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2002 HIGHLANDERThe Highlander was introduced last year and has proven itself to be quite a success. This is actually the second SUV in the mid-size sport...
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The Highlander was introduced last year and has proven itself to be quite a success. This is actually the second SUV in the mid-size sport utility vehicle class, providing you with a wide range of diversity and choice so that you can select the vehicle that suits your requirements the best. The Highlander tends to the needs of those with an eye towards image and versatility.
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27 Reviews from Shopping.com
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Great midsized SUV
| Author's Rating: |
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Pros: Reliable, easy, keeper of an SUV
Cons: A little boring and smallish at times
| Handling And Control: |
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The Bottom Line:
It's a Toyota that all who ride want to drive it next
I bought this car after driving a luxury sedan on a lease for 4 years. I have a large dog that needs some room to travel, and required some space for moving residences and hauling some construction materials for some remodeling work I was doing. I bought the 4x2, because to be honest I don't see me going offroading in it and wanted to keep an extra $1500 and get better gas mileage.
I don't recommend you do everything I've done with it, but overall I can say it's been the best vehicle I've owned. It drives really well in all weather conditions and is easy to see in all directions. A great family car for those who despise minivans, although I get a lot of grief from people saying it's not a truck like the 4Runner (it's not, as it drives like a car). I do tell them, however, that I was able to tow a small dump truck out of the mud with it...although you won't see them tout it in any commercial anytime soon...wrong market(I was on concrete, but I still get a lot of doubters).
The drawbacks I've had with it is that you can't fit a sheet of drywall in it, which would have been nice. Although 8 foot pieces of moulding will fit through to the front seat OK.
I have 2 carseats for my kids in the middle, but unless you are a 20 inch waist or have no problem losing circulation in your lower extremeties, it's seating for 4 with those car seats. Without them, it's comfortable for 5 with a decent amount of room in the back, but I wouldn't call it excessive by any means.
The gas mileage is as advertised and I get 25 on the highway on most trips, and 18-20 in the city.
The exterior is OK and the interior is OK, but nothing special. We didn't get the goofy spoiler, because it really looks out of place on this vehicle...like racing stripes would work too, NOT. Everything else is what you expect of Toyota vehicles. Reliable to the core and not even a minor issue of any kind due to the manufacturing of the vehicle. Haven't driven the new one, but would like to test drive the hybrid. Probably won't need a new one for 10 more years and is the first vehicle I've driven that I haven't been ready for a change after 3 years.
It was a bit pricey in the upper 20's, but you'll get it back in resale and reliability.
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