- [Announcer] Since launching 20 years ago,
Highlander has paired an extremely refined on-road character
with the dependability and usefulness
that growing American families demand.
Now in its fourth generation,
Highlander stays true to these core values,
with more technology, hybrid efficiency,
well-sculpted styling cues and further increased utility.
That said, Highlander's competition is as tough as ever,
so let's see how Chevrolet's latest Traverse stacks up.
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Three all-wheel drive systems are available
to enhance traction,
from Electronic On-Demand AWD
to Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD.
Highlander is packed full of advanced in-cabin tech,
from its available 12.3-inch touchscreen
to its available 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio system.
The award-winning Highlander has earned multiple accolades
from Kelley Blue Book
and a five-star safety rating
from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
With an available 295 horsepower V6 engine,
Highlander is ready to tackle any duty,
including towing up to 5,000 pounds.
Capability aside, Highlander has an EPA-estimated
24 miles per gallon combined rating
on front-wheel-drive gas models.
For even more miles,
the 243 net-horsepower Highlander Hybrid
has an EPA-estimated 36 miles per gallon combined
on front-wheel-drive models,
while still being able to tow 3,500 pounds.
Traverse has a V6 engine with 310 horsepower
that has an EPA-estimated
21 miles per gallon combined rating.
Regardless of grade, however,
Traverse's towing tops out at just 1,500 pounds.
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Every Highlander comes standard
with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+,
an active safety suite that includes technologies
like Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Road Sign Assist.
New for 2021, this latest safety platform
includes intersection support enhancement,
a driver-initiated emergency steering assist enhancement,
and other advanced features.
Chevy Safety Assist can be added to Traverse
at additional cost,
but even with all the boxes ticked,
there is no comparable feature
to Highlander's Road Sign Assist.
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Highlander benefits from a long list of high-tech features,
like a standard 8-inch,
or available 12.3-inch touchscreen,
both of which 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 compatibility
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 also a standard three-month
SiriusXM All Access trial subscription
to more than 300 radio channels
accessible throughout the country.
Finally, an available 11-speaker JBL audio system
makes the most out of every channel.
Traverse comes with a 7-inch touchscreen
that can be upgraded to match
Highlander's base size of 8 inches.
Both sizes have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability,
but there is no Amazon Alexa support.
A SiriusXM three-month All Access trial
is available on LT and higher grades,
as is a 10-speaker Bose audio system.
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Highlander's interior is as advanced as it is comfortable,
with a standard 4.2 or available 7-inch
Multi-information Display
and an available digital rearview mirror.
The user-friendly dashboard
features an in-dash storage area,
and eight cup holders and four bottle holders
are in arms reach of each occupant.
In the back, there's even an available 1500-watt outlet
on select hybrid grades.
Traverse is equipped with a 3.5-inch
Driver Information Center
that can be upgraded to match Highlander's
base 4.2-inch screen at additional cost.
While it offers no bottle holders,
Traverse has 10 cup holders.
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With its emphasis on safety evident throughout,
Highlander comes standard with LED lighting on all grades.
Eighteen-inch alloy wheels are also standard,
with larger 20-inch wheels available.
An available hands-free power liftgate
makes loading bulky cargo a snap
with a quick kick of the foot.
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Traverse does have standard LED taillights,
but LED headlights are not standard.
But like Highlander, Traverse rides on 18-inch alloy wheels
with 20-inch wheels available.
A hands-free gesture liftgate
is standard on Premier and High Country models.
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Highlander is offered in six distinct gas-powered grades,
including the new XSE.
All-wheel drive is available on three of these grades,
while Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD
with Driveline Disconnect is offered on the other three.
Additionally, four hybrid grades are offered,
all with Electronic On-Demand AWD available.
Traverse is offered across six grades.
None of these offer a hybrid powertrain,
but all-wheel drive is available on all
except for the L grade.
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Highlander offers an unbeatable combination of value,
safety, and utility, not to mention technology,
but the best evidence of Highlander's success
is in the many awards and accolades it has accumulated.
These include a 2021 IIHS Top Safety Pick+
and IntelliChoice's 2020 Best Overall Value Award.
Highlander is also one of Kelley Blue Book's
12 Best Family Cars for 2020.
Throw in perks like the ToyotaCare no cost maintenance plan,
not to mention the enhanced hybrid battery warranty,
and it's easy to see why Highlander
keeps bringing home award after award.
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