ShareThisIndividually, American motorists seem like reasonably smart people. Collectively, they're goofy.
In the summer of 2008, when gasoline prices shot past $4 a gallon, buyers deserted big pickup trucks and SUVs. They beat down the dealership doors to pay premium prices for hybrids and small economy cars.
Then gas prices dropped back down to about $2 a gallon and people were out buying the big land arks again -- not as many, of course, but that was because of the recession. And, oh yes, the high-mileage hybrids and small cars stagnated.
It's almost as if the body politic has no conception of taking the long view. Sure, there is some suspicion that fuel prices will rise again. But if it doesn't happen soon the history lesson will be quickly forgotten.
There are some glimmers that at least the vehicle manufacturers get it. They're prepping for a future that is green and lean.
Meanwhile, there are some stopgaps that make eminent sense, like the 2009 Toyota Highlander base model with a four-cylinder engine.
It's a mid-sized, car-based crossover utility vehicle with front-wheel drive, a budget-conscious price, good fuel economy and virtually all of the equipment anyone would need.
The Highlander originally was conceived as a six-cylinder vehicle, with front- or all-wheel drive and a range of prices, depending on the number of options.
Six-cylinder models, with 270 horsepower, range in price from $28,345 to $35,265. The front-drive models are rated by the government at 18/24 miles to the gallon, while the all-wheel-drivers get 17/23.
Of course, Toyota is the world's leader in hybrids, so if you want better fuel economy you can order a Highlander Hybrid with a fuel consumption rating of 27/25. But then you can spend up to $41,765. It recalls a famous statement many years ago by an American Motors executive, who said U.S. buyers wanted fuel economy -- and would pay anything to get it.
But with the new four-cylinder Highlander you don't need an expensive hybrid, and you don't have to get by with a small CUV or SUV.
At a time when you easily can spend in the neighborhood of $30,000 for some compact crossovers like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and even Toyota's own RAV4, the much bigger Highlander four-banger starts at just $26,450 and, with a couple of options like those on the test vehicle, has a sticker price of $27,159.
It comes with all the important basics, including stability and traction control, antilock brakes, side air bags and side-curtain air bags, driver's knee air bag, tire-pressure monitoring, air conditioning, remote locking, audio system with CD player, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, alloy wheels, and power mirrors and windows.
The short list of options included a windshield wiper de-icer, heated outside mirrors, daytime running lights and a cargo cover.
OK. So the test Highlander did not have some items that modern vehicle buyers lust after. There was no automatic climate control, no satellite radio, no multi-disc CD changer, no redundant steering-wheel controls, no rear-seat entertainment system, no power seats and no leather upholstery.
But those things are not important if what you're after is a sturdy family vehicle with gobs of interior room. Consider: the passenger space totals 114 cubic feet, as much as you'd find in a full-size luxury car. There's limousine-like stretch-out space in the back seat -- even enough for the center passenger. Cargo space is a whopping 42 cubic feet.
The problem is that Toyota elected to insert an oddball 40-20-40 rear seating arrangement, which gives the outboard passengers big seats like the folks up front -- they even recline -- but totally shortchanges the middle passenger, who must lean against a lumpy cushion that doubles as a fold-down armrest. A plain split bench seat would work way better.
Also, it's incomprehensible that Toyota would produce a neat vehicle like the four-cylinder Highlander, which is attractive to budget-conscious families, and not allow them to buy the optional third-row seat, which is available on all the other Highlanders. With that third-row option, the four-banger could substitute for a minivan.
On to the four-cylinder: with 3,847 pounds to motivate, the 187-horsepower engine has acceptable performance. It's linked to a slick six-speed automatic transmission that has a manual-shift mode and a soft setting for winter driving.
You can even chirp the front tires if you stomp on the pedal at a stop light. Bottom line: you won't win many drag races, and you might struggle a bit on mountain roads with a full load of passengers and cargo, but this Highlander delivers plenty of power for just about any every day circumstance you might encounter.
On the highway, all Highlanders track cleanly and comfortably, with a good ride, supportive seating and competent handling that doesn't involve anxiety, and the four-cylinder model is no exception.
Like other Highlanders, and other Toyotas for that matter, the materials and workmanship are first-rate, and the nicely designed and executed interior will not embarrass you with your friends. There's storage space galore in the center console and glove box, and plenty of cup holders.
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service. For more columns, go to scrippsnews.com)
DriveWays with HIGHLANDER-SPECS
