Used 2004 Toyota Highlander
Buying Guide for the Toyota Highlander:
The Toyota Highlander is starting to run away with shoppers
in the midsize sport utility vehicle category. For the first
nine months of 2003, the Highlander scored a 10.4-percent
year-to-year sales gain. So it’s official—the Highlander is
popular.
This trend should continue in 2004, as the Highlander gets
a big update. It has more power, a newly available third-row
seat and curtain side airbags. But that’s not all. There’s
also a whole new list of options that give customers even
more choice when purchasing their own unique Highlander.
The Highlander is basically an SUV version of the Camry.
In other words, it has a car-based platform, which gives it
the feel of sedan with the ruggedness of a model in the SUV
class.
Under the Hood
The Highlander shares an underskin structure with the Lexus
RX 330. For 2004, it also gets the engine
Buying Guide for the by the luxury
SUV. It is a 3.3-liter V6 model that pumps out up to 230 horsepower
at 5600 rpm and 242 lb-ft of torque at 3600 rpm.
The other engine offered with the Highlander is slightly
less intimidating. It is a 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder model,
and it produces 160 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 165 lb-ft of
torque at 4000 rpm.
Highlander models with the 2.4-liter I4 receive a 4-speed
automatic transmission. Models powered by the new V6 use a
5-speed automatic transmission. Both engines team with front
drive or all-wheel drive without low-range gearing.
Standard Features, Options Packages and Style
Increased safety is certainly a noteworthy piece of news
for 2004. The newly available curtain side airbags cover the
first and second seating rows and include front torso side
airbags. Also newly standard is a tire-pressure monitor. Traction
control, an antiskid system and antilock 4-wheel disc brakes
with brake assist round out the safety list.
Limited models only come with the V6 engine, as well as a
decadent interior filled with premium appointments. Some of
the things found inside include automatic climate control,
a leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, heated
power mirrors and a JBL sound system.
This year, the Highlander gets its first navigation and rear
DVD entertainment options. A sunroof, heated seats and leather
upholstery are also optional.
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