Toyota Highlander ( Highlander ).
It is an unfamiliar car to Koreans. famous in the US. Since its first release in 2000, it has been popular as a family car with high cost-effectiveness (price-performance ratio) with ‘Lexus RX -level’ performance.
The secret is that it is tailored to the American tendency, who prefers large and spacious ‘objects’ and values durability and comfort.
The Highlander, a semi-large 7-seater hybrid SUV , went on sale in Korea as of this month for the first time since its launch.
Amazing timing for Japanese hybrid cars
The timing was good. This is because the aftermath of the boycott of Japanese cars triggered by the economic provocation of the Abe administration has virtually disappeared, and interest in hybrids has increased due to anxiety and dissatisfaction with electric vehicle charging and safety.
Entering the era of the Corona 19 endemic, the fact that large cars suitable for leisure activities such as the Hyundai Palisade and the Kia EV9 were attracting attention also had an impact.
The main enemies are the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Traverse, and Honda Pilot, which also competed in the United States.
Among domestic cars, Palisade, which is in the same class, is considered a competitive car. There is also a possibility of competing with the new Santa Fe, a mid-size SUV that is about to be released .
This is because the new Santa Fe is likely to come out as a Palisade, which is larger than the existing model that is also sold for 7 people.
The Highlander is sold in Limited and Platinum versions. The prices (including VAT and 5% individual consumption tax) are 66.6 million won and 74.7 million won, respectively. The competing model, the Explorer, is sold from 68.65 million won.
The Santa Fe Hybrid, which is about to be released as a follow-up model, is 35.67 million to 43.17 million won, and the Palisade is 38.96 million to 51.06 million won. The full option prices are 52.07 million won and 67.52 million won, respectively.
‘Hybrid King’ Toyota’s strategic
SUV
The Highlander is the largest SUV among models launched in Korea by Toyota, the ‘Hybrid King’ . It has a design and performance worthy of its name.
Highlanders are people who live in the Highlands of Scotland , United Kingdom. The Highland is a harsh land, so hunting and herding are mainly used.
The men who live here are famous for fighting bravely, wearing a traditional kilt in the form of a skirt and wielding a claymore (two-handed sword).
Toyota Highlander also pursued a sleek yet aggressive design compared to competing models that pursue ‘angular charm’ to suit its class.
First impressions are familiar. This is because it resembles the RAV4, which is popular as a ‘sportage level’ imported car in Korea. It seems that Rav4 has been increased and raised.
The exterior concept was ‘strong and relaxed’ ( Powerful Suave ). As a Toyota SUV family look, the polygonal radiator grille with a wide and chrome rim is aggressive. At the top of the grill, the Toyota emblem, which looks like an airplane wing, is attached. The LED headlamps and emblem wingtips, which are
sharp like blades and dug into the bonnet, are aligned left and right. Unlike competing models that exude an angular charm, the side pursues a sleek and dynamic charm with a ‘high before and after’ style. The large black wheel arches showing off-roader tendencies and the character line rising from the middle of the second-row doors also enhance the dynamics. At the rear, a large rear lamp resembling a claymore catches the eye. It poked deep into the trunk. An aero fin is attached to the rear lamp in a protruding form. It is a part that Toyota often uses to improve driving safety and aerodynamic performance. Originated from motorsport Formula One (1). At the bottom, a trapezoidal rear bumper is positioned widely. The chrome color, which is distinct from the body color, exudes a different charm.
Improved safety and convenience as a family car
Inside, you can get a glimpse of the ‘American car’ characteristics. This is because it does not pursue the elaborate minimalism like authentic Japanese cars, but applies large design points.
It is large from the dial of the air conditioning unit. The buttons are also large compared to the trend these days. It is a characteristic of American cars that prefer intuitive operation.
The 12.3-inch touch-type center display is wrapped in a thick bezel and looks bulky. Considering the propensity of American consumers, the bold feel was emphasized, but it feels clunky.
Under the display, there is a wireless smartphone charging space with a wide entrance. It has ample space and is easy to put in and take out of the smartphone.
The gear stick also pays for its size. Below that, the drive mode control switch is placed. There are two cup holders next to the gear stick. Buttons that can operate
the trail, electronic parking brake, and EV mode are also placed on the center console. It is easy to find and operate at a glance.
The design of the instrument panel and steering wheel are also similar to those applied to the Rav4.
The second row is roomy for two people. It can also be used as a shopper driven car (a car with a separate driver) by applying an independent captain seat. However, it is a manual method, so it is not luxurious.
The third row, which can accommodate three people, is narrow for adults. The angle of the third-row seat can be adjusted in five steps. If you set up the backrest, it is a level that only children can ride. Instead, if you tilt it as much as possible, an average-sized adult can ride more comfortably than it looks.
The 2nd and 3rd row seats are arranged in a cascade and the third row glass windows are made large to offset the stuffiness coming from the narrow space.
The space is optimized for car overnight (car + lodging) or outdoor activities. This is because it adopts a flat folding function that can spread the second and third row seats flat.
As it is used as a family car, father’s car, attention has been paid to convenience and safety. The infotainment system ‘Toyota Connect’ provides a wide range of digital experiences. Based on LG U+ ‘U+ Drive’
, Toyota Connect can utilize functions such as music streaming and U+ smart home through communication type navigation, podcast, mobile TV and separate service subscription. LG U+ Drive LTE service can be used free of charge for 3 years from the date of subscription. Through the artificial intelligence ( AI ) voice recognition system linked with Naver’s ‘Clova’, navigation destination settings and indoor temperature changes can be operated with voice. 11 JBL premium audio systems, a kick sensor type power back door that can open and close the trunk with a simple foot motion, Android Auto and wireless Apple Car Play are also standard features. It is equipped with preventive safety specifications ‘Toyota Safety Sense’ ( TSS ) and eight airbags. The platinum grade also applied a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display ( HUD ), a 360-degree panoramic view monitor, and a digital rear view mirror.
There are also accessories exclusively for Highlander. Roof rack crossbars that can load cargo on the roof, side steps that increase boarding convenience, and cargo liners that keep the trunk space clean.
Targeting Korean consumers with ‘Caring Father’s Tea’
The test drive is Platinum Grade. It was equipped with a serial-parallel hybrid system and a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine. Total system output is 246 horsepower, combined fuel consumption is 13.8 km/hIt is ℓ.
Santa Fe 1.6 Hybrid has 230 horsepower, 13.1~15.3km/ℓ, Palisade 3.8 gasoline model has 295 horsepower, 8.5~9.3km/It is ℓ.
The Highlander has excellent fuel efficiency compared to models in the same class, and can receive two types of low-emission vehicle benefits, such as tax benefits for eco-friendly vehicles, discounts on public parking lots, and exemption from congestion tolls.
Overall length x width x height is 4965x1930x1755mm. It is smaller than Explorer (5050×2005, x1775mm ). It is larger than the Santa Fe (4800x1910x1710mm) and smaller than the Palisade (4995x1975x1750mm).
The wheelbase that determines the interior space is 2850mm. It is shorter than Explorer (3025mm) and Palisade (2900mm) and longer than Santa Fe (2765mm).
When you sit in the driver’s seat, the view spreads out coolly. The A-pillar where the speaker is inserted is thick enough to suit its size. The side mirrors are a bit off the body. Helps secure vision.
The steering wheel is light for its size. It relieves the burden of driving a large car because it does not carry weight. Organ-type pedals help you manipulate the car body smoothly and precisely.
The ventilated seats shone through heat advisories. The large air conditioning dial is a deduction in terms of design, but a plus in terms of operation.
The drive mode consists of Sport, Normal and Eco. After setting it to Eco, when you step on the pedal, it moves quietly compared to its size. It has a short turning radius and is convenient when getting out of tight spaces. It even goes through speed bumps.
It exhibits quietness comparable to sedans at low and medium speeds as well as up to 100 km/h. Unlike when riding a large angular SUV , wind noise and road noise are well blocked. It seems like you are riding the Lexus RX , the epitome of a
quiet hybrid SUV . This is because it is tailored to토토사이트 the American propensity for comfortable and practical SUVs . Toyota explained that this is because it reduced vibration under the vehicle based on the TNGA-K platform and worked hard on a comfortable ride through suspension tuning.
In addition, sound absorption and insulation design was applied to the dashboard, center console, and A-pillar to reduce noise entering the interior. The side mirrors away from the body and the bonnet slightly raised toward the windshield also contributed to reducing wind noise and improving aerodynamic performance.
Switching to sport mode makes the steering wheel slightly heavier. When you step on the accelerator pedal, the gasoline engine exerts its power in earnest. It doesn’t react immediately, but it speeds up to a level that won’t be frustrating. It doesn’t get tired even if you keep stepping on the accelerator pedal. Unlike angular SUVs
that are unstable in high-speed sections, it moves with a sense of stability. Resistant to cross winds. There is little left and right shaking even when changing lanes. Get your posture right. The Pitch Body Control, which corrects body movements during acceleration, and the E-Four system, which precisely controls the distribution of driving force between the front and rear wheels from 100:0 to 20:80 depending on road conditions, play their part. Driving fatigue can be reduced by using radar cruise control on motor-only roads. Equipped with a lane center keeping function, it runs with a sense of stability without going back and forth from side to side and without crossing the line. The fuel efficiency obtained when running about four-fifths of the entire test drive in Eco/Normal mode was 16 km/h.
It was more than ℓ. The fuel economy after running the remaining 1/5 in sport mode was 13.8km/It is ℓ.
It consumes less gas compared to its size, and its actual fuel economy is better than the certified fuel economy. The level of Kia Morning, a compact car (15.1km/ℓ) level.
Highlander is Toyota’s strategic model that is highly regarded for its durability and hybrid technology.
It is popular in the United States as a ‘stress-free family car’ that can be ridden for a long time because it has almost no breakdowns and is comfortable. It is considered to be a cost-effective Lexus SUV . It is the representative of Japanese SUVs .
The Highlander, which was released in Korea at an amazing timing, competes with the Explorer and Pilot, which are similar in price and size to the United States.
Unlike competitive models that emphasize masculine charm, it targets consumers with a caring dad car tendency.
Among domestic cars, it competes indirectly with Palisade as well as Santa Fe. The existing Santa Fe was not a competitor, but this is because the new Santa Fe has grown in size to a semi-large class.
As expected in the industry, if the new Santa Fe comes out at around 60 million won based on a full-option hybrid model, it can be compared with the Highlander.