Toyota Road Tests

August 30, 2009
2009 Toyota Highlander 4WD V6 Sport Review
by Charles Renny , Auto123.com

The biggest thing about the Highlander is how it modifies the mood I’m in before I drive it. Getting in first thing in the morning (all press vehicles stay outside) can be a bit nippy in the spring before the snow melts. After the ignition, the first thing I do is to make sure the seat heaters are on and then I get out to scrape the windows. The seat heaters only work when you are sitting in them so this is more to make me feel good than anything else.

The Highlander may feel a bit on the large side, but it does make a pretty decent urban assault vehicle.

Once the windows are cleared, I make sure the defroster is set and the heat cranked up. I know that the automatic system puts out heat as soon as there is some to put out, but again this makes me feel better. Then I sit back; do up the seat belt and drive away with minimal warm up for me and the vehicle. By the time I’ve driven about five minutes, I can feel the heat coming out and my backside is toasty.

Even going to work, this relaxes me and I can enjoy the drive because the Highlander relaxes me. Besides, if I’m going to be in a hurry, I’m not going to do it on the way to work. On the way home maybe!!

Each individual item of the Highlander isn’t any better than in many other cars, but the combination and placement of seats, switches, instruments and finish all work together. Everything seems in a logical place regardless of what car you come from. Your sight lines for the instruments are as clear as the lines for the road. Once you adjust the seat so that you can drive comfortably, the mirrors can be set to nearly eliminate all blind spots which makes 90% of driving much easier once you get used to how the mirrors are set.

The center stack with the HVAC and stereo controls in it can house the GPS/backup camera system if so ordered and the large controls for the manually adjustable HVAC can be replaced by an automatic system if you check off the right option package.

Stability and traction control make the Highlander a very drivable unit in bad weather and if you add in all wheel drive, you may not be ready for Rocky Mountain off roading, but you can certainly handle our winter roads and spring potholes.

The center stack with the HVAC and stereo controls in it can house the GPS/backup camera system.

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