Drove friends 2015 Highlander (comparing)

he has a V6 and i check and is 3.5. holly crap, barley gave it any gas and it tossed me back into the seat. had to adjust my foot to be easy on the gas pedal. after i drove it maybe 10 miles then i got back in my 2016 3.5 and it seemed like it would barley move in comparison. has taken me over a year and am used to it vs my 2008 trade in but now i am back where i started. my 2016 driving on a flat surface feels like it is going up hill.....

 

I test drove a 2016 highlander for my wife and it was honestly one of the best driving family vehicles I have ever driven. Peppy, maneuverable, and full of space. If it was a truck I would own one now.

 

Its funny you bring this up. After more than a year of lurking around here and thinking about getting a Tacoma and reading positives and negatives and test driving all other trucks including the Ridgeline, I have decided a highlander will work for me. With 5000 lb towing capacity and I can get a highlander for less than a Tacoma and the back seats lay down if I need them to. Also with the rear air vents that makes it nice for passengers.

 

anyone know the rear end specs, has to be lower geared...

 

What's the difference in weight between the two vehicles?

 

The heaviest Highlander is 6270 lbs, which is the limited v6 awd. The front wheel drive comes in at 5840.
Edit: as was pointed out, this is GVWR,
curb weight is 4400.

 

From what I can find at the moment it looks like 4.36, but that is a quick search, it does not say in the brochure. If I find something different I will correct myself, or if someone knows for sure feel free to correct me.

 

.
I had a Highlander about 10+ years ago and liked it ... didn't remember it until you posted this thread.

It had a weird open bottom console (sides) and a soda bottle popped out from the bottom of the console and went under my brake pedal and I barely bumped the car in from of me ... they don't make that console now.

 

My wife has a 08 highlander with the 3.5. Drives great still, even at almost 10 yrs old. I have 2nd not 3rd gen, so cant compare to the new 3.5, but the highlander is a roomy, great driving vehicle.

 

Correction on gear ratio. It appears the 4cyl is 4.36 and the V6 is 4.15. This is coming off a dealers website, not directly from Toyota, so again, I am not 100% sure.

 

I've spent a fair amount of time in the 2015 Highlander. It is very nice and the powertrain seems much more responsive and refined. I think that is part of my occasional annoyance with the truck...they clearly can do so much better.

 

Wife has a 2016 highlander, really nice and definitely peppier then my 17 Tacoma. It does have a lower gear ratio, I think it's 4.36 with the v6

 

Which one does she have? I am trying to decide between the LE Plus, or the XLE.

 

Xle nicely equipped

 

That's not accurate weight's. That may be a gross vehicle weight but not a curb weight. A 2017 Highlander maxes out at 4400. Chevy 2500's barely weigh around 6200.

 

The 17 highlander will have 300hp 2GRFSE and a 7 speed. I've already driven a similar setup in the 17 Sienna AWD. The new trans definitely have the same adaptive issues, but they get better with time.

I'm annoyed that a mini van with the same engine has more power, more gears, and a fucking heated steering wheel!

I get that Toyota builds trucks for durability, payload and emissions, but its frustrating.

 

Yes, that was GVWR. I did not notice until you pointed it out.
Do you have actual gear ratio specs available?

 

My wife has the 16 awd xle. Drives like a dream it is built for family driving in mind for sure. My 17 Tacoma doesn't have the throw you back feel but i don't think the Highlander has the same 3.5 either. The Highlander doesn't have Atkinson cycle and Otto cycle.

 

Either 4.15 or 4.36 in a v6 can't remember, but it's smooth and not lacking for power.

 

Thanks, I was seeing 4.15 for V6 and 4.36 for the 4cyl. I was just wondering if someone could confirm. Either way, I think it will be great all around vehicle for my family.