It's a Toyota! Quality vehicle produced in Japan. I have found no defects in my 3 weeks of ownership.

Erogonomics... coming from a '96 Explorer, the interior is googie and the controls (windshield wipers and cruise control) are hard to find and don't light up at night. It needs a standard center console. The optional console Toyota offers is a joke, too small and narrow. There are no automatic door locks and the power seats are not as adjustable as the explorer.
A break-in period of 1000 miles! not to exceed 55 MPH... is this for real? ;-)

I got the dealership in Sunnyvale in CA. to lower the price $2500 below MSRP just through an email exchange. At the time of the transaction, i ended up trading in the Explorer and since i got VERY LOW blue book value they came down to $3000 below MSRP (1000 over invoice). I recommend them highly. Did i get a good deal??? dunno...

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1996 Exlporer XLT

Sexy styling, responsive handling, quiet ride, good power - even with a 4-cylinder ( vehicle w/o 4WD actually is only as heavy as a midsize car ). Option to go for 4WD if it suits your needs.

Options!
Forced to choose between ALL: "Limited" ( with ALL the options ) for additional CDN$12k or NOTHING

The Highlander is a hybrid. It's on a car chassis and weighs only 1580kg. Yet it's roomier and has more ground clearance than most SUVs. If you are looking to pay CDN$29k for a fullsize stationwagon or Honda CRV...give the Highlander a test drive.

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Honda CRV <- is less money but less stylish and has a much stiffer ride.

Great handling for an SUV. I like where all of the controls are situated in the vehicle. Unless you are going up mountains in Cali, you don't really need the V6 but it does help. The V6 will just waste more gas which is expensive now. I like where they put the shifter, and the moonroof is cool.

Need center console but thats about it. Could have a better audio system in it. If your a music lover like I am, then I suggest taking the stock out and buying a new system like an Alpine or a Sony which will definately make the sound alot better.

I bought the HL 4x4 V6 and had a killer deal worked out. I was reading most of the reviews and for everyone who paid over 30k...well you got ripped off big time. You can pretty much get the top model for less then 30k if you negotiate with them and have them throw in a bunch of the extras that they want to charge you for. Also, negotiate the interest rate if you finance... since most people aren't buying cars right now, they should go down at least 1 or 2 percent. It drives excellent and is the best SUV for the price on the market. I definately recommend this SUV.

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It compares to the Infinity QX4 in style and drives even better compared to the Explorer, Pathfinder, Montero and the RX300.

Functional and high quality interior. Plenty of power and good handling.

Price, lack of choice for options.

We picked up our V6 HL last week after about 2 months of research, and immediately took it on a 1600 km road trip through BC's Fraser Canyon. The car performed flawlessly and needless to say we are very pleased.

The most appealing feature of the HL is its simplistic functionality - everything is where it should be, there are no surprises or annoyances. The interior is noticeably more refined than other SUV's we looked at and is carefully thought out. The engine is well matched to the automatic transmission. Upshifts and downshifts occur exactly where they should, and there is plenty of surplus power available at all driving speeds whenever it is needed. Handling is precise for a larger vehicle, and while there is some minor roll through the curves, it does surprisingly well for a SUV.

My only complaint is the premium price tag and the availability of only two model types in Canada. I would have preferred alloy wheels and all season tires, not the lousy street tires that come standard. The stereo could also be better. These features are only available as part of the Limited package, for $9K more.

Aside from these minor gripes we are very pleased with our decision, and are looking forward to many good years out of this quality automobile.

Great SUV!! 24 MPG so far on my second tank. Luxury feel inside. Quiet ride. Parked next to a RX300 Lexus and couldn't tell them apart except my cost $12,000 cheaper!!

4 cylinder has trouble going up hills.

The dealer came off the sticker price two thousand dollars. I bought a base model, and then asked the dealer to have the sunroof installed which cost around $900 which was added into my total price which came to 24,119.

I'm so glad that I bought this SUV because it has so much room compared to other SUV's in its price range.

I love the sunroof!!!

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Quality, quality, quality!!! Ford may talk it, but Toyota walks it! Drivetrain, controls, comfort, reliability.

Cheap tires replaced with Michelin Cross Terrain SUVs and the handling, braking, and overall ride improved dramatically.

My 23rd vehicle in 26-years and it's great!!! It's the only one in town and catches plenty of attention. It's comfortable for a family of 5 (includes two teenagers and a black lab). GREAT car!!!!!!!!

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1999 Ford Explorer traded in...what a world of difference!

Quiet Smooth V-6 Cruise Control is the best I've ever used I paid $500 over dealers Invoice. Sun roof is ok.
It's a 6 weeks old, and it just turned 5000 miles today.

WIND NOISE at 70 mph in a cross wind something makes a LOUD whistle and the dealer has no idea what it is or where to start. If you have corrected this problem or have the same problem E-MAIL PLEASE konecny@prodigy.net
I have started to silicone seal some seams in the plastic air dams under the front bumper and wheel wells. No help. Next I will pull the air dams off and see if the noise goes away. The Dealer is willing to help, but no cross wind... no problem.
We were told the center consoles wouldn't be available until November. I called this week and their available now.

Happy but have thought about selling it. Because of the Cross wind problem. The resalwe will never be higher than it is right now. If we eliminate that well just say we have another 200M Vehicle. Over all rating is with out the cross wind noise.

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Old car 93 Explorer with 200M (Original owner) driving both back to back. The Ford is loud heavy, and uses fuel at an alarming rate.

Smooth ride, enough power (even with 4 cylinder), quiet interior, Goodyear tire, handles well, exterior looks cool

base model audio does not have bass/treble control

This SUV is a good balance of power and fuel economy, size and handling.

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220hp v6 power/acceleration, great handling, keyless remote, attractive appearance

engine revs high when first powered on, slight tic at idling speed

The Toyota Highlander represented the best value for what we were looking for in a suv when we bought it. We bought the v6 version, without the Limited package (no leather/sunroof/vehicle skid control etc.). The Linited option costs $9K (cdn $) in Canada. I was somewhat skeptical of buying a first model year product, but was won over because the HL is based on the Lexus RX300 and built by Toyota. We never considered the RX300. In Canada, there's a $15K difference in price between the Lexus and the Highlander, and we liked the Highlander's looks better. Compared to the others we drove: It offers more interior room and has more power than the Forester for about the same $. The HL offered better handling and more power than the Xterra for not much more $. I considered it more of a family vehicle than the Pathfinder, which was tighter in back seat, and had small rear door openings. I liked both the 4Runner, the Sequoia and the MDX but the HL drove better than the 4Runner, had more room, cost less and we did not require the low range and other truck-based characteristics of the 4Runner. The Sequoia and MDX are 15-20K more for an extra row of seats. In short it is an attractive awd vehicle with great power and handling.

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Compared to Forester, Pathfinder, Xterra, 4Runner, Sequoia, MDX.

Limited version with all the bells and whistles including towing package, sunroof etc. The v6 Power, ride, comfort and controls make this an enjoyable vehicle. Overall fit and finish is excellent. Toyota quality is evident everywhere.
Love the heated seats! Handles and rides like a car, very little sway in the corners.

Premium pricing, little discounting. Lack of available color "indigo blue" (My dealer never did find indigo so I settled for green). Brakes seem a little soft for this type of vehicle requires slightly more stopping distance than other heavier vehicles I own. The center console would be better if it was taller. Stereo lacks "punch" but is adequate. CD player would be nice if it had "shuffle play" not just random play on the disc your listening to. (I'm digging for things to complain about.)Seats maybe a little stiff on long drives.

Overall I'm quite happy with the vehicle and would recommend it to anyone. It is an eye catcher with a unique look.
Although it is "4wd" I would hesitate to take it over much more than a muddy gravel road as the clearances and underbody protection is limited.
I expect it will do very well here in Minnesota's winter weather. Mileage for the first 1,000 miles has been about 19.4 mpg. Heating and air conditioning work wonderfully. The engine is smooth and quiet, typical toyota.
Anyone with questions can email me for specifics...

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