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The Highlander is a good bet for you, so is the Subaru Outback 3.6L. The Venza is an OK car Toyota ruined by putting big stupid wheels on it that give it a rough ride.
Thanks so much for this. We haven't driven one, so it's nice to know we can probably cross it off our list. Subaru Outback was also on our list, but wasn't sure about it's ride and comfort as well.
I think the current Highlander is one of the nicest looking SUVs. Price wise it is comparable to any number of midsize SUVs. You can get a nicely equipped XLE for $38K. I wonder how the seats are. My pet peeve with newer cars is the hard seats. I am sure if they are leather it is a foregone conclusion to be stiff.
I have an XLE. The seats are comfortable. I especially like the variable heat option for the front seats at this time of the year. It is nicely equipped. The bluetooth is very good and the radio is much better than my wife's 2012. I'm not 100% sold on the need for the navigation or having to interact with the screen so much. I'd prefer a standard radio set up and simple controls. However, the backup camera is pretty much a needed component because rear visibility backing up isn't as good as the 2012.
Last edited by Lincolnian; 12-09-2014 at 03:44 PM..
Same here. My wife would be the principal driver and the Highlander is a handful (she does want an SUV). Our kids are grown and moved out so no real need for that much space. Having said all that, if you want a large interior and a smoother ride you almost have to go with a mid to large size SUV even if you don’t need all that space behind you. Say what you want about size but a larger vehicle has more presence and stands out. I’d rather arrive at an event in a Highlander than a stubby RAV4.
I don't usually need all the room, however, with a family of 4, 2 tall teens, and a couple of dogs it is very useful when traveling. It has a 3rd row seat that folds flat into the floor providing minivan like space behind the middle row seats perfect for dog crates and luggage. My Highlander replaced an underpowered 2012 Forester. The Highlander is a far more comfortable, solid, and responsive vehicle and I have only sacrificed about 3 mpg in combined driving. I would highly recommend it.
I had a 2010 toyota venza but did not like it. The ride was loud and it did not get the mpg promised even though I do highway driving on a daily basis. It probably didn't help that I had the 4 cylinder which never seemed to have the necessary power. My husband has a 2014 toyota runner and I think it has a pretty good ride. We got it to pull our camper. I have been looking at the highlander like I mentioned in my earlier post but like the look of the GMC Acadia. I have a camry and love its reliability. Will likely end up with a highlander in the future.
The Highlander is nice and has nice road manners, but the better value is in the 4Runner. Much better deals to be had on leases and financing. The ride is more solid, but well behaved.
The Highlander is nice and has nice road manners, but the better value is in the 4Runner. Much better deals to be had on leases and financing. The ride is more solid, but well behaved.
Don’t like the front end. Also, it is the old school SUV as in truck based with part time 4WD. Many like it that way but I suspect a harsher ride. I was surprised you can price it very similar to the Highlander.
I have an XLE. The seats are comfortable. I especially like the variable heat option for the front seats at this time of the year. It is nicely equipped. The bluetooth is very good and the radio is much better than my wife's 2012. I'm not 100% sold on the need for the navigation or having to interact with the screen so much. I'd prefer a standard radio set up and simple controls. However, the backup camera is pretty much a needed component because rear visibility backing up isn't as good as the 2012.
How is it on the highway? Road noise, engine noise, cabin, ride. I know we need a point of reference but I guess we know what a smooth ride is.
How is it on the highway? Road noise, engine noise, cabin, ride. I know we need a point of reference but I guess we know what a smooth ride is.
It is excellent on the highway. A smooth, quiet, and comfortable ride. It is so quiet that I make sure to use my cruise control so that I do not end up driving too fast. Even though it is the same engine as my wife's 2012 I believe they tuned the exhaust. It has a nice sound when under heavy acceleration. With the 6 speed it is very responsive. We live in a hilly area and have to go up a 13% 3 mile mountain road. The transmission works beautifully and seems to the engine in the perfect spot so that the hill isn't even a factor.
Don’t like the front end. Also, it is the old school SUV as in truck based with part time 4WD. Many like it that way but I suspect a harsher ride. I was surprised you can price it very similar to the Highlander.
The limited has full time AWD. We just traded in a 05' limited with 150,000 miles on it for a new 14' 4runner Sr5. I like the new one so much more than the previous one. It's overall bigger, longer, wider higher. Very comfortable. I do miss the v8 in the old one. The ride is pretty good.
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