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Review: 2011 Toyota Highlander

Chris Shunk — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:04:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Toyota, New Car Reviews

A Refreshed Mainstay Glides into Middle-Age

2011 Toyota Highlander - Click above for high-res image gallery

After more than a decade of wild growth and nearly limitless prosperity, Toyota experienced an unthinkable 2010 - the bandwagon derailed in a very ugly, very public way. Embarrassing recalls played their role in the Japanese automaker's uncharacteristic slide, but even though that public black eye is beginning to heal, Toyota is still grappling with an aging product lineup. The Camry and Corolla still sell in massive numbers, but they're growing long in the tooth. Admittedly, the latter received a very mild refresh for 2011, but the competition has caught up with each in every category that counts. It's much the same story for Toyota's truck and SUV portfolio, where the RAV4, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser and Tundra are hardly spring chickens.

Compounding the issue is the lukewarm response to some of its newly refreshed. The styling remains staid. The interiors are no longer class-leading. The powertrains and fuel economy have done little to separate them from the rest of the pack. Still, not all Toyota models are headed off the reservation. The redesigned Sienna has been well-received and is doing good work on the sales floor. The same can still be said for the Prius and the redesigned 4Runner, which is selling far better than its predecessor. The subject of Toyota's latest refresh and the vehicle featured here, the 2011 Highlander, has been consistently successful over its lifespan. Will new tweaks to the seven-passenger crossover help this perennial top-seller stay near the top of the pack, or could the lack of a more comprehensive redesign relegate this CUV to also-ran status?

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Gallery: 2011 Toyota Highlander: Review

Continue reading Review: 2011 Toyota Highlander

Review: 2011 Toyota Highlander originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #206: Porsche Cajun, Nissan Leaf COTY, 10Best

Dan Roth — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Buick, Honda, Infiniti, Nissan, Porsche, Toyota

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #206 of the Autoblog Podcast is staffed by Chris Shunk, Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Chris Paukert. We hit the Autoblog Garage first and then cover the confirmation of the Porsche Cajun, what it means that the Nissan Leaf has been named European Car of the Year, and finish up talking about the new Car and Driver 10Best list. Of course, we finish with your questions at the end, and it's a breezy hour and twenty-three minutes. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #206: Porsche Cajun, Nissan Leaf COTY, 10Best

In the Autoblog Garage:

Toyota Highlander
Buick Regal
Infiniti M56
Honda CR-Z

News Topics:

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, Chris Paukert
Runtime: 1:23:09

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Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

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Autoblog Podcast #206: Porsche Cajun, Nissan Leaf COTY, 10Best originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Toyota Highlander shows up for America, gets new look and pricing

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Crossover, Toyota

2011 Toyota Highlander - Click above for high-res image gallery

As we have suspected for some time now, Toyota will update its popular mid-size crossover for the upcoming model year, and now we have the details about what's in store. The 2011 Toyota Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, are getting a plethora of updates inside and out to completely freshen up the vehicle.

First seen at August's Moscow Motor Show, the 2011 Highlander has been updated thanks to an all-new hood, fenders, lights and front fascia. The hybrid features additional exterior elements, such as a unique grille and front bumper, which help set it apart from the standard Highlander.

On the inside, the Highlander now features three-row seating as a standard feature while amenity and tech options have been expanded throughout the lineup. SE and Limited trims will henceforth come standard with Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port and XM radio while these features are available optionally on the base model. The base Hybrid Highlander can now be outfitted with a Leather Package boasting heated front seats and a power moonroof.

Under the hood, the base 2.7-liter engine four-cylinder engine is now also available on the SE model, and it churns out 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque - good enough for highway fuel economy figure of 25 miles per gallon. The uplevel 3.5-liter six-cylinder has been tuned to deliver 270 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque, but both the I4 and the V6 still make do with five-speed automatic transmissions. Interestingly, the Highlander Hybrid gets an all-new 3.5-liter V6 engine to replace the older 3.3-liter unit, and it's the most powerful powertrain in the range. The combined output of the new engine with the electric motor is 280 horsepower, yet the hybrid is expected to return 28 mpg in the city and on the highway.

Pricing for the 2011 Toyota Highlander lineup has also just been announced. Break out the wallet and start counting the bills...$27,390 gets you the base four-cylinder front-wheel drive model; the SE V6 FWD will be $33,150, while the Limited V6 with all-wheel drive will list for $36,345. The MSRP for Highlander Hybrid will range from $37,290 for the base model to $42,945 for the Limited model.

The full list of updates can be found in the press release after the jump and you can check out both the gasoline-only and hybrid Highlander models in the galleries below.

Gallery: 2011 Toyota Highlander

Gallery: 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading 2011 Toyota Highlander shows up for America, gets new look and pricing

2011 Toyota Highlander shows up for America, gets new look and pricing originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Toyota Highlander debuts in Moscow

Zach Bowman — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Toyota, Russia

2011 Toyota Highlander - Click above for high-res image gallery

Right on cue, Toyota has debuted the 2011 Highlander at this year's Moscow Motor Show. As we first showed you earlier this month, the refreshed crossover now wears a slightly reworked nose, complete with hood, front fenders, fascia, grille and headlights as well as a mildly massaged rear end. Look for new taillights and a new bumper cover to help differentiate the 2011's rump from its predecessors. Buyers in the motherland can look forward to a single engine - a 3.5-liter gasoline V6 delivering 273 horsepower through a five-speed automatic transmission.

Can we expect a similar treatment when the 2011 Highlander hits our shores? Perhaps. We're currently awaiting a response from Toyota as to whether this is the face of things to come for the U.S.-spec CUV, but we'd be surprised if our version was terribly different from what you see above, as the Highlander is only built in three factories - China, Japan, and Indiana, making a Russia-specific model unlikely. Chances are that our Highlander will continue to soldier on with the same engine choices available right now. That means that buyers can have their choice between a 3.5-liter V6 with 270 horsepower, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower or a hybrid drivetrain.

Gallery: 2011 Toyota Highlander at the Moscow Motor Show

[Source: Toyota]

2011 Toyota Highlander debuts in Moscow originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Look: 2011 Toyota Highlander to launch at Moscow Motor Show next month

Zach Bowman — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Toyota, Misc. Auto Shows, Russia, Design/Style

2011 Toyota Highlander - Click above to enlarge

Toyota Europe has confirmed to Autoblog that the automaker's popular Highlander crossover will go on sale in Russia and the Ukraine for the first time ever. Why should Statesiders care? Because the new-look model above will be unveiled at the Moscow Motor Show on August 25, and it's almost certain to be the refreshed CUV that we will receive in North America.

From the looks of things, the 2011 Highlander will retain its strong body lines, but ditch the conservative front fascia of the 2010 model in favor of a leaner, more aggressive nose with angry looking headlamps. With appropriate helpings of chrome in all the right places, the new Highlander is downright handsome. As this is the only shot that we have, we don't know what's going on at the rear, but we would expect redesigned taillamps and perhaps some revamped trim. From what we can see, the Highlander's profile appears unchanged, save perhaps for a new wheel pattern and a very discreet set of turn signal repeaters in the mirrors.

While we have no confirmation that we will receive this same model, European officials believe that it will make it to North America with "more or less the same look." The Highlander is only built in three places at the moment - China, Japan and in Indiana, so it doesn't seem likely that Toyota would bother to develop new sheetmetal for select European markets without disbursing it elsewhere.

Unfortunately, we don't know too much about what's going on under that hood or in the cabin. So far, the only thing that Toyota Europe has confirmed with us is that the hybrid version of the Highlander won't be available in those markets. We'll just have to wait for details from the Moscow Motor Show for more information. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

First Look: 2011 Toyota Highlander to launch at Moscow Motor Show next month originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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