by James Lewis
Ladies and Gents as always I am going to be brutally honest…when I laid eyes on the 2015 Toyota Highlander Platinum V6 AWD a chill came over me and I couldn’t stop singing, “Ooh La La La!”
Come on now, I know I am not the only one! Look at it! I had the delightful pleasure of spending a week with this beauty-eat your hearts out! This sexy momma came in the Ooh LA LA Rouge MICA/LA00 color and equipped with a 3.5L DOCH V6 Engine with Dual VVT-i that gives you an ample 270hp with 248lb ft of torque, 6 Speed Automatic Transmission which translates into 18mpg city/24 mpg highway ( for a combined 20mpgs topped with 5,000lb towing capacity, Front I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T McPherson Strut and Rear Double Wishbone Suspension, Power Assisted 4-Wheel Disc Brakes, 19” Chromtec Wheel w/P245/55R19 Tires with Dynamic Torque Control All-Wheel Drive, Hill Start and Downhill Assist Control. The Interior Standards on the 2015 Toyota Highlander Platinum includes perforated leather front and second row upholstery with heated/ventilated front seats, captain chair styled seats on the second row and a comfortable third row 60/40 split folding seats in the rear along with Retractable Side-Window Sunshades on the second row which provided seating for seven with ease. It also has a 8-way Power Memory Driver Seat with Lumbar, 4-way Power Passenger Seat, Backup Camera with 8” Display, Rear Package Sonar, Entune Premium JBL 12 –Speaker Sound System with 8” Touch Screen: Navigation, AM/FM/CD/MP3/USB/AUX, HD & SXM, Bluetooth Phone/Music AppSuite 4.2”Color Nav-Linked MID, Homelink, Wood Grain Trim, 3-Zone Automatic Air Control System, Leather Steering Wheel with Audio, Phone, and Voice Controls, a Roll-Top Console/Arm Rest and a In-Dash Shelf and LED Ambient Cabin Lighting. The Exterior of the 2015 Toyota Highlander had features like Smoked-Chrome Auto On/Off Headlights, Fog Lights, LED DRLS, Chromtec Roof Rails; Folding Powered Heated Mirrors with Puddle Lamps, Private Glass on the Rear and Hatch Windows, Adjustable Power Liftgate with Flip-Up Rear Window as well as a Power Tilt/Slide Moonroof with Sunshade. The safety features on this car made me want to blast Justin Timberlake’s “SEXY BACK”! Who could blame me? I mean when features with the likes of: a Five Star System which includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-Lock Braking System, Electronic Brake-Force Distribution, Brake Assist & Smart Stop Technology, an impressive 8, yes I said eight, airbags. Man, the Driver and the Front Passenger has an Advanced Airbag System that includes Seat Mounted Side Airbags, the Driver Side has Knee Airbags and the Passenger Side has Seat Cushion Airbags as well as the Third Row which also has Side Curtain Airbags, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Parking Sensors, Whiplash Injury Lessening Front Seats, a Smart Key: Alarm & Engine Immobilizer, Latch- Lower Anchors & Tethers for Children and Child Protector Rear Door Locks which equals up to SUPER SEXY in my book!
Driving the 2015 Toyota Highlander Limited Platinum V6 AWD felt similar to driving a Station Wagon or a Crossover meaning it was fairly easy to handle. It wasn’t too big and it wasn’t difficult to park and drive in the city. The wind noise was very much un-noticeable to the point where I actually cracked the windows to be sure that the wind was there! It absorbed bumps in the road which was a pleasant surprise because it provided a very smooth ride and although it doesn’t have a V8 engine the V6 provided enough power which was great when thinking about economics. The Cabin feels HUGE and it was so relaxing that one finds themselves wanting to camp out in the Highlander with the MoonRoof open and a nice cool beverage and the sounds of Duke Ellington blowing through their mind. Yes indeed… the Toyota Highlander is all of that and a bag of Chips!
So dear friends of mine, if you are in the market for a vehicle that offers great eco friendly gas mileage, a comfy-cozy cabin, an awesome safety package and splendid driving experience…check out the 2015 Toyota Highlander Limited Platinum V6 AWD Edition. You will be glad you did.
Happy Holiday Season and remember to Drive Smart and Safe!
