What are the differences between the new Highlander and the old Highlander?
3 Answers
Here are the differences between the new Highlander and the old Highlander: Exterior: The new Highlander and the old Highlander have significant differences in appearance. The old model leans more towards a rugged style, while the new model embraces a youthful and sporty look. From a visual comparison, younger car enthusiasts tend to prefer the design of the new Highlander, especially its more aggressive front fascia, whereas the old model has a more timeless appeal. Despite the arrival of the new model, the old Highlander remains a mainstream and not outdated option in the automotive market. Ultimately, the preference for appearance depends on individual aesthetic tastes. Interior: The differences between the old and new models are also quite substantial. The new Highlander features a floating large screen and integrated design with functional buttons below, giving the dashboard a stronger sense of layering. Storage compartments remain abundant, and the new gear knob offers better ergonomics, making it comfortable even for drivers with smaller hands. However, it still retains the traditional gear shift design rather than upgrading to an electronic shift mechanism. The old model's interior is more conventional, lacking standout features, though some drivers appreciate its classic design for its ease of use. That said, it lacks the modern and luxurious feel of the new model.
As someone who has driven a Highlander for several years, I've noticed significant differences between the new and old models in terms of appearance and driving experience. The new design is more aggressive, with a bolder front fascia that looks much younger compared to the more conservative styling of the older version. In terms of driving, the suspension on the new model is tuned to be softer, making it more comfortable over bumps and significantly quieter, which makes long highway drives easier. Inside, the older model had a more plasticky feel, while the new one uses more soft-touch materials, and the seats offer better support, reducing fatigue on long trips. Another key point is that the new model offers a hybrid option, which is much more fuel-efficient—I've tried it in the city, and the savings are substantial. The older model sticks with a reliable V6, offering steady power but at the cost of higher fuel consumption. Overall, the new car is better suited for modern daily commuting, while the old one feels more like a dependable old companion.
As a tech-savvy young car enthusiast, I'm absolutely thrilled by the massive technological upgrades in the new Highlander. The most noticeable improvement is the infotainment system - while the previous model basically just had a radio screen, the new version features a large touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, allowing seamless integration with smartphone apps for navigation and music. Toyota Safety Sense has also been enhanced, adding lane keeping assist and automatic emergency braking, whereas the older model only had basic collision prevention. Remote start and voice control have become much more practical too - you can warm up the car or adjust temperature before even leaving home. The previous generation felt comparatively primitive with its complicated button layout. The hybrid powertrain makes electric acceleration smoother than the jerky starts of the conventional version. Overall, these technological advancements make driving more intelligent - operating the new model feels as intuitive as using a smartphone.
