Where is the handbrake located in the Highlander?
4 Answers
The Highlander does not have a handbrake, only a foot brake, which is located at the upper left corner of the brake pedal. More details about the Highlander are as follows: 1. The Highlander is positioned as a mid-size SUV and is known as the 'King of SUVs' in its class, with its main focus on durability and stability. 2. The new Highlander has undergone minor adjustments to the front face and features a new LED daytime running light inside. The rear of the vehicle adopts a new LED light strip-style tail light, making it look more stylish. 3. The new Highlander is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, delivering a maximum power of 162 KW and a maximum torque of 350 N·M.
I drive an older Highlander, and the handbrake is right beside the driver's seat on the right side—that silver lever behind the gear shift. Every time I park, I have to pull it up hard until it clicks five or six times to make sure it's fully engaged. Once, on a slope, I didn't pull it far enough and almost rolled back, so now I've gotten into the habit of shifting into 'P' after pulling the handbrake for peace of mind. The new Highlander has been upgraded with an electronic parking brake—there's a button with a 'P' on the center console below the steering wheel on the left side. Just a light press does the trick, and it's super effortless. However, with the electronic parking brake, you need to be careful not to leave anything blocking the button. I once had a parking card pressing against it, causing the warning light to flash erratically. Both designs have their advantages: the mechanical one is more reliable, while the electronic one feels more high-tech.
The handbrake position of the Highlander is quite classic. The mechanical version is located behind the gear shift lever, and you can easily reach the lever from the driver's seat. The design is very user-friendly, requiring a bit of force to pull, giving a sensation similar to pulling a suitcase latch. Every time I go to the 4S store for maintenance, I ask the technician to check the tightness of the handbrake cable, as it tends to loosen over time. The new electronic handbrake is integrated into the center console area on the left side of the steering wheel, with a brake symbol on the button. The auto-release feature is particularly practical. While it's hassle-free for daily use, you need to pay attention to the battery status—if the battery runs low, manual release can be troublesome, as there's an emergency pull rope hidden under the trunk cover.
My friend just picked up the latest hybrid Highlander, with the electronic parking brake located in the functional area at the lower left of the steering wheel, right next to the auto-hold button. During the test drive, I noticed that when stopping at a red light, a firm press on the brake pedal would automatically engage the parking brake, and a light tap on the accelerator would start the car without ever needing to touch the parking brake button. The traditional mechanical handbrake is positioned behind the gear lever, designed ergonomically so you can adjust the steering wheel with your left hand and operate it effortlessly with your right. However, be cautious in winter—last time after a car wash, the lever froze, and a hard pull nearly snapped it; it only loosened after pouring warm water. Whether it's the new or old model, placing rocks behind the tires when parking on a slope is recommended for extra safety.
