SUV owners, what was your first experience?

Question

Hi,I currently have a Camry that I want to replace because I needsomething that can haul stuff around. So I test drove a 2WD Highlanderbecause everyone says it drives like a car, well, to me it seemed morelike driving a UPS truck,...high up, doesn't like to turn, ready tomake milk deliveries, not too pleasant driving kind of car (truck).(and this is coming from a boring Camry owner!)Although I've been in many SUV's this is the first time I drove one, isthis something you just get use too? Or did your first drive in a SUVseem like, wow, this is greatest thing since sliced bread?I like the Highlander otherwise, right size, looks nice, nice interior,etc etc....., just wondering if I need to rent one for a weekend to seeif I will get use to it, or if the first experience is bad, it willalways be bad so don't bother? Guessing I might need a station wagonbut Toyota doesn't make any :(

Ray O · Accepted Answer

The Highlander is probably the most car-like SUV that Toyota makes, especially since it is built on a car chassis. I suspect that the higher seating position in the Highlander makes it seem more truck-like. You may want to try driving a 4-Runner and Sequoia and then drive the Highlander again. You may appreciate how un truck-like the Highlander is. Toyota does make the Matrix/Vibe if it is big enough.

Huw · Answer

The Rav4 is superb. Very car-like to drive. Some even call it 'sporty'.Huw

Coyoteboy · Answer

Driven a few 4-runners, a rangerover and a landcruiser. None of themfeel like a car, and if you treat them like one you will roll it. Ifyou want car handling get a car/estate.Jbungalow     wrote:

Rob B · Answer

if you think highlander drives like a truck try to drive one of the competitors or a truck then you will have a better relative comparison {4runner, pathfinder, VUE, Escape, Explorer Sport trac }

I just took delivery of '06 highlander V6

**I like it** because it blends alot of features i finally realized i needed and wanted in a new car, larger cargo area, safe crash rating, decent gas mileage for the size, comfortable, a little higher off ground, quality name, longevity, price etc.

i wasn't expecting any thing SUV to drive like a car but some SUV drive more like a car than others i plan to keep my sporty car for sporty rides and use the highlander for other stuff

biggest trouble i had was deciding what i really needed vs what i wanted so i went through gambit of cars when trying to decide e.g. Volvo S60, v70, v40, xc90, Acura TL, Accord v6, Ford Escape, Toyo Highlander, Honda Pilot, Saturn VUE, etc...

I do not think you will find a vehicle that does it all, that is gives you the best of car and SUV/Van world (well maybe the **Cayane**) one of the cross-over cars may be close

These links show rollover ratings for various cars , the highlander is in top of list (lower rollover) and compare with some Vans and Cars which have a higher rollover rating or equal to highlander.

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HTH

dh · Answer

[snip]Way back when, on a number of occasions, I drove a 1978 K-5 Blazer -6-cylinder engine, 3-speed stick, hi4/lo4/hi2 ranges, drove like, well, atruck, drank like  and it was like riding a bucking bronco (tall +short wheelbase = lots of pitching).  It did have good off-road capability.I liked it OK, it was just a different driving experience than a sedan orstation wagon.My Rav4s, which do NOT have AWD are good on gas, comfortable, drive like acar and, because they're small and have a good turning radius, are very easyto park.  Enough power for all practical purposes.  I'd call them"car-like."I did test-drive an AWD Rav4 on a couple of occasions and they behaved justlike the FWD versions, as near as I could tell.I did notice that, in spite of the taller profile and short wheelbase, youdon't seem to pitch back and forth all that much.  Maybe height/wheelbaseratio is better than on the K-5 or the suspension makes a difference -whatever - it's a nice vehicle to drive.

dh · Answer

[snip]On a number of occasions, I drove a 1978 K-5 Blazer - 6-cylinder engine,3-speed stick, hi4/lo4/hi2 ranges, drove like, well, a truck, drank like and it was like riding a bucking bronco (tall + short wheelbase =lots of pitching).  It did have good off-road capability.My Rav4s, which do NOT have AWD are good on gas, comfortable, drive like acar and, because they're small and have a good turning radius, are very easyto park.  Enough power for all practical purposes.I did test-drive an AWD Rav4 on a couple of occasions and they behaved justlike the FWD versions, as near as I could tell.I did notice that, in spite of the taller profile and short wheelbase, youdon't seem to pitch back and forth all that much.  Maybe height/wheelbaseratio is better than on the K-5 or the suspension makes a difference -whatever - it's a nice car to drive.

SUV owners, what was your first experience?

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