In the Chinese SUV market, there is an SUV that has become the first choice of many consumers for many consumers for many years with excellent product strength and good reputation, and it is the Highlander. I believe that the vast majority of consumers have heard the name "Highlander", and this confirms its status and strength.
In 2000, Highlander came out, entered China in 2007, made domestic production in 2009, and ushered in the third generation of Highlander in 2015. Highlander's updates and iterations can always bring some surprises to everyone. After 6 years, in 2021, we have ushered in the fourth generation of Highlander, just this time the auto network review got a fourth generation Highlander 22 four-wheel drive supreme version of the 7-seat model. So, what kind of performance will it bring this time? Let's explore one or two.
The exterior is more refined, and the interior is more technological
Coming to the fourth generation highlander, although the new car continues the design style of the atmosphere and hard school, it adopts a new design and integrates a young and fashionable atmosphere.
It can be seen that the front face of the new car cancels the large mouth design of the previous generation model, using a trapezoidal grille, with flying wing logos and array LED headlights on both sides, which looks obviously more refined and younger. If the old Highlander is mature and stable, then the fourth-generation Highlander is young and fashionable, which is in line with the needs of rejuvenation.
Even on the side of the body, in addition to shaping the muscles through the expanded wheel arch curved surface, the body light and shadow effect has also added a touch of fashion, which is the charm that the old Highlander did not have. Coupled with the treatment of the whole car blackening, it also makes the new car have a domineering aura like a black samurai.
Relatively speaking, the rear of the new car is not much changed, but the style of the tail light group is more delicate and slender. In the position of the listing photo, the new car also adopts a trapezoidal design, corresponding to the front face grille remote call. Of course, the layering of the entire tail is also more obvious, and the overall appearance of the new car is younger and more fashionable than the previous generation.
Some people may say that it is not objective enough to determine the youthfulness of a model based on the design alone? Admittedly, there's nothing wrong with that, but the rejuvenation of the fourth-generation Highlander is ubiquitous. For example, the interior adopts an asymmetrical central control design, while using a 12.3-inch LCD instrument and a 12.3-inch central control screen, which is full of science and technology, in fact, this is also a younger side.
In addition, the new car is also equipped with Toyota's latest in-vehicle intelligent connection system, which not only realizes voice interaction, but also provides users with Baidu maps, multimedia, movie ticket purchase, car-home interconnection, smart parking and other functions, which can meet the needs of more consumers for intelligence. More technologically, the system also integrates face recognition functions, which can brush face to log in to QQ music and other software, and can also brush face to complete online payment for movie tickets, hotels, etc.
Assuming that purely from the perspective of experiencing this car-machine system, Xiaobian feels that there will not be too many surprises, after all, the intelligence of many car-machine systems on the market has been done well. But what I didn't expect was that this system would be installed on the joint venture model, let alone on the fourth-generation Highlander. Looking at the entire SUV market, most of the domestic SUVs that have done a good job in intelligence are currently relatively rare to see joint venture SUVs with a more complete set of intelligent vehicle and machine systems. Therefore, when Xiaobian experienced the fourth-generation Highlander's locomotive system, he did feel that there were some surprises, at least this will make Highlander have a good competitiveness in the joint venture SUV.
In addition, the new car is also equipped with steering wheel heating, first row seat ventilation/heating, and second row seat heating and other functions, it can be said that it has all the functions.
Space utilization is higher
Any model that is remembered by consumers has its own reason. It's like if you think that the fourth-generation Highlander's change is only to pursue youthful design, then it is too small to look at it. In fact, even if the fourth generation of Highlander pays more attention to the integration of elements of youth, it has not abandoned the pursuit of practicality.
It can be seen that in front of the gear, under the air conditioner outlet and above the co-driver armrest box, there are many storage compartments that can accommodate small items such as mobile phones, cards, keys, etc., and the space utilization rate is higher.
Even, in the central control armrest box, two layers of storage space are designed to meet our daily needs for storage space. Of course, the regular cup holder and the place where the drinks and water cups are placed on both sides of the door panel, the fourth generation Highlander is also doing a good job.
As for the seating space, thanks to the wheelbase of the fourth-generation Highlander 2850mm, it provides users with a comfortable driving space. The new car adopts a "2+3+2" seat layout, from the real experience, the performance of the second row of seats is still good, whether it is legroom or the softness of the seat, it can leave a good impression.
Moreover, the second row of seats can be moved back and forth. Assuming that the third row of seats is short of leg space, the second row can be adjusted forward; assuming that the third row of seats is not seated, it can also be moved backwards to provide a more spacious second row of space, which is more user-friendly.
In addition, the new car also has a "handle" under the second row of seats, which can easily enter the third row of seats after pulling up. From the real feeling of the editor, the space performance of the third row can only be used for emergency use, but the third row of seats in the Highlander supports backrest adjustment, which can be adjusted close to half lying, which makes up for the comfort of the third row to a certain extent.
But I personally think the biggest highlight of Highlander is that its space utilization rate is very high. Because the second and third rows of seats of the new car are supported to be 4/6 down, and after being put down, it is basically close to the full flat state. We can combine at will to achieve the spatial layout we want.
Imagine a few images where when we're going to sit for 6 people, we can put down one side of the third row of seats and then load them on baggage or other items at the same time; when we're going camping, we can also put the second and third rows of seats down, and then lay down a mattress, lie comfortably in it, and see the sky through the large panoramic skylight, which is also a pleasant thing.
It is not difficult to find that Highlander is a model that can meet the Chinese people's pursuit of space, which may be one of the reasons why Highlander is trusted and recognized by so many consumers.
Driving control is faster, stronger and more stable
Highlander has always won the hearts of the people with its comprehensive and balanced strength, in addition to design and space, its power performance should not be underestimated, especially after the fourth-generation Highlander is equipped with an enhanced version of the THS II hybrid system, its dynamic performance is worth looking forward to.
It is reported that the hybrid system consists of a 2.5L Atkinson cycle engine, two drive motors and an E-CVT stepless transmission. Among them, the maximum power of the engine is 141kW, the maximum torque is 238N·m, the total power of the motor is 174kW, and the total torque is 391N·m.
Therefore, when the vehicle starts, it is obvious that the power response is very rapid, and if you step on the accelerator slightly, there will be power coming up. When the speed is maintained in the range of 60-80km/h, you will find that the power of the new car is at ease, and it does not look like a big car at all, which is enough to meet various car scenes in the city. And the abundant power output is also the source of confidence in driving this car.
It is worth mentioning that even if you continue to step on the throttle to increase the speed, it is difficult to feel the intervention of the engine, unless you are watching the energy flow or hearing the sound of the engine, it is difficult to detect the switch between the engine and the motor, perhaps this is also the charm of toyota hybrid. It can be said that this hybrid system not only brings lower fuel consumption, but also brings us a more comfortable driving experience.
In addition, the fourth-generation Highlander has also improved its body stability in the corners. When driving quickly into the corner, it can still maintain a good body posture without obvious shaking and rolling, which also ensures the comfort of passengers in the car. Of course, this also has something to do with the double wishbone independent rear suspension adopted by the fourth generation Highlander. Overall, the texture of the chassis driven by the fourth-generation Highlander is relatively tight and calm, which can filter out most of the vibration.
The new car has also been upgraded in terms of driving assistance functions, and the model obtained by Xiaobian is equipped with full-speed adaptive cruise, coupled with the PCS pre-collision safety system, DRCC dynamic radar cruise control system, LTA lane following assistance system, BSM parallel line blind spot monitoring system and other functions, which has improved driving safety to a certain extent.
In order to fully ensure the safe travel of users, Xiaobian also saw that the new car was equipped with 360-degree panoramic images, color HUD head-up display and other functions, showing a certain sincerity.
Auto Network Review: Highlander is still very "Highlander"
It is understood that the current fourth-generation Highlander needs to wait for the car, and the queue to pick up the car has been needed until May next year, which shows the popularity of the fourth-generation Highlander. After this test drive, I slowly understood why Highlander has always had a good reputation and has also been popular with many consumers.
From the fourth generation Highlander, it can be found that the new car has a more refined appearance, is younger, and the interior is more technological. At the same time, the excellent space performance and good space utilization also more comprehensively meet the needs of the Chinese people, coupled with the Toyota enhanced version of the THS II hybrid system, highlander will obviously have more driving pleasure. All indications show that the popularity of the fourth generation Highlander is not accidental, but the strength to win. If you are interested, you may wish to test drive.