(soft music)
- [Instructor] In recent years,
the three-row midsize SUV class
has gotten more and more crowded,
but Highlander is ready to take on all challengers,
including the Subaru Ascent.
And with more capability and utility than ever before,
the 2021 Highlander delivers on Toyota's commitment to QDR:
quality, durability, and reliability.
Let's take a closer look at these two.
There's truly a Highlander for everyone,
with choices between hybrid, gas,
front-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive,
spread across a 20-vehicle lineup.
Every Highlander includes eight airbags
and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, the latest active safety suite
with advanced driver assistance features
for more peace of mind.
Highlander has an impressive
EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 36 miles per gallon
combined on front-wheel drive hybrid grades.
After adding up all of the hybrid
and all-wheel drive variants plus the new XSE grade,
Highlander offers 20 total configurations across six grades.
Meanwhile, Ascent has four trims
with only one engine and one drivetrain.
Highlander's sleek exterior
features LED headlights and taillights on all models,
a standard Smart Key System for easy vehicle access,
and available 20-inch alloy wheels.
And this refined exterior is taken to new heights
with the XSE grade, which features an aggressive grille,
an enhanced headlamp design, and black accents throughout.
Ascent's standard LED Steering Responsive Headlights
can aim the lights into the direction of a turn.
Meanwhile, some models can be equipped with 20-inch wheels,
but keyless access isn't a standard feature.
In addition to seating up to eight passengers,
Highlander's award-winning interior
delivers some incredible convenience features
like an in-dash storage area, a rear seat reminder,
and a 1500-watt cargo outlet on select hybrid models.
Plus, select Highlander models can also be equipped
with a Bird's Eye View Camera with Perimeter Scan.
Ascent can also seat up to eight across three rows,
and it has 19 standard cup and bottle holders,
but it does not offer a Bird's Eye View Camera.
And unlike the 2020 Highlander, Ascent's interior design
was not one of WardsAuto's 10 Best Interiors.
Highlander's advanced audio multimedia systems
feature standard compatibility for Apple CarPlay,
which connects drivers to Apple Music, Maps, Messages,
and other favorite apps from your iPhone.
In addition, Android Auto makes it easy
to stay connected to Android devices,
while Amazon Alexa connectivity
keeps Amazon's digital assistant just a question away.
Plus, there's a three-month SiriusXM
All Access trial subscription
to more than 300 radio channels
accessible throughout the country.
In addition, it can be equipped
with an available 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio system
and an available 12.3-inch touchscreen.
And every Highlander also comes with a trial
for Wi-Fi Connect,
which transforms the vehicle into a mobile hotspot
for up to 5 devices.
Ascent may be compatible with Apple CarPlay
as well as Android Auto and SiriusXM,
but it lacks Amazon Alexa compatibility.
Plus, its standard touchscreen display is 6.5 inches,
and Wi-Fi functionality isn't available on the base grade,
but it does offer an available 14-speaker audio system.
Highlander makes safety a top priority,
and its centerpiece is the latest
Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ bundle,
which comes standard on all models.
Ascent also comes standard with an active safety bundle
called EyeSight Driver Assist Technology,
but it lacks some features found in TSS 2.5+,
like Bicyclist Detection and Road Sign Assist.
Highlander's performance story
starts with a powerful 295-horsepower V6 engine
that helps it pull ahead.
And Highlander Hybrid has highly competitive
fuel efficiency ratings in the midsize SUV class,
with an EPA-estimated 36 mpg
combined on the front-wheel drive grades.
Ascent's 4-cylinder engine only produces 260 horsepower,
but it does come standard with all-wheel drive
and active torque vectoring.
With Toyota's commitment to quality,
durability and reliability,
it's clear why Highlander
is such a smart choice among midsize SUVs.
Plus, every Highlander includes the two-year ToyotaCare
No Cost Maintenance Plan with Roadside Assistance,
while every hybrid grade includes a 10-year,
150,000-mile hybrid battery warranty.
Now factor in excellent cost to own estimates,
a Best Resale Value
and a Best Family Car award from Kelley Blue Book,
and Highlander is ready to create
some unforgettable memories.