After twenty years on the endless American highways and the winding roads of the East, the Toyota Highlander, the largest of the Japanese company's SUVs, lands in Europe.
Almost five meters in length for over two tons of weight, 285 centimeters of wheelbase, seven real seats on board, a monstre trunk, an 'intelligent' 4x4 with 248 HP of power and a hybrid engine, it completes Toyota's SUV offer and enters with full rights in class E.
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Toyota Highlander
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Built on the GA-K platform, the same as the Rav4, Highlander presents itself as a car suitable for long journeys and large families, thanks to truly first-class on-board comfort.
A gem, above all: the seats in the second row slide 180 mm to ensure comfort for all occupants, and the third row is easily accessed.
The fourth generation Full Hybrid Electric powertrain combines a 2.5-liter engine with electric motors front and rear and a battery positioned under the second row seats.
The total power is 248 hp (CO2 emissions 149 g / km).
Standard is Toyota Safety Sense, a set of active safety technologies designed to help prevent or mitigate collisions.
At the moment a plug-in version is not planned but the platform, as mentioned, is that of Rav4 which, in the coming months, will be presented in the version with the plug.
A possibility, in short.
We tried Highlander for a few hours around Rome, but the setting is a detail: on a car like this, the first impulse is to leave and never stop.
The driving position is very comfortable, and every detail is controlled from the large 12.3 "display. Four driving modes: ECO, NORMAL, SPORT and TRAIL, all of which can be used in EV mode. Traveling on fast roads is extremely quiet, slightly rippled only when the accelerator sinks. Weight and dimensions can be felt, but the answer is there thanks to the electric aid that intervenes when needed. The turning radius is very satisfactory, essential for moving a vehicle of this size. luggage compartment, completely flat: from 330 liters when in 7-seater mode to over 1900 with the second row seats folded down.
When fully loaded, the standard digital rearview mirror is back in the richest version, the Executive.
The safety systems are instead standard in all versions, as is the automatic all-wheel drive that sets the rear wheels in motion as needed.
Already orderable at the dealership, the first deliveries in February.
Finally, the price list is interesting: the Trend version, including incentives, starts at 47,200 euros: below the psychological threshold of 50,000.
The Executive enjoys a bonus of six thousand euros, and is purchased for 57,200 euros.