New Highlander

Husker4theSpurs · 09-01-2007, 01:37 PM

I went with my sister for a test drive in a gas-powered Highlander ... I was impressed by all the well thought out functional equipment!

She test drove a SPORT model and it seemed to ride nice ... a little firm, but nothing harsh at all. I liked the idea of the small LCD screen above the radio/Nav (if equipped). The layout of the dash, etc ... while still being very middle of the road, was pleasurable to the eye. Nice to have the rear-view camera w/o needing Navigation. Most impressive was the rear seat roominess ... I really liked how far the seats reclined as well. The removable middle seat was a nice thought as well. Often you don't NEED the bench across the back and it's nice to basically have 2 captains chairs. I thought it was a nice touch to be able to drop the 2nd row from the back as well w/o it being powered. A nice touch.

Some things I didn't like were the lack of HIDs (not sure if you can get them on the Limited model or not), the ho-hum styling (it is a must though if you want to appeal to the masses unfortunately).

Overall I thought it was a very well thought out CUV. Still kind of boring overall, especially styling-wise but when it comes to functionality I thought it was very well done. I trust it will sell as well as the past gens.

**Tideland Prius** · 09-02-2007, 03:53 PM

Yeah, I love the stow-away second row middle seat. It's a pretty neat idea.

The 3rd row wasn't too bad either. I felt comfortable in the 5 mins I spent back there. The headrests were high enough and I just fit without scraping my head on the ceiling. The Limited model's woodtrim looks very luxurious and inviting. It has a matte finish but with the grey interior that I saw, it added a bit of warmth and looked quite realistic. (compared to the matte wood trim on the CLS-Class for example which looks cheap even though it might be real wood).

Husker4theSpurs · 09-03-2007, 12:32 PM

I would have to disagree with your opinion of the wood trim ... you are right on the 3rd row however ... I would go out of my way to get one w/o wood trim if I were choosing.

**Tideland Prius** · 09-03-2007, 01:35 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Husker4theSpurs @ Sep 3 2007, 09:32 AM) [snapback]506312[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I would have to disagree with your opinion of the wood trim ... you are right on the 3rd row however ... I would go out of my way to get one w/o wood trim if I were choosing.
[/b]

The "mahoghany" one?? I thought that looked a lot better than the "Birch" on the HiHy.

Husker4theSpurs · 09-04-2007, 02:54 PM

I forgot there were 2 colors of wood ... personally I wouldn't want either. The only thing I would probably be OK with is the almost black wood that you find in some cars.

**Tideland Prius** · 09-04-2007, 09:29 PM

hehe.

If it's dark, I prefer the grey-stained wood like the one found on the GS. Is that the type you're referring to or is it darker?

Husker4theSpurs · 09-05-2007, 09:22 PM

I believe that's the color ... it can almost look navy at times ... I think it's called black bird's eye ... they have it with the light gray interior on the RX 350 now as well ... I had an RX 330, but back then the light gray came with the dark maple the looks more maroon-ish ... ICK!

**Tideland Prius** · 09-05-2007, 09:55 PM

yeah that's probably it.

lol... you think that's bad? what about the "California Walnut" on the 2002 ES300? It's burgundy!!

SW03ES · 09-08-2007, 07:53 PM

I actually love the burgundy wood on my ES.

**Tideland Prius** · 09-08-2007, 10:58 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SW03ES @ Sep 8 2007, 04:53 PM) [snapback]509245[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I actually love the burgundy wood on my ES.
[/b]

ahh.. nice. Yeah I just prefer a more natural wood colour... i.e. the brownish look lol.

09-02-2007, 03:53 PM	#32
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,765 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Yeah, I love the stow-away second row middle seat. It's a pretty neat idea. The 3rd row wasn't too bad either. I felt comfortable in the 5 mins I spent back there. The headrests were high enough and I just fit without scraping my head on the ceiling. The Limited model's woodtrim looks very luxurious and inviting. It has a matte finish but with the grey interior that I saw, it added a bit of warmth and looked quite realistic. (compared to the matte wood trim on the CLS-Class for example which looks cheap even though it might be real wood). __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package as of 25th Oct 2004 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, OEM All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Interior Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Integration Kit, LED licence plate lights, Phillips Vision Plus 2008 smart fortwo passion coupé as of 28th Apr 2008 Foglights, dash pods, leather seats, OEM rubber mats, BRABUS alum. handbrake, LED licence plate lights & dome lamp

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09-01-2007, 01:37 PM	#31
Husker4theSpurs Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 232 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I went with my sister for a test drive in a gas-powered Highlander ... I was impressed by all the well thought out functional equipment! She test drove a SPORT model and it seemed to ride nice ... a little firm, but nothing harsh at all. I liked the idea of the small LCD screen above the radio/Nav (if equipped). The layout of the dash, etc ... while still being very middle of the road, was pleasurable to the eye. Nice to have the rear-view camera w/o needing Navigation. Most impressive was the rear seat roominess ... I really liked how far the seats reclined as well. The removable middle seat was a nice thought as well. Often you don't NEED the bench across the back and it's nice to basically have 2 captains chairs. I thought it was a nice touch to be able to drop the 2nd row from the back as well w/o it being powered. A nice touch. Some things I didn't like were the lack of HIDs (not sure if you can get them on the Limited model or not), the ho-hum styling (it is a must though if you want to appeal to the masses unfortunately). Overall I thought it was a very well thought out CUV. Still kind of boring overall, especially styling-wise but when it comes to functionality I thought it was very well done. I trust it will sell as well as the past gens.

09-03-2007, 12:32 PM	#33
Husker4theSpurs Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 232 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I would have to disagree with your opinion of the wood trim ... you are right on the 3rd row however ... I would go out of my way to get one w/o wood trim if I were choosing.

09-04-2007, 02:54 PM	#35
Husker4theSpurs Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 232 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I forgot there were 2 colors of wood ... personally I wouldn't want either. The only thing I would probably be OK with is the almost black wood that you find in some cars.

09-04-2007, 09:29 PM	#36
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,765 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	hehe. If it's dark, I prefer the grey-stained wood like the one found on the GS. Is that the type you're referring to or is it darker?

09-05-2007, 09:22 PM	#37
Husker4theSpurs Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 232 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I believe that's the color ... it can almost look navy at times ... I think it's called black bird's eye ... they have it with the light gray interior on the RX 350 now as well ... I had an RX 330, but back then the light gray came with the dark maple the looks more maroon-ish ... ICK!

09-05-2007, 09:55 PM	#38
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,765 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	yeah that's probably it. lol... you think that's bad? what about the "California Walnut" on the 2002 ES300? It's burgundy!!

09-08-2007, 07:53 PM	#39
SW03ES Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 1,114 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I actually love the burgundy wood on my ES.