Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Hybrids/Alternative, SUVs, Toyota
Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid will debut in Chicago
Toyota is starting to reveal details on its lineup for the Chicago Auto Show, which we've learned today will include the debut of the second-generation Highlander mid-size SUV and likewise the Highlander Hybrid. The big T hasn't given any other details on the vehicles, and neither have we seen spy shots of the new Highlander, so this one may actually turn out to be a surprise. The current Highlander is a big seller for Toyota, with 129,794 units being sold in 2006. That's down 5.2% from 2005's total of 137,409, but still a big number for a vehicle that potentially returns a meaty profit. We'll come back at you with all the info and live shots we get of these two vehicles from the floor of the 2007 Chicago Auto Show in early February.
[Source: Toyota]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
TJ 5:14PM (1/19/2007)
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
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JG 5:24PM (1/19/2007)
Highlanders are dangerous to other drivers. Look at it too long and they'll slip into a coma.
This is boring.
The Saturn Vue and Pontiac Torrent are much better choices.
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aaron 5:25PM (1/19/2007)
X2 there TJ..
This thing is an appliance. The Rav4 ate its lunch and will do so again this year.
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Chris 5:25PM (1/19/2007)
Sludge-tastic! When will the "green" Synergy Drive stall out in the middle of the road, dump some plastic parts onto the driver's feet and break its ball joints?
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aaron 5:25PM (1/19/2007)
By the by, I sure do see alot of highlander rental cars from budget rental car around here.. Very odd. I wonder if they are crucifying that and leaving the Rav4 as the bronze god...
lol..
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jay 5:30PM (1/19/2007)
You may want to avoid this car. Toyota has had a lot of recalls lately, in fact more than half a million Sequoias and Tundras because of a steering problem.
It seems a like a girl's SUV to me. Never see guys driving them. It has a wimpy look and weak engine.
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Eric L. 5:34PM (1/19/2007)
Its people who think that the VUE and Torrent are better than Highlander that keeps GM in business. The Epsilon platform crossovers from GM (VUE, Torrent, Equinox, Grand Vitara) can't even compete with the RAV4, much less the Highlander. Even if you don't like the snooze factor of the Highlander (yes its boring, but at least its well made), Toyota doesn't have to do much to it to keep it a top seller. Maybe make it a little larger. It already has the 3.5L engine and standard stability control, so not much more I can think of.
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Hank 5:43PM (1/19/2007)
I disagree. They don't need to make it larger, they've got plenty (too many) of larger vehicles already. It just needs more style.
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Doug R 5:52PM (1/19/2007)
Toyota probably won't sell anywhere near the number of hydrid versions as they do the gas powered ones. Vehicles of this size get good mileage regardless. When you're looking at this vehicle and those that are smaller, safety should be a primary concern.
As much as I'm an advocate for lower taxes, I don't believe in the current tax credits given for vehicles that the vast majority of folks don't want. If you want to buy a hybrid, go for it. It's a free country. However, you shouldn't get a tax credit over everyone else just because you did.
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RevRick 5:54PM (1/19/2007)
A pregnant rollerskate
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Suzy Q 5:55PM (1/19/2007)
# 7 you are HIGH! I looked at that piece of crap....it is no where near the Honda/Saturn or Pontiac. Plus the sales staff at the Toyota store are low lifes. They not only didn't know there own SUV they made things up about the Honda/Saturn....
Very Happy with My VUE!!!!!!!!
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MikeW 6:11PM (1/19/2007)
survey says: 2gr-fe V6
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Andrew 6:51PM (1/19/2007)
The new one is going to be larger isn't it? I heard it was going to be based on the Avalon platform.
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Peter G 6:55PM (1/19/2007)
Why does anyone buy a Highlander. The rav is now about the same size but has a much better engine (faster and better fuel economy), costs less money, and looks better.
Really I don't understand how they sell any Highlanders at all.
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Bumbaclut 6:57PM (1/19/2007)
Man its trollerama in here, #11, you have absolutly no clue what a good cuv is. Have you even driven a Highlander? From your response it is obvious you haven't. Just the interior alone will blow off your Equitorrent or the cheap vue and may I say the Pilot. Do you know the Equitorrent's 3.4 engine is actually assembled in china? That alone tell you how reliable it will be in the future. All the cuvs you stated has pretty much the cheapest plastic interior you can get. It's pretty much a Toyota rx330 and even after six years in production it is still selling better than all the POSs you stated.
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Storm9 6:57PM (1/19/2007)
#11, #7
Vue is hidious, Highlander is boring, but its better than VUE.
Neither of those SUV's are any good. I dont know #11 wasted his money on a VUE.
Should have gone with the Nissan Murano.
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jim barns 7:16PM (1/19/2007)
The new generation of this car will be hawt.
I bet it gets 35 mpg, and has the off-road capabilities of an FJ Cruiser.
6 flying pigs will fit in the cargo area comfortably.
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whofan 8:02PM (1/19/2007)
The current Highlander is the only Toyota that looks good to me. This is the one nice vehicle they make in my eyes. Watch them mess it up.
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pbrown 8:03PM (1/19/2007)
You should'nt get a tax break for buying a car that uses less gas and pollutes less, what was the logic in that,that actually was'nt the reason we owned one,we drove it,I don'know if anyone else has drove one but the hybrid hauls ass,i'm sure the new one will be equally adapt at hauling ass too,it could use more room in the back too,and if you want to get noticed buy a Escalade!
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Craig N. Cote 8:43PM (1/19/2007)
Put down Toyota all you want, but you don't see them running to Honda for an engine as GM does with the Vue! You'll never see Toyota buy a vehicle from Kia or Daewoo or Suzuki or Mitsubishi and then stick their name on it as Ford (Festiva, Aspire), GM (Aveo, Tracker), or Chrysler has done and then sell it to the average "Buy American" fool out there who still believes the Big 2.5 are indeed "American". Toyota has enough class not to build an Avalanche and HHR in Mexico, the Aveo in Korea, the Monte Carlo and Impala in Canada, and a portion of many other of their vehicles in Mexico and Canada and then label these activities as "AN AMERICAN REVOLUTION". Call a Chevy dealership and question them on this fact and they'll either say your mind is already made up so they won't comment, or hang up on you as has happened to me. Email GM and they won't respond! That's my experience. At least Toyota has the brains to create their own new divisions as with Class Leading Lexus and up and coming Scion, and don't go out and buy some fledging foreign companys as Ford and GM do. Can you say Saab, Jaguar? Shall we mention resale values? You sure won't ever find a Kelly Blue Book laying around a Ford or GM dealership! 2004 Lexus sells for $55,600 and one year later, $51,000, a Caddy sells for $51,000 and a year later (ouch) a paltry $36,000 is all it's worth! Lincoln even worse. Plus, you'll never find a French transmission in a Lexus either as with a 2006 Caddy. Maybe wine, but the French have never been known for their transmissions! Doesn't anyone in Detroit make a transmission anymore or has all that work gone to Mexico too? (Where Lincolns are being built now too) For a company that didn't even get started until the 50's, one who's accomplished what they have, been copied by all the others in manufacturing techniques, and is getting ready to put GM into number 2 spot soon-any HONEST person with any type of class would give them praise. GM once said Toyota was going down the wrong path with Hybrids-look who's building them now!
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