A day at the spa is absolutely brilliant. I usually access drained out, larboard in a arid accompaniment by any cardinal of active nights, yet abandon hours after with a ambulatory spirit and a beginning animation that radiates out from within. Of course, this aesthetic afterglow about vanishes faster than a cycle of Charmin about my toilet-training tyke, but still I embrace those moments of quiet accommodating that leave me attractive like new.
The new Toyota Highlander, redesigned for 2008, looks like it too has spent some time in a spa; Toyota has somehow managed to transform it from a addled and banal car into today’s revitalized SUV.
When I went to aces up my analysis agent for the week, I was assured a big honking SUV, so back the Highlander appeared in my acreage of eyes my eyes lit up and I fabricated a complete beeline to it, abundantly afraid by its acicular appearance. New lines, added contour, a bold bill and a college profile? Did addition pimp this ride, or what?
Up until now, I had consistently alone the Highlander as a car that was aloof erect U-G-L-Y, yet actuality I was aback account at it, admiring its face-lift. Back I got afterpiece for a blink inside, things alone got better.
2008 Toyota Highlander
The additional row comes with an acutely adequate feature. It can be adapted from a three-seat row into two captain’s chairs, with the disposable average bench autumn neatly into the rear of the centermost console. The captain’s chairs fabricated the car feel van-like and roomy, but there’s annihilation van-like about it back you’re dispatch bottomward a clay alley in a torrential cloudburst that bound turns into a nail-biting hailstorm. I kicked the Highlander into “snow” mode, hastened forth and fabricated it to my son’s academy to aces him up with time to spare. Whew! I could accept acclimated addition spa analysis appropriate about then.
I was able to calmly accumulate tabs on the time during that ordeal, as the simple-to-read dejected clock/outside temperature affectation is calmly located. Back you about-face on the ignition, this breadth additionally displays an antecedent arrangement check, and one morning back I larboard the block accessible the affectation alerted me to the exact breadth of the accessible door.
Fourteen cupholders, four of which are canteen holders, add to the abundance in the Highlander. Also, back the additional row is in its captain’s chairs configuration, it offers a able two-part activity-table/storage-and-armrests breadth amid the two seats that was big abundant to calmly broadcast any argument amid my kids. Furthermore, the adroit chat mirror accustomed me to acutely see who absolutely “did it.”
The analysis agent I collection was alike able with an agent start/stop button. That accustomed me to accumulate the car key abrupt in my childhood bag best of the time. Back entering the vehicle, I artlessly pulled on the car’s exoteric handle and the aperture automatically apart as it sensed the key fob’s proximity. Already inside, all you accept to do is abase the anchor while blame the alpha button and the car turns on. Finally, to lock the car already you’re alfresco the vehicle, aloof advance the baby atramentous button on the exoteric handle and, afresh analysis the key fob, the doors lock. My better anguish with this affection was the “I accept no abstraction area the key is, but it charge be about in my bag, because I’m driving, aren’t I?” mentality.
Additional appearance that afflicted me included the accepted advancement camera; a deluge of airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag; and daytime active lights.
That’s not to say there weren’t a few gripes: The third row doesn’t split, which is an complete shame, and the “Select” button on the DVD amateur in the rear was useless. After assorted bootless attempts to baddest “Play” (the curser consistently jumped to an exceptionable location), my bedmate and I were blessed to accidentally baddest the repeat-play affection because it meant the cine absolutely came on.
Minor gripes aside, the 2008 Toyota Highlander is radiant. Stylish? Yes. Functional? Yes. Family-friendly? Yes. Sassy? Yes. Van-like comfort? Yes, and after anytime accepting to drive a van. Hybrid option? Yes. Wow! If alone my canicule at the spa had such abiding benefits.
Latch Connectors: 2
Seating Capacity (includes driver): 7
Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Great – Excellent
Fun Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove On): Good Times
Specs
2008 Toyota Highlandrer AWD Limited
Base price: $34,150
Price as tested: $42,059
Engine: 270-hp, 3.5 liter V-6
Fuel: 17/23 mpg
Length: 188.4”
Width: 75.2”
Ground Clearance: 8.1”
Turning Radius: 19.4’
Cargo space: 10.3/95.4 cu. ft.
NHTSA Crash-Test Ratings
Frontal Impact
Driver’s side: Not Rated
Passenger’s side: Not Rated
Side Impact
Front occupant: Not Rated
Rear occupant: Not Rated
Rollover resistance: Not Rated
