2004 Toyota Highlander

It seems like we've come a long way since the first SUVs, which basically featured a pickup truck chassis with a 4-door body grafted on top. The original idea was a good one, but buyers have quickly come to expect car-like ride, handling and convenience along with the rugged looks and load-carrying abilities. We have one manufacturer in particular to thank for that: Toyota.

The '04 Highlander features a freshened look and more performance, safety and convenience attributes.

Toyota was one of the very first automakers to produce a true car-based SUV—the delightful little RAV4—that surprised many with its car-like comfort and performance while still meeting all the SUV needs buyers had. The only problem with this new breed was that they were only offered on the smallest of SUVs (dubbed "Cute Utes" by the media) and the meat of the marketplace was always in the larger segments.


Toyota once again proved to be the innovator by creating the Lexus RX 300 in 1998. Based on the ES 300/Camry chassis, it was the first car-based midsize SUV (this time the media moniker was "Soft Roader") and proved to be an excellent blend of SUV abilities and luxury-car attributes. In 2001 Toyota brought out the Highlander-less luxury, more family-but with all the inherent goodness of its uptown sibling.


Both vehicles have become huge sales hits, with the Highlander being the best-selling car-based midsize SUV on the market, and the RX 300 the best-selling model Lexus sells overall. To make sure both vehicles continue on the high road to riches, Lexus offers the all-new 2004 RX 330 and Toyota brings us an updated Highlander for '04, which features a freshened look and more performance, safety and convenience attributes, including available third-row seating for a 7-passenger seating capacity.


The Highlander is offered with a choice of a 4-cylinder or V-6 engine, in front- or full-time all-wheel drive, and in well-equipped base or luxurious Limited trim levels. Our tester was a top-of-the-line Limited 4x4 V6 with the all-new third-row seating option.