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The Toyota Highlander makes it onto most reviewers'; short list of best-built and best ergonomics in its price category. Highlanders are built on the latest Camry platform and share most mechanicals with the Camry sedan. For 2004, there's a new 230 hp V6 and the brilliant inline-4 has been pumped up to 160hp. Side and curtain airbags as well as a power front passenger seat are also new for '04.

MSRP is $24,620 (2WD) and $29,050 (4WD); Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles.

Heritage

The Highlander began life in 2000 as an SUV version of Toyota?s best selling Camry. It was a huge success from Day 1. Since then, more luxury touches, power and safety have been added with the effect that the whole line - the Limited especially - has been creeping upscale. To its credit Toyota has kept the excellent the base model 2WD 4-cylinder, simply improving it as the Camry itself improved. By the way, the Highlander 2WD 4-cylinder is a very socially acceptable way to drive an SUV. You won't be sacrificing the slightest bit in the way of king-of-the-road seating. There are places for five adults and storage for all the junk you care to carry. And because the 4-cylinder is relatively fuel efficient, you aren?t providing fodder to the increasingly aggressive anti-SUV and anti Big Oil interests. The lovely, new V6 from the 2004 Camry SE is also available. It's lots more powerful than the 4 but you'll pay for this vanity at the gas pumps.

For 2005, Toyota is promising that a beefed-up version of its wonderful hybrid (gasoline electric) system currently found only in the Prius will be available in the Highlander. Now there?s something really worth waiting for ? a Hybrid Highlander.

Coachwork

Nothing about the Highlander's styling particularly offends the eye; but neither does anything particularly delight. The Highlander?s attraction is subtle - far more cerebral than say, Cadillac?s monstrous Escalade EXT or even Nissan?s bulb-like Murano. Yet all three vehicles have been hugely successful in the marketplace. One man's meat is another's poison, I guess. My test Highlander came with the cloth seats and the base interior. Frankly, after driving a leather-equipped version of the same vehicle, I was happy to get back into the plain cloth seats. If it's high quality leather (like, say, the Connolly skins in a Jag) I'll take it over cloth. But if it's so-so quality, I'll take cloth - especially in cold weather. Since 2003, Highlanders have come standard with a full-length console between the front seats. A very useful place to put purses or briefcases has been hollowed out under the console. To make room for long loads, the second row seats slide forward. The second row seats can be removed, but not easily. For 2004, there?s an optional third row seat, which folds into the floor when not in use. Side air bags and side air curtains are available this year too.

On the Road

Toyota's 2.4 L, inline 4-cylinder engine is a technological tour de force. It comes with VVT-i (variable valve timing with intelligence), which allows more useable engine power while producing decent fuel economy. It actually feels much more powerful than its nominal 160 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque. Perhaps if you regularly tow a large boat to high altitude lakes, you might want more power. Otherwise the base engine should provide all the performance you'll normally ever need. You'll get terrific gas mileage too. Expect at least two-and-a-half times what your neighbor gets with his Escalade. For 2004, there's also a sophisticated new 3.3L V6. This is the same engine you get in the 2004 Camry SE. It produces 230 hp @5600 rpm and 242 lb-ft of torque @3600. Fuel economy should be OK for this class of engine/vehicle too but it won?t be anywhere near as good as with the inline 4. An electronically controlled 5-speed automatic is available with the V6 (the inline 4 comes with a 4-speed auto). VSC (vehicle stability control) and Traction Control come standard this year on all three trim levels.

Summary

I'm not a big fan of gas guzzling SUVs; especially these days - but I don't hesitate to recommend the Highlander to friends, especially the base model 4-cylinder with 2WD. It's a real bargain and while it has many of the good points of any SUV, it has perhaps fewer of their vices than any vehicle in its class. Remember, the Highlander is not a truck; it's a regular car with a tall station wagon-like body and (optional) AWD. While it's capable of making it around a deep snow covered course such as the one set up for a group of auto journalists in the Rockies north of Calgary this winter, it does not do so with the alacrity of a rugged truck-based SUV like the 4Runner. Nevertheless it should prove to be a very durable vehicle if kept away from dry creek beds and gravel pits. The seats are firm and even with cloth covering should prove to be very hard wearing even with rough family-type use. I also liked the high seating positions ? particularly in the driver's seat'; and the great visibility all round. Seating in the second row is theatre-style, which means passengers back there can see over the front headrests, thus reducing potential for motion sickness. In sum, the Highlander's one of the real bargains in this category.

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