One of the leaders in the small-to-midsize SUV category for years has been the Toyota Highlander. This versatile vehicle offers good fuel economy, ample space and modest towing capacity.
The Highlander offers seating for seven or eight passengers over three rows, depending on how it is configured. It offers front- and all-wheel-drive versions as well as powertrain options of a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that makes 295 horsepower or a gas-electric hybrid drivetrain that makes 243 horsepower.
Front-wheel drive versions of the traditional fuel model are rated at 21 mpg city, 29 highway, with all-wheel versions coming in at 20 and 27.
The Highlander can tow up to 5,000 pounds with the V-6 engine, which comes in handy if you have a bike trailer or small camper to tote around. The Highlander Hybrid can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
The Highlander provides 24 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seating and an additional 8.6 cubic feet behind the third row. That's not exactly cavernous, but it's reasonable for an SUV of this size.
For this model year, Toyota introduced a Bronze Edition Highlander Hybrid that stems from the XLE trim level and includes bronze trim on the exterior and interior, bronze 18-inch wheels, SofTex-trimmed seats with bronze stitching and distinctive floormats.