Toyota Highlander - Midsize SUV | Napleton's Toyota of Urbana

Now in its fourth-generation, the new Toyota Highlander, now on sale at Napleton's Toyota of Urbana, is a 3-row midsize SUV that is a best-seller, despite a heavy list of competitors. What makes it so sought after? Let's take a look.

The Toyota Highlander is a seven- or eight-seat crossover SUV that utilizes the same platform as the Toyota Camry sedan. It is motivated by a choice of powertrains. The standard offering is a 2.4-liter I-4 engine that makes 265 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm and 310 lb-ft of torque. Second up is a hybrid powertrain system composed of a 2.5-liter inline-4 with two electric motor-generators and a total system output of 243 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. 

The I-4 is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Like many others on the market today, the Highlander hybrid powertrain uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT). All-wheel-drive is standard on all models.

The I4-powered Highlander can tow up to 5,000 pounds. With the hybrid powertrain, that figure drops to 3,500 pounds. 

Through the years, there has been a gradual bit of growth in the Toyota Highlander size. In this case, bigger is definitely better. The new fourth-gen Highlander features a bold, distinctive design with LED headlamps, definitive character lines, sleek styling and more. It is clearly seen in the trapezoidal grille and the large under-bumper lower grille.

From an aerodynamic standpoint, the design is optimized for increased efficiency and as a way to prevent extraneous road noise from entering the cabin.

New this year, the Highlander XSE is a trim level that brings a new level of sportiness to the Highlander. The front fascia, grille and lower spoiler are exclusive to the trim level and lend an air of aggressiveness to the entire package.

It's like inside the friendly confines of a famous legendary baseball field. The new Toyota Highlander interior is filled with user-friendly technology and comfort everywhere you look. Start with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display or the available 12.3-inch model. According to some critics, it is so refined that you don't need an advanced degree in software engineering to make it work.

The Highlander seats offer plenty of support and comfort regardless of whether they are covered in fabric or the almost Lexus-like high-grade leather found in the Highlander Platinum. They are the perfect place holders to keep you comfortable, whether driving across the town or across the country.

The Highlander interior can be configured to carry seven- or eight passengers. The Highlander carries eight passengers with the second-row bench seat, depending on trim level. The XLE and Limited models can be outfitted with a pair of captain's chairs in the second row, giving it a seven-passenger capacity.

Cargo space is cavernous. There are 16 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat, which grows to 48 cubic feet when the third row folds forward. Fold the second-row bench forward and that space grows further to over 84 cubic feet of storage space. That's enough room for four golf bags, a pair of rollaboard suitcases, a baby stroller, three sleeping bags and more. Clearly, we exaggerate, but hopefully, you'll understand this large and in-charge crossover can haul the family, and their things, too.

There are a wide variety of available options to help you personalize your new Toyota Highlander. Here are a few of our favorites:

Driving along the interstate or through the city, the new Toyota Highlander will deliver an impressively smooth and stable ride. With a 2.4-liter I-4 Turbo engine delivering an impressive 265 horsepower, you'll find all the power you will need to carry your family or things with ease.

The standard  all-wheel-drive system can send up to 50-percent of its power to the rear wheels when wheel slippage is detected. Higher trim levels can take advantage of the Highlander's sophisticated torque-vectoring system that splits power between the rear wheels as needed.

If high-mileage and fuel-economy are more your speed, select the Highlander Hybrid instead. There aren't many crossovers or SUVs that can boast mileage estimates of up to 36 miles per gallon.

We have only touched on a few of the new features of the Toyota Highlander. Contact the Highlander specialists at Napleton's Toyota of Urbana to find out more today!