2022 Toyota Highlander XSE AWD In-Depth Mechanical Review

[@ahmadghosheh3104]

"It does it's job" that is the perfect description of all Toyota vehicles. I would add it does it's job reliably. I love them.

[@greatcornholio5541]

I love my 2011 4Runner with a 147K miles and 2015 Tundra with 101K miles…both have been paid off for a couple years. Only reason to buy another car/suv/truck every 4 years is A) it’s breaking down/repair cost or B) money isn’t an issue and you want better/latest tech. I enjoy spending my money on other things too much to get another vehicle.

[@davidkoon767]

EXACTLY RIGHT

[@OOICU812]

That hill climb tho.

[@SME5724]

Same , Love my toyota !!

[@buickboy92]

The off-road ability is both impressive and surprising. These mechanical reviews are worth their weight in gold.

[@markarthur7628]

My daughters 04 highlander has 354000 miles . We have been trying to kill this car but can’t !

[@Mister006]

The Highlander is one of the most desired Toyota vehicles. The fact that it passed your hill test proves that this AWD might just show just why it is most desired. I was impressed with its powertrain performance on it as you were! THANKS FOR THIS! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

[@garthhowe297]

I've owned a bunch of AWD RAV4's, and a Highlander... and that AWD performed way better than any of mine. Toyota seems to have finally tuned their AWD correctly.

[@naveenthemachine]

Well this particular highlander model as well as limited and platinum have dynamic torque vectoring just like the RAV4 limited, adventure, and TRD offroad

[@FuJiNF]

The dynamic torque vector system is what made it capable. Almost acts like a rear locker! I approve!

[@neoanderson7]

I gotta say, I was impressed with the hill climb. Leave it to Toyota to over engineer their SUV’s. As far as appliances go, can’t argue with this highlander being top notch. 👍🏻

[@mariowhyte2816]

Watching this Highlander claw its way up and over that hill 8s an absolute testament to the engineering Toyota puts into their vehicles!!! Let's go places!!! I was thinking the same thing when you said it...THE HIGHLANDER NEEDS A TRD MODEL ... OR TWO. Great review as usual Sarah!!!

[@Gene1969]

I am very impressed with its off road skills. That should inspire confidence to the owners when driving in bad weather.

[@IronmanV5]

I'm disappointed you didn't once yell out "MacLeod" 😂 Love you Sarah, don't ever change!

[@Drfudd]

Don't forget that Toyota also made a mid-engine AWD minivan, thats just the way Toyota flex's

[@pally4everr]

i have to say this:this is exactly my reaction back in 00's when i went at winter to a mountain with a toyota like this one. Every single time i thought im gonna get stucked somewere...i just went through while all others 4x4's stopped . This cars are absolutely amazing...

[@yup3398]

Never underestimate a Toyoda. The Highlander really is the perfect do all car. Take seven people. Tow. Go off road. And a pleasant drive.

[@awdx4g63]

and a reliable car.

[@yup3398]

@@awdx4g63 true!

[@DCRACKA]

Love my new XSE with red leather interior, glad I chose the XSE over the palasaides and Telluride...It all came down to the reliability factor for me...

[@MrPRScollector]

The towing and braking capacity sealed the deal for me over those vehicles. Just took delivery of my 2022 Limited AWD. IMO a much nicer vehicle than our 2018 Highlander AWD

[@edwardzdankiewicz9068]

Due to how messed up the car market is right now I am spending a lot more time watching car reviews than in my normal car buying cycle. You are one of the best. The brief time spent in the garage showing how tight access to things under the hood is is pretty unique and very helpful. The "Does it hold a bicycle" test would be one I personally would like. If you could set up some snow machines for some winter driving you would own this segment. I think I should :) here.

[@eefneleman9564]

THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE! Never understood the CVT fetish Subaru seems to have developed. This Highlander emphasizes that. Mechanic friendly? It's a Toyota, they hardly ever break.

[@valdius85]

Money. It's simply cheaper. It's also more compact space wise. This is why my Forester was 25% cheaper than the RAV4. I'll never do hill climbs as steep as in this video, so Forrester works great for me. Saying that, even as a Subaru fan, I find it sad that the CVT is such a limiting factor. I think their new hybrid based on two motors will have bigger low end torque. I hope it will on offer with next generations .

[@bsmirnov]

I think Subaru has chosen CVT as a trade off: full time AWD vs fuel economy. Same reason for choosing low viscosity engine oils.

[@pcihector]

They have to go CVT to get some mpg for the lack of engine development with those old ones.

[@pcihector]

@@creamwobbly That's why Nissan went ZF 9 speed. People got tired of the garbage Jatco CVT.

[@sblagg527]

@@pcihector Unfortunately if you go backwards to the days of the 4/5EAT conventional automatics in Subarus, those were also manufactured by Jatco and also suck. But even with a "real" automatic, a Subaru would still fail on that hill climb due to no LSD.

[@thomas735]

I’m a Subaru fan, but I am in awe that this thing made it up that hill and the Outback wilderness didn’t. I feel like quite a few trucks would fail that.

[@scottibass]

I'm a Subaru fan also but the Outbacks were kneecapped when they decided that CVT was good enough for them

[@kmorton54]

I use to work for Subaru, never liked them before, really don't like them now. I saw too many engines being pulled for oil leaks, failed rod bearings, etc. Don't get me started on all the CVT failures.. The one thing I can say is that Subaru treats their customer base better than Honda, Nissan and Toyota.

[@thomas735]

@@kmorton54 a lot of those issues have been rectified over the past 6-7 years or so. Could be that they are smaller in size compared to those brands too.

[@kmorton54]

@@thomas735 I worked at Subaru in 2020 and 2022, I saw a lot of engines and CVT transmissions being removed/replaced in 3 year old Subarus. The WRX/STI had the most rod bearing failures, the 2.0 and 2.4 non-turbo engines were the ones being removed due to oil leaks, etc. We had a saying, it's not if your Subaru will have to have the engine removed, it's when

[@thomas735]

@@kmorton54 well I hope mine doesn’t lol! What do you recommend? Toyota? Mazda? I’ll prob be in the market for a new car in 3-4 years.

[@JayLepisto]

Sarah, I thoroughly enjoyed this review of the Maytag HL4! Amazed that you nursed it up the test bluff, more skill than car, but apparently more car than a Subie. The air rachet sound for the wrench score made me jump...can't wait to see what Pokey can do off road!

[@ttinnovations3310]

Love your review, finally someone puts the car on the lift and goes over the under bits, and has the specs !!!

[@davidlane9103]

The hill climb was impressive! I think the XSE model has the torque vectoring AWD system, I'd like to see the same test in the lower models with the more basic system, and also the hybrid with the electronic rear axle.

[@benjaminallen2370]

Finally a real review of Highlander… have 2011 Outback 2.5 cvt now but looking at bigger… awesome vid

[@noslover11]

Lady, you broke a stereo type I had about car reviews. Straight to the point, technical facts. No sprinkls or PS, just show it and test it. Great stuff 👏 👏👏

[@got_to_roll]

Fantastic review, fantastic reviewer. No other like you Sarah, thanks for keeping us informed and cheerfully pushing vehicles beyond expected capabilities. Your surprise was delightful.

[@flushtheglobalists7962]

Out of all the reviews of the Highlander, you're the only one who actually looked at the undercarriage! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@haydenf1353]

I did my own test with our 2021 platinum AWD on a steep gravel hill in Wyoming last year. I also used rock and dirt mode but started partway up the hill. It was mind blowing how easily it crawled all the way up. I simply couldn’t get the wheels to slip at all. Wonderful AWD system IMO.

[@AldapesExpress]

Did you use diff lock?

[@espinoza6777]

"Over the Hill and far away", I love that climbing Sarah

[@garageworker]

It’s like the Highlander design team wanted to challenge the 4Runner design team at Toyota. Well done gentlemen.

[@kevincraftsbcs4488]

Your review and commentary are terrific. I love your reviews. My 6 year old daughter loves them too. 🙏🏽💯

[@channelnamehere4065]

More of these for more vehicles, please! You're the shit! I mean BEANS! I love how thorough and technical you go into details - the geeky nerdy details! Who else does that?! No one! Subscribed!

[@wadeschell5197]

I thought this was just another X-over utility grocery getter until it climbed that hill, then I got interested. I still think it's boring looking, but mechanically, kudos to Toyota for giving it some off-road chops! Great review Sarah!

[@2fast4all]

Just you wait they make a TRD Pro version later LOL.

[@1993rufus]

I bought one and i was impressed and i LOVE it! I also love the partial self driving functions! It has full range dynamic radar cruise control with lane tracing and lane keeping, in traffic I just set it and let the Highlander do its thing!

[@mikeklein4949]

Funny. I can listen to you nonstop and feel like we are having a conversation. That’s wild. Thank you!

[@mikeklein4949]

Still true!

[@mrjj1f]

I have a 2016 Limited AWD Highlander and a 2020 LE AWD Highlander. And... you are right. They are thoroughly reliable appliance vehicles. I love them both.

[@opukar2043]

Sarah the main reason is Subaru didn’t go up there because of CVT transmission. Subaru needs to rid of their CVT.

[@misspeta1986]

I liked how easy and steady the awd system distributed power going up that hill without having to aggressively mash the right foot or use momentum to climb the loose surface.

[@syxepop]

Seems that Toyota proved they don't have to OVERPROMOTE (looking at you Subaru, Nissan and Honda!) your large crossovers and establish yourself as provider of CAPABLE CROSSOVERS for the few times you're "mildly off-road" and still have to "carry your bunch". I agree with you, Sarah... Next, an even more capable Highlander TRD. I even think that Stellantis should take a look at this review... (talking about Jeep crossovers)

[@naveenthemachine]

Doesn’t the Honda Pilot have essentially acuras SH AWD?

[@InvestBetter.]

9:45 At that moment, the Highlander decided to show her how it got its name.

[@richardgraham1167]

Loved watching your facial expressions whilst going up that hill. You were feeling/evaluating every move it made. Keep up the good work, Sarah!

[@pavlikj]

I had an 2010 Highlander from new in 2010 to when I traded it in for a 2021Tundra TRD Pro in Nov of 2020. The Highlanders WILL surprise you with their ability to travel in poor conditions. the Highlanders may not be Desert racers, but for about anything you might see on a paved or Dirt road, the Highlanders can do it. not QUICKLY, but slow and steady will get you out of any situation that you have the ground clearance to get over.!

[@ianprice2298]

The important clue as to what is happening inside the diffs, is when one of the back wheels was in the air. It rotated at almost the same rate as the wheel on the other side had traction. It either had a limited slip of some kind, or maybe a brake-based LSD. The same would apply to what was in the center diff, since the front wheels were definitely pulling hard too.

[@fartman10284]

The XSE, Limited and Platinum V6's have 2 clutches in the rear to shuffle power around, to do some "Torque Vectoring", in conjunction with the electronic differential lock.

[@ianprice2298]

@@fartman10284 - Thanks!

[@JimmyGAR1]

I currently own three generations of highlander and yes I consider them in the family hauler category for sure and I don’t love them because they excite me to drive them, l love them because they get my now older family from A to B. Even factoring in the tires, was never really impressed with any of the all wheel drive systems but they got the job done in mild snow and dirt roads. My Chevy steps in for the tough stuff. This new gen looks to be everything we like and more capable. Like the blender we love for the frozen concoction that helps us hang on.

[@craig2100]

Amazing, very impressed. Brilliant car and design. What's not to like. Well done

[@fishflash1]

The PIP during the hill climb was perfect.

[@daveseddon5227]

That was surprisingly nimble om the incline - very impressed! Great review, Sarah - thanks for entertaining me (+ the other 20800 subbies). 🙂🙃🙂🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

[@alistairkip7303]

Cool. Who would have known that a highlander could do that.... I find your reviews very informative .... thanks :)

[@doncoffey5820]

Very good Sarah. I was on the edge of my seat when you scaled Mount Everest!

[@johnmbell4642]

Hey Sarah, that was pretty awesome I didn’t think it was gonna do it either but Toyota four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive systems are pretty impressive in the video you could see it rocking it self up the hill as soon as I saw that I knew it was gonna make it. A while back I had 2 four-wheel-drive trucks A Silverado and a tundra and it wasn’t even close the tundra could Out wheel the Silverado all day long. Have you seen the new 4Runner Looks pretty sick, great job on this video.🐧🐧🐧👍

[@robbikebob]

It gives me massive pleasure to hear an American say ALUMINIUM! Thank you!

[@chinea13]

I have driven on snow and off road with my Highlander equiped on Michelin cross climate 2 and the SUV works great going up and down hills with minimum slippage.

[@Grunt49]

Love when you whisper.

[@250GTOAJ]

😀👍🇨🇦 Toyotas are great and reliable. That is why we have four Toyota vehicles.

[@jeremyanthony9300]

That is crazy that that High lander made it up that hill. Good job Sarah.

[@EfOneAddict]

I am shocked by that off-roadability and so disappointed with Subaru for ruining their cars with the CVT.

[@tonygiraldes7848]

Love this in-depth look at vehicles. Your commentary makes all the difference 😃

[@jerrycapizzi2081]

I was SHOCKED to see this thing crest that hill. Amazing.

[@GiveItTheBeans]

Right?!?! I couldn't believe it, lol. I stopped twice for a brief second because I second guessed the thing and thought it was going to start to slide.

[@av8bvma513]

00:55 "There can be only one..." Sarah! The ONLY one! The Number One! No.1 Love, love, love you Sarah!

[@axelbart7470]

Great review 👏 , very impressive hill climbing, the break test gave you a little more then expected 👍

[@4555joe]

Congratulations you are the only reviewer that show the car underneath at that’s important for me!!! Good review!!!

[@stevebiggs1822]

HLs are the perfect all rounder. I love them. We have a 2015 and it’s the best vehicle we’ve ever owned.

[@kennethhess5457]

Absolutely classy The Highlander looks good too

[@chrixMiller]

So happy to discover the second channel!

[@akaydogan]

The real axle half shafts are as thin as the ones on your new Bronco.

[@jffrocks]

If the 4th generation is as good as my 1st gen 2002 (japan Built) Highlander, it will be a fine vehicle. Mine is still going strong after all these years. I've never felt it was like a Toyota mini-van, and I have driven both.

[@ross7684]

Love it when you whisper in my ear, even if it is only “deal with it”…LOL!

[@joewatanabe5543]

I just discovered this second channel and subscribed. You always do a great job with your reviews.

[@lyttonwilliams7161]

🔥 🔥 🔥 review of the Toyota Hilander.

[@jwkenobi1701]

Would love to see the Highlander Hybrid attempt the same obstacles.

[@ratukamina]

It won't be able to with a weaker engine however if Toyota installed higher powered electric motors to power the rear wheels then it probably could.

[@markreams3192]

Aisin is partially owned by Toyota and makes some of the best transmissions in the world. Get rid of that resonator box on the air intake and put a K & N filter on it and you’ll get a few extra ponies. The other option may be a TRD intake and exhaust if it’s available for the highlander. Just looked. No TRD parts available for the Highlander!

[@boomerrangerron]

Wow great review and video! I might want to trade in my Wife’s 2019 XLE for this model! My 2007 Highlander has nearly 185,000 miles and is super reliable but the mileage sucks!

[@drive-channel1834]

Thanks for the mechanical review ! This is my favorite type of review. Now I'm your subscriber. ..... I watch many savagegeese's videos for their "IN THE SHOPPE", put the vehicle on the lift and overview the undercarriage ;-)

[@drive-channel1834]

Have you put your new Bronco on the lift?

[@murphtheirishmanmurphy7268]

Love the new channel. Keep on keeping on Sarah! ❤️🙏☘️

[@ymvrr]

I drive an earlier AWD V6 Highlander. Use it for hauling tools and stuff in the back area. No kids. No off road. Great vehicle. It's a low end SUV, not a minivan. I was surprised that you were so suprised by this vehicle's performance.

[@IKnewMickey]

Looks like a minivan tho but with swing doors instead of sliders.

[@mitchbertone3809]

Calling this an " appliances" is a complement to Toyota, they make reliable useful vehicles that many find uninspiring, but that's why Toyota / Lexus have a reputation for bullet-proof vehicles that are great at doing the job they are intended to do. You want a drivers car, buy a BMW, VW or Benz, you can drive them to the dealer every few months for repairs. Most Toyota go hundreds of thousands of miles with basic care. So uninspiring...

[@canuckinsk]

The best all around car on the market today.

[@TrumpetBiz]

Your production of these videos is ❤‍🔥 The work you put in, the little touches, all make it so enjoyable to watch. And you do it without a script, amazing.

[@jody024]

A muffler large enough to fit a family of squirrels and the in-laws, I like this method of measurement.

[@MustaphaBCham]

Impressive review!

[@richardcasey7521]

Thank you Sarah, I bought one this past October and happy to see how surprised you were at its hill climbing ability.

[@TMERUNNR]

Great Channel and Cute Outfit Sarah!!!

[@johntotten4872]

2022 Highlander > Subaru You cracked me up with saying the rear CV Axles were like little T Rex arms. Love your sense of humor Sarah.

[@russellrobson7632]

OK, hang on Sarah, i'm 1:50 into your review. This is the first 'Give it the beans' gig and, well, you NAILED IT for me. 😁 No one else reviews the greasy bits on a car / SUV / whatever except you! 🙏😎😘 Meh, nuff said. Keep it coming Sarah. Now, when are you free for dinner?

[@kirkmarrie8060]

Very informative. AND FUN!!! Outstanding presentation!!!!

[@aaronmartell3046]

Sarah could literally review actual beans and Id still watch

[@harrycordell7769]

Hey good to See you Sarah just getting over the crude I hope to see many more excellant car reviews by you.Thanks

[@710pappy]

Wow My thoughts exactly It made it up I would have bet against it all day Go Toyota 🤙🏻

[@JuniorTLafaille]

I thought a 4runner would make it, not a highlander. I'm shocked 😲

[@silo_fx3182]

We often rent for our road trip holidays and I always see if I can score a cheap Highlander. Such a good car to fill with stuff and kids and eat through kms comfortably and safely. Don't need one for the rest of the year 🙂. We often go to the West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand and having the Highlander's extra strength and safety for torrential rain and floods is handy (gets a lot of rain on the W. Coast). Really good review and loved that climbing clip. Was so good.

[@robcreel4257]

Yes, Sarah, I do know how many vehicles have not made it up that hill. I am surprised it did make it though. Great review.

[@Gman450a1]

I found your Highlander reference funny. Keep it up!

[@roymurray6374]

Happy Humpday Sarah!!! Every time I thought that thing was stuck while climbing the hill, and then kept going, I was saying, "DUDE!!" to my phone, that was pretty awesome for that thing, considering all the others that haven't gotten to the top. Disconnect the swaybars and it's on.😁 Stay excellent!!!😎

[@garyworokevich2524]

Great performance going up the hill without aggressive tires. Maybe out performed the Subaru Forester because the Highlander is almost 1000 lbs heavier ??

[@mikefrench3800]

Great review! You might be the only person who put a vehicle on the rack and brings a reality to these over hyped suvs. Looks like that Hilander is the winner in off road test. Suprised me

[@muneebk97]

You clearly haven't heard of or ever come across a Savage Geese video...

[@mikefrench3800]

@@muneebk97 no

[@ArunSudama-ur2cd]

Hi Sarah! I just learned of this channel while watching your other channel’s ‘day in the life’ video. Very cool.

[@nycad2484]

Wow, that was a pretty steep hill. Even on camera it looked quite steep. Pretty good job of the all wheel drive system. Considering that it’s on all seasons.

[@KevinOpar]

It’s interesting that you pointed out the weird holes in the rear in the first couple of minutes of the video. I’m hoping that the one on the port-side is for an aftermarket recovery hook (though I haven’t seen one online yet). I have a Highlander, and I wonder how I would get yanked out of a snowy ditch if I went in nose-first. I suppose someone can loop a strap around that big hole between the rear wheels. Has anyone else nosed a Highlander into a bad spot and subsequently been pulled out with a strap?

[@drobs7279]

You ought to get trailer hitch added to your Highlander. The 2 inch receiver will act as a rear recovery point. I plan to add one to my 2021 XSE.

[@ricric8348]

It would be INTERESTING if the hybrid model make it up the hill... test your theory of the transmission helping up the hill

[@johnbradford9235]

There are many things I love about watching your channels Sarah, but one of them is most definitely that you say 'aluminium' 😁. Spot on missis 😉 🇬🇧. 😎

[@MrHC1983]

I have an older 2017 model here in Australia, it's pre-update where they used the traction control to essentially create a better awd setup etc along with some mechanical updates........ and mine has been somewhat offroading and it's worked perfectly fine. I was amazed it got up that hill, I do not think mine would as it doesn't have the aids of that newer model which clearly work.... But yes I agree Toyota need to step up and essentially make a offroad edition of this same car without much changes in it...... maybe air suspension so you can bumb the height up from standard, obviously a new suspension tune.... But then you'd still have the same gearbox and proper 4WD's have low range, this also has a very light weight AWD setup.... Perhaps their new 2.4L V4..... they could just put a bigger turbo on it and add boost to improve torque and just make a button that adds extra boost to help get out of sticky spots...

[@ianhill1624]

How refreshing to hear "Aluminium" pronounced correctly. 👍 And wait for the flame wars 😖

[@richardmccaughey5928]

I like al-yoo-minnie-yum myself! And my old 1st generation 22-RE 4-Runner could climb trees!

[@jwjr2197]

Outfits are on point lately !! Highlanders are underated