Toyota Highlander

10 cars To Drive 200,000 miles? Meet Toyota, Honda

Since the average price of a new car in the United States hovers at around $30,000, it’s safe to assume more consumers are considering keeping their current cars longer. It’s probably a good idea, too, since Consumer Reports has released a list of 10 vehicles likely to drive at least 200,000 miles. The list has some obvious and some surprising choices and it’s lead by a sure bet — the Toyota Prius. It’s the top-selling hybrid, of course, and the Prius family of cars is expansive. The Prius C is the smallest Prius offered and the lineup extends through several editions of the Prius hatchback and continues to the largest in the family, the Prius V. The Consumer Reports’ list

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2015 Toyota Highlander: Comfortable, versatile SUV

Fifteen years after its debut at the New York Auto Show, the Toyota Highlander is in the second year of its third generation as a midsize, car-based sport utility vehicle. The Highlander was a quick hit and became Toyota’s best-selling SUV until its smaller sibling, the RAV4, assumed the carmaker’s top SUV spot in 2006. Facing increasing SUV competition, the Highlander was extensively redesigned in 2014, boosting its tired predecessor. The 2015 model remains the same as last year’s offering. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Available in five trims, my weekly was the top-line Limited Platinum model. The base model begins with a four-cylinder engine and 18-inch wheels and a host of standard technology features. More technology and convenience upgrades add

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2015 Nissan Pathfinder: Lots of features, limited space

Now 30 years old, the Nissan Pathfinder continues the carmaker’s midsize offering in the sport utility vehicle segment. The 2015 edition includes slight standard equipment amendments and technology upgrades in various trims like blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert systems. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The 2015 Nissan Pathfinder is available in S, SV, SL and Platinum trim levels, and my weekly driver was the SL trim with 4×4 or all-wheel drive. It also included the Tech Package ($2,030). All trims feature healthy standard features lists, and the Pathfinder is among most well-equipped SUVs in the industry. Standard on the S and SV models: 18-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, rear privacy glass, keyless entry and ignition, tri-zone automatic climate control,

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2015 cars are here; best deals now on 2014 models

Models for 2015 cars and trucks in all shapes and sizes are steadily infiltrating the market. Which means it’s about the time when better prices may be available 2014 models. As edit and publisher of The Weekly Driver I’ve reviewed more than three-dozen 2014 models to date. And entry level sedans to luxury cars, sub-compacts to sport utility vehicles, the automotive industry has become increasingly competitive. So far this year, the Weekly Driver’s staff has contributed a few dozen other reviews and we’ve produced six independent videos. Videographer Bruce Aldrich, who edits and publishes, tahoetruckeeoutdoor.com, filmed and produced the videos. As the editor and publisher of theweeklydriver.com, I provided the narration for the videos. Contributing editor Dan Jedlicka, an auto

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2014 Toyota Highlander: Perfect family vehicle?

Revise an already good vehicle and you can end up with an appreciably better one. The revised, user-friendly 2014 Toyota Highlander is sleeker, roomier and even more user-friendly. For some, it might be the perfect family vehicle. The revised Toyota Highlander is slightly longer and wider than its predecessor. It also has a lower roofline, sculptured side-door panels, redesigned trapezoidal grille, wraparound headlights, deeply chiseled fenders and prominently protruding wheels for a more aggressive look. There’s also a new rear bumper for a “tougher” appearance. The first- and second-row seating areas are spacious. There’s also extra room in the third-row seating area. The Highlander is billed as an eight-passenger SUV with a second-row 60/40 split bench seat if you don’t

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Toyota cans FJ Cruiser, Yaris, Venza next?

Toyota manufactures the most successful gas and most successful hybrid car in history. The Japanese carmaker makes the Corolla and the Prius, of course. And it makes the perennially popular Camry, Avalon and Highlander. But Toyota also makes the some vehicles that don’t sell particularly well. And it’s about to discontinue a model and may consider abandoning a few other models. According a report on WardAuto.com, Toyota, as previously announced, will discontinue its FJ Cruiser in mid-2014. Through November, FJ Cruiser sales were down 2.6 percent in 2013 to 11,826 units, according to WardsAuto data. The model’s best year was its debut in 2006 when 56,225 FJ Cruisers were sold. The Toyota Venza and Yaris aren’t scheduled to be discontinued,

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REVIEW: 2014 Toyota Highlander gets makeover

Soon to debut in its third generation, the 2014 Toyota Highlander will be available in more trim options and with more features than previously offered. It’s the manufacturer’s acknowledgment of the ever-increasing popularity of sport utility vehicles. Available in four grades — LE, LE Plus, XLE and Limited — the 2014 Toyota Highlander lineup begins at $29,215, a $195 increase over the model its replaces. All gasoline Highlanders will come equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, except for the LE grade, also available with a 2.7-liter, four-cylinder engine. The gas-electric Toyota Highlander Hybrid limited, which debuted at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show in November, will range from $47,300 ($930 more than the 2013 edition), and the Platinum model from

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2014 Toyota Highlander (with video)

Toyota has announced United States pricing for the third-generation 2014 Toyota Highlander, including the gas-electric hybrid version of the midsize SUV debuting at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. Available in four grades – LE, LE Plus, XLE and Limited – the 2014 Highlander starts from $29,215, which means a $195 increase over the model its replaces. All gasoline Highlanders will come equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, except for the LE grade which can also has a 2.7-liter four-cylinder unit. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the new Highlander LE will range from $29,215 for the LE FWD four-cylinder to $43,590 for the Limited AWD V6 with the Platinum package. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid limited will range from

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2013 Toyota Highlander: Polished, roomy crossover

To the surprise of many, American station wagons from the 1950s and 1960s are becoming very desirable. One can only guess if the 2013 Toyota Highlander crossover will eventually become a collector’s item. The 2013 Highlander I tested had the smoothness of one of those old, big domestic V-8 wagons—along with lots of room. Although it’s from Japan’s Toyota, this second-generation Highlander has American flavor because it was designed at Calty Design Research in Newport Beach, Calif., and is assembled at Toyota’s Motor Manufacturing facility in Princeton, Indiana—part of America’s heartland. The Highlander won’t win beauty contests, but has clean, sculpted lines and a wide stance. However, the optional $649 running boards are recommended to ease getting in and out,

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Kia Sorento, 2014: Crossover SUV adds style, power, now bigger contender

The Kia Sorento crossover SUV has been sold for years, and continual improvements have kept it a contender. The improved 2014 Sorento shows Kia can keep this carlike vehicle very competitive. Formidable rivals include the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot, Dodge Durango and Toyota Highlander. Styling counts for a lot these days, and the 2014 Sorento looks sharper than its predecessors. It has redesigned front and rear fascias to enhance its presence with a lower, broader look up front and a visually wider rear stance. Projector style headlights peer from behind tapered clear lenses. The Sorento rolls on redesigned 17-, 18- or new 19-inch wheels. Prices range from $24,100 for the base front-drive, four-cylinder LX Sorento and go to

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2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: Redesigned Crossover has sleeker styling

The mid-size 2013 Santa Fe Sport crossover has rakish new styling similar to that of Hyundai Sonata and Elantra sedans. It also has carlike road manners and plenty of room. The Santa Fe Sport should do well, even though it’s up against rivals such as the Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Edge, Nissan Murano and Toyota Highlander. The five-passenger, two-row Santa Fe Sport should not be confused with the costlier, longer-wheelbase seven-passenger, three-row Santa Fe, which has replaced Hyundai’s underachieving 7-passenger Veracruz. That Santa Fe lacks the word “Sport” in its name, but comes with a 3.3-liter, 290-horsepower V-6. The solidly built Santa Fe Sport lists from $24,450 to $29,450 and comes with either front- or all-wheel drive (AWD). It

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Kelley Blue Book: 2013 Scion iQ Cheapest U.S. car to own for five-year tenure

Kelley Blue Book, like many other automotive sites, likes car lists. Arguably the enduring site’s most popular list is its annual compilation of the cheapest cars to own. The new list covers 22 categories for 2013 models. The new list is collaboration with Forbes.com and winners of the Kelley Blue Book Total Cost of Ownership Awards. The list considers many factors: depreciation, fuel, insurance costs, registration fees and maintenance. Add up all the factors and the amount is the cost of the vehicle over five years. Here’s the list in 22 categories with the segment vehicle name, Base, MSRP, 5-year cost and cost per mile: Subcompact, Scion iQ, $16,250, $27,011, $0.36 Compact, Hyundai Veloster, $18,395, $30,581, $0.41 Hybrid/Alternative Energy, Honda

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2013 Ford Flex: Crossover adds power, styling, alternative fuel

The 2013 Ford Flex looks distinctive, but its boxy styling clearly signifies this is mainly a conservative family vehicle. But owners can stare when others try stuffing lots of people and cargo into a less-roomy vehicle. The Flex, which has front- or all-wheel drive, features three seating rows and can handle seven people when all seats are in an upright position. The Flex has a long 117.9-inch wheelbase, which helps the ride, and weighs from 4,471 to 4,839 pounds, which takes away some of its nimbleness. Still, it feels like a typical carlike crossover vehicle. Rivals include the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia,Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. With the third-row seats in their upright position, there’s enough room for, say, a

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Toyota reveals massive recall involving 7.4 million cars, trucks dating to 2005

Toyota has added another massive component to its more than three years of quality control issues by recalling 7.4 million cars and trucks globally for potential fires involving faulty power-window switches and including 2.5 million vehicles sold in the United States. The recall affects cars made between July 2005 and May 2010, including Camry and Corolla sedans and RAV4 sport-utility vehicles sold in Japan, North America, Europe, China, the Middle East and Oceania. Japan’s biggest automaker called the  latest recall its largest in history. Toyota globally recalled 7.7 million vehicles in 2009 and 2010 because of faulty floormats, but the automaker categorized that occurrence as a “safety campaign.”Toyota, which said it knows of no accidents or deaths stemming from the

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Toyota surpasses four million hybrid vehicles sold since 1997 debut

The Toyota Prius dominates the hybrid car segment and it's the primary reason why 16 years after its debut, the carmaker recently surpassed four million hybrid units sold. Toyota currently sells 18 hybrid passenger vehicles in 80 countries and regions. This year, hybrid vehicle accounted for 15 percent of TMC’s global vehicle sales. Prius, Toyota’s first hybrid passenger car, went on sale in Japan in 1997. Hybrid technology was later introduced to the U.S. in 2000 with the arrival of the Prius. Since then, the Toyota Division of Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. sold 1.5 million hybrid vehicles in the U.S., accounting for 65 percent of all hybrid vehicles sold in the region. Prius, the iconic hybrid brand, comprises half

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Lexus, Toyota, Scion shine in 2012 J.D. Power dependability study

Paced by Lexus, which earned the No. 1 overall rating, eight Lexus, Toyota and Scion models captured segment awards in the 2012 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study Lexus is the number one nameplate improving by 23 fewer problems/100; Toyota is the highest ranked non-premium nameplate and tied for third place overall, improving by 18 fewer problems/100; Scion achievrd its highest ever position at fifth place, jumping 17 positions and improving by 55 fewer problems/100. Lexus was the highest ranking nameplate in the industry in the 2011 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study and earned more segment awards than any other premium brand. The Lexus IS won the entry premium car segment in the 2011 J.D. Power and Associates Automotive

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