Highlander is the "evergreen tree" in the field of medium-sized 7-seatER SUVs, and thanks to its excellent product strength, it has also dominated the sales list of this segment for many years, and it is already a well-known model.
As our demand for medium-sized 7-seatER SUVs increases, there are also a lot of competitive models in the market, including Trumpchi GS8, BYD Tang, Oncove PLUS, Lynk & Co 09, Xingtu Lanyue, Ideal ONE and other models.
As soon as they came out, many people unified high-profile every day to "shout and beat Highlander". And the truth, is that really the case?
Today, the professor picked out two models whose sales can be comparable to highlanders, one is the Trumpchi GS8 with a large price span, and the other is the ideal ONE that claims to have the attribute of "Daddy", and analyzes them one by one from the exterior interior, configuration, driving and power experience to see if their strength can really put Highlander down.
The new Highlander based on Toyota's TNGA architecture abandons the relatively traditional line shaping in the overall shape, but instead emphasizes the sense of sport and fashion.
The overall shape of the ideal ONE tends to be a calm business style, but this relative use of a large number of flat lines outline, is still quite attractive type.
The second generation of GAC Trumpchi GS8 is more angular and continues to show the domineering temperament to the fullest. The large size of the grille, the hidden door handle (hybrid model), and the novel lightset technology application are also a little more technological.
Summary: Appearance has always been a matter of benevolence and wisdom, and it is entirely up to you to follow your own aesthetics. However, it is certain that these two appearances are very much in line with the mainstream aesthetics of contemporary consumers.
Highlander can win such a good reputation, and following the practical interior is undoubtedly the biggest contributor. Even today's new Highlander still carries on this good dna, and the competitiveness of the car is further strengthened with the visible storage compartment.
(New Highlander interior)
Of course, it also keeps pace with the times, such as the full LCD dashboard and the suspension of the central control screen will also be equipped one by one, but this is limited to high-end models.
It should be mentioned that the combination of a thick and thick central control screen and a large number of physical keys will greatly reduce the creation of a sense of technology. In addition, the car and machine system and intelligent interconnection that cannot keep up with the times are also a major lack.
In contrast, the ideal ONE is the pioneer of creating an integrated triple screen, and the creation of a sense of technology in the interior is more advantageous. Similarly, the Trumpchi GS8 full LCD dashboard with large size central control screen also has a good sense of technology. In addition, in terms of material estimated construction, Rational ONE and Trumpchi GS8 have also achieved their respective corresponding levels of luxury.
Most importantly, rational ONE and Trumpchi GS8 have excellent performance in the intelligent interconnection of vehicles and machines, such as navigation, multi-screen interaction/switching of car information, online video and other entertainment functions. The design of the UI and the richness of the built-in apps can also be compared to smartphones.
In addition, without looking at the price span, at the configuration level, the ideal ONE and Trumpchi GS8 should also be more sincere than Highlander.
The ideal ONE system is equipped with active braking, parallel assist, reversing image/early warning, full-speed adaptive endurance, panoramic sunroof, power seat adjustment and other functions as standard, and the advanced configuration also includes AD advanced driver assistance system, Qualcomm Snapdragon 820A on-board chip and various radar probes in the car.
(GAC Trumpchi GS8 panoramic sunroof)
The Trumpchi GS8 series is equipped with lane/forward collision warning, road traffic signs, 540-degree panoramic images, panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, dual electric seat adjustment, etc.
And some of the new Highlander low-end models are not equipped with active braking, collision warning, lane keeping assistance and other functions, not even the most basic reversing radar and images, you know, this is a SUV model priced at 300,000.
Summary: In the technical visual creation and configuration level of the interior, the ideal ONE and Trumpchi GS8 are indeed going to have the upper hand, and Highlander can only respond with the ancestral "practicality".
The new Highlander is a circle larger than the old model, coming to 4965x1930x1750mm, with a wheelbase of 2850mm, so there will be more room for internal riding. And the seat is also wide and soft enough, with a flexible space layout, the overall ride comfort is still as good as ever.
(New Highlander Space)
In addition, thanks to the lengthened body, the performance of the third row of Highlander's riding space has also been greatly improved, and the sitting posture of the squat "small bench" is no longer so obvious, of course, even if there is an improvement, the third row is still an emergency use, and it is not suitable for long-term driving and riding.
The ideal ONE and GAC Trumpchi GS8, which shouted at Highlander, also used body size and large space as selling points. The ideal ONE length, width and height are 5030x1960x1760mm, wheelbase 2935mm, GAC Trumpchi GS8 length, width and height 4980/5015x1950x1780mm, wheelbase 2920mm, from the data point of view, basically belong to the "leapfrog" level.
(Rational ONE Space)
The difference is that the ideal ONE main large 6-seat experience, although the internal ride space experience will be better, but the lack of a seat, often doomed to a lot less flexibility.
(GAC Trumpchi GS8 Space)
GAC Trumpchi GS8 provides a 6/7 seat version of the choice, the use of seat layout is more flexible, and thanks to the more straight body shape, the internal seating space is also excellent, however, the second row, three rows of seat angles are straighter, the cushion is not thick enough, in the ride comfort will be greatly reduced.
Summary: The body size and overall space performance of the three are not much different, but the new Highlander has more advantages in space layout flexibility and ride comfort.
The new Highlander is equipped with a 2.5L hybrid system, in which the 2.5L self-priming engine has a maximum power of 192 hp and a peak torque of 237 N·m, while the four-wheel drive model has a total motor power of 174 kW and a total torque of 391 N·m, matching the E-CVT transmission and the E-Four electronically controlled four-wheel drive system.
The actual driving experience is greatly improved compared to the previous 2.0T+6AT model. First of all, the whole throttle response is quite sensitive, the power comes very directly, it is very easy to drive at medium and low speeds, and the acceleration process is very smooth.
Of course, based on this 2.5L hybrid system, neDC can achieve a minimum fuel consumption of 5L per 100 kilometers, which is good enough for a medium-sized SUV weighing more than 2 tons.
The ideal ONE uses range extender power, equipped with a 1.2T engine as a range extender, and two drive motors at the front and rear, and the system has a combined maximum power of 245 kW and a combined peak torque of 455 N·m.
This set of power advantages is that the response is fast, the acceleration is refreshing when the power is sufficient, the driving is light, and the whole process is smooth enough, or this is also the reason why many people can't go back to the oil car when driving the tram. It should be mentioned that the ideal ONE pure electric state can achieve more than 100 kilometers of endurance, combined with the feed state, most car owners feedback that the ideal ONE comprehensive 100 km fuel consumption is about 8L.
Gac Trumpchi GS8 offers two powertrains, one is 2.0T+8AT, with a maximum power of 185kW and a peak torque of 400N·m. The other is the 2.0TM + Toyota fourth-generation THS hybrid, in which the hybrid model benefits from the motor blessing, the start is very brisk, the medium and high speed also has a good acceleration experience, with the E-CVT gearbox, the overall driving experience is also inclined to be smooth and comfortable. WLTC's minimum comprehensive fuel consumption per 100 km is 5.96L.
Summary: After all, they are all positioning home SUVs, so the three are the main comfort and smoothness in the overall driving experience, and the difference is not large. However, in terms of fuel economy, Toyota Highlander still has the "best" level of the same class.
After a round of comparison, the ideal ONE and GAC Trumpchi GS8 do have the strength to shout and beat Highlander in terms of interior materials, configuration, and sense of technology. However, this does not mean a victory, after all, in terms of ride comfort, flexible space layout and fuel economy, Highlander is still a big brother.
In fact, the reason why Highlander can become an "evergreen tree" in the field of medium-sized SUVs is not how powerful the product force is, but this car really can't pick out any big problems in our use process, saying that the configuration is backward, some consumers just like it practical.
And the heart-saving and durable word of mouth that has been handed down from the old generation also subtly imperceptibly makes our choice, yes, word of mouth is its most powerful place.
In general, the ideal ONE and GAC Trumpchi GS8 may be able to use product power to shout highlander, but in terms of market reputation precipitation, peace of mind and durability, it will take a long time to catch up.