I had to take a trip to NW Idaho last week due to a family illness - I took this same trip several times in our 02 Highlander but usually in better weather. As all know, the 08 is larger, heavier, quieter and much more powerful. 02 was a base awd and the 08 is a limited awd.
The 8 days we were up there it was never above freezing and most of the way back to Redding was same.
In the 02, the ride was harder on the butt - the 08 is better and ass didn't get near as sore.
The big thing was, IMHO was the difference in mileage. In the 02, the best I recall getting was 23.2 with usually in 22 range. Up and back I never got less than 22.8 and on the run from Madras, Or to Redding, Ca I got 25.3. I know, at this savings I'll be 150 before I can pay for the new one. It was just interesting to me they can get better mileage with more power and heavier vehicle. Be interesting to me to see if I get the bit of jump in mileage at about 15k that we've got with the other Toyotas we've had.
Ron in Ca