Trim Name, MSRP and Invoice 2012 Toyota Highlander
|
Trim Name
|
MSRP
|
Invoice
|
Base 4X2 I4
|
$28,090
|
$25,647
|
Base 4X2 V6
|
$29,245
|
$26,700
|
Base 4X4
|
$30,695
|
$28,025
|
SE 4X2 I4
|
$32,695
|
$29,851
|
SE 4X2 V6
|
$33,850
|
$30,905
|
SE 4X4
|
$35,300
|
$32,229
|
Limited 4X2
|
$35,595
|
$32,498
|
Limited 4X4
|
$37,045
|
$33,822
|
Toyota continues to
provide solutions for SUV lovers by providing new machines are more
fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly but still mighty. Last week, Toyota
Motor Sales USA officially announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices
(MSRP) for the Highlander SUV that uses the latest four-cylinder engine capacity
of 2.7 liters. More efficient and powerful, plus a long line of safety features
and convenience, this model is offered with prices starting at 25.705 U.S.
dollars, the cheapest of all variants of Highlander. In the mid-size SUV,
Toyota Highlander 2.7 liters became one of the most efficient SUV. According to
the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), the fuel consumption 20/27mpg city /
highway (22mpg combined). While emissions are classified as Ultra Low Emission
Vehicle (ULEVII).
Styling
The 2012 Toyota Highlander is a visual rerun of the 2011 Highlander. It
carries forward the minor styling alterations that dressed up the 2011 model
but had no effect on dimensions or overall proportions.
Thanks to its rather long nose, Highlander presents the “two-box”
profile of an SUV. But its lengthy wagon body speaks of minivan-like interior
volume. However, without sliding side doors, it’s clearly no minivan. And with
no pretension of off-road ability, it lacks hard-core-SUV credentials.
Nonetheless, Highlander does a fine job bridging the two genres. It
looks more muscular than a minivan and drives with a bit more precision and
road feel, too. It’s not as threatening as a trucky SUV, though its
all-wheel-drive can tackle deep snow and rutted backboards. Highlander is
relatively easy to maneuver and garage because its body is no larger overall
than the typical five-seat midsize crossover. Toyota does, however, squeeze in
a third-row seat. It’s tighter back there than in a minivan, but still quite
handy. And Highlander’s first- and second-row accommodations are as generous as
any midsize SUV’s.
This is a true crossover because its body and frame are a single unibody
structure similar to that of a car’s. Unibody designs benefit fuel economy,
ride, and handling because they’re lighter than the truck-like,
separate-body-and-frame construction typical of old-school SUVs, such as the
2012 Toyota 4Runner.
The 2012 Highlander continues in Base, SE, and Limited models. The 2012
Highlander Hybrid returns in Base and Limited form. Toyota gives the Highlander
Hybrid its own grille and front bumper and tints its headlamp and taillamp
covers blue.
All 2012 Highlanders come with handsome alloy wheels, 17-inch diameter
on Base and SE models, 19-inch diameter on the Limiteds. All have darkened rear
side glass and a rear spoiler. SE models are distinguished from Base versions
by body-colored mirrors, standard roof cargo rails, fog lamps, and an antenna
in the rear side window instead of on the front fender.
Highlander Limited models dress up with chrome door handles and roof
rails and also come with leather upholstery and plastic wood grain interior trim
instead of cloth seats and silver cabin accents. A power lift gate that can be
opened and closed via the key fob or a driver-side control is standard on SE
and Limited models and optional on the Base Highlanders.
Mechanical
The 2012 Toyota Highlander
returns a choice of four- and six-cylinder gasoline engines as well as a gas-electric
hybrid power train.
The four-cylinder is a 2.7-liter with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet
of torque (think of torque as the force that generates movement, horsepower as
the energy that sustains momentum). The four-cylinder is standard on Highlander
Base and SE models and is available only with front-wheel drive. It mates with
a six-speed automatic transmission.
The 2012 Highlander’s V-6 is a 3.5-liter with 270 horsepower and 248
pound-feet of torque. It’s optional on the Base and SE models and standard on
the Limited. It’s available with both front-drive and all-wheel drive (AWD.) In
a class where six-speed automatics are the norm, Highlanders with the V-6 use a
five-speed automatic transmission. With either engine, Highlander’s
dashboard-mounted transmission shift lever includes a separate gate for manual-type
gear control.
The 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combines a 3.5-liter gasoline V-6 with
an electric motor at each axle. The motor in front assists the gas engine and
can propel the Highlander on electric power alone. The motor in the rear kicks
in as needed to provide AWD. Net horsepower is 280; Toyota does not provide a
torque rating for the Highlander Hybrid.
The 2012 Highlander Hybrid utilizes Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive
system. It can propel the crossover on electric power alone, with the engine
alone, or with a combination of the two as determined by sensors set to balance
acceleration and fuel economy. No plug-in charging is needed; the system
recharges by capturing energy during braking and from the engine.
The Highlander Hybrid has a continuously variable transmission (CVT),
which performs like an automatic but with a rheostat-like delivery of power. A
console-mounted “EV” button enables the driver to extend the electric-only
range slightly at low speeds, battery charge permitting. And an “Econ-mode”
switch maximizes fuel economy by modulating throttle response during
acceleration.
As with any front-wheel drive vehicle, the weight of the engine is over
the tires that also propel the Highlander, giving it good overall traction. AWD
Highlanders are not intended for serious off-roading but do provide an extra
measure of all-surface, all-weather traction by automatically shuffling power
from the front wheels to the rears to minimize tire slip.
Again standard on all 2012 Highlanders is traction and anti skid
technology for enhanced grip on take-offs and in turns. The standard antilock
brakes improve control in emergency stops, and a corner-braking feature limits
brake pressure on inside wheels during cornering to improve control. With the
optional towing package, 2012 Highlanders with the V-6 can tow trailers
weighing up to 5,000 pounds and four-cylinder models and the Hybrid can pull
3,500 pounds.
Features
The 2012 Toyota Highlander continues to appeal to upmarket buyers who
tend to order it in higher trim levels or with a substantial number of options.
All versions of the 2012 Highlander again seat seven passengers on three rows
of seats and furnish 10.3 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the rearmost seat –
pretty typical for a three-row crossover.
Fold that third row into the floor and cargo volume expands to 42.3
cubic feet. A total of 95.4 cubic feet is available with the second and third
rows folded. Both are very good figures for a mid size SUV, though the load
floor is fairly high. Highlander’s second-row seat is split 40/20/40 and the
middle section removes and stows on board to create a minivan-like arrangement
of captain’s chairs with a walk-through between.
Standard on every 2012 Highlander are power windows, mirrors, and locks,
tilt/telescope steering wheel, cruise control, and a height-adjustable driver’s
seat. Standard safety features again include a driver’s knee airbag, and
head-protecting curtain side airbags that cover all three seating rows and
deploy both in side collisions and when sensors detect an impending rollover.
The 2012 Highlander SE and Limited models come with leather upholstery
and feature a standard backup camera that displays on a 3.5-inch dashboard
screen. The screen also displays a clock, outside temperature, warning
messages, and average fuel economy, average speed, distance to empty, current
fuel economy, and trip timer. On models equipped with the optional navigation
system, the backup camera's images are viewed on a 7-inch dashboard screen.
The Tech Audio system is standard for 2012 Highlander SE and Limited
model and optional for Base versions. It features a USB iPod interface, XM
satellite radio (includes 90-day trial subscription), and Bluetooth hands-free
mobile phone and music streaming connectivity.
The USB and Bluetooth linking are available on Base Highlanders as part
of the Tech Package option. This also includes the backup monitor and dash
screen, an eight-way power driver seat, flip-up lift gate window, fog lamps, and
black roof rails.
Standard on all 2012 Highlander Hybrids are the eight-way power driver’s
seat, the Tech Audio system, and manual rear climate control. The Highlander
Hybrid Limited features standard automatic climate control for the rear and
offers perforated leather seating surfaces. The Base Hybrid can be brought
closer to Limited livery with a Leather Package that includes leather-trimmed
seats with front seat heaters, leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob,
power moon roof, HomeLink®, auto-dimming rear view mirror with compass, plus an
engine immobilizer with security alarm.
Among 2012 Highlander options are a voice-activated touch screen
navigation system with an 8-inch dashboard screen; JBL audio systems;
leather-trimmed seats with front seat heaters, and a power tilt/slide moon roof.