Highlander relative capability? (2 Viewers)

[SWUtah]

There is no comparison. Like comparing a Camry with a Bentley. The 200 series was designed and built to last 25 years in a 3rd world country. The Highlander is an inexpensive mass produced transportation appliance, which is what most "car guys" don't want. It will get you where you need to go.

 

[Markuson]

On the other hand...
There's this:

 

[HRTROB]

Highlander doesn't have a tailgate, just a hatch:

Case closed.

I don't know what the big deal is about the split tail gate. I personally hate it. The lower tail gate makes it harder to reach for items in the cargo area, also makes it harder to climb inside. I wish my 200 had barn doors like in my 80

 

[Markuson]

I don't know what the big deal is about the split tail gate. I personally hate it. The lower tail gate makes it hard to reach for items in the cargo area, also makes it harder to climb inside. I wish my 200 had barn doors like in my 80

Separate tailgate=
-Instant table, work bench or seat with shade (from hatch up...
-Built in platform to stand on for accessing rooftop items (kayaks, etc.) with top closed and tailgate down.
-Lumber (long item) fits with tailgate open, top down...

I use the tailgate all the time when I go shooting (skeet, rifles, etc.) as it's a ready work-space. Even with a FULLY loaded cargo space in back, you always have a handy "table" when needed.

Tail-gate/spit back is a win in my book.

 

[KLF]

I think the split tailgate is the best arrangement of all. Worst is that big barn door on the GX.

 

[Chocolate]

If a highlander can do everything a LC can do (per this thread), why aren’t we all saving $40k and driving a highlander ???!!!!!!!

Or 10k Autotrader RX 330s? Haha

That articulation though at :30

 

[NC237]

Passions on here for the LC are high. But don't let that bother you. Rock crawling is out for sure. Light off-road could work. You just don't want to get stuck or damage the Highlander. Meaning no steep inclines or un-even terrain that would need a lot of articulation and ground clearance. My only concern with light off road would be loose terrain and inclines being an issue with the summer tires that come on the Highlander as stock. But if you keep it really light - it should be fine. If the trails you're looking at have ratings of difficulty - I'd stick to 1-2 for the Highlander.

This is kind of what I'm referring to in terms of difficulty.
1-2 being pretty much no obstacles, relatively wide, flat, and with easy terrain.
https://jeepjamboreeusa.com/trail-ratings/

 

[marketShark]

@Dan Lee We have both in my garage, see: Do people think you drive a Highlander? 2008 LC 200 and 2012 Highlander Limited AWD

To quote Inigo Montoya "Let me explain... No, there is too much. Let me sum up. ... "

The Highlander AWD is a capable off-roader "softroader". Don't expect too much articulation or flex compared to the KDSS system of the LC. I have taken ours on the ranch and state parks with no issues. Think along the lines of light off road duty. Could you do more? probably. But that's not what I choose to use it for. I will have to look at the controls again: but I know it has DAC and 2nd start "Snow mode". I can check on a center locker control also. As others have said, it is built on a Camry platform. The AWD system is different than the 4WD sytem of the LC, and has no lo range. To summarize, there's a reason they don't build sliders for a Highlander.

And regarding cup holders: It has TONS of them. Where the LC has crawl control and ECT controls, the Highlander has cup holders. Where the rear pass climate controls are in the console, below that are more cup holders. Everywhere the LC has cup holders, the Highlander also has them, then adds more cup holders. To summarize, the Highlander is designed for more mass market appeal and suburban utility.

Rear lift gate is powered and remote controlled on the Highlander. Although it isn't split like the LC, it does allow for the window glass to be opened, which I like. There is also a pair of levers in the rear of the cargo area that allow you to drop the 2nd row seats into the floor. When combined with the 3rd row which also folds flat, the layout is considerable different from jump seat 3rd and a tumbled forward 2nd row. To summarize, the Highlander has some "nice to haves" but I'm not trading in the LC any time soon.

I am happy to take pics of anything you'd like regarding the differences and/or measurements between the two if it will help in your research.

 

[Dan Lee]

It has AWD and some traction aid so it would do ok. Almost any car can handle some light trail drives so it really depends on what kind of terrain you want to tackle. The main issues relative to the 200 are:

-Clearance: The terrain will dictate if this is an issue. If clearance is an issue then don't risk it as you're more likely to damage something underneath.

-Tires: If it still has stock tires then you're going to be limited from a traction stand-point.

-Gear Range: The 200 has a lower gear range thanks to 4L. This is also situational but can come in handy at times. Steep down hill sections is where it can be very useful.

-Durability: The 200 is body on frame and will withstand decades of punishing abuse. The Highlander is unibody and will not handle anywhere near the same level of abuse before critical body structures become compromised. It's just not designed to be a truck.

-Suspension: The suspension is not going to be tuned for off-road use nor are the components likely to be designed for it. This will make off-road driving a little less stable due to excessive body roll and you are more likely to wear out components.

So if you want to do some easier trail runs, by all means go for it. Just do your research before hand so you know what you're getting yourself in to.

Thanks. I'll try to research some more on some of these points (ie - frame durability, suspension type).

I saw both of the video clips above before this thread and the seemed contrary to each other. So, while I believe the LX to be fairly capable, I wasn't understanding why the Highlander with AWD and locking center was or wasn't considered capable. I get differences in clearances, tire type. And I get that Highlanders are not really considered off road capable. So, it sounds like capability is limited further by frame type, suspension, lack of recovery points (rear and front tow loops), lack of 4L. I'm not a car guy, especially 4wd. So this is helpful.

 

[Dan Lee]

Or 10k Autotrader RX 330s? Haha

That articulation though at :30

Great video - thanks. This is helpful in understanding the capability differences.

 

[Markuson]

What doesn’t show up in spec sheets is the fact that you can BEAT THE CRAP out of the LC and it can come out reasonably unscathed.

Have a look at the “to Hell and Back” Moab thread. LC’s and LX’s can TRULY survive serious beatings. Some damage occurred, but considering the ordeal, they held up well.

 

[Dan Higgins]

KDSS. Not just more articulation but how it happens. When you go into 4L, other off-road capability becomes available like cameras, tilt gauges, CRAWL, turn assist, etc. As for 4WD (vs AWD), if you haven’t used it to control descents on steep, slick roads then

BTW, I would never own a truck with a barn door and hopefully never need to own one without a split tailgate for reasons very similar to what @Markuson described. I bought the LC to support outdoor activities - both getting us there and as a support platform once on location. This includes making good use of the roof rack and having a platform for setting up everything from hiking gear to camera gear to making coffee using a Jetboil while watching the sun rise over a remote lake. I don’t commute and our kids have been out of the house for 15 years so my needs are very different.

And to tow a 6000# trailer. (The LC has a 5.7L V8 that sucks gas like crazy but also has over 400 ft lbs of torque and is much more effective when using engine compression to minimize brake usage when you’re going down a 6-7% grade with a 6000# trailer pushing you from behind.) If none of that is mandatory for you then the Highlander will likely be fine.

 

[Dan Lee]

Thanks Dan. Good info. Just to clarify a little - I have an LX (recently bought). What I was trying to figure out here was where my sister could follow me in her Highlander. This thread, for me, had some good info / videos -- on paper both look similar in terms of features but the videos were great in visualizing the differences in inherent capabilities. The minimal articulation of the RX was very telling. It's something I wouldn't have realized (newb that I am) just by looking at paper specs.

 

[John E Davies]

I don’t think anyone has emphasized how darned EASY it is for a 200 to traverse nasty and uneven terrain. I have been refraining from really exploring the limits of my stock truck’s performance until I get some good offroad rubber installed, but the small amount I have done had me laughing out loud. It just walked up a rocky slope effortlessly. It dug itself out of deep sand by itself. Amazing.

The shouting and teetering and chassis banging and waving arms is simply unnecessary. You just drive it.... it’s not what you would call relaxing, but it is supremely capable and comforting for its occupants. Lesser vehicles have the driver constantly worrying and saying bad words.

For offroad travel, good articulation is of utmost importance!

This guy says it very well, watch 6:30 to 8:00 especially. ....



John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[Dan Higgins]

For some images of articulation, check out the pics from the group trips in Moab and Breckinridge this summer. There is some crazy articulation going on! Probably too much for some people (like me) but it is impressive for something other than a modified, purpose built off-road vehicle.

 

[Dan Higgins]

Thanks Dan. Good info. Just to clarify a little - I have an LX (recently bought). What I was trying to figure out here was where my sister could follow me in her Highlander. This thread, for me, had some good info / videos -- on paper both look similar in terms of features but the videos were great in visualizing the differences in inherent capabilities. The minimal articulation of the RX was very telling. It's something I wouldn't have realized (newb that I am) just by looking at paper specs.

Got it. I should have gone back and read your OP. We had a couple Lexus RX3xx for a number of years. Then I tried an Acura MDX. They can do a lot of dirt and gravel roads if the ruts and potholes are not too deep and if you know how to drive around those “obstacles”. (Knowing how to drive them is huge - which I only learned after getting a Land Rover a few years back.). The reason we moved to vehicles which were engineered to do significant off-road is that I did not want to “break something” out in the middle of nowhere. We live in CO and there is a lot that can be explored if you have a capable and reliable vehicle. I bottomed out our RX330 once simply getting in to a popular waterfall area. It didn’t work so well after that and I realized I needed something that was less “delicate”.

So maybe the key is not for your sister to follow you, but for you to follow her. Only go where she can go.

 

[krice118]

theres no subsitute for 4Low...

 

[NC237]

The OP isn't doing a Highlander vs LC. Set down your transfer cases; Torches and pitchforks stand down...
He has an LC (LX) and a sister with a Highlander. He would like to share some off-road family time with both vehicles. He just wanted to know what kind of trail to pick that would work for both.

 

[Dan Lee]

Thanks NC. Yup, that's what I was looking for. Sorry for any initial confusion - I should have been more clear in my OP.

In essence, it sounds like, despite AWD and center locking, there is considerable capability differences that will significantly limit where the Highlander can go. 4L, articulation being two key deficiencies. Add to that the absence of recovery loops warrants additional care. Per the Jeep rating system above, sounds like we should stick to trail ratings 1,2 - basically smooth dirt roads No soft sand or soft riverside / lakeside especially with ruts.

 

[ranma21]

The highlander or similar AWD suv is actually suitable for light offroad duty, but not go anywhere vehicle like a LC, it is just not in the same league. Another strong contender or better contender to Highlander is the Subaru outback. Try it on Black bear or Imogene pass, bet you will sustain heavy damage and not make it back.