Test drive Toyota Highlander: when "third" is not superfluous - part 1

 The last generation Toyota Highlander crossover was too "neutral". And what will the new one offer? After all, everything has changed: the platform, design, interior, equipment. As a result - how can the new generation Toyota Highlander model attract buyers now?

 Positioning Toyota Highlander

 I told the story of the Toyota Highlander model in the last review, and therefore I will only note the main points here. The first generation crossover debuted in 2000 with the main idea - "to become bigger than RAV4". The car was larger in size, received a 7-seater saloon, offered a larger trunk, independent wheel suspension, powerful motors and four-wheel drive. Since then, the world has seen four generations of Toyota Highlander: the "freshest" generation came out in the spring of 2019, a year later the car reached the Ukrainian market - so it became the hero of the review.

 The first Toyota Highlander crossover was introduced in 2000 - and with each generation change, the crossover grew in size. The current fourth generation of the model has almost reached the iconic 5-meter mark: to be exact - 4966 mm (+76 mm relative to its predecessor). The article presents the Toyota Highlander crossover in the maximum Premium configuration, I will also separately show the model in the Elegance version.

 How does the Toyota Highlander crossover drive?

 The key word for describing the Toyota Highlander's driving character is comfort. But not the comfort that "suspension", but the comfort that "in general". Firstly, there really is excellent suspension comfort here: it is soft on any type of irregularity, there are no problems with pits or bumps, patches on the road pass easily and quietly (but on the "speed bumps" the front wheels can occasionally be awarded with a kick). The main note concerns the longitudinal roll of the vehicle that occurs when driving through a series of waves on the road. At such moments it seems that the suspension has been made too soft. But all the same, the general impression: the comfort "on suspension" is very good. Secondly, there is the comfort of "soundproofing". All noises - from the engine, aerodynamics, tires, suspension - are carefully muffled and successfully aligned in one level. Nothing solos, does not "hurt" the ears, at a speed of 80-130 km / h the car just pleasantly and surprisingly quietly absorbs kilometers of the track. Thirdly, I will praise the work of the motor and 8-speed. Automatic transmissions that perfectly understand each other. In normal driving modes, acceleration occurs so smoothly, as if there is not a traditional “automatic”, but a CVT-variator. By the way, on the highway at a speed of 80-90 km / h on the tachometer there will be only 1200-1300 rpm, at 100 km / h only 1500 rpm, at 120 km / h - less than two thousand. The new Toyota Highlander crossover is ideal for long trips with the whole family!

 However, this does not mean that he cannot drive fast. First of all - "on the motor": the engine responds to a bold pressing of the accelerator pedal with a sonorous roar and good acceleration. As usual for an aspirated engine, he loves high revs and shows all his strength at 5-5.5-6 thousand rpm. And the "automatic" does not mind: it knows how to quickly drop gears down and allows the motors to pick up high revs faster. From the outside, it looks even strange: a huge and clearly family crossover yells with a motor, lifts its nose and tries to "bring down" - but it is so. Moreover, the new Toyota Highlander does not lose the ability to "knock down" even when there are several people and bags / cargo in the cabin. In a word, the crossover can go fast "on the motor". But he cannot "take the wheel". There is a sport mode in the car settings, which makes the steering wheel heavier, resets gears to the automatic transmission, raises the engine speed - but this does not solve the problem of soft suspension that allows swinging. Yes, relative to its predecessor, the new generation of Toyota Highlander really drives better: more clarity and composure, while the car is controlled more easily and clearly. However, even in "sport" mode, it seems that the crossover is forced to drive the way it does not want it. It is better to just relax and enjoy a comfortable ride, silence in the cabin, light steering - while knowing that, if necessary, the engine will always allow you to quickly overtake.