2012 Toyota Highlander Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Word on the street for the 2012 Highlander gives no indication of any changes whatsoever for Toyota's most nimble entry to the 7-seat...

Word on the street for the 2012 Highlander gives no indication of any changes whatsoever for Toyota's most nimble entry to the 7-seat crossover segment. Now entering the fifth year of its second generation, the Highlander isn't really due for an overhaul either - if the 7-year debut generation is to be any indication. That said, given Toyota's history there will probably be at least a few tweaks under the hood and chassis to improve overall reliability and durability, as all of the genuine quirks were already flushed out after this generation's sophomore year.

Before this little nap Toyota made an effort to freshen up the Highlander's style for 2011, and provided the 50/50 split-folding third row and third-row climate controls in every trim, but dropped the arguably more composed Sport. As such, the 2012 Highlander carries over in Base, SE and Limited forms with as much as 270 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque on tap - good enough to tow 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

However, standard power for the Base and SE comes from a 184-hp, 2.7-liter inline-4, which of course fetches the best-available fuel economy, especially since it is only available with front-wheel drive and a 6-speed automatic - but that lead comes with a relatively small margin. The more powerful V6 does only about 2 mpg worse with front-wheel drive, rating 18 mpg city/24 highway, and opting for all-wheel drive cuts it back another mile, roughly speaking. The economically tuned 5-speed automatic mated to this V6 certainly helps put the Highlander near the top of its class for fuel efficiency - even without considering the hybrid.

A few other things really stand out about the Highlander aside from lively power, great fuel economy and standard seating for 7. The fully independent suspension delivers a remarkably smooth ride, while the cabin envelops riders in a silent fortress with surprising utility. A long list of standard safety features includes active front head restraints and side curtain airbags for all three rows. As for utility, folding down the passenger seating opens up nearly 100 cubic feet of cargo capacity - but if you just need to reach the third row a little more easily, the second row can be shuffled forward or backward and split up to be partially folded flat for a convenient hallway.

The Highlander does feature a few notable downsides, though. The third row is a bit short on legroom, and although the steering is easy enough for tight maneuvers, the end result feels somewhat disconnected from the road and lifeless. The lack of high-tech inclusions is a refreshing relief for some, but gadget geeks might want more newfangled options than the Highlander can offer - which amount to a back-up camera, auto-dimming rear-view, iPod hookup, and navigation and rear entertainment systems.

Current-owner sentiment is precisely the same - time and time again, third-row legroom is the only true complaint regarding the Highlander. Coming in second, drivers chalk up the fact that it doesn't drive like a sports car with the fact it isn't a sports car.