Many automobile manufacturers have abandoned minivans over the last 10 years because crossovers are where the money is these days. Need proof? Porsche now makes two of them.
Toyota recently introduced the third generation of its Highlander, aimed at suburban families and, apparently, Muppets. In the 'No Room for Boring' ad, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem band, assorted Muppet groupies and Terry Crews extol the virtues of this three-row crossover. Among the items it can reportedly hold are 'a whole flock of chickens and a grand piano, a drum kit and an organ, too.' Chickens? And you thought Cheerios in the booster chair were hard to clean up.
So it would be easy to think that the 2014 Highlander is roomy enough to fill in for school bus duty, should the need arise. A quick check of the specifications finds the new model actually has 0.7 cubic feet less passenger space than the previous model. The Highlander isn't as spacious as General Motors' crossovers, but hey, the cargo area gains 3.5 useful cubic feet.
And, happily, there's no room for boring.
Toyota has been known for reliable transportation, not inspired styling, engaging driving dynamics and rich interior materials. The mission of its president, Akio Toyoda, is to change that. He wants his engineers to add more passion to their vehicles. Progress has already occurred with the Avalon, the Corolla and now the Highlander.
Interior materials get a noticeable upgrade, though admittedly I tested a top-of-the-line Limited with all-wheel drive and the Platinum package - a setup with a sticker price of $44,450. The stitching and wood trim might be simulated, but it takes a determined stare to tell.
A long shelf running from the center of the dashboard to the passenger door is especially handy. So is a one-way intercom to the third row, making it easy for parents to give children ultimatums when they're acting like Animal. The Platinum package adds radar-assisted cruise control, but it doesn't work under 30 miles per hour.
The Highlander's mash-up of Toyota 4Runner and Dodge Durango design elements is a welcome update, though the headlights and tail lamps stick out awkwardly. The rear window opens separately from the hatch -a feature as rare as a Snuffleupagus.
Improvements to the handling include a suspension system that substantially reduces body roll. Over all, the Highlander's driving dynamics are fairly crisp, and road noise is average. Generation 3 uses the same platform as Gen 2, with some additional high-strength steel surrounding the front passengers. This year's model is 3 inches longer than before and a bit wider and lower, too. Keep Big Bird out of the third row; headroom back there is tight even for full-size adults.
The base 4-cylinder (offered only with front-wheel drive) delivers about the same fuel economy as the 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 that I tested. The gearbox has 6 speeds. For better fuel economy, there's also a Highlander Hybrid.
Among gasoline-only crossovers, the Nissan Pathfinder remains, by a hair, the fuel-economy champ in this class. The 6-cylinder Highlander with all-wheel drive has an E.P.A. rating of 18 miles per gallon in the city and 24 on the highway. Many three-row crossovers, like the Chevy Traverse, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe and Ford Explorer, are all within 1 or 2 m.p.g. of the Toyota.
At the end of the day, the new Highlander is less Bert, more Ernie. It's good to see Toyota putting a dash of personality in its vehicles.
The family crossover segment is fiercely competitive, so if you're not test driving at least three vehicles, you might be missing out on the one that's just right for your family.
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