Louth Motors: My Forever car - the Toyota Highlander

Last week I reviewed the Mercedes CLS.

It’s a car full of finesse and capability but is also firmly in a niche that is reserved for stylish, coupe-saloon buyers.

The €85k required to buy one is also a factor in how good the car must be to secure that type of discerning buyer.

That buyer is also someone who, regardless of what they say, is sensitive to the image the car places on them and is in keeping with the image they want to portray.

A CLS buyer isn’t flashy but classy, or at least that’s what they’d like you to think.

The Toyota Highlander also costs €85k and if I know anything about cars it can be considered a viable alternative with a modicum of alternative thinking.

My main criticism of the car is that price as I feel it should be a bit less but who am I to preach on pricing when I’m not an expert in world supply chain issues, semi-conductor availability, premium car price premiums and market placement.

All I know is that the Lexus RX, that is built on the same platform as the Highlander, starts at €87k is 60mm shorter, has 5 rather than 7 seats but is a plug-in hybrid as opposed to the “self-powered” hybrid that Toyota are the masters at making and marketing.

All that boils down to the fact that Lexus are supposed to be the premium brand in the Toyota family with an expected price premium but Toyota, with the Highlander, are narrowing that gap to the point where it is nearly eliminated.
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That’s price dealt with and as I said it is my main gripe but once that has had the lid put on the argument, I’m left with a car that if I was looking for my forever car I think I’d be buying a Highlander.

It is a 4WD, 7-seater luxury vehicle.

It won’t look out of place at a film premiere or a gymkhana.

It has green credentials as an urban chariot using the hybrid engine for maximum fuel economy and, sans the Lexus badge, has huge demographic appeal.

It is for all intents and purposes a bigger version of the RAV4 which has a huge, loyal and cross demographic following.

The Highlander comes in two trims only, Sol and Platinum.

The Platinum adds a panoramic roof, a heads-up display and some additional safety features like Pedestrian and Cyclist detection to the already heavily laden Sol model.

Both models have a 2.5 litre hybrid petrol engine with an ample 248hp.

It is a tried and tested unit and capable of towing 2 tonnes using the CVT automatic transmission.
That’s good enough for going off-road in a field or cruising down a motorway or availing of the electric-only power in stop-start urban traffic.

For my time with the car I managed a fuel return of 7.9l/100kms which was impressive and a testament to the fuel saving ability of the hybrid car in a mainly urban environment.

The interior feels like it was crafted rather than manufactured and feels plush.

As my forever car it has the right blend of materials that gave the impression that they would indeed last forever.

My Platinum model had leather seats that can be heated or cooled that only adds to the near universal appeal of the car for any climate.

All the toys and all the safety features are present and very intuitive to use.

There’s a good-sized central infotainment screen with a load of buttons for various controls instead of them all being touch.

Toyotas, all of them, have that easy to drive cachet about them.

Despite the size of any Toyota they are not intimidating to drive and drivers easily adopt to them.
One of those qualities for easy driving is light steering and this comes at the price of feel.

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I noticed this more on roundabouts if there was any excessive speed on the car when turning.
And that’s the key word, excessive.

You would not be inclined to drive this Highlander to excess rather drive it gently and bask in its comfort and quietness.

On those new sections of motorway with the new tarmac finish this car was practically silent and I just wish all our roads were covered with it.

The car has a competitor though and here’s the big surprise, it’s also from Toyota in the guise of their Landcruiser.

That has a diesel offering which commercial buyers still desire and is a bit more of a workhouse but that starts around the same price of €87k as well.

For those who are not as hardcore the Highlander is a real alternative for them, and Toyota has this well covered.

If you have €85k available to spend on a car you may not immediately think of a Toyota Highlander.
It’s my job, and the job of other motoring journalists, to bring these cars to your attention for consideration and break the cycle of “same again, sir”.

You might think the Highlander hasn’t got the same cachet as a premium German brand but believe me, unless you try one, you’ll never know or be persuaded to buy one.
I’d happily drive this car forever.

It’s every-task ready, can go anywhere, has reasonable fuel economy and can carry 7 people when the need arises.

It has a complete suite of comfort and safety features and wants for nothing.
It’s for any road and any climate.
It’s for me.

Electric again next week, this time the Cupra Born.