2001 Toyota Highlander

What is it?
2001 Toyota Highlander

What's special about it?
The good people at Toyota believe that they have a cure for what ails those who have a yen for the image afforded by an SUV, but need a roomier ride than the car-based RAV-4, and want something more family-oriented, protesting the truckness (and the price) of the mid-sized 4Runner. The Highlander was designed for these (principally female) wafflers in mind. Based on the Camry platform, but with an elevated chassis, increased suspension travel and a choice of front two-wheel or all-wheel drive, it will go where the Camry dares not tread. It actually exceeds interior space and exterior dimensions of the 4Runner, and with more upscale touches than the RAV-4. Powering the SUV is a choice of a four-cylinder engine or a 3.0-liter V6, the latter brewing up 220 horsepower and 222 foot-pounds of torque. It will be priced between the RAV4 and the 4Runner, in the low to mid 30K.

Why should you care?
What happens when two members that share common blood spawn? You get a rather tepid entity that incorporates features of the two parents but also has another watered-down quality to it that makes you say "Minivan that can scamper up hills!" Those who don't want to forego car-like handling or shy away from the soccer mom-image will find the Highlander a good compromise.