Home indoor flowers Test drive adapted for the Russian Federation Toyota Highlander. Big money time. Test drive Toyota Highlander Test drive new Toyota Highlander

indoor flowers

Test drive adapted for the Russian Federation Toyota Highlander. Big money time. Test drive Toyota Highlander Test drive new Toyota Highlander

Not so long ago, the first thing that came to the mind of the head of an overgrown family, when the question of changing a car to a more spacious one, was to go to the nearest Ford dealer: the Ford Explorer had almost no competitors in its class. But as soon as the last crisis loosened its grip, the modernized Toyota Highlander and Mazda CX-9 of the second generation re-entered our market. In which of these crossovers will a large unit of society receive the most equal opportunities?

Mid-size frame SUVs go down in history one by one. In their place, large crossovers have firmly established themselves, with 5-, and often with 7-seater saloons. So our today's duelists are typical children of their time. Highlander in its current generation “props up” the classic Prado, which still remains in the model line, in the corporate hierarchy. And Explorer itself in the last generation was that same classic frame SUV. So can they replace the departed "icons" or is the time of the "classic" over?

The current Highlander, also known as the Highlander, is a worthy successor to the former glory of its ancestors - Toyota Harrier, Kluger V, Lexus RX and, in fact, Highlander of the first two generations. Powerfully launched in January last year, the crossover easily pushed the ranks of its competitors, including the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Grand Santa Fe, Mazda CX-9, Nissan Murano. Even similar-sized models from the category of more off-road oriented ones are sold worse. Such as Mitsubishi Pajero and VW Touareg. More popular than the "Highlander" are only large classic jeeps, moreover, Toyota - TLC 200 and TLC Prado. Is such an assessment of Highlander deserved?

The fact that American cars are well suited for our market, marketers have understood for a long time. Since then, a string of adapted machines has been pulled from across the ocean to the expanses of Mother Russia. So today we will talk about models that were originally developed for the United States. And if the first participant in the test, Toyota Highlander, has already managed to quite successfully light up with us in the last generation, then Acura RDX is a novelty on the market of officially sold cars, as well as the entire brand as a whole.

We've rounded up six of the most popular CUV contestants and put up a fierce battle. The rules were as follows: the base cost of each specific model with the selected trim level should not exceed $40,000, this amount can only be increased by optional equipment. The car should have three rows of seats, a V6 engine and an all-wheel drive system.

Toyota Highlander is really a sequel for America and Japan. In these countries, "Highlander" was known in two previous generations, starting in 2001. For Russia, it is the third generation of Highlander that becomes the most complete, because the first one was not sold at all, and the second - according to our favorite "Toyota" habit - appeared on the Russian market only a few years after the start of sales in the USA. The new Highlander entered the market with us only a little later than in the States, and even supplied with a “light version” with front-wheel drive.

The Toyota Highlander is a large crossover comparable to the Volkswagen Touareg. In terms of dimensions, it is longer and taller, but slightly narrower. Will Highlander be able to surpass its main competitor in other indicators?

Specifications

The 2015 Highlander has a very heavy hood. Toyota never introduces abrupt innovations that can then break down and create problems. Their main policy is to just take the previous crossover, see what problems it had and refine it to perfection.

In the previous crossover, the main problem was plastic. In addition, the car used really a lot of fuel. A car without a full frame and a particularly large cross-country ability ate 19 liters per 100 kilometers.

By and large, the Toyota Highlender was supplied with an all-wheel drive system from the RX. Now the usual clutch, permanent front-wheel drive and under duress, when slipping, the rear is connected. Suspension mcpherson, much taken from the Lexus RX. Behind - multi-link suspension. Engine - 249 horsepower. A big plus was the reduction from 277 horsepower while maintaining the same power. Conventional 4-cylinder VV-time motor on phase shifters, very quiet. And also - a six-speed automatic instead of a five-speed one. Thanks to this, the car began to spend less fuel on the highway and around the city, because the car lost its center differential. Minus - in a deep snowdrift or mud, the clutch will turn off and the car will inevitably get stuck.

Salon

The first row seats can be adjusted to fit your body size, as can the steering wheel. The driver's seat is replete with various buttons, such as on the steering wheel and the front panel. The information display of the on-board computer has everything you need: control of "dead zones", opening the trunk, heated steering wheel and wiper zones. In the center is the media panel, it has become touch-sensitive. There is also navigation, but the buttons are not very convenient.

The car has separate climate control. Near the gear adjustment there is a button for turning on and off the stabilization button, which reacts to the operation of the machine. Downhill system and differential lock (actually this is a clutch closure). The automatic gearshift walks on an uneven slot, which is very convenient.

The interior is equipped with plastic, which sometimes imitates leather inserts. In general, it looks good and expensive.

If we talk about the rear seats, then there is plenty of space for a comfortable ride for passengers. For their convenience:

separate climate control
heated seats,
curtains,
armrests.
perforated leather seat pockets.

The trunk opens with an automatic button. The button opens the rear window for loading small luggage. There is a small shelf, for example, for tools. Below is the spare wheel. In the trunk you can also find belts for the third row of seats. But to enter them, you need to move the second row of seats. Unfortunately, only children can fit there. If you close the second and third rows of seats, then there will be an ideal floor that you can use as you wish. A rear view camera is installed on the trunk.

Driving performance

As the test drive showed, Toyota is a very smooth car that has a light steering wheel and gas pedal. Very smooth control, which in principle is not typical for a crossover. Fuel consumption - 14 liters per 100 kilometers. On the hood you can see the central stamping, there is enough visibility of the side mirrors. No engine noise is heard either. Feel the width of the car, but the driver feels comfortable. The machine is higher than 80% of the current. Unfortunately, the car feels small bumps in the road. On a test drive when cornering, there is a slightly noticeable roll to the side.

From all this it can be concluded that

Toyota Highlender 2014-2015 is a comfortable family car for the city.

The motor accelerates smoothly. In general, no radical changes, except for reduced fuel consumption and a different gearbox. Fuel consumption in the city is 15.7 liters per 100 kilometers. Acceleration to 100 km in 8.5 seconds.

Price and general information

The approximate price for a car is 1 million 760 thousand rubles. For that money, you get a 2.7-liter front-wheel drive engine. The nearest car with all-wheel drive and a powerful engine will cost 1,960,000 rubles. The car is in an almost top-end configuration - 2 million 138 thousand rubles.

Video

Video test drive Toyota Highlander 2015 see below

In some ways, the new 2017 Toyota Highlander is perfect for a family car. Next, we will introduce you to this model of car in more detail.

Toyota hopes that the redesigned 2017 Highlander, which was squeezed into the top three-row midsize Ford Explorer sales last year and ranked third on the Honda Pilot list, has the opportunity to return the favor and become the leader again, as it was in 2015. year.

All 2017 Highlanders will have body upgrades and a classic safety package that includes head-on and human-collision warnings, with a dedicated self-braking option. In addition, lane change and lane departure warning, dynamic cruise control and headlights with automatic beam control will be included. V6 versions will have a 2GR-FKS engine with self-start, self-stop mode and an eight-speed automatic transmission from the Lexus RX 350.

You can also opt for the SE sports assembly, which almost completely copies the XLE version, except for the sports parts of the style, disco and suspension. Will the reorganization be justified? Angus McKenzie summed up the Highlander SE best of all - “Everything good and bad that exists in Toyota is mixed up in this car. The new body hides, in my opinion, the most successful decision from Toyota in a long time. On the updated stretch of Route 101, part of our Toyota Highlander test drive route, the car we considered especially wonderful and in conflict with itself, Frank Marcus said that he was “cowardly” in the crossover.

Disappointing was the suspension setup, which seemed extremely heavy and unyielding to mitigate bumps in the road, which has been repeatedly seen in sports versions of Lexus/Toyota. On a perfectly smooth track, it looks disciplined and stable, but when entering a bumpy corner, the Toyota Highlander begins to mow and the tires squeal with every effort to control balance. We hoped that the new model would be easier to drive, but this did not materialize. As you can see, the lateral acceleration on the 8 SE couldn't beat the 2015 Highlander LE V6. The SE's best cornering performance is 0.77g, while the LE's is 0.79g. The G8 spends 27.6 seconds, but the LE has a much better time of 25.8 seconds.

You can watch Toyota Highlander 2016 test drive video here.

Wishing to experience improved responsiveness from the most powerful engine and the latest transmission, we were frustrated by the fact that the accelerator pedal is literally unboostable, and in a reduced gear, the transmission does not respond until the gas pedal is pressed to the floor. Among other things, eight speed modes are now available instead of six, and the system has been edited in such a way as to select the highest gear. During a long climb and with cruise control adjusted to 100 km / h, Highlander was constantly interfered with by low and high gears, not stopping at one high-speed mode for more than a few seconds. Toyota Highlander 2017 test drive video can be viewed here.

The convenience of a security system

On the impeccably smooth oval-shaped track, created specifically for the 2017 Toyota Highlander test drive, only a small number of people were able to understand how long the transmission has a new transmission. Christian Sebo says - “At the moment the car entered the race, with a slight transition over a hundred, the machine turned on the third. These actions are typical for four-gear units, which is already understandable, everything that remains here is for the "fad". Mark Rektin agreed with his colleague, “indeed, this SUV has too long gears, and this is only permissible in the case of peak operating speeds that the engine must reach. Acceleration to 130 km / h, turning on the third, is easy to achieve, but on the second one, picking up speed from 70 to 130 km / h is a completely different situation. The oval run came out as expected, the soft noise of the oncoming airflow and tires did not penetrate the cabin, however, there was a new source of annoyance - a system warning that a lane had changed.

Marcus was told, “the system controls the car to move in a single lane and controls the steering if it thinks it is really necessary. In addition, each time this moment is accompanied by a sound signal. I'd rather choose a system that helps you stay in the middle of the chosen lane." In addition, we tested the radar-based cruise control function. As it turned out, it is very useful for controlling the distance to the next vehicle in front, regardless of the speed involved.

Dirty games

Basically, we were delighted with how easy and natural it was for the crossover to pass all the tests we had prepared. Sebo shared his impressions, - “I was surprised, he looks very reliable and inspires confidence. Off-road, you realize that Highlander, Land Cruiser and Hilux were built by the same developers. It will not sink in the mud, it has all the required power to perform such a task. Only the gravel areas inside were noisy.” But such a tiny flaw is forgivable to the prototype. But the automatic stop of blocking the all-wheel drive system while maintaining a speed of 33 km / h, connected from the very beginning by the driver, was not clear to us.

What is the result?

The best thing left untreated in the 2017 Highlander is the first-class, comfortable cabin. It's generously sized with added luxuries, such as an elegant shelf that spans the entire width of the cabin below the dash, and an expansive center console that, Rektin said, "will fit a few overstuffed gym bags."

The SE build on the leather seats is marked by contrasting stitching, although the black and gray tandem, which lends a sombre ambience, won't be to everyone's taste. Again, the Toyota Sienna minivan will have more pairs with Highlander not grown for large thresholds, although this feature cannot be called characteristic only of this SUV.

Markus (who always judges a car by its interior) shared a personal opinion, “The seats are not set very high, and the legs do not have proper support. There is plenty of head and leg room and excellent visibility. There is a central protrusion that extends, has cup holders, although it consists of weak plastic, which I saw only in this model. And there are also a lot of necessary functions: outputs for connecting video and audio equipment, two USB connectors and a 110-volt jack. A special device is also available that allows you to fold and move the middle row seats to provide access to the far one, you can use it manually, and this function works flawlessly. Due to the low installation of the third row of seats, you have to move the second row seats a little or keep your legs a little high, which, of course, is inconvenient. Surely this row of seats are made for children. A consolation was the ventilated air that every child will receive. Although no - caught in the middle, will lose this. And the designers think that three of us can sit here. ”

Results video test drive Toyota Xislander

Anyone who likes Highlander at the moment will also appreciate the 2017 version. Dason Cummisa thinks the Highlander is very usable and is sure that all our comments about the car are completely unfounded. “Wow, finally there is an attractive Toyota. I am sure that not everyone will support my opinion, but I saw many reasons that allow her to overtake most rivals, and which will achieve the adoration of the acquirers. She is able to perform the task required of her. When walking slowly or idling, the engine is almost silent, which makes it smooth. Transmission shifts imperceptibly. Like pulling electricity, a car simply floats from the start.

The steering is like a ball-and-socket, no matter what you need it to do on off-road terrain, none of the rattling noises from the suspension will be heard, while moving gracefully over potholes while maintaining balance. The equipment in the cabin is very clear, the buttons that people who purchase this kind of car will use are large, brightly marked and not hard to reach.

The center row of seats is very roomy, the only downside being the low seating position. Among the two seats is a passage to the back row, the materials used to finish this part are more comfortable than in any of the other SUVs, except Mercedes. I didn't particularly like the look of the front panel, but if we consider its functionality, it is flawless. There are no grounds for performing two sunroof control buttons, and the stereo system controller is not easily accessible to the driver. That's probably all.

This model will satisfy many buyers, it will have its own army of fans. Would I buy Highlander-2017? the answer is probably no, but I don't buy SUVs in general. But the people who asked me which car would fit perfectly for daily use, in a family circle with a child or even two, in the mid-size SUV segment, most likely, I will not recommend Mazda, which has a 4-cylinder engine. I will say that this is the Toyota Highlander – the current SUV for 2017.”

Toyota › Summing up the results of a long test of the crossover Toyota Highlander

Drivers provided Highlander with a boring life. Immediately after receiving the crossover went beyond the Arctic Circle, to the Rybachy Peninsula. After that there were trips to Tambov and to the godforsaken village of Chernousovo, which is located in the very heart of the Tula region. But the main run fell on Moscow and the region strangled by traffic jams. And here it is already more correct to count not the kilometers traveled, but the motor-hours during forced downtime.

The resource segment of Highlander cheerfully plowed without a single breakdown. Didn't even get the little things. We have never changed burnt out light bulbs, added oil to the engine or antifreeze to the cooling system. On the other hand, on average, once every three days, a 72-liter tank was filled with "ninety-fifth" gasoline. The indiscreet appetite of the crossover was initially perceived as a major drawback. Moreover, the spread of values \u200b\u200bhardly fit in my head: from 7.3 l / 100 km, with emphasized economical driving, to 19 liters per hundred or more in dynamics and traffic jams. But as we got used to the car, it became clear that the panic was largely false and related to the driving style of different drivers. Having been in the same hands for a long time, Highlander moderated his appetite to quite acceptable 10.5-15.5 l / 100 km.

In addition to the average or instantaneous fuel consumption, a graphic econometer can be displayed on the instrument cluster display, which, however, almost always goes off scale. A detailed trip report is also offered, but it is unlikely that when buying a crossover with a V6 engine, you will delve into the study of these graphs.

Liters flying out into the pipe are the price for convincing dynamics. Highlander V6 is ready for powerful acceleration from any speed, but the real “six” is revealed in the upper sector of the tachometer. Under such and such a motor and appropriate brakes. however, the "Japanese" is having a hard time with this. The crossover reacts to the initial touch of the pedal with an intense peck, which only disorients the driver. Subsequently, you need to press on the brake firmly and powerfully. An unsuccessful drive setting is most annoying on a long journey, when, due to low-speed vehicles, you have to pull the car down from high speeds. At the same time, for three months I have not adapted to slow down evenly.

The Highlander has 249 taxable powers. But on sensations - all 280! The more unpleasant the puncture with the brakes.

Another irritant is the standard navigation system, which only the lazy did not scold during the collective test. Kostya Bolotov even dedicated an entire ode to her! List of complaints: inconvenient interface and dependence of the route on numerous options. Guided by the checkboxes set in the submenu, the arrow on the screen can take you a hundred kilometers away from the target. Moreover, an attempt to correct the system's brain in the direction of travel does not correct the situation - for the introduction of amendments on our machine, most often a system reboot was required.

Nice interior without frills. The climate control has convenient swivel washers adjacent to large buttons. The sync key in one press synchronizes the parameters of the three climatic zones. Comfortable! But the touch buttons will require attention, which is completely inappropriate on the way.

I also have questions about the luggage compartment of the Highlander. More precisely, to the presence of a third row of seats, which develops underground. For all the time I have not used the imposed bonus even once. But, going on vacation, I played Tetris for half a day in an attempt to evenly distribute the luggage so that it fits under the curtain. I am sure that many owners are satisfied with the seven-seater crossover, but there are also many who would prefer an extra fifty liters to the trunk volume instead of a folding sofa. But what's the point if there is no choice - the car is designed according to the tastes of the Americans.

With the seats of the second and third rows folded down, a flat platform with a volume of 2370 liters is formed! However, the floor has an inclination towards the fifth door, which gives the load additional mobility during movement. The compartment has brackets for attaching an elastic mesh, but the mesh itself will have to be purchased separately.

And yet the listed fly in the ointment dissolves in a barrel of Highlander honey with almost no unpleasant bitterness - a very tasty car! For a long time I could not understand the nature of my own sympathies for Highlander, but in fact the answer options can be summed up in just one word - convenient. This applies to capacity, front seats, adjustable rear sofa, suspension operation, “automatic”, headlight efficiency and much more. If car designers were given gold medals for the development of individual components, I would give the Japanese two at once. One - for a bottomless box between the front seats, the other - for a shelf stretched over three quarters of the front panel. Phones, tablet, cigarettes, napkins, bananas, nuts, chewing gum, documents, camera. there is a place for everything.

The convenience of the Highlander, including an abundance of places for small luggage. True, due to the lack of upholstery in the glove box, its contents rattle. Volumetric pockets in the doors are divided into compartments for drinks. Even open bottles can be stored in these.

Impressed by the convenience of the Highlander, the editorial staff was so carried away by its operation that at first they were very late with the change of summer tires to winter ones, and then they almost missed the scheduled maintenance. At TO-2, I drove a car with an overrun of almost seven hundred kilometers. I thought I would have to make excuses, but the inspectors of the Toyota-Altufievo technical center did not even raise an eyebrow. It turns out that such violations of the warranty conditions are turned a blind eye here.

Funny scene: the car is already washed and dried, but the work has not yet begun. The representative from Toyota insists that the masters change into new overalls before taking pictures, and he, apparently, does not quite understand - why is the old one bad? But the Toyota structure is somewhat reminiscent of the army - here, first, orders are carried out and only then they are discussed.

To be honest, my visit to the service was a special scenario. Under the terms of the agreement, I was allowed to be in the repair zone, and Toyota, in turn, assigned an escort. The girl Olesya fulfilled her duties uncompromisingly: at her request, the serviceman who was engaged in our Highlander was dressed in a new overalls, and fresh protective covers were hung on the car itself - everything should be clean in the frame! And I felt like I was back in Soviet times. This kind of show was the norm back then. But in fact, the presence of an escort means that Toyota services are very closely monitoring what is happening around their cars. And for the owners, this is rather a plus.

The rear mudguards are at high risk. Even though we were careful when exiting the asphalt, we still broke one. The plastic bottom protection is located on the same level as the exhaust system and, in contact with the ground, takes the main blows. As you can see, not without consequences. Rust appeared on the exhaust parts, which the master recognized as insignificant. However, we recall that our Highlander has not yet sniffed winter powder.

The disguised master worked without fuss: he changed the oil in the engine, changed the filters and lubricated the moving parts of the body. In total, there are 25 positions in the TO-2 list for the all-wheel drive Highlander. The final verdict: all systems work as they should, the wear of rubbing pairs is minimal. The only but - a small hole in the anther of the upper cylinder of the right front brake caliper. Replacement recommended. The master says that this happens when the pads are changed by "unofficial": there they sink the cylinder in violation of technology, damaging the cuff. Only on our Highlander the brake pads are still from the factory. In general, the rubber band was replaced.

By the twenty thousandth run, the front and rear brake discs were worn out by less than a millimeter - with an allowable wear of three. The pads have lost exactly half their thickness: from 12 millimeters to six. Only a small hole in the cylinder boot spoiled the statistics. The drum mechanism in the photo is a parking brake.

By the end of the ten thousandth interval between maintenance, the engine and especially cabin filters are heavily contaminated. In the photo - the difference between new and old.

Weapons of mass respect

When you buy a large Toyota SUV (even if it's actually a crossover), you're automatically forgoing automotive values such as thrilling dynamics, polished handling, and sophisticated looks. These machines have the advantages of a completely different plan - and Highlander, with which I spent a month of my life, was no exception.

This is how much Toyota Highlander drove during the month of our test

I don't want to be clichéd, but the turn signal on any healthy Toyota works much the same as a pair of escort cars filled with stern-faced men. I clicked a lever and in the next row a place instantly formed that would be empty until I was there in my Highlander. I will not prevaricate: yes, it's a little bit embarrassing, but still more pleasant.

Fear or respect? What's the difference? They let you pass, they don’t honk, they don’t throw reproachful glances and caustic comments in your direction - that’s wonderful. Some kind of magic.

But if your natural modesty does not allow you to consider this a serious advantage, the emotions from Highlander will not be so magical. A month has passed, and it still seems to me too heavy, too clumsy and not very fast, despite a quite decent and high-torque motor. However, we have already made a reservation that in the case of large Toyotas, this is a given. But after all, along with laziness, softness should also go, but it is not here!

The Highlander is quite stiff, and on large pits or powerful joints - even excessively. And I am not alone in this opinion: our editor-in-chief Efim drove the car for several days and completely agreed with me.

But that's not even what annoys me the most. And the fact that this car put only halogen headlights. Yeah, in a big and expensive Toyota there is not and cannot even be xenon, although it was before restyling! The company seems to have a logical explanation for this: they say that the car was originally American, and there no one cares what light sources are used in optics.

But damn it, we're not in America! We live in a country where, in a large part of its territory, the night lasts half a year, and where the only source of light is a kerosene stove. And even then, if the fuel for it was brought by helicopter. What do you say we don't live there? Well, just look out the window. To break through not only the darkness, but also to illuminate objects around, covered with a thick word of camouflage dirt, you need something more serious than a pair of incandescent bulbs, right?

And after all, Toyota has a lot of modern lighting equipment. There are gas discharge lamps and LEDs. And it seems to me that the buyer of a car for that kind of money has the right to count on at least some of this.

It immediately includes a three-zone climate, leather seats, an electric driver's seat, a third row, rain and light sensors, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and cruise control. For another 148 thousand rubles, you can get ventilation for the front seats, an electric passenger seat, a color screen of the onboard computer, an eight-inch multimedia system and a navigator.

Expenses for the owner of Toyota Highlander in the first year of operation (20,000 kilometers)

And, perhaps, it is money - namely, a high entry threshold and a third of a million a year in order to ride it - that explains why there is no dominance of Highlanders in every Russian or at least Moscow courtyard. In addition, almost all direct competitors will cost less.

Competitors

Ford Explorer

Kia Sorento Prime

Hyundai Grand Santa Fe

Mazda CX-9

Honda Pilot

Nissan Murano

Fuel consumption at the end of the test grew by another tenth of a liter

Fact: Highlander is expensive. And both in terms of price and further content. But in exchange for this amount, you get a car that everyone respects and loves infinitely. And even though this cannot be measured by any objective values, it is unfair and wrong to deny such a fact. In relation to his classmates, I have not yet recorded such a reaction.

Yes, in this car you will be bored, like at an art-house movie session, which you got in the company of friends. But for the household and their belongings there will be such a reserve that, in principle, you can even live in this car. And it will become cheaper almost at the same rate as real estate - that is, slowly.

Why does everyone like Highlander, but I don't? It seems that I'm just too young to fully experience the whole tsimes. After all, looking at a new car, the first thing I think about is how it turns, accelerates and brakes (that is, about what the Highlander is not very good at), and not about how much it will cost in three years. Or what will be the girth of the index finger of the new urologist, to whom I will inevitably go in this car. Everything has its time? m

Toyota Highlander test drive: you can't hide genes

Say what you like, but the range of crossovers and SUVs from Toyota is outrageous. Out of habit, you can also catch the "syndrome of a Soviet man in a supermarket" - there are so many options that it is not clear what to choose. RAV4, Venza, Highlander, regular Land Cruiser, Land Cruiser Prado, Hilux - and they still don't bring 4Runner to us!

So, until recently, I perceived Highlander exclusively as a big Camry. Like a car with an emphasis on space and comfort, perhaps with a more brutal image.

In principle, in the city everything is exactly the same way. You roll in complete silence (the noise isolation here is amazing!), listen to the convincing sounding “music” of JBL, slap your tires over bumps and potholes, practically not noticing them, and scare everyone around with a huge radiator grille and unkind headlights.

The beauty! And it really makes sense to scare away: a 3.5-liter V6 with a capacity of 249 forces accelerates a hefty two-ton crossover very quickly. So much so that you can’t believe in the passport 8.7 seconds to “hundreds” precisely because this figure looks too big.

Yes, what is there, in this car you can live at all! And it’s not even about the space in all seven places and the rear row seats, which fold into a flat two or three-sleeping bed. The Highlander has a hell of a lot of space for junk: spacious pockets in the doors, a bottomless box between the front seats (they say one little boy fell in there and has not been seen since), scattered throughout the cabin, including the third row, cup holders and, of course, the already almost famous shelf on the front panel. With the same ingenious hatch through which you can stretch the wires from the phone, navigator and other portable gadgets.

As for ergonomics in general, the Highlander is in perfect order: everything is in its place, the instruments are readable, the touch screen responds to pressing, if not instantly, but definitely, the knobs turn and the buttons are pressed, and they do it quite nobly. Even more gratifying, Toyota appears to have dismantled the recruiting department and re-formed it, this time requiring job applicants to provide mental health certificates. Because there is no bad taste characteristic of the same Camry! Calm colors, expensive-looking aluminum and wood inserts, pleasant leather… Only the traditional electronic watch on the front panel reminds you that you are still in Toyota.

But the main surprise happened ... unexpectedly. Having conceived photography in nature, so that it would be beautiful and near the water, we went to the quarry in Zhostovo. Only to find there, even on a weekday morning, numerous swimmers who have occupied all more or less pretty places. Having rounded the pond in an arc and never found worthy options, we ran into a very impressive hill with a slope of about fifty degrees. And there is nowhere to retreat!

Highlander gets to the top of the hill so easily and naturally that the photographer asks to repeat the trick a couple more times. No problem! But on that curved slope with a pit in the middle we will stop by? Yes Easy! What about sand? And please! The Highlander showed all the qualities necessary for off-roading: good geometric cross-country ability, an adequately tuned all-wheel drive system, convenient traction control and a solid supply of this traction.

Test drive Toyota Highlander –
"Not Far Away (Highlander 3.5)"

About Toyota Highlander

Toyota Highlander

Expedition Astrakhan - Volgograd

The updated Toyota Highlander was first revealed to the world at the recent Moscow Motor Show. And now Russian journalists were the first in the world to have the opportunity to test the “Highlander” in action. In any case, representatives of Toyota Motor claimed that this was the first test on the planet. We must pay tribute to the courage of the organizers. Apparently, they really were confident in the reliability of their car. The two-day journey from Astrakhan to Volgograd assumed significant deviations from civilized automobile routes.

We came across abandoned (or maybe not) tank training grounds, the silence over which was broken by fighters from the Astrakhan center for the combat use of aviation. Our "Highlanders" under the arrogant glances of camels and under the recording of mobile phones of their shepherds overcame sand dunes. We crossed the fishing paradise between the Volga and Akhtuba rivers, all cut up by countless channels, eriks, backwaters and lakes. We climbed the sacred mountain Big Bogdo, now declared a protected area, on the slopes of which, just last year, a scientist from Volgograd found two plants hitherto unknown to science. We traveled along the gray shores of Lake Baskunchak, where three-quarters of the salt of Russia is mined and where salt “ice” is so strong that, with a thickness of up to 18 m, it can withstand a narrow-gauge railway, along which wagons are fed directly to a combine that cuts “white gold”.

However, in the application to the car test, we were interested not so much in the beauty of the surrounding landscapes as in the variety of road conditions that these landscapes generously endowed us with. It seems that there is no such type of road left - asphalted and not, which we would not have met during this test. Let's say right away that Highlander is not intended in principle for many of these conditions. And no other car, except for special versions for rally raids. Well, what can be said about the behavior of a 2-ton crossover created on the Toyota Camry platform, say, driving on the so-called Baer mounds at a speed of 100 km / h! Of course, the energy intensity of the suspension seemed insufficient, and the shock absorbers “made their way” to the stop in both directions in the rhythm of a drum roll. “You can play rally drivers,” the organizers said flippantly. And we played. You can’t call such treatment of technology otherwise than hooliganism, but it turned out to be impossible to deny yourself the pleasure. And above all because the car itself allowed a similar attitude towards itself. The bottles in the trunk shattered to smithereens, but the margin of safety and a certain sense of reliability of the whole structure made it possible to drive more and more impudently, and most importantly, this impudence remained unpunished. "Highlander" withstood all bullying.

Speed limited to 180 km / h, although the potential of the V6 is much more

Far from newbie

If we ignore the extreme impressions of the interaction of an independent suspension (front McPherson type, rear - double wishbone, both with anti-roll bars) with the nature of the Lower Volga region, then, given the purpose of this car, the most practical interest was the experience of driving in a normal, albeit very different consistency asphalt. Among the positive aspects, first of all, it is worth noting the excellent dynamics. Which is not surprising, given the fact that this car comes to Russia with a 3.5-liter V6 with 273 hp. Overtaking jerk at a speed of 140 km / h was given without the slightest tension. Moreover, there was no need to transfer the “automatic” to manual mode. He, albeit only a 5-band, worked quite dexterously, although you can’t call him lightning fast. It took a second or two to make a decision, but the explosion of power that followed the “kickdown” completely compensated for a small hitch.

A lot contributed to the remote nature of the ride on a variety of types of coverage and a permanent all-wheel drive system with a free center differential, distributing traction between the axles in a ratio of 50:50. It is quite traditional in its structure, and you may not jump out of rags to riches on it, but without it it would be difficult to properly dispose of a considerable herd of horsepower.

Only the all-wheel drive version will be delivered to Russia, although a “demilitarized” version with front-wheel drive and more modest engines is also available in the USA. Across the ocean there is a hybrid, and even a "Highlander" on hydrogen.

Further, it is worth noting good sound insulation and acoustic comfort, including thanks to the active hydraulic engine mounts, which dampen its vibrations at idle. And in general, you can sit very comfortably and quite freely in the cabin, because the Highlander is a large car that is positioned as a full-size crossover. It's actually bigger than Prado!

inner wealth

Usually a standard journalistic test begins with enthusiasm about the external data of the new model. But, it seems to me, it is hardly worth talking about the appearance of the “Highlander” for a long time. The restyled radiator grille and corporate-style headlights look good, but in general, the Highlander is distinguished by simple and functional forms. He is chubby and cheeky. The mirrors don't even protrude. One of its main trump cards is the size. Even on the third row of its 7-seater saloon is not as crowded as it happens in such cases. The second row moves back and forth by 120 mm. An interesting point is the ability to quickly transform the rear sofa into separate seats by means of a removable armrest, for which there is a place in the bowels of the central tunnel. The process of stacking extra seats is easy and allows you to quickly turn a relatively small 290-liter trunk into a 1200-liter cargo compartment. The rear window that opens separately contributes to the convenience of loading and unloading in cramped conditions. And for the first time in the Russian model range of Toyota, the fifth door is equipped with an electric drive. Why not premium!

Correspond to the impressive size and 19-inch wheels, which are already installed in the basic configuration. I don’t know if the owners will be happy about this circumstance, given the price of tires of this dimension, but personally I decided to be happy. The big wheels look very impressive.

The main decoration of the interior is large wood inserts. But this is an amateur. Plastic can not be called chic, but everything is assembled very reliably and tightly. Leather also will not drive you crazy with quality, but it is included in the basic package. It is worth noting the very large governing bodies. On our journey, when a partner’s glasses flew off his nose from shaking, this turned out to be very useful. There is a small additional display between the air ducts on the center console. Even in the absence of a navigation system, the image from the rear view camera is displayed on it. In general, a rich basic equipment is one of the advantages of the Russian version (see sidebar).

Of the shortcomings, the not very intelligible steering wheel attracted attention, with extreme manipulation of which one had to rely more on the trial and error method than on the information coming into one's hands. But its electric booster is smart enough to resist the driver's erroneous actions in a critical situation. When skidding, it facilitates the rotation of the steering wheel in the right direction and makes it difficult in the wrong direction. The list of other auxiliary electronic systems is also impressive: ABS, EBD, BAS, TRC, VSC (ESP), Hill Assist Control, Down Assist Control. All this is in the basic equipment.

By the way, electronic insurance can be turned off using a secret button, which is almost impossible to find without the help of a knowledgeable person (look to the left under the steering wheel, almost at the very pedals). An interesting feature: the brake can be pressed simultaneously with the “gas”. The system then limits the engine torque. The navigation speaks Russian, but is still quite strange. I still cannot understand what the constantly repeated phrase “go on the current road” means.

Ford Explorer
(station wagon 5-door)

Audi Q3
(station wagon 5-door)

The notorious “softness”, for which “American” cars so often have to be scolded and which we feared a priori, was not in sight in this case. Moreover, it even seemed that large-caliber asphalt shot, the placers of which are quite common on local roads, the suspension could work out a little softer, especially considering the harsh stuffing of the seats. At close to limiting speeds, together with a sluggish steering wheel, this led to the need for small course corrections to compensate for the perturbations that occurred every now and then. No wonder the above button is hidden so far and the speed of this car is forcibly limited to “only” 180 km / h, although the potential of the V6 is much greater.

Only the all-wheel drive version will be delivered to Russia

However, all these remarks are from the category of complaints of the princess and the pea. There are springs in the rear suspension, not adaptive dampers. No matter how you set it up, it will shake it somewhere. Provincial roads can unbalance anyone. Especially at a speed of 180 km / h. In general, the car is great for long journeys, providing comfort at the level of a good sedan. You can even say that it is for this "Highlander" and created. For the city, it may seem excessively powerful.

The average fuel consumption “according to the passport” is 11.6 l / 100 km. You have to work very hard to meet this number. Painfully provokes this motor to wasteful driving. Even on the highway, we got at least 16 liters per “hundred”. In a word, the sixth, cruising gear was clearly not enough.

Representatives of Toyota Motor believe that there is a cozy price niche for Gorets in the Russian market between the RAV4 and Prado, and the release of the second generation Highlander is an excellent reason to fill it right now. The share of sales of SUVs and crossovers, according to Toyota Motor, in the Russian market is constantly growing, regardless of fluctuations in absolute figures. If in 2002 it was 10%, then this year it is 22%, and by 2012 it will increase to 25%. In such a segment, any gap needs to be filled. And the share of Toyota SUV sales is impressive: from 29% in 2007, it rose to 48% in 2010. This direction seems to be the main one in the work of the company, and Highlander may well become an adornment of the lineup.

Partner offers

Big money time. Test drive Toyota Highlander

A huge trunk, a powerful V6, a very roomy rear sofa and a long list of options - Highlander, which carries key values for the American market, has already captivated the Russian audience.

Psychological milestone of 3 million rubles. the updated Highlander stepped over without looking. And this means that the model, as before, falls under the luxury tax. On the opposite bowl - rich equipment even in the basic configuration, a spacious interior and permanent all-wheel drive. In addition, now the power of the only V6 engine in any configuration has been reduced to 249 hp, which fits perfectly into the transport tax rates. As a result, the cost of ownership of Highlander is quite comparable with competitors.

Large crossovers are traditionally very popular with American buyers. Such a car allows you to move comfortably within the city and at the same time go on a long journey with the whole family. So can a car that carries the key values for the American market conquer the Russian audience?

Ivan Ananiev, 40, drives a Citroen C5

"Hairenda!" And why does the Japanese have such a passion for names that they themselves are completely unable to pronounce correctly? Although we, conditional residents of Europe, like this: here you have a biting male word, and images of mountain passes, and a harsh male beard, slightly sticking out of the doorway just above the frame elements shod in body panels. And although there really is no frame here - you need to turn to the Fortuner model for it - Highlander is still associated with the image of a brutal male car, which Toyota has enough without it.

In general, Highlander was conceived as a family crossover, so it has the length of an “E” class sedan, only a seven-seat interior and a powerful V6 with a solid pathos sound. Moreover: a multi-link rear suspension, which not only helped to successfully arrange the interior and trunk, but also made it possible to count on decent driving performance. On good pavement, it is - the feeling that you are driving a well-raised Camry. The buildup and some rubbery responses have not gone away, but compared, for example, with the frame Prado, this is a completely different car - more assembled, understandable and comfortable. More lightweight.

But the interior here is clearly not from Camry. On the one hand, after the last update, the interior has become much nobler and no longer so clearly reminiscent of the 1990s. On the other hand, it's still a big Toyota with massively shaped elements and a bit rough finish. Strict plastic keys are still in abundance, the plastic is just as hard, and the lids of the storage boxes slam shut with the same roar. The media system is quite modern, but the fonts and Russification in it are completely archaic. The role of a cozy family nest pulls only with some stretch.

The atmospheric “six” lifts the front end with a loud breath and accelerates the crossover very decently, but there is a feeling that a lot of fuel flies into the pipe. There is not and will not be a diesel engine, a hybrid is not supplied to Russia, and it turns out that it is necessary to carry a family in two pedals, starting briskly and pulling down the car just as intensively. And in terms of parking in the city, this is also not the most convenient car. In general, rational European values, which today necessarily imply compactness, efficiency and quality of all sensations without exception, Highlander does not yet cultivate. In this sense, the Korean Kia Sorento Prime is much closer to me personally - more affordable, flexible and almost completely European. And by the way, Koreans have no problems with pronunciation.

With a planned update, the appearance of the third generation Highlander has changed slightly. You can distinguish the restyled version by the new grille, a different design of the front and rear optics, as well as 19-inch rims. In a technical sense, the Japanese did not limit themselves to only one change, but what! Now the crossover is equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Of the off-road functionality on board - blocking the central clutch and partial shutdown of the traction control system. On a bumpy dirt road or a broken country road, this will be more than enough, and for serious off-road there is more serious equipment. But in any Highlander there is permanent all-wheel drive and a torquey 3.5-liter V6 that develops 249 horsepower. Junior 2.7-liter unit with 188 hp. removed from the Russian market. Probably, this is even for the better, because for a car weighing more than two tons, he was frankly weak.

The audit in terms of versions and their equipment was carried out only for Russia. Indeed, in the US market, the four-cylinder unit is still available and is offered for the base Highlander. Together with such a motor, the same 6-speed “automatic”, familiar from the pre-styling car, works, and the torque is transmitted only to the front wheels.

Suspension for all markets and trim levels is the same. McPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear are built around conventional dampers and steel springs. No mechatronic chassis or air springs for you. Despite this, Highlander has a good ride on rough terrain and excellent road holding at high speeds. The steering, as before, is equipped with an electric power steering with enough effort and feedback on the steering wheel.

Roman Farbotko, 27, drives a Ford Fiesta

This is the first car that didn't fit into my favorite yard parking spot. Seriously, no matter how I tried to squeeze the five-meter Highlander on the hill, nothing worked: I either drove my wheels onto the curb or rested the door on the neighboring Lexus RX. Even the BMW X5 felt more at ease here than this "Japanese". But something else is more interesting.

Toyota Highlander constantly reminds you how big it is. A giant hood in front of your eyes, a very “long” steering wheel and a lot of free air inside. I experienced similar feelings in the Ford Explorer, but the "American" was clearly embarrassed by his size. Toyota is without complexes, and it's great!

I like to slowly cut Varshavka on the way home. Especially when it's summer. The Highlander is the perfect car to kick back and ignore the next second-row driver. Hey Nexia, don't push the barrier, drive in front of me. This is exactly what a family crossover should be: it absolutely does not provoke daring behavior, although the Highlander has plenty of opportunities for this.

Firstly, he has an honest and very powerful aspirated. The elastic motor is ready to fervently accelerate the two-ton crossover from almost any speed. Secondly, the Highlander has amazingly tuned brakes. No empty pedal travel and no loss of efficiency at highway speeds - it always slows down like a Camry.

And finally, you can literally feel this car with your fingertips. Yes, yes, I know, I just talked about the enormous size of the Highlander. So, you get used to its dimensions very quickly, so the car ceases to seem like an overgrowth. Seems like only the Japanese do it.

Options and prices

In the Russian market, Highlander is available in three trim levels. Already in the basic version of Elegance, the car is quite well equipped, and therefore the price tag for it is appropriate - 3,226,000 rubles.

For this money, the car will be equipped with 19-inch wheels, uphill and downhill assistance systems, 8 airbags, light and rain sensors, an intelligent keyless entry system, a tire pressure sensor and an electric fifth door. The cabin is also in order: leather seats and a heated multifunction steering wheel, three-zone climate control, AUX and USB connectors, multimedia with a rear view camera and cruise control.

The next version of "Prestige" is estimated by Russian dealers at 3,374,000 rubles. There are few differences from the basic configuration. This is a dashboard with a color display in the center, front seat memory, a rear-view camera with dynamic marking lines, as well as monitoring systems for “blind” zones when changing lanes and reversing from a parking lot.

In the maximum configuration "Safety Suite" for 3,524,000 rubles. the car will also be equipped with active cruise control, traffic sign recognition, forward collision and lane crossing warning systems, front parking aids, four panoramic surround view cameras and a 12-speaker JBL audio system.

Oleg Lozovoy, 31, drives a Volkswagen Golf

Having easily placed all the purchases in the trunk of the Highlander, I was about to close it, but right there I hit my head on the fifth door. They say that the magnitude of its rise here can be adjusted. That's great, but what the hell? I do not argue, for this money you really get a lot of car, but since its price forces you to pay a luxury tax on top, then the demand for such luxury is appropriate.

Okay, enough of being boring. Moreover, in the driver's seat of the Highlander I am greeted with spaciousness and comfort. However, this is true for the entire internal space of the Japanese crossover. Leather trim, seats with many adjustments, and even three-zone climate control. In such a situation, only third-row passengers can complain. If they are over 12 years old, then it is unlikely that their faces will look happy after a long journey. But all the rest will feel like real business class passengers.

That would still get hold of a slightly more modern multimedia system. If you don’t quibble, then even the one installed on the Highlander is quite enough for basic needs. In addition, your favorite songs come from the 12-speaker JBL audio system.

But graphics from the mid-2000s and not the fastest response to commands are forced to turn to the 8-inch touch screen as little as possible. It's a pity, because, among other things, there is a detailed navigation in Russian, which knows not only asphalt roads, but also some country roads.

Competitors

Even despite the correction of retail prices by the Russian office of Toyota, the updated Highlander still costs a lot compared to competitors. But as soon as you open a list of equipment in comparable configurations, its price no longer seems high. At the same time, almost all classmates have similar power units and transmissions.

In Russia, the restyled Highlander is fighting for buyers primarily with and. Prices for an American crossover start at 2,649,000 rubles, while the Japanese competitor is estimated at a minimum of 2,755,000 rubles. Both cars are equipped with a 3.5-liter aspirated engine with a capacity of 249 hp. and all-wheel drive transmission, and Ford also has a Sport version with uprated to 340 hp. motor.

Not the most popular, but no less important competitor of the Highlander - - is equipped with a 3.0 liter engine (249 horsepower). The initial Lifestyle equipment with all-wheel drive and a 6-speed "automatic" is estimated at 2,999,900 rubles. By the way, the new one also arrived. The second generation of the model is available on the Russian market in two trim levels - prices start at 2,890,000 rubles. Another notable player in this class is . Base machine with 197 hp diesel engine. and all-wheel drive is available from dealers for 2,424,000 rubles.

David Hakobyan, 28, drives a Daewoo Nexia

Coco Chanel's catchphrase that life never provides "a second chance to make a first impression" describes my relationship with the Toyota Highlander perfectly. For the first time I was driving this car in the spring of 2014 in the mountains of Georgia, when a Japanese company brought a crossover to the Russian market and organized the first test drive along the Tbilisi-Batumi route.

Then, on the narrow serpentines of the old Georgian military road, the Highlander seemed too overweight and awkward, so it was not at all impressive. Even against the background of the frame Land Cruiser Prado, a couple of which wormed their way into the column of test cars. Not impressed with Highlander and interior trim. The overseas eclecticism that reigned in the interior of the crossover seemed quite rustic for a car that claims to be a certain premium.

And now, after more than three years, we met with Highlander again. Does fate give us a third chance? The crossover after the update has become more pleasant inside and no longer seems so simple in American style. There is no now in our market and not very balanced front-wheel drive version. Only a well-packed car with a 3.5-liter "six" and all-wheel drive. And the only thing repulsive from sympathy for the Highlander is its price. The cost of a crossover varies from 3,226,000 to 3,524,000 rubles. And this is the territory of the Volvo XC90 and even the Audi Q7.

In some ways, the new 2017 Toyota Highlander is perfect for a family car. Next, we will introduce you to this model of car in more detail.

Toyota is hoping that the redesigned 2017 Highlander, which was squeezed into the top three-row mid-size car sales last year and ranked third on the Pilot list, has the opportunity to return the favor and become the leader again, as it was in 2015.

You can watch Toyota Highlander 2016 test drive video here.

Another drawback is the engine. This V6 has huge power, thanks to the 8-speed "automatic" acceleration should be provided more actively, and the EPA numbers make it clear that this tandem is able to slightly reduce fuel consumption in the group of previous versions. But according to our test, everything is quite different. The Highlander takes 7.2 seconds to accelerate from standstill to 96 mph, and takes 15.5 seconds to cover the quarter mile with final numbers of 149 km/h. Highlander LE V6 2015 spends 7.1 seconds for the first 100 meters, and the same 15.5 seconds for the passage of 402 meters. with a final 146 km/h. And the data that relate to fuel consumption is very disappointing. According to the EPA, the novelty should have eaten less from 13.1 / 9.8 / 11.8 liters per 100 kilometers to 11.8 / 9.0 / 10.7 liters in the city / highway / in mixed mode at the Highlander V6 AWD-2017. In our Highlander SE AWD, we found out that fuel is consumed much faster - 14.9 / 9.8 / 12.6 liters for the same 100 km.