"The Highlander serves its purpose as a versatile and easy-driving SUV." - Motor Trend
Spirited by a 3.5L V-6 engine, the 2022 Toyota Highlander explodes 295 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque inside those V chambers. It is coupled with 8-speed automatic transmission in an FWD layout. The Highlander has been designed with an optional AWD as well that charges an additional $1,600 for the L, LE, and XLE and an extra $1,950 for the rest of the lineup.
As soon as one opts for the AWD, the Multi-Terrain Select also summons that adjusts the traction control and pedal metal as per Mud/Sand, Rock/Dirt, and Normal modes. The Drive Mode Select, however, remains a routine irrespective of drive layout that coins among Sport, Normal, Eco, and Snow driving dynamics. And when these two sync together, the stability becomes exemplary.
Burning the rubbers while taking off from 0-60 MPH in 6.7 seconds, the Highlander tops with a 114 MPH peak speed. The quarter-mile, simultaneously, ticks 15.3 seconds on the clock with a relative speed of 93 MPH. But to limit this thumping within 167 ft, the pairs of 13.3-inch in the front and rear are deployed that are assisted by 4-wheel ABS and Brake Assist.
Models
|
2022 Toyota Highlander
|
2022 Kia Telluride
|
2022 Honda Pilot
|
2022 Ford Explorer
|
MSRP
|
$35,205
|
$33,090
|
$37,580
|
$33,245
|
Engine
|
3.5-liter V6 |
3.8-liter V6 |
3.5-liter V6
|
2.3-liter turbo inline-4
|
Drivetrain |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD
|
RWD
|
Transmission
|
8-speed automatic
|
8-speed automatic
|
9-speed automatic
|
10-speed automatic
|
Power
|
295 hp @ 6,600 RPM
|
291 hp @ 6,000 RPM
|
280 hp @ 6,000 rpm
|
300 hp @ 5,500 rpm
|
Torque
|
263 lb-ft @ 4,700 RPM
|
262 lb-ft @ 5,200 RPM
|
262 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm
|
310 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm
|
0-60 MPH |
6.7 secs |
7.0 secs
|
6.2 secs
|
N/A |
Quarter Mile |
15.3 secs |
15.3 secs
|
14.8 secs |
N/A |
Top Speed |
114 MPH |
132 MPH
|
113 MPH
|
N/A |
Going by the numbers, the Honda Pilot costs approximately $2,300 more than the Toyota Highlander yet the Toyota has been armed with 1,500 lbs higher towing pump. The story remains the same against the Explorer too but the other way around. The Kia Telluride, in the meantime, offers equal burst as that of the Highlander and similar towing skill for a $2,200 lower price tag.