2017 Toyota Highlander

2017 Toyota Highlander

Episode 3711 , Episode 3728
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

Few brands have the SUV landscape covered as totally as Toyota. Even when it comes to large family duty, they have a trio to choose from. But it’s the Highlander crossover that picks up the bulk of that business, and its been updated for 2017 to give those families more of what they really want. 

Now midway through its 3rd generation, the Toyota Highlander adds a multitude of updates for 2017. But don’t think they’re the hastily assembled kind of revisions in response to some sales slump, rather just the normal progression of keeping current with the segment. As despite a rash of recently re-engineered competition, the Highlander remains a top seller in the family 3-row utility world. 

You don’t have to like the big mouth look, in fact most of our staff don’t; but you certainly won’t be able to ignore it, as it seems to be swallowing up as much road as possible while heading in your direction. 

The big news for ’17 is new SE trim. It tames that front end somewhat with dark pieces replacing the usual chrome. 19-inch wheels are added as well, to support a sportier image.

Fortunately, it doesn’t stop with looks. SEs also get a retuned suspension for a little more agility. Still, this is perhaps where Highlander shows its age the most, having a heavier feel compared to much of the competition who have moved on to lighter weight materials. But that also gives it a totally solid, safe, and secure feeling compared to many rivals.   

From the high seating position, drivers will be enjoying that enhanced nimbleness from new black leather seats with silver stitching. Of course its accompanied by dark dash and door trim.

Controls and layout are all very familiar, with no major changes here; including the very helpful storage in the dash. Good news for those with electronics to keep charged, all Highlanders now come with 5 USB ports!

Both 7 and 8-passenger versions are available, with the 2nd row seats remaining very comfortable and spacious. And while many competitors have stepped their game up in the 3rd row department, access here is still very good, though very low seat bottoms make for an awkward seating position.

Cargo space continues to be good here; 13.8 cubic-ft. behind the 3rd row, 42.3 behind the 2nd, and a max of 83.7 cubic-ft. Boosting practicality further, the Highlander is one of the few SUVs that still has a flip up glass for the rear hatch; though only in upper trim levels. 

Even better news, is the arrival of a higher power. An enhanced version of the 3.5-liter V6 that gets a 25-horsepower boost to 295. Torque rises 15 lb-ft. to 263.

All this while actually improving fuel economy, thanks to a new 8-speed automatic transmission.

Government Ratings are now 20-City, 26-Highway, and 22-Combined with all-wheel-drive. Our average was 21.0 miles-per-gallon of Regular. 

At the track, thanks to the upgraded V6, Highlander certainly feels less sluggish off the line. There’s a strong low end pull to get you going, while it eagerly delivers power on the high end as well. We hit 60 in 7.7-seconds; with a ¼-mile time of 16.0-seconds flat at 92 miles-per-hour.

Base LE trim still comes with a 185-horsepower 2.7-liter I4, though in front wheel-drive only; and of course the Highlander Hybrid remains available as well. 

As for how the upgraded SE suspension handled our cones; well, there is still some mild understeer as you might expect, but the tauter suspension is very noticeable. 

In fact, after a few runs, we were really hauling the goods, shaving ever closer to the cones and keeping speeds higher than we would have expected going in. Even body roll is well subdued; it was tire sidewall flexing that seemed to hold us back the most. 

Of course it’s all about family safety these days; and for 2017, all Highlanders get Toyota Safety Sense P with automatic emergency braking as standard equipment.

Highlander pricing starts at just $31,625. New SE trim goes for $40,685, with all-wheel-drive adding another $1,460. 

Even with the rapid pace of change these days, the Toyota Highlander has had no problem staying near the top the sales charts in the highly competitive 3-row crossover utility segment. Toyota fans will find more of what they love here in this upgraded 2017 version. And that should ensure current Highlander sales remain high, until an all-new one hits the streets. 

Specifications

  • Engine: 3.5 liter
  • Horsepower: 295
  • Torque: 263 lb-ft.
  • 0-60 mph: 7.7 seconds
  • 1/4 mile: 16.0 seconds @ 92 mph
  • EPA: 20 mpg city / 26 mpg highway
2024 Lexus TX 2

2024 Lexus TX

Built To Please Luxury-Minded American Families On The Move

Episode 4328
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

Lexus sells SUVs in just about every shape and size, but until now has never had a true large three-row family-style crossover in their lineup. Well, the new TX is just that. So, let’s find out if the seventh SUV to enter the Lexus brand is also able to usher in a new era of big-family luxury.

Lexus has been in the SUV game longer than most luxury brands, but the all-new 2024 Lexus TX is their first purpose-built, large three-row crossover utility. Looking equal parts enormous and luxurious outside, it’s a big jump up from the no longer available RX350L, as far as space inside front to back, but especially in the third row when it comes to legroom, but also in flexibility and ease of use compared to their other current three-row offering, the truck-based LX600.

The TX’s 20.2 cubic-feet of space behind that third row is a real bonus too. That space expands to 57.4 cubic-feet when you fold the second-row seatbacks, with a 97.0 cubic-foot max with all seats stored and folded. And of course, there are charging ports just about everywhere you look inside, ensuring families are as connected as they are comfortable. And it is a very comfortable family hauler with seating arrangements for either six or seven passengers.

2024 Lexus TX 3/4 Front
2024 Lexus TX Dead Front
2024 Lexus TX Profile
2024 Lexus TX Taillight
2024 Lexus TX Dead Rear
2024 Lexus TX Grille
2024 Lexus TX Wheel
2024 Lexus TX Gas Engine
2024 Lexus TX 3/4 Front2024 Lexus TX Dead Front2024 Lexus TX Profile2024 Lexus TX Taillight2024 Lexus TX Dead Rear2024 Lexus TX Grille2024 Lexus TX Wheel2024 Lexus TX Gas Engine

It’s easy to make things bigger inside, much more difficult if you’re Lexus to make them vastly better. And while the TX interior is very nice, it’s not as big of an upgrade from platform mate Toyota Grand Highlander as we expected. Though considering our Premium trim tester is just one step up from base, there’s lots of standard content, but also a lot going on when it comes to controls and touch-sensitive surfaces. It did take some getting used to, with many dash controls looking very similar, and the steering wheel controls being somewhat temperamental.

There are plenty of choices when it comes to the powertrain. Standard is this 2.4-liter I4 turbo in the TX350 rated at 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. It works with an eight-speed automatic transmission and comes in front- or all-wheel drive. An available 500h adds hybrid assistance to that 2.4-liter, and at the top of the lineup is Lexus’ first-ever V6-based plug-in hybrid, the 550h+, which packs 301-total horsepower and delivers 33-miles of EV range. Both hybrids are all-wheel drive, and all TXs are rated to tow 5,000-lbs.

There are charging ports just about everywhere you look inside, ensuring families are as connected as they are comfortable.

Our all-wheel drive 350 had a nice little jolt of power for getting a nice little jump off the line at our Mason Dixon test track, and then after a slight pause, power began pouring on in full force, ushering us to 60 in 7.5 seconds. The engine was plenty willing to keep dealing out the power, but the ultra-smooth automatic shifts were a tad sluggish, creating a noticeable drop-off in momentum as we worked our way down the track. Still, a 15.6-second 92 miles-per-hour quarter-mile is quite acceptable for a family hauler.

The TX is almost 17-feet long, but it sure doesn’t feel that big when you’re driving it around, and it scooted thorough our slalom course with the ease of a vehicle half that size. Its predictable nature allowed us to easily manage its luxury-minded steering feel and carry quite a bit of speed through the cones. While the TX shares the same basic suspension design as the Grand Highlander, tuning is unique.

2024 Lexus TX Dashboard
2024 Lexus TX Shifter
2024 Lexus TX Front Seats
2024 Lexus TX Second Row Seats
2024 Lexus TX Third Row Seats
2024 Lexus TX Cargo Area Behind Third Row
2024 Lexus TX Full Cargo
2024 Lexus TX Door Handle
2024 Lexus TX Sunroof
2024 Lexus TX Dashboard2024 Lexus TX Shifter2024 Lexus TX Front Seats2024 Lexus TX Second Row Seats2024 Lexus TX Third Row Seats2024 Lexus TX Cargo Area Behind Third Row2024 Lexus TX Full Cargo2024 Lexus TX Door Handle2024 Lexus TX Sunroof

Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 20-City, 26-Highway and 23-Combined; we averaged a great 25.3 miles-per-gallon of Premium, and it only goes up from there with either of the two available hybrids.

Pricing starts reasonably for a luxury SUV with the TX350 beginning at $55,050 and all-wheel drive a $1,600 option, but things can escalate quickly from there.

While not their first three-row utility, the 2024 Lexus TX is their first dedicated three-row platform aimed squarely at the heart of the American market. Clearly, they’ve hit a bullseye, as it makes us want to pack up the family and hit the road. But this is also the first Lexus to be built in Indiana.

While most of the car business seems to revolve around novelty, wow-factor, and gadgetry these days, Lexus continues to deliver quality, calm, and comfort, all while keeping the luxury experience remarkably attainable.

Specifications

As Tested

  • Engine: 2.4-liter I4 turbo
  • Horsepower: 275
  • 0-60 mph: 7.5 seconds
  • EPA: 20 City | 26 Highway | 23 Combined
  • Transmission: 8-speed automatic
  • Torque: 317 lb-ft
  • 1/4 Mile: 15.6 seconds at 92 mph
  • MW Fuel Economy: 25.3 mpg (Premium)