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[user01]

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[blakjak]

The Highlander is an awfully large vehicle for a 4 cylinder, IMO. Personally, I would opt for the V6.

[mkerian]

The 2.7 litre is very similar to the 2.7 litre in the Toyota Tacoma midsize truck, which I have driven extensively before.

You would expect a four-cylinder engine to provide subpar acceleration on a 3847-pound midsize crossover, but it should move with reasonable authority. It won't light up a drag strip or have you screaming for mercy as it pins your spine into your seat, but the engine makes for perfectly acceptable response, thanks to the six-speed transmission. It should be a great highway cruiser, and will it doesn't have the power of a V6 or the cachet of a hybrid, it should perform admirably on its own.

[KingC]

I did consider it before, $33k is an attractive price for me. However, it looks like it is FWD(2WD) instead of the full time 4WD that V6 has (traditional highlander)? I haven't looked at it quite closely that maybe I am wrong.

[ThePointblank]

The 2.7 litre is very similar to the 2.7 litre in the Toyota Tacoma midsize truck, which I have driven extensively before.

You would expect a four-cylinder engine to provide subpar acceleration on a 3847-pound midsize crossover, but it should move with reasonable authority. It won't light up a drag strip or have you screaming for mercy as it pins your spine into your seat, but the engine makes for perfectly acceptable response, thanks to the six-speed transmission. It should be a great highway cruiser, and will it doesn't have the power of a V6 or the cachet of a hybrid, it should perform admirably on its own.

The particular engine in the 2009 Highlander is the Toyota 1AR-FE engine, the same one found on the Venza, and is related to the new 2009 RAV4, and the 2010 Camry 2.5L engine. This engine only came into production last year. The Tacoma uses the 2TR-FE engine, which is not directly related to the Highlander engine, which produces more horsepower (187 hp for the Highlander, 159 hp for the Tacoma).

[CaptSmethwick]

You won't find much reliability information on these engines as it is all-new. CR doesn't say much about the 4-pot and its test was on the V6 so most of its commentary is not useful to you on this issue.

In any case, the engine should be plenty strong for basic around-town stuff and on a flat highway. It will struggle on hills and upwardly-inclined on-ramps - especially full of people and cargo. I certainly wouldn't want to be behind one of these in those circumstances. Toyota rates its 0-60 at ~10 seconds (or Kia Rondo territory) if that gives you any indication. If you get one, promise us not to get a tow hitch, okay?

My understanding is that the 4-pot is only available in FWD - is that what you're finding?

The Highlander is an awfully large vehicle for a 4 cylinder, IMO. Personally, I would opt for the V6.

My opinion as well but not everybody's priority.

[ES_Revenge]

The Highlander is an awfully large vehicle for a 4 cylinder, IMO. Personally, I would opt for the V6.

Yeah but 2.7L is also awfully large displacement for a 4cyl motor... 180-odd lb*ft for an atmospheric DOHC engine w/2.7L of displacement is around average/expected, even if it were a 6cyl powerplant... I.e. # of cylinders doesn't mean everything.

[johnsa]

wow..2.7 l for a vehicle that heavy..sure hope its an urban dweller in your case....

[user01]

Anyone got an invoice?

[circumventer]

I think this is the same engine as the VENZA, Don't Buy it.

Its slow, its noisy, its not worth it.

It screams when pushing 0-40 on the venza, put me off for the whole car.

[user01]

I think this is the same engine as the VENZA, Don't Buy it.

Its slow, its noisy, its not worth it.

It screams when pushing 0-40 on the venza, put me off for the whole car.

I will give it a test drive then. I can also upgrade to 3.5L engine but I prefer the engine to consume the least gas.

[charliebrown]

I think this is the same engine as the VENZA, Don't Buy it.

Its slow, its noisy, its not worth it.

It screams when pushing 0-40 on the venza, put me off for the whole car.

We tested the 4cyl AWD Venza as well; and under hard accelaration, it is noticeably louder than our V6.

However, the 4cyl does consume less fuel (~10%?), costs less for insurance, and is probably enough for day-to-day driving.

I guess it's all relative -- people in Europe drive similar sized Toyotas (Avensis) with a 2.0L engine that generates 130 hp but can get like 45-50 mpg. We're just used to having cheaper fuel and feel the need to have a quicker 0-60mpg time

The diesel engine in the BMW 335d sounds like the best of both worlds
Power (SAE hp @ rpm) 265 @ 4200
Torque (lb/ft @ rpm) 425 @ 1750

Fuel Consumption
City, (L/100km) 8.5
Combined, (L/100km) 7.1
Highway, (L/100km) 5.3 = 44mpg