2012 Toyota Highlander Preview

The 2012 Toyota Highlander is a mid-size SUV with the look, feel, and fuel consumption of the crossovers. Based on the Toyota Camry, the Highlander is available in three models (base, Sport and Limited), offered with two engines and front or all-wheel drive.

The Toyota Highlander is the middle child of Toyota's' Marsha, Jan and Cindy "trio of mid-sized crossover / SUVs: 4Runner, Highlander and FJ Cruiser. Unlike the 4Runner and FJ Cruiser is the Highlander strictly designed for the sidewalk. all Toyota Highlander SUV's are well equipped for both people and freight movers. The Highlander comes with available three rows of seats and can carry a driver and up to six passengers and their cargo. all Toyota Highlanders are feature-rich, with standard and rear air conditioning, eight-way power driver's seat (10-way on Limited), manual tilt and telescopic steering wheel, cruise control, conversation mirror, full-size spare tire, etc.., to name but a few. Higher finish offer standard features such as leather, backup camera systems, navigation, and power moonroof. Last year, Toyota Highlander refreshes the exterior with a new hood, grille, bumper and design.

The Toyota Highlander is an EPA-estimated 95 cubic feet with both second and third row seats down. The SUV can pull up to 5000 pounds when properly equipped.

Body style: SUV

Engines: 2.7-liter four-cylinder; 3.5-liter V-6;

Transmissions: five-speed automatic, six-speed automatic

Models: Base, Sport, Limited

Toyota heavily renovated in 2011, so the 2012 Toyota Highlander SUV carries over into the new model year unchanged. The 2011 Toyota Highlander model received a new grille, headlights and bonnet and fog light housing.

Toyota Highlander refresh the sheet metal for 2011, which carries over into the new model year. Changes include a new hood, fenders and front grill. The Toyota Highlander now looks less boxy than previous models, looking much more like a crossover than an SUV. A clean character line strip folds flat sides, and the Toyota offers 19-inch alloy wheels give the SUV a more muscular look.

The 2012 Toyota Highlander remains enough space, able to seat up to seven persons including the driver to offer, although the third row is best for small children as passengers. The five-seat configuration comes standard in the Toyota Highlander, and the second row folds flat for cargo. The 2012 Toyota Highlander offers more than 95 cubic feet of space with the second and third row seats down either.

The 2012 Toyota Highlander drives and drives more like a car than a truck-based SUV with the fully independent suspension. Road feel is smooth, almost floating, with a control light enough to park in crowded parking lots easy to make. While the four-cylinder engine has enough power, the V-6 offers a surprisingly strong acceleration and decent fuel economy too.

The 2012 Toyota Highlander, like all current Toyota vehicles, comes standard with the Toyota Star Safety System that anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, Smart Stop (SST), traction control (TRAC included) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC). The standard configuration includes the airbag driver and passenger airbags, driver and front passenger side airbags mounted, three-row side curtain airbags and a driver knee airbag are standard.

Base: 17-20 mpg city/23-27 mpg highway

Sport, Limited: 17-18 mpg city/23-24 mpg highway