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Toyota Highlander: Revisions Included in the 2011 Models

01 Oct

Similar to the immortal warriors in Gregory Widen’s story, The Highlander, Toyota’s Highlander has undergone numerous changes over the past decade. This has included using an alternative name at times. Due to Hyundai’s Terracan SUV trademarked trim line, Toyota had to use the name Toyota Kluger instead of Highlander in Japan and Australia. Recently, Toyota has announced that the Highlander line will be undergoing more revisions for the 2011 models.

Over the past ten years Toyota has made changes in what was standard and what was optional, and has expanded the Highlander line of models. From the onset, Toyota has offered almost every model with a choice of engine size, 5 or 7 passenger seating, and either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Most of the revisions that have taken place mostly have simply been changing what was optional one year on some models to being standard features the next year.

The models all came with independent rear suspension and a uni-body. Toyota tends to use the exterior and interior trims, as well as wheel designs, to distinguish the various models in a product line. Therefore, most of the alterations over the past ten years have been in the grilles, headlights, taillights, and colors of mats. For instance, in the first generation of Highlanders, Toyota used a distinctively designed grille to distinguish the Sports model from non-Sports models. In the 2011 models, a distinctive grille will separate the hybrid models from the non-hybrid models.

First Generation Models

The first generation of Toyota Highlanders was introduced at the New York Auto Show in early 2000. The first generation is considered to be all the 2001-2007 Highlander models. At first, the Highlander was only available in the Base and Limited models in the United States. The Sport model wasn’t introduced until March 2006.

The options usually varied from country to country, as well as from model to model. For instance, in addition to the 3.3 liter engine, the 2004 V-6 powered models were equipped with new five-speed automatic transmissions. However, all the 4-cylinder models continued to use only the old four-speed automatic transmissions. In 2006, only the 3.3 liter V-6 powered Highlanders were available in Canada. Yet, the Highlander Hybrid and other models with other engines sizes were being sold in the United States and elsewhere.

Second Generation Models

Toyota introduced the second generation Highlander line at the 2007 Chicago Auto show. These include all the 2007-present models. One of the major changes made is that the second-generation Highlander and Highlander Hybrid are no longer being sold in Japan. Another change was that the 4-cylinder model had been discontinued. However, the 4-cylinder was added in again in 2009.

Toyota again offered the same three trim levels of Base, Sport, and Limited with the second generation Highlander models. However, in early 2010, Toyota replaced the Sport model with the SE model. The consumers are still given a choice between front-drive and all-wheel drive on the V6 platforms. The options offered now include leather seats, heated seats, a new Smart Key system, and upgraded JBL Synthesis stereo, touch-screen navigation, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

2011 Models

Basically, the major changes for the 2004 mid-cycle were rounded out by subtle changes in the front and rear bumpers, front grille, and headlights. Toyota is mostly doing the same thing for the 2011 mid-cycle revisions. The engines in the Highlander Hybrid models are being upgraded to give them a bit more power while maintaining good fuel economy. However, Toyota again will merely be making some of the 2010 options into standard features on some of the models, and changing the front and rear fascia, grilles, and wheels on others.

All Highlander models now have more standard features, especially more safety features. The Base model features front and rear climate control, power locks/windows, cruise control, and a multi-function keyless entry control. The SE model has the option of having a 2.7 liter 4-cylinder engine that was previously only available on the Base model. The Highlander’s front end will feature new headlights, a black with chrome accent rocker panel, and a new front grille.

All the Highlander models will come with enhanced Vehicle Stability Control and traction control, while the hybrids will have Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management. Anti-lock brakes, brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution are also now standard on all Highlander models. Additionally, a tire pressure monitor, a driver’s knee airbag, front seat-mounted side torso airbags, and side curtain airbags which include a rollover sensor for all three rows of seating are going to be standard in all the 2011 models. Moreover, active front headrests, Hill Start Assist Control will be standard features for all models, while the Downhill Assist Control will be standard on all all-wheel drive models.

Toyota is hoping that these changes and the new price range will help the Highlander and Toyota brand to become as popular as it was before all the massive recalls of 2009-2010. The new MSRP range will be from $27, 390 for the basic Highlander up to $42,945 for the Hybrid Limited. During 2008-2009, the Toyota Highlander outsold Mazda’s CX-9 by 4-1. Up until 2006, the Highlander was Toyota’s best-selling vehicle, and it has been previously rated as one of the safest SUV crossovers on the road. Some consumers felt the heavy fines and large media coverage of the recall was due more to the U.S. government’s partial ownership of the GM and Chrysler companies more so than to the safety issues of the Toyota vehicles.

References:

Consumer Report Car Blogs
HybridCars
Motor Trend Magazine
Toyota USA Newsroom
Truck Trend
Wikipedia