2012 Toyota Highlander Review
The 2012 Toyota Highlander 7 passenger crossover SUV is available in 3 trims, base, SE and Limited, along with 2 engine choices; a 2.7 liter inline-4 producing 187hp/186lb-ft of torque and a 3.5 liter V6 rated at 270hp/248lb-ft of torque. A few of the many standard features on the base Highlander includes 40/20/40 split-folding 2nd-row seat that reclines/slides fore and aft, 50/50 split-folding 3rd-row seat, tilt/telescoping steering wheel and more. There are also numerous options packages to customize the Highlander for individual requirements and tastes. Properly equipped, the Highlander V6 can tow up to 5,000lbs.
The BuyingAdvice Team Says:
The 2012 Toyota Highlander is a top consideration for a flexible and capable crossover SUV, offering a spacious and quiet interior; along with all of the conveniences the family hauler needs to ensure everyone enjoys the ride.
What’s New For 2012:
There were no new changes for the 2012 Toyota Highlander.
What is the Predicted Reliability:
The 2012 Toyota Highlander received an excellent overall score of 81 compared to the highest scoring midsized SUV only slightly higher with an 89 and the lowest scoring in the category with a 20. Noteworthy high marks were given for its cushy ride, spacious and comfortable cabin, smooth powertrain, ease of access, reliability and impressive crash test results. In a recent survey of current Toyota Highlander owners 74% said they would definitely buy the Highlander again if they could do it all over. Based on the latest survey, reliability of new models is expected to be 52% above average.
Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:
The Toyota Highlander is a 2012 IIHS Top Safety Pick and in government testing the NHTSA awarded the Highlander an overall safety score of 4 Stars out of a possible 5, with 5 Stars for side-impact crashes. Safety equipment on the Highlander includes antilock disc brakes, traction/stability control, front seat side-impact airbags and more. AWD Highlanders also receive hill-descent control.
Pros and Cons:
Pros
+ User friendly, easy to access cabin
+ Fuel efficient yet powerful V6 engine
+ Maneuver’s very well
Cons
– Doesn’t have quite as much passenger/cargo space as some rivals
– 3rd- row legroom a bit cramped
Head-To-Head Competition:
The Toyota Highlander starts a few hundred dollars less than the Chevrolet Traverse though is a couple of hundred dollars more than the Dodge Durango; the Highlander provides more head and leg room for front-seat passengers than its 2 competitors. The Highlander’s V6 is rated at 270hp compared to the Traverse’s slightly higher 281hp V6 and the Durango offering a V6 rated at 290hp. The Highlander gets the higher city fuel economy ratings with 18MPG city/24MPG highway compared to the Traverse’s rating of 17/24MPG and the Durango at 16/23MPG. The Highlander and Durango have max towing capabilities of 5,000lbs and the Traverse comes in slightly higher at 5200lbs.
What Others Are Saying:
"Its ride is comfortable, quiet and downright peaceful. Its independent suspension smooths out all of life’s potholes and just keeps on cruising. While it may have all of the trappings of an SUV, the Highlander feels like a big sedan on the road." – The Detroit News
"All in all, I give the Highlander two energetic thumbs up. It’s big enough inside for five adults and two children and their belongings. It’s refined and serene on the highway." – Autosavant
"The Highlander’s party trick is its flexible seating configuration. The fold-flat third-row isn’t anything new, but the second-row certainly is. A slender seat insert can replace the center console, transforming a pair of captain’s chairs into a three-passenger bench seat." – Automobile Magazine
Read more about the 2012 Toyota Highlander at the Toyota manufacturer site.
