Three-row SUVs are the modern-day equivalent of the family station wagon, and the 2021 Toyota Highlander does the job well—and then more.
The Highlander used to be sold as the Kluger back in the day in Bangladesh, which was one of the best selling SUVs in the country in the mid 2000s.
Toyota also includes a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance systems in every Highlander making it one of the safest vehicles in the segment.
This specific model is built in the US and is not available at the Toyota's Navan showroom, but it is available at other importers at a cost of Tk1 crore 45 lakh.
Engine
Toyota's greatest weapon when it comes to efficiency is the Highlander Hybrid. This engine is available on LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum grades (but not L or XSE) and it features a 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain with a combined 243 horsepower and is available in FWD (15 km per litre combined city/highway) or AWD (14 km per litre combined).
Although the fuel savings are significant, the four-cylinder engine is irritatingly harsh and unpleasant at full power.
The Highlander Hybrid's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors provide a total of 243 horsepower.
This variant has a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with the option of front- or all-wheel drive.
Taking advantage of Toyota's hybrid technology, this engine offers buyers a more fuel-efficient option than the conventional model. The tradeoff is in acceleration performance, which is affected by both the hybrid's lower horsepower figure and the fact that this model has a CVT rather than the non-hybrid's eight-speed automatic transmission.
The hybrid model is said to reach 100 km in 7.3 seconds.
Interior
The base L and mid-level LE models can seat eight passengers utilizing bench seats in the second and third rows, but higher trims offer a seven-seat configuration with second-row captain's chairs.
Most models come standard with an 8.0-inch infotainment system, while the Highlander Limited and Platinum feature a 12.3-inch display.
There is an 11-speaker JBL audio system available. For all models, Toyota includes SiriusXM satellite radio, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration.
The rearmost row is suited for both children and adults. The well-built cabin is equipped with infotainment capabilities and smart storage cubbies, which is particularly useful in long drives.
Different trim levels
The Toyota Highlander L series is the most basic model.
This model has good fuel economy for a midsize SUV and useful technology features including Safety Sense, LED headlights, three-zone climate control, push-button start.
The Highlander LE variant has more features than the L model. Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross-Traffic Warning, LED fog lights, and a height-adjustable power liftgate with jam protection are among the features. The LE model is available in AWD and includes a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob as standard.
Additional features
The Highlander lineup now includes a new sporty XSE trim level with a redesigned suspension, retuned steering, machined 20-inch wheels with black accents, and improved exterior and interior design cues.
All Highlander models receive additional safety features, such as the ability to detect and respond to oncoming traffic when making a left turn, as well as steering assistance to assist in keeping the car in its lane during emergency maneuvers.
LED headlights are also now standard in all models.
Verdict
The Highlander or the Kluger as it was previously known in the local market used to be one of the most sold crossovers in the country.
Although it had lost its market in the middle to the RAV4s and CRVs, the Highlander has come back bigger and competing against some of the biggest names in the segment.
However, the price seems a little too steep for the vehicle but then again it's a 7-seater Toyota and synonymous with reliability.