Toyota continues the fattening treatment. THE the world’s leading manufacturer updated its large pickups and full-size SUVs for 2021 and 2022 Tundra and sequoia in the USA. In Europe, in 2019, the RAV4 got its big brother, the Highlander, a new seven-seat hybrid SUV that competed with Ford and its Explorer in particular. New SUVs, even of a smaller class, have also multiplied. As evidenced Cross wreath arrived in 2021 to support the C-HR or the first electric model in the history of the brand: the bZ4X. The manufacturer continues to fill every segment and category of the market. Today, he thus presents the world premiere Great Highlander. As the name suggests, this one is big The family SUV comes from the Highlander. This is his older brother, longer, taller, more massive.

Between Highlander and Sequoia

Who is it intended for and is the model really irreplaceable in this regard an already overloaded lineup of SUVs ? The first novelty compared to the Highlander: This is an SUV with seven real seats. What means two adults can actually fit in the third row seats. While its younger brother has so far offered only additional seats. For children or teenagers. It’s also an SUV designed primarily as a passenger car, not as a utility vehicle. Indeed, the large Sequoia shares a platform with the Tundra pickup. Thus, its chassis is separated from the body. It is convenient to carry or tow very heavy loads, as well as sneak up without risking suspensions. But less comfortable for long rides, this architecture is more prone to jolts, body vibration, and jolts. Toyota thus unites the best of both worlds between the current Highlander and the Sequoia. So, a real big family SUV.

My family comes first

It was also designed with that in mind. Thus it is measured 5.12 m (compared to 4.97 m in Highlander) and has a wheelbase of 2.95 m. Enough to increase the comfort of living in the cabin and the space on board! The trunk also offers a gigantic volume: up to 2775 l once the rear seats are folded! The design and presentation is very similar to the Highlander that serves as its organ bank. The central touchscreen, however, creeps up 12.3 inchesand it has, among other things, an electrical outlet for recharging electronic devices.

From a technical point of view, two hybrid engines and one gasoline engine are offered They have corresponding power levels 250, 362 and 270 horsepower. All-wheel drive is offered on all trim levels, but is standard on the 362-hp Hybrid Max. So, for us or not for us? Considering the size of this machine and already confidential Highlander sales or Explorer in Europe, it’s hard to see the interest for Toyota to sell it on the Old Continent. Like the big American SUVs and pickups distributed in France parallel importershowever, it is likely that this great mountaineer could be excavated if you really wanted to!