30 minutes with the 2008 Toyota Highlander
by Chris Shunk on Aug 1st 2007 at 12:28PM 
click above image to view more on-the-spot images of the 2008 Toyota Highlander
The last generation Toyota Highlander was one of the first vehicles to utilize a car chassis (from the Camry) underneath the body of an SUV. Today we call them CUVs or Crossovers, but back in 2001, they were just different. As a matter of fact, SUVs like the Explorer and Trailblazer were considered by many to be superior due to their more powerful powertrains, ability to tow large amounts of weight, and relative off-road prowess. In this age of $3 per gallon gasoline, however, Toyota's Highlander has weathered the storm better than most midsize body-on-frame SUVs.
Where the Highlander did come up a bit short was in the looks department. Calling the last-generation Highlander homely would almost be a compliment. The interior, while nicely built with high-quality materials, wasn't very usable, either. To see if Toyota was able to improve upon the boring-yet-successful Highlander, we traveled to Dearborn, Michigan, of all places, where Toyota officially unveiled the Highlander and gave us a chance to drive the vehicle around town.
Make the jump to read on.
Gallery: 2008 Toyota Highlander
In the aesthetics department, Toyota's midsize CUV has graduated from ugly to somewhere between bland and slightly attractive, sporting less jarring lines and a more muscular stance. Toyota even sprung for 19" rims for the Limited and Hybrid models, which helps to fill out the wheel wells far better than the old Highlander's smaller rolling stock. The engine also gets a bump in horsepower from 225 to a very respectable 270 hp. The five-speed transmission stays, and while the vehicle has grown by 300 lbs, fuel economy is slightly improved. The Highlander has improved appreciably in many areas, the most significant of which is the inside.
Toyota designers and engineers spent thousands of hours to create a better vehicle for their customers, and it really shows in the interior. The Highlander's cabin looks like something you'd get in a luxury CUV from Lexus, yet prices start at only $27,000. The fake wood actually looks quite nice in person, and the center stack looks fabulous with its well positioned knobs and buttons set on top of a background of rich-looking colors. A 3.5-inch display screen was added on all models above the base trim, and it provides useful information like fuel economy data, time and temperature. 
Customers asked for a second-row seat that converts into captains chairs, and Toyota responded with what they call flexible seating. The middle section of the second row actually stows away into the front middle console (above). The third row seats, meanwhile, are very usable, and large enough for many adults. Engineers designed a headrest that can be easily put into place by anyone sitting back there, and it can be brought down by using a pulley that's accessible through the rear hatch. The second- and third-row seats fold perfectly into the floor, and another pulley can be used to bring the third row back up without having to put half your body into the vehicle to reach it. When passengers are in the third row, they can quickly fold down the second row seats by pulling a lever that's positioned on each side wall of the vehicle. Toyota also added a power lift-gate and the ability to open the back glass on the hatch, both of which are items that were high up on the list of requests from customers. The one beef we had with the Highlander's interior packaging was the total lack of usable space when all three rows are upright. When there are seven people in a vehicle at the same time, those people generally have a lot of stuff, and without any trunk space, everything hits the floor or stays in people's laps. That's not comfortable, and in an accident those items could be dangerous. There are actually plenty more enhancements to make the 2008 Highlander one of the best-packaged interiors in the business, so we've added video from the Toyota presentation below.
Our drive-time in the Highlander gave us the impression of a smooth, comfortable ride without much to get excited about. The 3.5L V6 had pep, but the steering was predictably light. The added girth and size was well hidden, as the 2008 model felt no larger than its predecessor.
Toyota will undoubtedly sell a whole bunch of Highlanders to families and empty-nesters, as the interior packing coupled with stellar active and passive safety features will be very appealing. We look forward to having some time with the Highlander in the Autoblog Garage for a longer look.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John 12:38PM (8/01/2007)
I like the way these new 4x4's come with a dual opening slots at the back where the glass bit can open on its own and the whole rear door can also lift if required.
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www.NiceDeals.co.uk
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SHF 2:26PM (8/01/2007)
SUVs have had that option for years. The Ford Explorer as always had rear lift and rear opening glass since its introduction in 1990 and it still has it today, even with power lift. Ford's Escape also has dual opening rear lift and glass since its introduction in 2001 and the All-New 2008 Escape still has both. Just because Toyota finally decides to put something on its vehicles for the first time does not make it new.
RickDom 3:35PM (8/01/2007)
Actually, this is something different then other lift gate glass. The glass and door both hinge to the body, on most SUVs the glass hinges on the door, so if you open the lift gate with the glass open, it goes really high. This way, the glass is less likely to get damaged on low garages. The Toureg/Cyanne is the same way.
Seminole 7:40PM (8/01/2007)
@RickDom:
Actually, the glass is mounted to the door. Look at this enlarged shot:
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/07/2008_highlander_sport_22164.jpg
The hinges are on the top of the hatch, while the pistons that push open the glass and keep it up, are mounted to the door.
As far as if it rises even more when the door is open I can't tell.
Rocket Punch 12:56PM (8/01/2007)
What a graceful way to incorporate 2 cup holder to the interior. LOL, where did they out source their design? China?
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rob 1:02PM (8/01/2007)
Looks a million times better than the previous Highlander.
My sister, who used to think the rear of the old one looked "droopy" saw a commercial and agreed that it looks really nice now.
The LCD thats on all of the trims (except for base) also looks pretty cool.
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BLS 1:11PM (8/01/2007)
Doesn't the Tahoe get the same fuel economy or darn close? The whole unibody thing for fuel economy doesn't make sense as a selling point if it doesn't get a noticable bump in fuel economy. Because you are giving up towing.
Now if the selling point is a more car like ride then you probably have an decent arguement. Though I am sure that trucks are getting more refined every year due to competition in the large truck segment.
Correct me if I am wrong.
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Ben 1:23PM (8/01/2007)
The Tahoe might get similar fuel economy in EPA tests but for some "odd reason" (wonder why), they are far off in the real world. I drove a 06 Highlander 3.3 V6 last summer for 3000 miles and averaged 22MPG with 4 passengers and packed to the roof with luggage. I don't think I've seen a Tahoe pull that off yet.
... 1:24PM (8/01/2007)
Ratings for 4wd vehicles from the (new) EPA estimates:
08' highlander: 17 city/23 highway
07' tahoe: 14 city/19 highway
highlander hybrid: 27 city/25 highway
2wd:
highlander: 18/24
tahoe(4.8L V8): 14/19
tahoe(5.3L V8): 14/20
Keep in mind that the highlander only has a v6 and the Tahoe only has a 4-speed. I wouldn't really place them in the same class, the Tahoe seems like a much larger and more powerful vehicle. This is clearly for those who are too embarrassed to buy a minivan.
Johnorhan smileye 1:30PM (8/01/2007)
I still like the Gm lamda Cuv's better. They have more style, nicer interiors, can tow more, and carry more passengers and cargo.
They may be a little over weight, but if you want a complete package go with thesis ones.
The Highlander looks like a rav4 on steriods, it is still ugly!!
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Mr. Oak 1:56PM (8/01/2007)
Agreed. Not even close to the Acadia or Outlook.
Nicer than it used to be, still is dorky though.
AlexP 2:06PM (8/01/2007)
Call them CUVs all you want, when you see one from up close it won't look like a CUV. o_O
J.Crew 5:31PM (8/01/2007)
100% Agreed with Mr. Smileye.
That thing is ugly and GM should kill it in sales. The only thing it has going for it is the Toyota name. It reminds me of the old Jeep Wagoneers minus the wood paneling.
Juan 1:41PM (8/01/2007)
Smoothing out the lines just makes it look bulkier. Had the same effect on GMT900s and the Durango, too.
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SocalObserver 1:49PM (8/01/2007)
starts at ONLY $27,000?? am i the only one that thinks this is high for the amount of car you get?
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Mo 2:04PM (8/01/2007)
That center "seat" in the middle row sure looks comfy...
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MikeW 2:36PM (8/01/2007)
Dual beam headlights? What is this, 1992?
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That One Person 4:00PM (8/01/2007)
Please be quiet. And what is wrong with duel beams? They seem to work just as well as quad beams. From a design standpoint, quad beams look good...but to me, there really is no point in having them.
Jason 4:21PM (8/01/2007)
Definitely a big improvement over the outgoing model, but still quite bland. These are cars that look interesting for two years then blend in with the scenery to the point of nothingness. For mommy hauling kids, this shouldn't be a problem. For style-conscious people like some of us, it's a big PASS.
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Ron 2:52PM (8/01/2007)
SoCal-
No, you're not the only one.
I had the exact same reaction when I saw this also.
Highlanders have never been cheaply priced.
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