This week’s test car review is very special. I’m test driving a spectacular “Ruby Flare Pearl” Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid Max that is one of the hottest Toyota SUVs on the market. This beauty has a final assembly in Princeton, Indiana making it eligible for those “Made in America” tax incentives to promote the auto industry in the USA… Now here’s the interesting story: I picked up a friend for a luncheon meeting in this bright red Highlander, seems that he has owned some Highlanders in prior years. I was raving about how good this turbo-charged model performed, along with the beautiful leather adorned interior. He fell in love with the vehicle. So much that he went to a local Toyota dealership to see if he could purchase one. Alas, no test drive and they didn’t have one and he was told, “This is a “best seller.” Not the end of the story, he brought his wife over to my home to have me demonstrate the Highlander for her. They took note of the seven-passenger seating and the third-row seats folding up in the trunk. We put them up and down easily for entry for hauling grandchildren. It met Sharon’s approval and the search is on to find a Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid Max at a local dealership.
Highlanders have been time tested from Toyota and this model has a suggested list price of $59,275 with all options included. Some of the highlights for this model include great appearance with the exquisite red flare pearl paint. The interior is handsome with brown leather trim, spacious captain seats, both rows ventilated and heated. A digital rearview mirror gives a clear camera picture of rear traffic. Safety is utmost with Toyota, and this vehicle has the 3.0 Safety Sense, along with blind spot monitoring and a color heads up windshield display that is helpful with speed limits signs. A 12.3 color screen gives a clear vision of the rear areas while backing out of the garage, along with front and rear cross traffic alerts, along with panoramic view monitoring.
Performance and economy are outstanding with the hybrid gasoline combination achieving 27 mpg. in city and freeway drives. The suspension system provides a smooth ride that really impressed Sharon who liked the comfort. The second-row seats have extended leg room for rear seat passengers. The Highlander rides on 20” alloy wheels, has a split panoramic moonroof, rear window shades and hands-free power liftgate.
Best of all is the performance from the turbo-charged hybrid MAX 2.4L engine, teamed with the hybrid electric power battery system. The power plant works with the six-speed versatile transmission with paddles shifters. The Highlander has towing capacity of 5000 lbs. and full time electronic all-wheel drive. For those outdoor camping or hunting expeditions there is a 1500W Inverter with two 120v/ AC outlets.
I hope that my friends can find this Highlander of their dreams.