OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
So, back in Dallas we had a 2014 Toyota Highlander as a rental (along with an Escalade, Enclave and Equinox). I spent the most time (every day) in the Toyota.
Pros:
- Quiet: engine noise was minimal, cabin seemed reasonably insulated.
- Fuel economy: was good enough on gas for the trip that I think we only had to fill up once or twice.
- Visibility: This was quite good, as was the back-up camera
- Gauges: Easy to read and simple layout
- Transmission: Shift programming seemed to be quite good
- Centre console: Cavernous storage was welcome, though a bit weirdly laid out.
Cons:
- Ride: While it wasn't bad, it wasn't great either. Things like washboard and rapid bumps seemed to really upset the chassis
- Power: There wasn't a ton of it and what you have at 0-1/2 pedal makes you think there is more than there is between 1/2 and WOT
- Seats: I've sat in more comfortable, including those found in our other rentals which were markedly better.
- Trim: Reeked of cheap plastic/tupperware on most surfaces, kind of went with the seats
- Cup holders: these were bizarre massive cavities that looked like they were designed to hold some sort of super slurpy and resulted in your regular drinks surfing around in them. I'm hoping there were inserts designed to be used in these and we simply didn't get them.
- A/C: This was not up to the Dallas temperatures. The only way to keep it comfortable was to have the A/C PEGGED
- Infotainment: I expected better. It was extremely basic, which surprised me for a vehicle this new. Sound quality was decent but not great, the Enclave and Escalade destroyed it here.
Ultimately, despite my biggest gripe about the Enclave (the put it in drive and it doesn't move weirdness) I'd still choose it over the Highlander. It was a much nicer vehicle to drive with much better features and a far nicer interior. Even the spartan Equinox we had was more comfortable, albeit more similar in terms of tupperware finish inside.
Interior looked pretty much like this one (from Google):
Pros:
- Quiet: engine noise was minimal, cabin seemed reasonably insulated.
- Fuel economy: was good enough on gas for the trip that I think we only had to fill up once or twice.
- Visibility: This was quite good, as was the back-up camera
- Gauges: Easy to read and simple layout
- Transmission: Shift programming seemed to be quite good
- Centre console: Cavernous storage was welcome, though a bit weirdly laid out.
Cons:
- Ride: While it wasn't bad, it wasn't great either. Things like washboard and rapid bumps seemed to really upset the chassis
- Power: There wasn't a ton of it and what you have at 0-1/2 pedal makes you think there is more than there is between 1/2 and WOT
- Seats: I've sat in more comfortable, including those found in our other rentals which were markedly better.
- Trim: Reeked of cheap plastic/tupperware on most surfaces, kind of went with the seats
- Cup holders: these were bizarre massive cavities that looked like they were designed to hold some sort of super slurpy and resulted in your regular drinks surfing around in them. I'm hoping there were inserts designed to be used in these and we simply didn't get them.
- A/C: This was not up to the Dallas temperatures. The only way to keep it comfortable was to have the A/C PEGGED
- Infotainment: I expected better. It was extremely basic, which surprised me for a vehicle this new. Sound quality was decent but not great, the Enclave and Escalade destroyed it here.
Ultimately, despite my biggest gripe about the Enclave (the put it in drive and it doesn't move weirdness) I'd still choose it over the Highlander. It was a much nicer vehicle to drive with much better features and a far nicer interior. Even the spartan Equinox we had was more comfortable, albeit more similar in terms of tupperware finish inside.
Interior looked pretty much like this one (from Google):
