2011 Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander receives a few updates for 2011, both inside and out, and overall hits "the sweet spot between passenger-car comfort and SUV-style utility," says Edmunds.com.

Testers say the interior is practical, convenient and comfortable. The biggest addition inside is the now-standard 50-50 split third-row bench seat, allowing even the base Highlander to carry up to seven people. The second-row seat remains the same, with an innovative 40-20-40 split that allows the middle seat to be taken out and stored underneath the center console. Truck Trend notes that this "magical, disappearing middle seat" is "totally brilliant." Furthermore, the second row can slide fore and aft. With all the seats folded, the Highlander can accommodate up to 95.4 cubic feet of cargo, which is respectable in this class.

Experts are mixed on the interior quality of the Highlander, especially when compared to the competition. While Edmunds.com calls it "attractive" and "straightforward," others, like AutoBlog.com, claim that the dash lacks "any manner of soft-touch materials."

The entry-level model comes equipped with basic equipment, such as a six-speaker stereo and air conditioning. Optional equipment bundled with higher trim levels includes popular equipment like a power driver's seat, three-zone climate control, leather, sunroof, heated seats, an upgraded audio system and keyless ignition... A rear-seat DVD entertainment system is available as well. CNET describes the optional navigation system as "old technology that Toyota has been using for years," and finds that the system simply feels "shoehorned into the Highlander, and not well integrated with other controls."

Powering the base Highlander is a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine with dual overhead cams and an output of 187 horsepower. The standard front-wheel drive comes with an automatic six-speed transmission and the highest fuel efficiency in the available trim levels; fuel estimates are 20 city/25 highway/22 combined, which is good among midsize SUVs. ConsumerGuide.com says the 4-cylinder provides "adequate acceleration overall," but admits that "passing punch is lacking," though the fuel economy benefit is likely to be appealing to many buyers.

Reviewers prefer the performance of the 3.5-liter V6, which pairs with a five-speed automatic. This combination is standard for the Limited, but is also available on the base and SE models. In their large comparison of six SUVs, Truck Trend notes that with the "gutsy" V6 "the Toyota was the quickest car here, blowing the competition away to 60 mph" in only 7.1 seconds. Colleague Edward Loh calls this combination the "best powertrain here."

Switching from four to six cylinders does affect fuel consumption. According to the EPA, drivers can count on 18 city/24 hwy/20 combined with FWD and 17 city/22 hwy/19 combined with all-wheel drive.

Cars.com summarizes the Highlander driving experience well, saying that "the ride was comfortable, the engine quiet and wind noise almost nil, which made for pleasant driving."

The 2011 Highlander receives high scores for safety with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, where it's a Top Safety Pick with Good marks on all crash tests, and electronic stability control as a standard feature. The Highlander also performs well in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's testing, earning an overall score of 4 out of 5 stars. Standard safety equipment includes front-side airbags, side curtain airbags for all occupants, driver's knee airbag, antilock brakes, traction control, stability control and hill-start assist. All-wheel-drive models come with hill-descent control as well.

Keeping in line with Toyota's reputation for reliability, a major independent publication predicts that the 2011 Toyota Highlander will be more reliable than the average vehicle.