There’s nothing sporty about its handling, but the 2012 Highlander is a nice highway cruiser with a smooth ride. The base powertrain is a 187-horsepower four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. An available 270-horsepower V6 engine comes with a five-speed automatic on the SE and Limited models. Front-wheel drive is standard, and V6-equipped models are available with all-wheel drive.
The 2012 Highlander has standard seating for seven in three rows. The cabin is both comfortable and spacious, with a good amount of quality materials throughout. The third row is cramped but easily accessible thanks to the Highlander’s sliding and folding second-row bench seat. Cloth upholstery comes standard, and leather upholstery is available in higher trims.
The base Highlander is competitive with other segment rivals when it comes to standard features. The base model comes equipped with a CD player, an auxiliary audio jack, remote keyless entry, front and rear air conditioning, and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. Tri-zone automatic climate control, a premium sound system with Bluetooth, a voice-activated navigation system, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system can be found on some SE and Limited models.
However, if you find the Toyota Highlander bigger and less fuel-efficient, you might want to look out for the Toyota Rav4 which comes in different models and is very fuel-efficient, has a high acceleration power, luxury, and more.
