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2009 Toyota Highlander Review
Recently redesigned SUV is comfortable and convenient.
2009 Highlander Review Summary & Specifications
The Toyota Highlander offers generous room for people and cargo, a choice of powertrains, ample performance and good fuel economy. Hybrid models offer excellent fuel economy, particularly in the stop-and-go traffic of major metros, along with extremely low emissions. Add in Toyota's reputation for reliability and resale value, and the Highlander is a wise choice for active families.Kirk Bell filed this report to NewCarTestDrive.com after driving Highlander models around Scottsdale, Arizona.
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| Vehicle Category | Sport Utility Vehicles |
| Editor | Kirk Bell |
| Model Lineup | Toyota Highlander base trim level, 2WD, four-cylinder ($25,705); 2WD, V6 ($27,600); 4WD, V6 ($29,050); Sport trim level, 2WD, V6 ($30,000); 4WD, V6 ($31,450); Limited trim level, 2WD, V6 ($33,070); 4WD, V6 ($34,520); Hybrid, base, ($34,700); Hybrid, Limited ($41,020) |
| Engines (standard) | 3.5-liter dohc 24-valve V6 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 5-speed automatic |
| Engines (optional) | 187-hp 2.7-liter four-cylinder; 270-hp 3.5-liter V6; 270-hp 3.3-liter V6 gas/electric hybrid with three electric motors |
| Transmissions (optional) | 6-speed automatic; 5-speed automatic; continuously variable automatic (CVT) |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags for thorax protection, head-protecting side-curtain airbags that cover all three seating rows, driver's knee airbag, active front headrests, tire-pressure monitor, antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control, brake assist, EBD, hill-start assist |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | all-wheel drive, Hill Descent Control |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Fukuoka, Japan |
| Manufacturer Phone | www.toyota.com |
| Manufacturer URL | 800-GO-TOYOTA |
| Base Price MSRP | 25705 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Toyota Highlander Sport 4WD ($31,450) |
| Standard Equipment | cloth upholstery; air conditioning; AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers and MP3 playback capability; three-row seating for up to seven passengers; a 40/20/40 second row seat with a removable center section; fold-flat third row; opening rear glass, cargo cover, cargo area levers to fold the second-row seats; power windows, door locks, and mirrors; remote keyless entry; cruise control; tilt/telescope steering wheel; three 12-volt power outlets; 3.5-inch multifunction display screen with rearview camera, clock, tire-pressure display, air conditioning readout, and outside temperature and trip computer information; variable intermittent wipers; rear defogger with variable intermittent wiper; rear spoiler; fog lamps |
| Destination Charge | 745 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Leather Seat Package ($1,840) includes leather upholstery for three rows; Navigation System ($2,530) includes JBL premium audio system with nine speakers, four-disc in-dash CD changer, compass, Bluetooth hands-free cell phone capability; power rear liftgate ($400) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Layout | all-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested | 36965 |
| Horse Power | 270 @ 6200 |
| Torque | 248 @ 4700 |
| Fuel Economy | 17/23 |
| Wheelbase | 109.8 |
| Length/Width/Height | 188.4/75.2/69.3 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 38.7 |
| Seating Capacity | 7 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 40.6/56.7/43.2 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | 40.1/56.5/38.3 |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 36.3/42.3/29.9 |
| Trunk Volume | 95.4 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | 5000 |
| Front Suspension | independent MacPherson struts with lower arms and stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | dual-link MacPherson struts with stabilizer bar |
| Ground Clearance | 8.1 |
| Curb Weight | 4255 |
| Stock Tires | P245/55R19 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | disc/disc with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist |
| Fuel Capacity | 19.2 |
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