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2012 Toyota Highlander Review

By on October 20, 2011

Toyota is one fearless competitor that has taken the battle of the cars right into the US by setting up manufacturing plants in the country. However, this strategy has paid off since patriotic Americans have shown their appreciation by buying Toyota products that are made in the USA and the 2012 Toyota Highlander is one such product.

2012 Toyota Highlander price

This family-friendly SUV offers several design and technical features that should attract potential buyers that want to move around up to 7 people in a stylish and affordable crossover.

Features Of 2012 Toyota Highlander

Exterior Looks Of 2012 Toyota Highlander

The 2012 Toyota Highlander might not possess killer looks but considering that it is aimed at pleasing parents with toddlers or young children, it does the given job in a decent manner. This long SUV sports a smiling front grill adorned with a lot of chrome to instill some character and give it an almost car-like look when matched with sleek headlamps.

2012 Toyota Highlander review

While the front of the SUV displays some character, the sides look quite bland even as the rear dishes out another dose of chrome in the form of tail lamp inserts. 17 and 19 inch alloy wheels are offered on the Highlander based on the variant chosen by buyers. Overall the Highlander achieves its intended purpose although the chrome overdose does more harm than good in this case.

Interiors

The cockpit of the 2012 Toyota Highlander is bound to please buyers as the black/beige themed dashboard sports a soft look while housing an array of instruments. Twin pods with a white and blue backlight deliver speed, fuel, engine rpm, and temperature readings while the center of the dashboard is reserved for the entertainment and navigation system that again depends on how much the buyer is willing to pay.

2012 Toyota Highlander intirior

Beige interiors and door panels complete the theme with the top-end variant receiving all-leather upholstery with wood grain accents and a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat. Other goodies include a reversing system, USB/Bluetooth connectivity, heated front seats, automatic dimming rearview mirror, fog-lamps, a powered hatch, roof rails, and many more depending on the variant chosen by the buyer.

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Engine, Transmission, And Price Of 2012 Toyota Highlander

The 2012 Toyota Highlander offers a choice between 2-engines. The Base model, priced at around $28,000 is delivered with a 4-cylinder 2700cc petrol engine that develops 187 HP with 186 lb/ft of Torque. This engine is attached to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

2012 Toyota Highlander features

The SE variant above the Base is equipped with a V6 3500cc petrol engine that develops 270 HP with 248 lb/ft of Torque and this engine is also optional for the Base model. The SE is offered with a 5-speed automatic transmission and buyers can either opt for FWD or AWD to power the front or all 4 wheels of their Highlander. The SE starts from $32,000 onwards.

The top-end variant is the Limited Edition variant with the same V6 engine and can blind buyers with the amount of chrome used all over the SUV along with a host of goodies such as a navigation system, traction control, satellite radio, DVD player, side curtain airbags, and lots more as standard and optional features. Priced at over $35,000, the Limited variant still undercuts several rivals even before revealing its main weapon.

The main weapon in the Highlander’s arsenal is its fantastic mileage of between 18/25 mpg in city/highways runs that again depends on whether buyers opt for the FWD or AWD variants.

The 2012 Toyota Highlander might not win with its muted looks, but it can surely win over buyers due to its reasonable price-tag as well as its high mileage. Buyers on the lookout for a reliable and practical SUV to carry their families will surely like what they see in the Highlander.

2012 Toyota Highlander Photos

2012 Toyota Highlander photos2012 Toyota Highlander photos2012 Toyota Highlander photos

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