A four-speed automatic transmission dutifully drops a gear to get you moving when necessary and shifts seamlessly under normal driving conditions. Toyota believes the V6 4x4 version of Highlander will be the top-selling model. Highlander's handling fits more into the mid-size sedan market. There's almost no body roll, the turning radius is first-rate and, even though it's slightly larger than 4Runner, maneuverability is excellent. Don't worry about wrestling it through a parking lot or barely squeezing it into traffic.
Interior appointments are abundant and convenient to use.
Highlander's interior space is far more like a minivan than I've seen in this class of sport-ute. It protrudes slightly for easy access, but it leaves the space between the two front seats vacant. You can now move between the front seats or duck into the rear without stepping over a console. I was a little confused considering there was no added space for storage. Without a center console, you're left only with a glove box and pockets on the doors.