not an exciting vehicle to pilot. ![]() The Toyota name also has become tantamount to boring and, unfortunately, the Highlander doesn’t make an attempt to change that, either. The 2017 Highlander does nothing to alter those fine attributes. To much of the car-buying public, the name Toyota is synonymous with reliability, longevity, and quality. ![]()
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