Description, characteristics and generations of Toyota Highlander cars

Toyota Highlander — mid-size crossover (SUV, J-segment), which has been produced since 2000 to the present day by a Japanese company "Toyota Motor". Based on the Toyota K platform, which is also used for "Camry" and "Lexus RX". It is one of the first mid-size crossovers in the world. It has an analogue, a more robust SUV "4Runner", which is based on a truck. The Highlander was Toyota's best-selling crossover until 2006, but was later overtaken by the more compact "RAV4". Also called Toyota Kluger in Japan and Australia, where the name cannot be used "Highlander". The name "Kluger" comes from the German word "klug", which translates as "wise, smart". The name "highlander" translates from English as "highlander". As of the end of 2018, more than 2.5 million cars have been sold since the start of production in the United States.

Currently, the main classmates and competitors of the Highlander are Audi Q5, BMW X3, Chevrolet Tahoe, Dodge Journey, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Infiniti QX80, Lexus GX, Mazda CX-9, Land Rover Discovery, Mitsubishi Pajero, Nissan Patrol, Nissan Pathfinder, Peugeot 5008, Porsche Cayenne, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Volvo XC90 and Volkswagen Touareg.

First generation (XU20, 2000-2007)

The first generation was presented in April 2000 at the New York International Auto Show. In Japan, the car went on sale at the end of 2000, and was exported in January 2001. The body is monocoque with five or seven seats for passengers in the cabin. The length was 4681-4689 mm, width 1826 mm, height 1679-1745 mm and the curb weight was 1716 kg. In the initial configuration, the car only has front-wheel drive, there is also a four-wheel drive with a fixed torque distribution of 50:50. Thanks to the independent suspension, the comfort on the road is higher than that of a similar class and size "4Runner". The trim levels in the US were called "Base", "Sport" and "Limited".

Only petrol engines were installed, one four-cylinder with a volume of 2.4 liters (2362 cm³, 2AZ-FE, I4, 155 hp) and two 3.0-liter V-6s (2994 cm³, 1MZ-FE, V6, 200 hp) and 3.3 liters (3310 cm³, 3MZ-FE, V6, 225 hp). The gearbox was a four-speed automatic (U140E/U140F/U241E) or a five-speed manual (U151E/U151F).

Anti-lock brakes (ABS), brake assist, and electronic brake-force distribution were standard. Stability control, traction control, and a tire pressure monitor were available as options and later became standard on all models.

In 2001, there was the first update related to the instrument panel and the central console. In 2003, the model was updated. The wheel disks, radiator grille, both bumpers, headlights and taillights were changed. A third row of seats appeared, making the car a seven-seater. In 2005, some models underwent a third update.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted crash tests on 2002 and 2004 vehicles without side airbags. The results of the 2002 tests were:

• Frontal Impact (Driver) - 4 out of 5 stars
• Frontal Impact (Passenger) - 4 out of 5 stars
• Side Impact (Driver) - 4 out of 5 stars
• Side kick (rear passenger) — 5 out of 5 stars
• Roof Strength - 3 out of 5 stars

Test results in 2004:

• Front Impact (Driver) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Frontal Impact (Passenger) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Side Impact (Driver) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Side kick (rear passenger) — 5 out of 5 stars
• Roof Strength - 4 out of 5 stars

In crash tests by the American Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the car received a "good" rating for a frontal offset impact.

In 2005, a hybrid version of the crossover appeared with the name "Kluger Hybrid" or "Highlander Hybrid" (MHU28) with a 3.3 liter engine (3310 cm³, 3MZ-FE, V6, 225 hp) with front or all-wheel drive. Average fuel consumption was 8.4-9.4 liters per 100 km.

Second generation (XU40, 2007-2013)

The second generation of the Highlander with the code "XU40" was shown at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2007. Sales of the regular version began in July, and the hybrid in September 2007. The length of the car was 4785 mm, the width 1910-1917 mm, the height 1729-1760 mm and the curb weight 1835 kg, that is, the dimensions increased in all three dimensions, and this, plus the increase in sound insulation, led to an increase in weight. The trim levels were called the same as the first generation - "Base", "Sport" and "Limited". All-wheel drive or front-wheel drive only. The steering became electrically assisted. Production was carried out in Japan, China and the USA.

Regular cars were equipped only with 2.7-liter gasoline engines (2672 cm³, 1AR-FE, I4, 187 hp) and 3.5 liters (3456 cm³, 2GR-FE, V6, 268 hp). The gearbox was equipped with a five- or six-speed automatic (U151E, U760E). Hybrid models were equipped with 3.3-liter V-6 engines (3310 cm³, 3MZ-FE, V6, 225 hp) and 3.5 liters (3456 cm³, 2GR-FXE, V6, 245 hp).

In 2010, the model was updated. The front part was seriously redesigned, new headlights and a radiator grille were installed.

The American "Institute for Highway Safety" (IIHS) conducted crash tests of the Highlander in a frontal collision with a partial overlap and gave a "good" rating in all categories except "Head/Neck", where the rating was "acceptable". In the side impact, the rating was "good" in all categories. In 2008, the American agency "National Highway Traffic Safety Administration" (NHTSA) conducted its crash tests to understand how safe the car is for people. The results were as follows:

• Front Impact (Driver) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Frontal Impact (Passenger) - 4 out of 5 stars
• Side Impact (Driver) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Side kick (rear passenger) — 5 out of 5 stars
• Roof Strength - 4 out of 5 stars

The car's safety is ensured by the following standard features - vehicle stability control, which immediately modifies the electric power steering, traction control, anti-lock brakes, brake assist with electronic brake force distribution, a system to prevent backward rollback when starting on a hill. Also standard are tire pressure monitors, a knee airbag for the driver, side airbags on the front seats, side curtain airbags for all three rows of seats, which include a rollover sensor and active head restraints on the front seats.

Third generation (XU50, 2013-present)

At the New York Auto Show in March 2013, the third generation of the "highlander" was presented, the production of which began in December 2013. Based on the same platform "Toyota K". The exterior design was quite heavily redesigned. The length of the car was 4854 mm, width 1925 mm, height 1730 mm and the curb weight of 2045 kg. The external dimensions again increased compared to the predecessor, and the weight increased by 200 kg. For the first time, models with eight seats appeared. The materials and quality of the interior trim improved. Production was carried out in China and the USA.

Only petrol engines with the following characteristics were installed:

• 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, 8AR-FTS, I4, turbocharged) with a capacity of 235 hp.
• 2.7 liters (2672 cm³, 1AR-FE, I4) with a capacity of 187 hp.
• 3.5 liters (3456 cm³, 2GR-FE, V6) with a capacity of 268 hp.
• 3.5 liters (3456 cm³, 2GR-FXE, V6, hybrid) with a capacity of 245 hp.
• 3.5 liters (3456 cm³, 2GR-FKS, V6) with a capacity of 278 hp.

The gearbox used was only automatic - six-speed "U660E/U760E" or eight-speed "UA80E/UA80F".

Standard options include lane departure warning, collision warning, blind spot monitoring, "HD Radio", "Bluetooth", multimedia system "Toyota Entune" and an audio system with a 6.1-inch touchscreen display.

The update was carried out in 2017 with the car being shown at the New York Auto Show in March 2016. External changes affected the headlights, taillights and new body and interior colors appeared.

The 2016 car was subjected to crash tests by the American agency "National Highway Traffic Safety Administration" (NHTSA), the results of which were as follows:

• Overall rating: 5 out of 5 stars
• Frontal Impact (Driver) - 4 out of 5 stars
• Frontal Impact (Passenger) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Side Impact (Driver) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Side kick (rear passenger) — 5 out of 5 stars
• Roof Strength - 4 out of 5 stars

Highlander XU50, trunk

Highlander XU50, rear seats

Highlander XU50, engine