Used 2017 Toyota Highlander XLE for sale 

The 2017 Toyota Highlander SUV comes in six trims options, namely LE, LE Plus, SE, XLE, Limited ad Limited Platinum. The base Highlander LE does not offer the best features, but as we move towards the higher trims we get better features. All the trims are available in either an FWD or an AWD system. The base FWD starts at a price of $30,630 while the top-of-line Limited Platinum trim can reach up to $44,800. While the top trim is luxurious it does not provide the best balance between price and features. Here is a list of the key features that are available with the trims of the 2017 Toyota Highlander:

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If you want an SUV for 8 people you might consider the XLE trim since it packs a handful of features that are quite convenient and comfortable. If a seating capacity of 8 is not your preference, you might go for the SE variant since it stands as the most value for money proposition within the trim levels. We would recommend you to opt for the all-wheel-drive setup as it provides a much better driving experience over the standard FWD vehicle. 

The 2017 Toyota Highlander SUV is equipped with two engine options. The first is a base engine is a 2.7-liter inline-4 cylinder engine that generates around 185 hp along with 184 lb-ft of torque. The second is a bigger 3.5-liter V6 engine which is much more powerful at 295 hp and 263 lb.ft of torque. Both the engine is mated with an 8-speed automatic transmission and delivers the power to the front wheels as standard. Along with that, there is an option to opt for the all-wheel-drive (AWD) system which provides much better performance. 

The base 2.7-liter engine is not the most powerful, but the V6 engine builds upon that and generates around 110 hp more. The automatic transmission is smooth in operation and provides decent acceleration. The AWD system provides much better performance on all types of terrain, especially off-roads where the AWD system provides much better traction. 

The 2017 GMC Acadia is the most powerful in this comparison with a power output of 310 hp, while it is followed by the Toyota Highlander. The 2017 Ford Explorer is not far behind in performance with a maximum power output of 290 hp. The Chevrolet Traverse is the least powerful at 281 hp. All the vehicles in comparison get a 6-speed automatic transmission, except the Toyota Highlander which gets an 8-speed automatic transmission. 

2017 Toyota Highlander 0-60 mph Acceleration

The 2017 Toyota Highlander 0-60 mph acceleration is not the best in this segment. With a curb weight of around 4370 pounds, the Highlander takes 7.0 seconds to reach 0-60 mph. This is a decent acceleration performance in this segment, but still, the competitors are slightly quicker than the Highlander. 

 The V6 engine is powerful, but not enough to put the highlander on top in terms of acceleration. But the Highlander is not the slowest when it comes to the quarter-mile acceleration. It takes around 15.5 seconds to reach the quarter-mile distance from a standstill. 

The 2017 GMC Acadia is the lightest in this comparison and this reflects in its acceleration timings. It takes around 6.3 seconds from 0-60 mph acceleration. It is followed by the Ford Explorer with 0-60 mph reached in 6.6 seconds. Both of these take a similar time for their quarter-mile acceleration. 

2017 Toyota Highlander Ride and Handling

The driving experience with the 2017 Toyota Highlander SUV is quite pleasant. The SUV feels quite smooth and steady and the steering is very light and responsive. The suspension filters out most of the road undulations with ease and offers the right balance between comfort and good handling. Both the steering and the SUV feel connected to the road and offer plenty of feedback to keep you engaged while driving. 

2017 Toyota Highlander Braking Performance

The 2017 Toyota Highlander SUV packs a 12.9-inch brake disc for the front and 12.2-inch discs at the rear wheels for braking purposes. Although offering 12.9-inch brakes that are slightly bigger than the competitors, the car is ahead and equal in some cases with the competitors with a stopping distance of 126 feet from 60-0 MPH.

The brake disc size of the 2017 Toyota Highlander is not the biggest, especially the rear disc. Even after that, the Highlander stands high in terms of braking performance. The GMC Acadia offers 17.0-inch brakes and wins the competition along with the Toyota Highlander with a stopping distance of 126 feet from 0-60 MPH.

The Chevrolet Transverse loses in the braking department with a stopping distance of 135 feet followed by Ford Explorer with a stopping distance of 135 feet and 127 feet from 60-0 MPH respectively. In the second spot, we have the Ford Explorer which offers a 12.08-inch braking system and stops at a distance of 127 feet from 0-60 MPH.

Fuel economy is one of the very important aspects to consider while buying an SUV. The 2017 Toyota Highlander SUV delivers the best fuel economy when compared with the competition with 20 mpg in the city and about 27 mpg on the Highway. Thus we get a combined mileage of 23 mpg from the Toyota Highlander. 

Along with Highlander, the 2017 GMC Acadia provides the same combined mileage of 23 mpg. The Ford Explorer is just behind these two with a combined mileage of 22 mpg. The Chevrolet Traverse provides the least fuel economy of 18 mpg and thus sit at the bottom of this chart. 

The 2017 Toyota Highlander interior has been improved for this year and feels more up-to-date. The material used in the interior is quite premium, especially on the higher trims that provide great overall comfort. The cabin is spacious and provides considerable room in the first two rows. But it gets very cramped at the third-row seats for adults while getting in and out of the third seat is an additional issue.

The driver and passenger in the front get power adjustment along with heating and ventilation. Thus the seats are quite comfortable for long drives as well. The base trim gets cloth upholstery, while the higher trims get leather upholstery as standard. The Highlander can accommodate up to 8 passengers in total which is more than some of its competitors. 

Just like the Toyota Highlander, the Chevrolet Traverse interior can accommodate 8 passengers. While the Ford Explorer and GMC Acadia can seat only 7 and 6 passengers respectively. The Chevy Traverse provides much better spacing in the third row in this comparison. Here is a list of the interior features that are available with the 2017 Toyota Highlander:

• Cloth/leather upholstery
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• 8-way power driver seat
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Driver memory settings

2017 Toyota Highlander Infotainment System

The 2017 Toyota Highlander is equipped with a decent infotainment system. For the base trim, we get a 6.1-inch touchscreen display while the top trims get a much bigger 8-inch touchscreen. Along with that, it gets all the standard features like Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and USB ports on all the trims. The higher trims also get a navigation system along with smartphone integration applications.

While we get a 6-speaker audio system as standard, there is an option to upgrade it to a much better 12-speaker JBL audio system. While the Highlander does not lack in terms of the infotainment features that it provides, the interaction with the screen requires quite a stretch as it is placed a bit far away from the driver. Some important infotainment system features includes:

• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• HD Radio
• Voice Recognition
• GPS Navigation system
• Bluetooth
• JBL sound system

2017 Toyota Highlander Cargo Capacity

The cargo capacity of the 2017 Toyota Highlander is not the best in this segment. Behind the third row, the Highlander provides a cargo capacity of just 13.8 cu.ft which is much lower than what the competitors offer. With the second the third-row seats folded, the cargo capacity improves to a respectable 83.7 cu.ft.

The 2017 Chevrolet Traverse provides the best-in-class cargo capacity of 24.4 cu.ft  behind the rear seats, and it improves to a staggering 116.3 cu.ft with the reats seats folded. The GMC Acadia is last in this chart with just 12.8 u.ft behind the third row.  

The 2017 Toyota Highlander SUV gets a new makover that has given it a edgy design that fits perfectly in the 2017 design language of SUVs. The sleek DRLs, wide grille and wide body gives its a menacing stance on road. Thus the Hinglander is a well put vehicle that feels premium inside out. The only vehicle that seems to give direc competition to the Highlander in this comparision is the Ford Exlorer.

The 2017 Toyota Highlander is not the heaviest in this comparision, but well above 4300 pounds. As compared to its competitors, the Highlander is quite compact and that is refelected in the overall interior spacing that it provides. But the compact size helps it to easy maneuver through tight spacing while still being agile. 

The 2017 Chevrolet Traverse is the heaviest in this comparision, while the GMC Acadia is the lightest. The Travese is also the longest along with a long wheelbase that provides better interior spacing. The Highlander has the highest ground clearance of 8-inches. That coupled with an AWD sysetm, makes the Toyota Highlander a best on off-roads.  Few of the key exterior features includes:

• 18/19 inch alloy wheels
• Rear Wiper/Washer
• Projector Beam Halogen Lights
• LED Projector Beam
• Sunroof with Power Sunshade

The latest model of the Toyota Highlander SUV offers important safety features implemented with some new technologies from Toyota. The car comes with safety equipment from the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, which includes a forwarding collision warning, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. The car has received an impressive 4-star rating with 92% in the rollover section. The car has received a 5-star rating in the front crash and side wreck. Here is a list of the safety features that are available with the 2017 Toyota Highlander:

• Eight airbags
• Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
• Traction Control (TRAC)
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
• Brake Assist and Smart Stop Technology (SST)

2017 Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander

The 2017 Ford Explorer is one of the best alternatives to the 2017 Highlander SUV which offers a powerful 3.5L 6cyl engine that generates 290 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque. The Ford Explorer is priced at $31,160 which is slightly less when compared with the 2017 Toyota Highlander SUV LE which is priced at $32,680.

The Ford Explorer is much more quicker in 0-60 mph acceleration than the Toyota Highlander, but the Explorer lacks in terms of the fuel economt that it provides.

2017 Chevrolet Transverse vs Toyota Highlander 

The 2017 Chevrolet Transverse is the cheapest competitor in this lineup which offers almost similar features as the Highlander SUV 2017 offers. The Chevrolet Transverse has a less powerful engine when compared with the Toyota Highlander SUV.

The Chevrolet Transverse is priced at $28,700 which is much cheaper than the 2017 Toyota Highlander SUV LE which is priced at $32,680.

GMC Acadia vs Toyota Highlander 

The 2017 GMC Acadia is the best alternative to the Toyota Highlander SUV 2017 which offers a more powerful engine and acceleration speed. In addition to this, the GMC Acadia has the biggest braking system when compared with the Toyota Highlander SUV and has the best stopping power in the braking department.

The GMC Acadia is priced at $41,450 which is much more expensive than the 2017 Toyota Highlander SUV LE which is priced at $32,680.

The 2017 Toyota Highlander SUV is a great car from Toyota with best in class engine specifications, stunning exterior, and interior look. The car offers a large and spacious cabin and an advanced infotainment system powered by JBL. The Toyota Highlander SUV offers more safety features than any of its competitors like pedestrian detection and lane detection. But if you want an SUV with more power than the GMC Acadia is the best option available. The Chevrolet Transverse is cheaper than the 2017 Toyota Highlander SUV but offers some best in the class features and stable driving and handling experience in some cases.