Going Places in the 2017 Toyota Highlander

A call to adventure will always get my attention.  Thus, my connection to the Toyota motto “Let’s Go Places” was immediate when I first heard it.   As a longtime Toyota owner, I was thrilled when I was recently invited to experience one of the new Toyota vehicles for a week.   Since my current (and previous) car is an Avalon, I decided to try an SUV – in particular, the 2017 Toyota Highlander Limited.

The Adventures

All journeys shared with others are the best.  This one was no exception.   So, I checked my weekend excursion schedule and called up some willing companions – my SisterGirlfriends and my 82-year-old mother.   I told them I would be the designated driver for the weekend and we would experience the Toyota Highlander together.    We had a full weekend planned that required traveling the length and breadth of the city which is no small feat in Houston, Texas.

On Saturday, there was a matinee play at the historic Ensemble Theatre in downtown Houston and an early dinner at Pappas Seafood Restaurant near Bush International Airport.   On Sunday, there was brunch at the Grand Lux Café across from the Galleria and an afternoon coffee at the Starbucks near Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens in Humble, Texas.   I spent a lot of time driving around laughing and chit-chatting with my companions.

We talked a lot about the virtues of the Highlander.     I shared information about the numerous awards – NHTSA 5-Star Safety Award, a Kelly Blue Book Best Buy Finalist, and one of the sixteen cars listed as Best Family Car by Kelly Blue Book – that the Highlander had won.  They all thought it was very impressive.    However, they shared their list of things they loved about their riding experience in the Highlander.

The SisterGirlfriends “We Love It” List

• There was plenty of “elbow room” with enough space so that we all could ride together to the weekend events.    There was sufficient secure storage for all those things we women carry around for convenience, our bags, shawls, etc.

• The four captain seats and the bench seating on the third row were very comfortable for all of us since beautiful women come in all shapes and sizes.  One of my friends, who is petite and has a physical disability, was able to ease in/out of the second row with no difficulty.

• We enjoyed the premium audio with integrated navigation and app suite.   As the driver, I kept the Sirius radio on smooth Jazz while we soared around Houston on the power of the V6 engine.   My front seat companion read the manual and pointed out all of the high-tech features to me.     However, it took a few hours before I could rely on the backup camera display with ease.

• Everyone commented on the luxury and smooth ride of the Highlander Limited.   They all stated that it felt less like an SUV and more like a sedan with the acceleration speed of a sports car.

• We all LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the color – Ooh La La Rouge Mica!  It was like riding around in a warm, sexy lipstick!    The color is very feminine.  Now, we are all on the hunt for a clothing item and accessory of the same color.

Overall, it was an exciting and fabulous opportunity to experience the 2017 Toyota Highlander Limited.   It is a strong contender to sway me – a long-time Avalon owner – to try something different at my next Toyota purchase.