Thread: Toyota Highlander

Looking to upgrade my vehicle

Looking at the pros and cons of a Highlander. Somewhere from 2017-2020 GXL.

Don’t really want a ute and I have a Grand Vitara at the moment and want to stay with a petrol. Have a work vehicle so it’s only for weekends etc.

Anyone got one so they can share some info.

Good machines. Like petrol. We will buy a new one at some stage I reckon. Diesel more expensive to run than a petrol now

Had a limited 2016, was a great vehicle, typical toyota, reliable and parts and servicing cheap. Bought a hybrid one 2.5 years ago, (60,000 km now) which has also been great. The old one averaged about 12/ per 100k, the hybrid is half that. The hybrid is especially good around town as it uses the electric motors to go from lights etc. I've driven it long distance at 5l / 100km but you have to granny it along to get that, accelerate slowly etc. That was from Turangi to Palmy. Its got the same engine as a RAV4, which put me off it until I went for a good drive. The electric motors more than make up for it. The only issues have been the alloy roof rack brackets oxidising but Toyota replaced under warranty, no issues.

Seriously looked at one but the hybrid towing rating was just too low for us. Got Fortuner. It's good but wish it rode as well as Highlander. If only Highlander could legally tow 2300kg

We have a 2017 GXL and have done 150,000km in it now.

Fantastic family vehicle, nice to drive and isn’t as bad on fuel as you’d expect if you don’t have a heavy foot, good on long distance trips but less than ideal around town.

Zero issues at all apart from replacing the original battery. You almost never hear of people having problems with them.

Definitely get the 2017+ version as they have a better gearbox and fuel economy. Also the GXL is worth the extra over the standard GL.

It’s a pity the tow rating is only 2000kg, if it was 3T I’d sell the ute.

Make sure it has had good service history. We're seeing a lot getting neglected and the motors gunk up badly. 15k/12mth max! Personally I'd do 10k/6mth intervals.

Originally Posted by cambo

Make sure it has had good service history. We're seeing a lot getting neglected and the motors gunk up badly. 15k/12mth max! Personally I'd do 10k/6mth intervals.

Would that be why my mates 2012 blows big clouds of smoke at seemingly random, with a clattering, pre ignition sound at the same time?

Could be. If not serviced enough the vvti pulley wears and they develop a nasty rattle on cold start up. If bad enough, it'll do it all the time. Will have cam angle miscorolation codes most likely though.
Smoke prob a mix of gunked up rings that have lost tension and valve stem seals hard as hell.

good vid on utube [ rain man ray ]on the vvt cam change solinods gunc up trough timing codes easy fix just change both .

Something to be said for changing oil early aye Cambo. It always amazes me that people think that they are saving money by not doing it.

Or the classic 'done the oil but, dont change the filter!!!!'

Moronic

Yeah, anyone who does that should cut a filter open after the recommended service interval. It's amazing how much crud and carbon particles they take out. Plus the filter is usually the cheapest part of the job!

Still not sure about petrol being cheaper than diesel to run - there is not much difference between the 2021 Outlander and the 2013 PX Ranger at service cost time, and diesel and RUC for the ute is about the same as petrol for the outlander KM for KM. Start towing, and the cost difference blows out due to the increased petrol burn in the Outlander. It may be the difference between manual ute and auto car too though. Might get a different result with an auto ute?

Can't wait for petrol cars to go down the RUC route (early next year is the rumour). 77 cents a L coming off at the pump will make boaties and off roaders very happy. Plus it'll put a stop to the farmers having to fill out interminable forms to grab back the tax from using petrol off road. May also put diesel back in the cheaper to run than petrol camp.