2004 Toyota Highlander Review

Specifications

Seven-Passenger Equalization

Toyota has found much success with their car-based Highlander midsize SUV, and why shouldnt they? Its a wonderfully designed, well-built automobile that is chalk-full of Toyotas legendary quality and reliability.

But there was a deficiency in the Highlander line when measured up against its main rival, the slightly larger Honda Pilot. The deficiency was more posterior-related than size-related - specifically two posteriors. Thats the number of additional people which could be accommodated into the back of the Pilot, versus last years Highlander.

For 2004, Toyota has all “butt” remedied the situation with the addition of a third-row seat. Now an equal number of soccer players can fit into Moms taxi, be it a Toyota or Honda.

During a recent event, Toyota presented the media with a lineup of its 2004 trucks and SUVs, one of which was the 7-passenger Highlander, along with a route map that led us into the Rockies. Along the way I put the car-like SUV through its paces, including some off-road driving with challenging inclines, heavily blanketed in some areas with knee-high snow.

This is a tall order for a vehicle not designed primarily for off-road excursions, but I lived to tell the story so obviously the 4WD Highlander is more capable than at least I initially conceived.

The Highlander is based on Toyotas very popular and highly dependable Camry sedan. Building an SUV on a car chassis has advantages and drawbacks. In the case of the Highlander, the Camry foundation provides the smallish midsizer with a very car-like ride and relatively nimble handling to match.

On the restrictive side, the unibody construction and beefed-up passenger sedan underpinnings are no match for serious off-road terrain. SUVs designed for the rough stuff are generally of body-on-frame design, enabling greater ground clearance and increased rigidity over unibody construction. These vehicles also benefit from the inclusion of a low-range set of gears, necessary for tackling the steepest of ascents and descents, not to mention axle-burying mud.

Of course axle-burying mud doesnt exist when the region hasnt seen the thermometers needle depart the sub-zero portion of the dial for weeks on end. Such was the case during the Toyota event. With long underwear and various other togs of winter affixed, I approached the shiny Highlander hoping to find warmth.

For 2004 the Highlanders exterior design has been updated with changes that include a redesigned front bumper, grille, headlights, fog lamps, rear bumper, and taillights. These subtle alterations maintain the pleasing, yet conservative design. Still, for me, it remains as fresh and amiable as it did in 2001, when first introduced. And while boxy, the design works nonetheless.

As I climbed into the Highlanders warm cab the winter sun was shining intensely through the windows, perpetuating the delusion that summer had arrived. With sunglasses filtering the UVs, my ride-partner and I set off for destinations unknown - unknown mainly due to our inability to follow the route guide (its a guy thing). In addition to sincerely appreciating the blast of warmth from the Highlanders heating system, I was appreciative of the quality and comfort Toyota has built into the SUV; except of course for the third-row seat, which should come with its own chiropractor. This seat will accommodate two “friendly adults” but is best left for their offspring instead.

As with any Toyota of late, the Highlander is extremely well assembled. Interior joints and seams fit together with exact precision, and most surfaces were pleasing to the touch. Nothing screamed “low rent,” but there were a few areas such as door panels and the plastic center console that I thought could have been composed of better quality ingredients. But such demerits are more likely a product of Toyotas effort to keep the Highlanders price tag as reasonable as possible, rather than inferior design and any lack of attention to detail.

After adjusting the power drivers seat in my near base level V6, 7-passenger Highlander, I put the shifter into drive and departed for the back roads. My immediate impression was that it is a very comfortable, easy to drive SUV. In fact, of the various Toyota products that I piloted during the trip, it was the one I would choose for any long distance hauling. The Highlanders driving dynamics make it a pleasure cruise in, and that can be attributed to its Camry roots.

Altogether it fit my driving druthers like a well-tailored suit. With complete ease, the Highlander was kept between the lines as the deteriorating road snaked its way into the mountains. I cant say that about some of the other products driven that day. Road feel is nicely transmitted to the driver through the SUVs variable assist, rack and pinion steering mechanism.

For 2004, Toyota has upped the horsepower with a 3.3-liter DOHC V6 that now puts 230-horsepower to work, alongside 242 foot-pounds of torque. But admittedly, I was a little disappointed in the new engine for a couple of reasons. Firstly I expected to feel more grunt than I did from the 230-horsepower. Acceleration is definitely adequate but not inspiring. The second source of my discontent related to the noise the V6 generates under acceleration. I expected a little more refinement, given that this unit is also used in Lexus models.

Riding in the passenger seat was Paul Given, a Toyota consultant. So I consulted: “Why is the engine noisier in the Highlander than it is in Lexus applications?” After some discussion, it was decided that the extra bucks for the Lexus applications must buy a whole lot more sound deadening material and engineering. That makes sense. Within normal driving parameters though, the Highlander engine is unobtrusive and reasonably refined.

The V6 engine mates with a 5-speed automatic transmission that in typical Toyota style works seamlessly and smoothly. Downshifts were rapid and well timed. The barely perceptible upshifts occurred at the appropriate point in the acceleration process, regardless of acceleration severity.

All 2004 Highlanders are equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes that feature an antilock system and electronic brake force distribution, great assets when driving on the hard-packed snow covered roads we experienced on the Toyota sojourn. Brake effort required to bring the reasonably light (for an SUV) 3,935 pound sport-ute to a halt was minimal. The brakes responded commensurate to the force applied to the pedal while predictability was delivered in all braking maneuvers. Little nose-dive was generated by a firm application of the brakes and control was never compromised thanks to the Highlanders well-behaved suspension.

In keeping with its car chassis roots the Highlander rides upon a MacPherson strut front setup that includes an anti-vibration subframe, coil springs and gas-filled shock absorbers. The independent rear suspension also utilizes coil springs and gas shocks but adds a stabilizer bar for enhanced control. The calibration of the Highlanders suspension is firmer than that holding up both ends of a Camry, however not by much. I enjoyed the ride. Unless serious off-roading is contemplated, nothing firmer is needed. Besides, if serious off-roading is in your future, the Highlander shouldnt be. Instead Toyota makes the very capable 4Runner or Sequoia.

When we arrived at the off-road site, we were briefed on the capability of each of the Toyota models that would be testing. Here it was made crystal clear that the Highlanders did not have a low-range set of gears, therefore they were forbidden from navigating the more challenging outback section of the off-road course.

But such a “no go” restriction didnt inhibit my use of the Highlander on the permissible section of the course. Here I found that in spite of not having a low range set of gears, the Highlander was very capable at dealing with deep snow, rutted roads and fairly steep inclines. Toyotas full-time 4-wheel drive system generates remarkable traction where little grip appears to exist. The firmness in the suspension coupled with relatively low ground clearance was suitable to slow traverses of craggy surfaces. Too much speed and the Highlander would jounce and bottom-out easily.

Given that most Highlanders will only see light-duty use, the full-time 4-wheel drive system and the car-like suspension setup is a good match for this vehicle. Really what this combination does best is provide drivers with an increased margin of safety when it comes to driving in inclement weather or heading to the local ski hill in pursuit of fresh powder. The safety enveloped is pushed even further with Toyotas vehicle skid control (VSC) system and traction control (TRAC) system, both of which are standard Highlander fare; and thats worth applauding in my view.

Toyota is also well aware of the need to enhance occupant protection. All seven seating positions are equipped with three-point seatbelts and headrests. The front seats are designed to help reduce the possibility of whiplash-type injuries.

Additionally the Highlander is equipped severity sensing, multi-stage, front driver and passenger airbags. The front passenger seat is equipped with a sensor to determine if the occupants weight is sufficient for the airbag to be safely deployed. I really endorse the use of such sensors. I see many people hauling around small children seated in the front seat of vehicles that are not so equipped. Can people really be that clued-out about airbags, or that careless? Deployment of an airbag can be fatal to a child improperly seated in an airbag protected seating position. At the same time, not including a sensor or shut-off key makes the front seat useful only for teens or adults.

In addition to optional front-seat-mounted side airbags, the 2004 Highlander receives optional first and second row curtain side-airbags. Given that small children and infants are safer when riding in the rear seats, Toyota has equipped the second-row seat with a child restraint LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) that provides top tether anchors for all three seating positions and lower anchors for outboard seating positions.

Hoping to avoid a loss of handling or stability, Toyota has installed a tire pressure warning system as standard Highlander equipment as well. This technology can help prevent an accident by reducing the possibility of a serious loss of tire pressure while underway.

While I only tested the 4WD Highlander, it is also available in a 2WD configuration. This is the entry-level vehicle. Paul Given explained that it remains in the Highlander fleet as a price-point leader and is only available with the base engine, which is a 2.4-liter, 16-valve inline 4-banger that generates 160-horsepower and 163 foot-pounds of torque with the use of variable valve timing. Since Toyota discontinued the Camry wagon, vehicles such as the front-wheel drive Highlander and RAV4 have been expected to pick up the slack. Paul estimates that only 8 percent of the Highlanders sold will be of the 2-wheel drive variety.

The Highlander can be equipped to perfectly suit ones needs and desires. Multiple major option packages are available, including an Appearance Package, which adds 16″ 6-spoke aluminum alloy high-gloss wheels with a full-size spare tire on an aluminum alloy wheel, color-keyed front and rear mudguards, and privacy glass on rear side, quarter and tailgate windows.

A Convenience Package that adds a roof rack system, multi-function remote keyless entry system and tonneau cover. A Quick Order Package adding a multi-function remote keyless entry system, privacy glass on rear side, quarter and tailgate windows, roof rack system and tonneau cover. And a Preferred Package that adds fabric-trimmed power drivers seat with 8-way adjustment plus power lumbar support, engine immobilizer, vanity mirrors and HomeLink.

A Leather Seat Package completes the luxury appointments with the inclusion of leather-trimmed seats, 8-way power adjustable drivers seat (with power lumbar support), and fore and aft headrest adjustments, leather-trimmed steering wheel with cruise and audio-mounted controls and shift lever, HomeLink, engine immobilizer and vanity mirrors. The Towing Prep Package will upgrade the radiator and add a transmission oil cooler along with a 130-amp alternator and trailer pre-wiring. 4-cylinder models receive a 3,000-lb. towing capacity, engine oil cooler, power steering oil cooler and 120-watt fan coupling; V6 models receive a 3,500-lb. towing capacity and 160-watt fan coupling.

In my view, vehicles such as the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot are the utopian of family vehicles, especially for families that reside in locales prone to snow or beastly weather. Its hard to beat the dependability, comfort and safety such vehicles provide a family with during their day to day trudging between school, sports and recreation regardless of weather and road conditions. Add to that Toyotas superior reputation for quality and reliability, and the Highlander will undoubtedly please everyone, seven butts at a time.