It was announced in April 2000 at the New York Auto Show and arrived in late 2000 in Japan and in January 2001 in North America, the Highlander became the first car-based midsize SUV or midsize crossover.[1] The Highlander is the crossover counterpart to the more rugged truck-based midsize 4Runner and had become Toyota's best-selling SUV until the smaller RAV4 outsold it in 2006.
Toyota could not use the "Highlander" name in Australia and Japan, since it is a trademarked trim line of the Hyundai Terracan SUV. The name "Kluger" derives from the German word "klüger", meaning "clever" or "very clever".
Contents
1 First generation (ACU20W/MCU20W, 2001–2007)
1.1 Model year changes
1.2 Safety/crash testing
1.3 Hybrid (MHU28, 2005–2007)
2 Second generation (ASU40/GSU40/MHU48, 2008–Present)
2.1 2010 Update
2.2 Safety/crash testing
2.3 Hybrid
2.4 Highlander FCHV (2007–)
2.5 Chinese version
2.6 Production
3 Sales
4 See also
5 References
6 External links
First generation (ACU20W/MCU20W, 2001–2007)
First generation 2001–2003 Toyota Highlander Base
Production 2000–2007
Model year(s) 2001–2007
Assembly Kyūshū, Japan
Engine(s)
2.4 L 2AZ-FE I4
3.0 L 1MZ-FE V6
3.3 L 3MZ-FE V6
Transmission(s) 4-speed automatic
5-speed automatic
Wheelbase 106.9 in (2715 mm)
Length 2001: 184.3 in
2002–03: 184.4 in (4684 mm)
2004–07: 184.6 in (4689 mm)
Hybrid: 185.6 in (4714 mm)
Width 71.9 in (1826 mm)
Height 2001–05 4WD: 66.5 in (1689 mm)
2001–05 Limited 4WD: 68.7 in (1745 mm)
2003–05 FWD: 66.1 in (1679 mm)
2003–05 Limited FWD: 68.3 in (1735 mm)
2006–07 FWD: 67.9 in (1725 mm)
2006–07 4WD & FWD Hybrid: 68.3 in (1735 mm)
4WD Hybrid: 68.9 in (1750 mm)
Curb weight 3,784 lb (1,716 kg)
Related Lexus RX
Toyota Sienna
Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry Solara
Lexus ES
Toyota Windom
Toyota Avalon
Under the hood of a 2005 Highlander
Called the Kluger in Japan and Australia, the Highlander shared a platform with its Lexus RX/Toyota Harrier cousin and came in five and seven-seat configurations, and became a sales success for Toyota in a number of markets across the world. The Highlander came standard with front wheel drive and offered all wheel drive (50:50 front:rear fixed torque split). Unlike Toyota's own 4Runner and other midsized competitors such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, or Chevrolet TrailBlazer, the Highlander aimed for on-road comfort with its unit body construction and independent rear suspension. Although it was originally longer than the 1996–2002 4Runner, the Highlander was surpassed in length by the redesigned 4Runner in 2003.
The Highlander was available in three trim lines in the United States: the Base model, the Sport model, and the Limited model. The Base and Limited models were present when the Highlander was initially introduced, while the Sport model was introduced in March 2006.
In 2004 the wheels on the Limited trim changed from a 6-spoke, to a 5-spoke alloy. The base-model Highlander rims also changed from steel-rims to the alloy rims that were on the 01-03 Highlander Limited and B-Package. The Sport models had a distinctive grille design, differentiating themselves from the non-Sport models. Wheel styling also serves to differentiate the various models—the hybrid sports a unique twin-spoke design.
The Kluger was introduced to Australia during 2003. It was available in three guises: the CV model, the CVX model, and the Grande model. A limited edition CV Sport model was also released in 2006. There was no hybrid model available in Australia. The only engine offered was the 3.3L 3MZ-FE V6.
2004–2007 Toyota Highlander Limited
Engines:
2001–2003 2.4 L 2AZ-FE I4, 155 hp (119 kW)
2001–2003 3.0 L 1MZ-FE V6, 220 hp (164 kW)
2004–2007 3.3 L 3MZ-FE V6, 215 hp (172 kW)
The 3.0-liter engine was able to propel the Kluger from 0–60 mph in approximately 8.8 seconds. In 2004 the Kluger was given a new 3.3-liter V6 engine to compete with the more powerful V6 offerings from its competitors, mainly the Nissan Murano and the Honda Pilot. The larger engine made it possible for the Kluger to reach 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.8 seconds.
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