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Does anyone have any pros/cons of the Toyota Highlanders, 2014-2018 type vintage. I know little about these vehicles but note that there was a change in the engines around 2016.
The wife wants an upgrade and likes the look of these, I’m a bit worried about the price of running it.
The other options were a Santa Fe but she seems quite set on a Highlander.
Almost never be used for towing as my Ute will do that.
With RUC on the Santa Fe VS fuel cost on Highlander it will be ball park the same wouldn’t it?
As long as they get the same k's per liter between the petrol and diesel it takes a lot of k's until the diesel is cheaper to run. Mind you I used to factor in extra servicing for turbo diesels. 5000ks
If it's a later model then that makes it a bit cheaper as they are up there with petrol service intervals now.
Savage1, I have a petrol engined Santa Fe - my second one I have owned from new - and whilst they have been very reliable and are nice to drive/tow the boat with, I have had so many problems with the local service department here in Christchurch that I will not buy another one. Instead I am leaning towards a Toyota, but admit I have no experience with the Toyota service department here, so they could be just as bad.
Thirsty but very nice
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My highlander 2007. Love it.
Very nice motors. Smooth and powerful.
As long as they are serviced properly they are great. If it has poor service history leave it alone!
They need regular servicing (every 15000 kms) with a top quality oil (5w30) (edit: latest shape uses 0w20 oil) or the chains wear, vvti pulleys wear, everything gums up, and shit gets expensive.
They'll only drink as much fuel as you can feed it. So if you're a conservative driver it'll be economical, but if you like a bit of vroom they will drink as much as you give it.
Nice to tow with but they can be thirsty with a big load behind.
I personally don't like the cruise control. Very aggressive. Plus I found I can get better economy with the CC off.
Nice and roomy vehicles. Drivers seat could do with bit more bolster padding imo. On the leather I find I slide about a bit. Comfortable though.
Very rear row of seats is not really worth it. PITA to get in and out of the rear anyway.
The newer shape are made in the US. Bit nicer than the earlier models.
Son get about 12 litres 100 is
Get her to try the torque steer before you buy, if it’s the front wheel drive, it can be scary. Really nice comfortable vehicle.
Most of the 2014-2018 models have the same motor as my 2009 model, the 201kW 2GR-FE, or a mildly updated version, the 2GR-FKS. The newer models have an updated gearbox.
Ours has been bullet proof. The fuel consumption (combined cycle) since new, over 120,000km, is 11.9L/100km.
I service it every 10,000km. Interestingly, being an Aussie car, the service interval is 10,000km, not the NZ specified 15,000.
I use Penrite 10w/50 HPR fully synthetic. The 5w/30 would be preferable if you in the Deep South, or maybe the central plateau in winter. Otherwise it’s a little too thin for northern Waikato conditions. That’s my view anyway. The service book says either 5w/30 or 10w/40 depending on operating temps.
I’ve got a 2007 lexus hybrid with the earlier version of the same motor. It’s got 395000km on it and going strong
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Awesome cheers for the replies, I might go hire one for a few days to see if she likes it.
Best large SUV going, the 2gr is so sweet. Did you know you can get that donk in a corolla body? They are a laugh and a half
In a hatchback?Quote:
Originally Posted by Tommy
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Take our Subaru for a spin when you are down this week, might change her mind[emoji6]
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Yup.Quote:
Originally Posted by MSL
I followed one last summer, I was like WTF???? Had no idea it existed.
We have a Highlander (wifes car). And I have the Aurion sedan version same motor. They are a good thing we have had no issues
They are a touch thirsty around town but we live in a rural area and on the open road they arnt to bad. . Plenty of power and room in them
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Think my neighbours wife has one, ‘blade’ is the badge on the back, it pulls pretty hardQuote:
Originally Posted by Flyblown
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There are several Toyboata Blades, the version you are talking about is the Blade Master.
Try driving all your options, sure petrol Highlander will have more power but the point of a diesel is the torque.
Ok wow! I had no idea, I was looking at an STi, GTi, R32 or an S3 but now I have another option!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Tommy
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Noooooooooooone of the above ffsQuote:
Originally Posted by Spudattack
Hahahaha! I took your advice on the last one[emoji23]Quote:
Originally Posted by Tommy
What compact sedan am I allowed buy that is very fast and 4wd/Awd?
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I've got a 2017.Quote:
Originally Posted by Savage1
11.5 l per 100km around town - conservative driving.
22l per 100km open road towing the boat (~2.2ton), while not holding up traffic much.
Awesome comfort, great safe feeling car. With HP when you want it.
The back 2 seats to make 7, are a bit of a pain, but OK.
In short, recommended.
At which you would be at least 15+ LpH in a diesel and Rucs on top.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beaker
Wife’s got one , 2016. Really happy with it. 12ish l/100.
Best bit is that the seats fold flat and is long enough to stretch out in to sleep. which makes it perfect to steal for the odd Clements car camp.
I get 10-11 L/100km from mine but try hard not boot it or cruise much over 85. Have folded back seat down and covered it for dogs and game. Sleep in it sometimes camping.
I try to economise and not have to replace on our income chappie.
It’s a fact mate that 85 on the open road in a 100 zone is really, really annoying.
Don’t be offended... the overtaking risks that this entails drives the significant majority of other road users mental.
The Blade is the 4 cyl Rav4 engine. A little bigger, but not the 206KW V6 Blade Master, whole new kettle of fish. @physeptone has oneQuote:
Originally Posted by MSL
Actually I drive with flow in traffic but oft times around here trafficis light and then so is my boot.
It’s got a v6 badge on itQuote:
Originally Posted by Tommy
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The prestige of a Ford Ranger over a Toyota, its worth paying a little more!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mauser308
And you get heaps of time to admire them.....while waiting on a tow truck :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Maca49
FWD biased AWD system, which to me as an immediate no-no. Why spend money just to carry around a fuel consuming AWD drivetrain without the benefits afforded by it?
The first one I drove was a hire car for 2 months, in Aus. It was a FWD. Almost all gravel roads. A bit of a handful with the torque steer when I gave it the berries, with the traction control annoying me, plus it was skittish on the loose gravel corners with frequent intervention of the stability control.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan
The one I then bought is AWD, and a COMPLETELY different driving experience. Planted, pointable, very very few occasions the traction control or ESC kicks in. We did 60,000km of Aussie dirt roads before bringing it back with us, and as much again here on a mix of bitumen and metalled roads.
I wouldn’t select the FWD version of you paid for it! The AWD system is bloody great, wouldn’t be without it.
Just my 2cents worth but I cross shopped the Toyota and the 3.6ltr Subaru Outback.
If you don't need the extra seats and higher towing capacity the Outback will do everything the highlander will do, just faster and with less fuel. PS the sound system is nice.
Z