2020 Highlander Hybrid Fuel Sipping 3-Row With 8 Seats
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Date: 2019-12-18
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Comments and reviews: 9
Marc Bertucco
I've always like the look of the Highlanders, but struggle with the perfunctory 3rd row seating and painfully small cargo capacity. I guess, in honesty, this is a problem I have with all 3-row crossovers. They are essentially a collection of compromises that you don't actually have to make. And yet, here we are. Dealerships are filled with them. If you are truly in need of 3 rows of seats for passengers, then a minivan is absolutely your best option--no question. And if you are someone who mostly will drive with the 3rd row folded down, something like a Subaru Outback will give you much more interior room for less money and similar fuel economy (despite it not being a hybrid, similar exterior dimensions/profile, and a much more robust AWD system. Now if Toyota did away with the 3rd row altogether, improving fuel economy (say 38-40 mpg) in the process due to less weight, AND made a more generous cargo area in the process, then I think you'd have a tougher decision to make.
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I've always like the look of the Highlanders, but struggle with the perfunctory 3rd row seating and painfully small cargo capacity. I guess, in honesty, this is a problem I have with all 3-row crossovers. They are essentially a collection of compromises that you don't actually have to make. And yet, here we are. Dealerships are filled with them. If you are truly in need of 3 rows of seats for passengers, then a minivan is absolutely your best option--no question. And if you are someone who mostly will drive with the 3rd row folded down, something like a Subaru Outback will give you much more interior room for less money and similar fuel economy (despite it not being a hybrid, similar exterior dimensions/profile, and a much more robust AWD system. Now if Toyota did away with the 3rd row altogether, improving fuel economy (say 38-40 mpg) in the process due to less weight, AND made a more generous cargo area in the process, then I think you'd have a tougher decision to make.
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T R
I definitely see the resemblance to the Subaru Ascent. I like Subarus more conservative styling, so I also like this. I hope at some point, the big grilles go away. I think if Toyota adopts a more conservative styling approach, and less crazy angles(Prius); that will be good. A lot of people think that you cant have both conservative styling and good styling. People would call it boring. I would just call it good design when something ages well and still looks like an attractive car 5, or 7 years later. Case in point: Mazda, or VW. Not flashy designs, but they look good Obviously, style is subjective; but if Toyota stays on the path of the new Rav4 styling, and this highlander. they probably sell even more cars People know they have excellent reliability, Toyota just needed more cohesive styling. Only being reliable doesnt cut it now.
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I definitely see the resemblance to the Subaru Ascent. I like Subarus more conservative styling, so I also like this. I hope at some point, the big grilles go away. I think if Toyota adopts a more conservative styling approach, and less crazy angles(Prius); that will be good. A lot of people think that you cant have both conservative styling and good styling. People would call it boring. I would just call it good design when something ages well and still looks like an attractive car 5, or 7 years later. Case in point: Mazda, or VW. Not flashy designs, but they look good Obviously, style is subjective; but if Toyota stays on the path of the new Rav4 styling, and this highlander. they probably sell even more cars People know they have excellent reliability, Toyota just needed more cohesive styling. Only being reliable doesnt cut it now.
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Matt Speer
This seems like a decent improvement, though the tiny third row is still a disappointment. This in no way comes close the Telluride or Palisade in desirability, but seems better than any other entries in the segment. Buying this will still get you Toyota's legendary reliability and resale value, which probably won't be true of the Korean twins, especially regarding the resale. The Koreans are getting pretty reliable though and have a far better warranty than Toyota.
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This seems like a decent improvement, though the tiny third row is still a disappointment. This in no way comes close the Telluride or Palisade in desirability, but seems better than any other entries in the segment. Buying this will still get you Toyota's legendary reliability and resale value, which probably won't be true of the Korean twins, especially regarding the resale. The Koreans are getting pretty reliable though and have a far better warranty than Toyota.
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sevimlinfant
Alex, what do auto manufacturers do with their pre-production models after demonstrations are done? For example, who is going to be using his very model you reviewed? Is this ever sold to the general customer, if so, does it have a real VIN? How do he insurance companies deal with this whether it is sold to someone or not? Since this is not a real production I imagine the warranties may not work and there can be several problems with the car.
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Alex, what do auto manufacturers do with their pre-production models after demonstrations are done? For example, who is going to be using his very model you reviewed? Is this ever sold to the general customer, if so, does it have a real VIN? How do he insurance companies deal with this whether it is sold to someone or not? Since this is not a real production I imagine the warranties may not work and there can be several problems with the car.
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MacMichael Henson-Rogers
I have a 2018 Highlander and am not impressed with how it drives. Seemed fine on the test drive, but there is quite a bit of pitch and dive during acceleration and braking. I'm hoping the 2020 drives better. I noticed in the Platinum that you do not have physical buttons for the rear auto climate control. Is that different on the XLE?
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I have a 2018 Highlander and am not impressed with how it drives. Seemed fine on the test drive, but there is quite a bit of pitch and dive during acceleration and braking. I'm hoping the 2020 drives better. I noticed in the Platinum that you do not have physical buttons for the rear auto climate control. Is that different on the XLE?
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Right Lane Hog
Alex, #Hybrid has to be the way to go. The MPG is simply OUTSTANDING for a CUV this size. Unless you are in the small minority that routinely tows 5, 000 lbs with your Highlander, the 35-36 mpg and more than ample 3, 500 lbs tow rating make the Hybrid decision easy.
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Alex, #Hybrid has to be the way to go. The MPG is simply OUTSTANDING for a CUV this size. Unless you are in the small minority that routinely tows 5, 000 lbs with your Highlander, the 35-36 mpg and more than ample 3, 500 lbs tow rating make the Hybrid decision easy.
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Edward Brinson
Great review Alex, I just wish the third row access was better. However, you can't beat 35mpg on the AWD version and a range of 600 miles. I'll test drive soon, and will likely good with the Platinum Hybrid version - still cheaper than a fully loaded MDX hybrid.
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Great review Alex, I just wish the third row access was better. However, you can't beat 35mpg on the AWD version and a range of 600 miles. I'll test drive soon, and will likely good with the Platinum Hybrid version - still cheaper than a fully loaded MDX hybrid.
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Robert Eckart
Next time you test this Hybrid, put eight (8) real people in those seats and drive them around for a while. I would like to hear what the acceleration is, and how comfortable they are; especially in what is know are the third row with three (3) seats
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Next time you test this Hybrid, put eight (8) real people in those seats and drive them around for a while. I would like to hear what the acceleration is, and how comfortable they are; especially in what is know are the third row with three (3) seats
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Kyle houlihan
My opinion: I like the new styling of this one over the last one. The last one reminds me of a Mitsubishi and that made me think cheap. I don't know why but it did.
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My opinion: I like the new styling of this one over the last one. The last one reminds me of a Mitsubishi and that made me think cheap. I don't know why but it did.
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