The next generation of Highlander is about to go to the extended range – as soon as the news came out, my first reaction was: has Toyota finally bowed its head?
It’s not ridicule, it’s real emotion. The “financial product” Highlander, which once raised the price and picked up the car and queued up for half a year, is now going to replace it with the “extended-range” heart that it looks down upon, and directly benchmark against the ideal L series. What’s more ruthless is that this time it is not a test of the waters, but GAC Toyota will take the lead in person, and will present the next-generation Highlander and Sainna on June 12th. This is not a minor repair, it is a root cause. If Ideal ONE had subverted the perception of medium and large SUVs by relying on the “refrigerator, color TV sofa” back then, what Toyota needs to do now is to use the foundation of joint ventures and the reputation of the Japanese, and in turn to regain this territory.
I drove the cash highlander for a long distance and also tested the Ideal L8. To be honest, it’s hard not to be impressed by the ideal “mobile living room” experience when sitting in the back row. And what about Highlander? Quiet, steady and fuel-efficient, like a reliable middle-aged man, but lacks a little freshness that makes people’s heart beat faster. But once the next generation of Highlander is really as rumored, it is equipped with a large battery, supports fast charging, can be equipped with green cards, and can discharge external electricity, then this battle will be really interesting.
Appearance: Still stable, but the details hide “electricity”
At present, the official has not released the actual car picture of the extended-range Highlander, but judging from the design language of the current fourth-generation Highlander, its main tone is atmospheric, thick, and straight lines. This design is a symbol of “reliability” in the era of fuel vehicles, but today, when electric vehicles are crowded with “streamline + low wind resistance”, it is slightly conservative. However, I guess the extended-range version will make a fuss about the details: for example, the front face may include a closed grille element, the wheel hub will be replaced with a low-resistance style, and even the “E-Four e+” or “REEV” logo is added to the C-pillar or tailgate to emphasize its new energy identity.
Interestingly, the body size of the Highlander (length, width and height are about 4965/1930/1750mm, wheelbase of 2850mm) is a little larger than that of the ideal L8. This means that with the same seven-seat layout, the space redundancy of the Highlander third row and trunk will be more advantageous. For families with multiple children, even if there is an extra 5 cm of leg room, it is a real and comfortable improvement.
Interior: Not competing with “large screen”, but texture and reliability are the killer
The triple screen + co-driver entertainment screen of the Ideal L series is really eye-catching. But after using it for a long time, you will find that the system is stuck, the voice recognition is inaccurate, and the APP ecosystem is limited. These problems are not uncommon in actual use. The interior of Highlander has always been on the “pragmatic” route: the physical buttons are much retained, the central control screen is not large, and the car computer does not respond quickly, but the advantage lies in stability and durability.
I predict that the extended-range Highlander will not blindly stack screens, but will upgrade the intelligent experience on the basis of maintaining the original high-quality materials. For example, it can be replaced with Qualcomm 8155 chip, supports wireless connection for CarPlay, and has faster response from the voice assistant. More importantly, Toyota’s quality control and durability are difficult for many new forces to achieve in the short term. My friend’s 2015 Highlander ran 300,000 kilometers, and it has almost never been repaired except for normal maintenance. This reputation of “not broken” is more realistic than any smart function for home users.
Power and endurance: Extended range is not a compromise, but a precise strike
This is the most important thing. The current Highlander dual-engine uses a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine + THS hybrid system. The WLTC fuel consumption is 5.31L/100km. It is really fuel-efficient, but the pure electric range is only a few dozen kilometers and cannot be externally charged. This means that it cannot get the green card and travel in first-tier cities is restricted.
The emergence of the extended-range version directly solves this deadlock. The essence of an extended-range electric vehicle (REEV) is “battery-based and engine-based”: daily commuting depends on electricity, and long-distance travel depends on engine power generation. It does not have the battery life anxiety of pure electric vehicles, but is quieter and smoother than plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
I checked the CLTC pure electric range of Ideal L6 is 212 kilometers, and the fuel consumption is 6.9L/100km. If the extended-range Highlander can achieve a pure electric range of more than 200 kilometers, supports DC fast charging (80% of the energy recharge in 30 minutes), and controls the power supply fuel consumption within 7L, then it will truly have the capital to be positive and positive.
More importantly, the extended-range system has relatively simple structure, high thermal efficiency and low maintenance cost. Unlike complex plug-in hybrid or pure electric platforms, once there is a problem, the maintenance will be expensive and the cycle will be long. If Highlander can adjust this system to be both fuel-efficient and quiet, the label of “family magic car” may have to be re-puted.
Intelligent: Don’t play with virtual things, but you can’t lose anything you should have
Speaking of intelligent driving, the Ideal L series comes with L2-level assisted driving standard, and high-speed NOA is also gradually being pushed. Although the current Highlander’s T-Pilot Intelligent Travel Safety System is fully functional (full-speed domain adaptive cruise, lane keeping, automatic braking, etc.), the experience is conservative, the car is not flexible enough, and the lane change assistance is not decisive enough.
But this time, I think GAC Toyota has the opportunity to “overtake on the curve”. Why? Because it can be “taken to be wise”. For example, it cooperates with Momenta’s smart driving algorithm, cooperates with Huawei’s electric drives or cockpits, and even connects to Xiaomi’s ecosystem to conduct smart home linkage. The Platinum 3X is an example – led by Chinese engineers, with nearly 30,000 orders in three months, indicating that this path is working.
Just imagine, if the extended-range version of Highlander is equipped with a high-end intelligent driving package, Hongmeng cockpit, Xiaomi Pengpai OS Internet, and then labeled as “joint venture quality + local intelligence”, then its attractiveness will not be just “ideal replacement”, but “more reliable ideal”.
Safety and control: as stable as an old dog, but also keep up with the times
Highlander’s manipulation has never been a “sports orientation”. It pursues stability, smoothness and tranquility. The chassis is soft and the cornering roll is obvious, but the shock filter is excellent, so the rear passengers are not prone to motion sickness. This style is especially suitable for family travel.
In terms of safety, Highlander has always been a top student. The entire series is equipped with 10 airbags and T-Pilot systems, and the body structure adopts a high rigidity design, which has excellent results in the collision tests of China Insurance Research and IIHS. For extended-range versions, battery safety will be the top priority. If Toyota can open needle puncture, squeezing, and water immersion test videos like BYD blade batteries, consumer confidence will be greatly improved.
What do real users say?
I interviewed Lao Zhang, an Ideal L7 owner, who said: “Buy Ideal for convenience. You can use electricity every day and charge it once a week. You can basically have zero fuel consumption when commuting in the city. However, when you run long distances, the range extender is noisy and the fuel consumption is higher than that of the publicity.”
Another Highlander owner, Sister Li, said: “It’s really worry-free, but I feel sorry for every time I refuel. Especially in Beijing, where green-licensed cars can take the bus, we can only block them.”
The pain point between the two is exactly the opportunity for the extended-range Highlander: it requires both the convenience of the tram and the peace of the oil truck.
Comparative products: Ideal L6, Inquiry M7, Volkswagen Tuang
Dimensions Extended Range Highlander (Forecast) Ideal L6 Question M7 Volkswagen Tuang
Price 280,000-350,000 (estimated) 249,800-279,800 249,800-329,800 295,000-405,000
Pure electric battery life ≥200km (CLTC) 212km (CLTC) 240km (CLTC) No (fuel)
Smart cockpit, may cooperate with Huawei/Xiaomi, self-developed + Qualcomm 8155 Hongmeng cockpit MIB, more traditional
Intelligent driving capability L2+, or supports high-speed NOA L2++, high-speed NOA has been pushed ADS 2.0, L2 is available in urban areas, functional basics
Brand reputation: old joint venture brand, high value retention rate. Representative of new forces, strong user stickiness. Huawei supports it and strong sense of technology. Old German brand, but slightly old.
Core advantages: Quality control, space, reliability, comfortable configuration, family ecology, smart driving, smooth car and machine, strong power, solid chassis
My opinion is: the ideal win is to “understand users”, the question world wins in “technical flow”, and if Highlander wants to win, it must win in “comprehensive and reliable”. It does not need to be the first in every item, but it needs to find the best balance between quality, space, energy consumption, and intelligence.
Is this a “Toyota turn around”?
Many people say that the extended range is “backward technology”, but I would like to ask back: Should consumers want advanced technology, or good experience, low cost, and no anxiety? The ideal is to use extended range to build a country, not because it is so dark, but because it accurately hits the pain points of Chinese families.
Toyota used to insist on oil-electric hybridization, which was right; but now it is right to move towards extended range. There is no level of technology, only suitable or not. GAC Toyota took the initiative to seek change this time, rather than waiting for headquarters instructions, which shows that it really understood the voices of Chinese users.
If the extended-range Highlander can succeed, it may not only save a car, but also force Toyota to adjust its new energy strategy globally. After all, the success of the Platinum 3X has proved that the Chinese team can really create the Toyota car that Chinese users want.
Finally, let’s talk about rational consumption
I always believe that buying a car is not about following the trend, but about matching the needs. If you commute within 50 kilometers every day and have home recharge piles, then extended range or pure electric is the first choice; if you often travel long distances and have high quality control requirements, then the traditional advantages of Highlander still exist.
But no matter what, the more fierce the market competition, the more consumers will always benefit. Ideal forces a high-end high-lander, and Highlander may in turn promote Ideal to improve quality control. This is the virtuous cycle.
Dear riders, you think:
The extended-range Highlander sells for 300,000 yuan, would you consider it?
Do you believe more in “the intelligence of new forces” or “the reliability of joint ventures”?
Do you think Toyota is really turning around this time or delaying the war?
Welcome to chat in the comment section. I am the veteran driver who has driven Ideal and Highlander XXX. I will answer any questions and see you next time.
