How about the new Highlander?

Text/Che Liang

Picture/Che Liang

Highlander is the benchmark model for mid-size SUVs. Over the years, countless opponents have tried to kill it, it has been "scared to wet its pants" millions of times in countless article titles, and it has been "trembling" for many years. But the strange thing is that after so many years, the surrounding opponents have changed one after another, and it still remains standing. So much so that there is a joke: Highlander’s only opponent is itself.

Highlander now welcomes its fourth generation model. In this era of comprehensive embrace of electrification, it also keeps pace with the times. From the time-tested 2.0T, which Guangfeng also suffered from supply shortages, the entire system was replaced with Toyota's 2.5L dual engine. So what are the features of this car? What's it like to drive?

To save you time, let me talk about a few changes that I think are key. If you don’t want to read the detailed explanation later, you can finish it here.

Change 1: The power performance of the 2.5L dual engine is far better than the previous 2.0T, not to mention fuel consumption.

Change 2: The TNGA architecture makes the driving posture lower, the body more flexible and compact, and the chassis tougher.

Change 3: Smart experience upgrade is currently the smart model with the most "naughty head logo".

Changes: The size is larger than the old model, and the interior space design is better.

The shortcomings felt during the experience are-

Point 1: During rapid acceleration, there will be obvious howling in the engine compartment, and the sound insulation needs to be improved.

Point 2: The allocation is not gradual, with low allocation for drought and high allocation for waterlogging. If you want to buy enough configurations, at least the exclusive version priced at 318,800 yuan or above.

Let’s talk about it in detail below.

It is also a 2.5L dual engine, but the core is different.

From Alphard to Camry, Toyota's 2.5L dual engines are everywhere. But they are both called 2.5L Dual Engine, but the technical content is different. Intuition is reflected in the output:

It can be seen that Highlander surpasses Camry, Veranda and Alpha in terms of 2.5L engine, motor and total system power output. Officials call this system the "Fourth Generation Enhanced THS II Hybrid System." It can be said to be the most powerful 2.5L hybrid in the Toyota camp.

However, it is worth noting that the overall power of Highlander's system is 183kW regardless of the two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive version. The four-wheel drive version has a 40kW rear motor, so the total power should be higher.

After consulting with Toyota’s trainers, I learned that marking this way is probably Toyota’s habit. Because the rear motor only participates in power in the "four-wheel drive state", the so-called four-wheel drive state includes: rapid acceleration, climbing, keeping the rear wheels stable during high-speed cornering, etc. , the system will activate four-wheel drive. In most daily driving, the rear motor is basically not involved, and there is no difference between four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive. So this label is probably due to rigor. Similarly, the two-wheel drive version of Fangrong and Weilanda has 160kW, and the four-wheel drive version has 163kW. There is not much difference.

In addition, after all, the nickel-metal hydride battery equipped on the Highlander only has a 1.73-degree temperature, and its main function is to quickly charge and discharge, rather than supporting the pure electric operation of the motor. On the contrary, like Fangrong's dual-engine E, it has an 18-degree ternary lithium battery that can support pure electric driving of about 90 kilometers. The 40kW rear motor can participate in power most of the time, so the system power of the dual-motor version is marked as 225kW, which is much higher than the 194kW of the single-motor version.

However, you must know that Highlander, 4WD and 2WD both have 183kW, but the actual driving performance is still different from that of a motor. As for the specific gap, I can’t tell you until I have the opportunity to compare experiences.

A very flexible "big fat man"

Why is Highlander a "big fat man"? Its body is 4965mm long, 1930mm wide and 1750mm high. Compared with Erffa (4975/1850/1945mm), the length is only 1cm shorter, the width is 8cm larger, and the height is nearly 20cm lower. So in terms of body shape, it is similar to Erffa, but lower and wider.

The 348,800-seat top model I tested is equipped with a 7-seat Supreme Edition, with dual motors at the front and rear, four-wheel drive, and a weight of up to 2,115kg. The car is heavy but fast. We were driving on a slightly upward-sloping mountain road, and four adults were seated. The feeling could even be said to be in lockstep, like being far away from the rabbit.

Its throttle adopts an accordion pedal design and is fixed to the floor. The throttle travel is moderate. Step 1/3 to 1/2, and the car body will feel a direct and obvious speed-up. But to be precise, this feeling is not about how strong it is, or how strong the G value of accelerated pressure is, but - fast!

For example, if it is a 250-horsepower 2.0T car equipped with 2 tons, it may feel like the accelerator is stepped on 1/2 of the way, and it takes half a second for the power to catch up. Due to the intervention of the motor at low speeds, this Highlander will have direct and obvious power feedback the moment you step on the accelerator, reducing turbine lag and making the car's speed-up response brisk and effortless.

This feeling is somewhat similar to the 2.3T (276 horsepower) on the Explorer if compared with a fuel vehicle. Both cars give people the feeling that no matter what speed range they are in, there will be feedback as long as they step on it, and there is basically no delay.

An authoritative website has actually measured that the Highlander can accelerate from zero to 100km/h for more than 8 seconds, which can be said to be first-tier at this level. Although the official 2.5T (299 horsepower) of the Volkswagen Touran is 7.2 seconds, but considering the lag of the starting turbine and the extension of the Volkswagen dual-clutch shifting time, if the two cars do not hold back the speed, I estimate that the Highlander will take the first half of the time. The field may not be lost.

But what is a little uncomfortable is that when the engine speeds up, although there will be no vibration when the engine is involved, the roaring sound from the engine compartment is obvious, which is different from large-displacement fuel engines. This kind of sound sounds slightly high-pitched and not so nice.

In terms of control, driving the previous Highlander is a bit like a sailboat, with comfort greater than flexibility. The fourth-generation Highlander has become tougher and more flexible overall. The lower driving position reduces body shake when driving on mountain roads. The linkage with the steering wheel of the body is closer and has a more integrated feel. Driving on a winding mountain road, you won't feel that this is a large car approaching 5 meters. As long as the speed is controlled well, there will be no unnecessary shaking. Even when going too fast in corners and understeer, the rear end can be pulled back quickly with a slight adjustment of the steering wheel. U-turning can also suppress the shaking of the car body to an imperceptible level.

What is particularly commendable is that the steering wheel feels very delicate, flexible and smooth. There is no sense of volume at low speeds, and it has a so-called high-end feel. Compared with the third generation, the overall feel of the chassis has also been improved. When the isolation belt and potholes are crushed, the suspension can quickly pull back the rebound of the rear of the car, no matter how fast the vehicle speed is. Overall, pretty clean.

This is my first experience with this Highlander and I didn’t have the opportunity to measure the fuel consumption, but after using it, it showed a fuel consumption of 9L. Since the test drive is idling for a long time, its fuel consumption is often much higher than the actual fuel consumption, so it is estimated that its actual fuel consumption will be around 7L.

An empty room is a basic quality, and intelligence is an unexpected surprise.

Compared with the third generation, the length of the fourth-generation Highlander has increased by 75mm and the wheelbase has increased by 60mm, which brings better riding space. In particular, its second row of seats can move back and forth at least 30cm (from my perspective), which gives more room for adjustment.

Using myself (178cm) as a test, I adjusted the leg clearance of the second row seats to about "one punch to two punches". The third row actually has one punch left between the legs and about three fingers on the head. In other words, if adults in two or three rows can ride at the same time, this Highlander can do it in an empty room. The only drawback is that, like many large 7-seat SUVs, the seat height of the third row is low, only about the length of my hand.

In terms of the empty design of the cockpit, there are two details that have been highly praised: First, there are two long and narrow storage slots built into the center control panel, which can be used to place small items such as mobile phones and keys. . It is clear at a glance and convenient to take and place at any time. This is a family advantage of Toyota SUVs. Second, the storage box in the middle of the front seat is deep and large. A backpack can be put down visually.

In addition, after the rear seats are folded down, the visual depth exceeds 2m. Except for a wide gap at the junction of the second row and third row of seats, the entire car is almost flat. You can put a thicker mattress as a double bed.

The intelligent experience is a surprise for the fourth generation Highlander. The elite version can provide Carplay, Carlife, and Hicar mobile phone mapping, and the premium and supreme versions provide a full set of voice controls (including sunroof, navigation, entertainment, and air conditioning). The actual response speed of this set of voice tests is actually quite fast, and the recognition rate is also high, but the female voice has a stronger "machine flavor" when answering.

To be honest, the first time I tried to open the sunroof with voice in a Toyota car, it felt like Ronaldo started playing a dribbling game and Messi played violent long shots and headers. Well, surprise, full of surprises!

Although the UI design of the 12.3-inch large central control screen is average, it has good smoothness and no lag or delay. The neatly arranged physical buttons below are both beautiful and easy to use. Function controls such as entertainment, air conditioning, seat heating and ventilation are all available. But I wonder why Toyota is so reluctant to provide massage functions for the seats.

As for the interior materials, I personally don’t feel they are very luxurious, but the price of 300,000 is still acceptable. Among Toyota's SUVs, it should be considered top-notch.

Suggestions for buying this car

The configuration of Highlander is actually divided into two levels: one is the elite version, and the other is the premium version and above.

The elite version ranges from 268,800 to 285,800, and the premium version ranges from 318,800 to 348,800. The difference between the elite and the nobility is 33,000. The configuration is different.

Configurations are only available on Premium Edition and above: voice control, 12.3-inch large central control screen, full-speed adaptive cruise, reversing image, panoramic sunroof, induction trunk, HUD head-up display, leather seats, lumbar support, electric adjustment of the main and passenger seats, and heated front seats.

Obviously like panoramic sunroof, full-speed adaptive cruise, etc. If these functions are not available, it will be very uncomfortable to use. Highlander should do this to promote the premium version. However, the difference between the distinguished model and the elite model is 33,000, and the lack of intermediate versions is also a dilemma for consumers. I guess Guangfeng should be the last resort - leaving room for additional model versions in the future.

In addition, the elite version has mobile phone mapping but no voice, and the premium version has voice but no mobile phone mapping. The design idea of ??choosing only one is also dumbfounding.

But it is commendable that the entire series is equipped with front and rear head airbags and front knee airbags.

From a purchasing point of view, it is obviously the most appropriate choice to bite the bullet and go directly to the premium version.

Driving values

More powerful, lower fuel consumption, more fun to control, improved intelligent experience, larger size and stronger aura. Compared with the third generation, the fourth generation Highlander has undergone great evolution from the inside out. Of all the reasons for buying, name one that is the most important. With this set of power and comprehensive strength, it is undoubtedly the benchmark among joint venture medium-sized SUVs in the 300,000-level class (provided you don’t compete with me for independent plug-in electric cars and electric cars). This is my biggest feeling after test driving the Highlander.

One million car purchase subsidies