It is undeniable that since the introduction of Highlander into The Country, it has existed at the same level of "benchmarking". However, with the change of the market and the increase in the number of opponents, can the fourth generation Highlander still defend its "jianghu status"? Just try it and you'll know.
It wasn't too early for us to get this new-generation Highlander test drive, but that didn't dampen my expectations for it. As the only Japanese car user in the entire editorial department, I believe that I can make a relatively objective evaluation of this new car. Before testing this "benchmark" model, I deliberately checked its previous sales, and since its launch at the end of June 2021, more than 100,000 units have been sold in just a few months. This is enough to prove its mass base. However, the emergence of many of its direct or indirect competitors in the volatile market will have some impact on it to some extent. Therefore, Toyota is bound to make a more substantial upgrade on the key model of the Highlander to defend its position.
The first thing that changed was the design, and Toyota's designers were working very hard to get rid of the "greasy" feeling of its past. Get rid of the relatively tough, old-fashioned shape and start to outline the lines and reduce the visual age. The front face is shaped in an "X" shape as a whole, which is consistent with Toyota's design language in recent years. The grille is honeycomb-shaped and enlarged, and with a pair of spiritual headlamps, the front face looks overall younger. The overall line of the side is simple and smooth, and with 20-inch wheels, the side of the car is fully stretched. The new car has a length, width and height of 4965/1930/1750 mm, a wheelbase of 2850 mm, an increase of 60 mm over the past, and the wide body shape also lays a solid foundation for the interior space.
The new interior style adds a lot of stylish atmosphere to the new car,
It is believed that to a certain extent, it will attract the attention of many young consumers.
The new locomotive system runs smoothly and is clearly displayed,
And the functions are complete, which greatly improves the convenience of using the car.
When I opened the car door and sat in, the word "envy" came to mind for me, who owned three Toyota cars. In the toyotas of the past, you'd have a hard time finding the "youthful" interior vibe you're looking for, not even the more advanced Alpha than it. The central control modeling is very distinctive, the suspension type design is fashionable and personalized, and the material is also greatly improved compared to the previous generation model. A large number of physical buttons can better ensure the safety and accuracy of operation during driving. The 12.3-inch central control screen looks much cooler, in addition to the conventional functions, it also supports a variety of mobile phone interconnection functions. More importantly, the relative software localization of this set of cars and machines is very good, which greatly increases the convenience of daily use. In addition, the top model is equipped with an 11-speaker JBL sound.
In addition to the regular position of the doorside, the central armrest box, and the glove box, we can also see that there is a mezzanine layer under the central control screen, for example, and it runs all the way to the co-driver position, and we can place mobile phones, bills and other debris in these compartments, which is very intimate. Another small point, the mezzanine partition under the central control screen also deliberately left a small hole, convenient for the storage and collection of the mobile phone charging cable. I often share with friends that although the interior of Toyota cars is slightly inferior to that of German and American cars, the warmth it shows in the details is very good, which is very helpful for daily practicality. In terms of ride comfort, the front two rows of seats are relatively wide, the ride comfort performance is good, the third row of space is more cramped, and the comfort of the seats is more ordinary, which is a common problem for 7-seater cars, after all, the third row also shoulders the role of increasing the rear space after being folded.
In terms of power, the new Highlander is equipped with TNGA's fourth-generation enhanced version of the THSII Toyota Hybrid System, which has a larger battery capacity and higher comprehensive power, and of course, reduced the official fuel consumption figure to 5.8 liters / 100 km (four-wheel drive). The internal combustion engine is a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder Atkinson cycle naturally aspirated engine that can produce a maximum power of 141 kW and a maximum torque of 238 Nm. The maximum total output of the motor is 174 kW/391 Nm (4WD) and 134 kW/270 N M (2WD).
Our test drive is a top-of-the-line four-wheel drive model, thanks to the dual motor, the new car start dynamics are very light, and the acceleration is very smooth, with the usual style of hybrid models. Not only that, but the rear-end power performance is equally excellent, which makes the driver more confident in facing overtaking at high speeds. In addition, the new car has 3 driving modes, but the difference is not too big after switching, so it is not too much to repeat. I believe that for such a car, the smoothness of power output is far more meaningful than the absolute power value. However, in addition to smoothing, the new car is not excellent for the noise suppression emitted by the internal combustion engine after starting. Although this generation has improved in terms of NVH, this aspect has been overlooked. Obviously, the sound insulation material in the engine compartment is not used enough or there is some deviation in the position where the material is used, but I think Toyota should not have such a problem, they have a lot of experience in the NVH of the previous hybrid models, and hope to improve it in the future.
Through the driving experience of various roads and speeds from the city to the high speed, the new car has a considerable improvement in handling and driving texture. The first is the steering wheel, which is not small in diameter but comfortable and soft to hold, and the steering system has been re-optimized, so that its return is light and elastic, and the damping texture is also quite delicate. The pointing is also not vain, so whether it is driving slowly in the parking lot or cruising at high speed, it is handy. The chassis seems to have a fuller ability to absorb the impact of the road surface, and the overall layer is thicker, no longer as thin as the old model. The suspension stroke is long, the adaptability to road conditions is good, and the ability to control and alleviate long-wave undulations is strong, and the overall performance is more and more relaxed.
Through a long test drive, we can really feel the improvement of the new generation of Highlander in various aspects, such as design, power, space, technology and so on. Although it is not particularly conspicuous in one aspect, its robust performance in various use environments is very valuable, and people will find that it can be integrated into a family's car life very quickly and cannot be faulted. Of course, there are also long-term advantages, such as the often mentioned "fewer faults" and "high retention rate", which can only be obtained when you have it. Considering the comprehensive strength, I believe that the new generation of Highlander can still stabilize its position.
Specifications
GAC Toyota Highlander
Dual Engine 2.5L 4WD Extreme Edition 7 seats
Guide price: 34.88
Engine: L4, naturally aspirated + motor
Displacement: 2487mL
Maximum engine power:
141kW/6000rpm
Maximum engine torque:
238Nm/
4200-4600rpm
Maximum motor power:
174kW
Maximum torque of the motor:
391Nm
System combined power: 183kW
transmission:
Electronic continuously variable transmission - ECVT
Length/Width/Height:
4965/1930/1750mm
Wheelbase: 2850mm
Drive mode:
Front-mounted four-wheel drive
Braking system (front/rear):
Ventilated discs/ventilated discs
Suspension system (front/rear):
McPherson/E-type multi-link
Tire: 235/55 R20
Comprehensive fuel consumption: 5.8L/100km
Text/Kang Jiawei Photo/Li Xiao