7 Passenger Cars
The Toyota Highlander is one of the top safety rated 7 passenger cars on the market. The Highlander is available in 4 and 6-Cylinder motors, and in a Hybrid edition. The 4 and 6 Cylinder motors come with either 4×2 or 4×4 wheel drive. Prices start for the standard Highlanders at $28,090, the Highlander Hybrid starting at $38,140 and the Highlander Hybrid Limited starting at $43,795. The seating capacity holds 7 passengers with plenty of cargo room.
With lower seating needs, the seats fold down easily with the touch of a lever for more cargo room. The Highlander 7 passenger cars obtain 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, with the Highlander Hybrid cars obtaining 28 mpg in the city and the highway. The Highlanders come with a 36 month or 36,000 mile Basic warranty, and a 60 month or 60,000 mile Powertrain warranty.
The 7 passenger Toyota Highlanders have a top rating for safety with driver and passenger front and side airbags; the driver also has a knee airbag. The other passengers have a roll-sensing side curtain airbag on all sides for protection during side impact or rolling. The seats have active headrests which move up and forward to reduce whiplash. The Highlanders are equipped with an electronic stability control system that will detect and correct loss of steering, and a Smart Stop Technology which brings the car to a stop when the brake is firmly pressed even if accelerator is fully depressed.
The Highlanders have many extra features for both the driver and the 7 passengers. The rear seat entertainment system comes with wireless headphones. The console between the second row seats comes out for those passengers to have a walkway to the third row seats. The third row seat is a 50/50 split for six people and extra cargo room. All the seats are set in a stadium style seating.
The back gate and window are electronically powered with or without a key. The driver has a conversational mirror to the passengers in the back that also doubles as a sunglass holder compartment. The Highlanders have a remote engine starter and security system. The Highlanders have a system that monitors the tire pressure and warns the driver when there is a low tire. The tire and wheels have traction and full time electronic all wheel drive systems.
The Toyota Highlanders are praised for being very reliable, spacious, comfortable and containing many extra features. The most common dislike of the Highlanders are the overall look of the vehicle, and that the third row is more suitable for children. Many also feel that the gas mileage is not as good as other 7 passenger cars.