Another New Car Buying - TOYOTA Questions

[VaTom]

I have two Toyotas now both with V-6. Great vehicles but one is going to my son and his family. Looking at 2024 Highlander AWD non hybrid. Not the new Grand Highlander (stretch version). Toyota has 3.9 financing now on the regular one. Two questions for you all.

Engine- Toyota has replaced V-6 with a 2.4 liter 4 turbo.Makes 245 hp and plenty of torque. Smooth but not as quiet and silky as V-6. Anyone had experience with this engine?

Navigation-my current Toyotas have integrated navigation very good. New ones synch with your iPhone or android device phone for navigation. Don’t like that. My wife and I are getting to old to keep learning new technology. Anyone have this type?

Thanks for any advice. My wife is ready to make a deal.

VaTom

 

[Bullet Bob]

You can still get built in navigation. I haven't had personal experience with the turbo 4, but Toyota has made millions of them, no complaints on the car forums I frequent.

There is no doubt a dedicated Toyota Highlander forum out there, You don't have to join to browse those forums, and can pick up a lot of good information.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

If I was going to buy a turbo 4 it WOULD be from Toyota. Surprisingly, from what I've read regarding the specs the gas mileage is the same with a 4 as the V6 in the Tacoma And the towing capacity is also the same 6500. My Highlander is a 2022 the last year they offered the V6. Ditto with the Tacoma, a 2023 with V6. Did it purposely as I NEVER buy 1st or 2nd year of any new design. As of now I do not have to make your decision-however if I did, Toyota would be the brand I'd take a chance on.

 

[WR Moore]

Way back when I bought my Toyota PU, there were several reasons to avoid the V6. But, that was over 30 years ago and the operational issues may have been/probably are solved by now. The major issues were cost, complexity (there was something about a problematical exhaust system) and only minor improvements in performance. If you do your own wrenching, you might want to see just how difficult the plug location is, that may have been one of the issues.

Late younger son was a Ford trained mechanic and when he bought a new Explorer, it had the 4 banger turbo Ecoboost. Moves right out and startling fuel mileage for a heavy, non aerodynamic brick. (Note: son got parts at cost and did own wrenching-see below.)

That said, given my limited and long ago experience with high performance smaller power plants, the complexity may come back to bite your wallet way down the road. I'm a Luddite on tech matters. But, as you say, if you're gonna go turbo 4, Honda/Toyota is the way to go. Subaru has a lot of experience with turbo 4s too, but you're not looking there. (The Japanese engineers have a lot more input on the designs that the bean counters and stylists.)

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Have the non-turbo 2.4 in a RAV4.
Great engine, even out here at elevation.
I don’t find the Smartphone Nav thing to be that useful.
Tricky to connect, disconnects, hangs up.
I prefer to use a Phone APP, Maps Me. Sat connection , no phone signal required. Out here when I need Nav assistance I often don’t have a Cell Signal!
Love my Sirius Radio!

 

[glowe]

Another car company is abandoning a big part of their customer base. Here is the news from Toyota. The new Camry is available only with a four-cylinder hybrid powertrain. Its 3.5-liter V-6, which did service in the Lotus Evora, will not return for 2025. The new Land Cruiser, the larger Crown, and even the gargantuan Grand Highlander are all now four-cylinder hybrid only.

Since I am a gasoline only car owner, I bought mine last fall before my favorite company goes electric. Too cold up here for electric and hybrid cars! I was a V-8 driver, but newer V-6 can be a powerful engine if over 300 HP, like my Dodge. Hopefully, it will be the last car I buy since every auto manufacturer is on a slippery downhill ride with unpopular EVs and hybrids. Sure, lots of people are justifying owning them because they cannot but anything else.

 

[ladder13]

I’d guess car manufacturers are doing this not because they want to, but because the long arm of mandates is forcing them to.

 

[Bald1]

Good friend of mine is looking at Toyota pickups now. He holds on to his trucks 20+ years. He wanted a 4 cylinder extended cab with manual transmission. Imagine his disappointment when he found out none of those options were available. They are 6cyl supercab automatics. He wanted the smaller backseat so he could have the bigger bed. With the full size back seat he can’t even close tailgate with an ATV in bed. So now he’s looking at Colorados which he likes but everything he finds with small back seat is 2 wheel drive. Manufacturers build what sells. And most people buying trucks don’t use them as trucks.

 

[Farmer17]

Seems like all manufacturers are going to 4 bangers with a turbo to give decent power but like the OP stated they are probably not as smooth, quiet, and refined as a 6 cylinder. I think the car companies are predicting "plug-in hybrid electric vehicles" (PHEV) is the wave of the future. That way you can get a gasoline engine car that is really fast and gets good mileage and is easy to plug in to any 110V household outlet. You don't need a bigger gas engine since the electric motors will kick in when you stomp on it and give you an extra 75 hp. That is, if your battery is charged.

 

[tripledipper]

Bought the 2023 Highlander XLE AWD for my wife. The 4 cylinder turbo has plenty of get up and go and we are very pleased with all aspects of the vehicle. Purchased in Nov. 22, it has only about 10k on it so it will last us a long time. We like to keep our vehicles for at least 10 years and my 2006 Tundra just passed 75k.

 

[rockquarry]

Bought the 2023 Highlander XLE AWD for my wife. The 4 cylinder turbo has plenty of get up and go and we are very pleased with all aspects of the vehicle. Purchased in Nov. 22, it has only about 10k on it so it will last us a long time. We like to keep our vehicles for at least 10 years and my 2006 Tundra just passed 75k.

I'm considering a 2024 Highlander Hybrid but the selection at my local dealer is very limited. I don't know if demand is high, availability poor, or both.

 

[Kinman]

Mine is a Toyota family. My wife has driven a non turbo four cylinder Toyota Camry Hybrid since it was new the year 2008 they came out, she can have anything she wants and would not trade in her Camry. Its battle scarred from parking lot dings, etc. but still looks near new and has never given us any problems.
I bought my first Highlander in '05 or so and drove it until 2019. The only real reason I traded into the new Highlander is size. The new Highlander is the size of the older Four Runner that fit me perfect. The new Rav 4's are the size of my old Highlander. My Highlander has the big V-6 and is faultless in design. I have always found the turbo 4's tend to be a bit peaky in performance which is great in a sports car, it just depends on when they have the boost dialed in.
I'm not in the market for another car, but if my current Highlander was totalled I would look at a new Highlander first before going ANYWHERE else.
I used to spend a bunch of time off road, hunting, fishing, camping and the absolute best all time off road vehicle I ever owned was an old '67 Toyota Landcruiser. I once helped a friend get his '64 International Scout out of a place neither of us should have attempted, without a winch...I never let him live that one down, because he was always bad mouthing my "foreign" Jeep.

 

[S&W ucla]

Navigation-my current Toyotas have integrated navigation very good. New ones synch with your iPhone or android device phone for navigation. Don’t like that.

My 2024 Tundra has integrated navigation, if I SUBSCRIBE to it with monthly fee. I thought I bought a TRUCK, not a 4wd Phone Better keep your old ones going!

 

[Onomea]

I have a 2022 Mazda CX-5 Signature. Has the built in Nav system but I prefer to plug in my iPhone and use CarPlay with Google Maps displayed and controlled by the built in nav system. Works great.

 

[VaTom]

Thanks guys! Went through the torture of being several hours at dealer with paperwork. Came home with a 2024 Highlander XLE with the 4 cylinder turbo. Test drove a Honda Pilot yesterday morning as it still has a V-6 but due to our reliability with Toyotas and our local dealer decided to stay with the brand. Downside turnoff of Honda to me was ultra light steering (no road feel) and push buttons in console for gear selection, etc. no stick. Other controls seemed fussy also. Highlander is better looking vehicle also.

 

[llowry61]

On my 3rd Tacoma and had an SR5 back in 85. These 4 trucks have been the best trucks I have owned. The last 2 Tacoma's have both had the 6 cylinder engine. I have been told that the 6 cylinder engines aren't being sold anymore and I have reservations about the 4 bangers with the turbo. I know it is the only way they can meet the mileage requirements, but just seems like a small engine if you are hauling etc. The 2019 Tacoma I have will last awhile so who knows if gasoline engines will even be available when I am in the market again. The 2019 has 50k on it and it has the 10 speed transmission which can be a little jerky and tends to hunt when going through hilly country. I can say if there is a company I trust it is Toyota. Here she is when new.

 

[j38]

I have a 2022 Highlander Hybrid with the turbo 4 cylinder engine. I only have 13,000 miles on it but all seems fine. I'm averaging just under 34 mpg so far.

Jerry

 

[soFlaNative]

It's a shame the Hilux and Land Cruiser pickups are verboten in the States. I believe both are available with a diesel.
I recently saw a story of an Big 3 pickup (Ford?) sold overseas, single cab with 8ft. bed. Bare bones the powers that be believe there is not enough of a market for Americans to used to their luxury vehicles...

 

[Valmet]

My 2024 Tundra has integrated navigation, if I SUBSCRIBE to it with monthly fee. I thought I bought a TRUCK, not a 4wd Phone Better keep your old ones going!

Yep. I was looking at the new Gen6 4Runners but when I was told they were all 4-cylinders I picked up a like-new used 2016 Trail.

 

[Sarge9]

I believe Lexus, is staying w/the 6.
2015 Highlander xle here, AWD, 6. no problems but only 42k.

4 in a LC, no thanks.