Is the Toyota Grand Highlander The Best Car I've Ever Tried in The TFL Slip Test?

[@snapfish89]

50% chance I helped build this GH (2 shifts). Toyota has very high standards, and the amount of training we go through to produce a high-quality vehicle is ridiculous. It's nice to see what the vehicles i build can do!

[@yissibiiyte]

Not to disrespect your work, but that very high standard is the Japanese average. They're no better built than any other Japanese brand

[@shiftmotorsports9803]

I would blame this one on the other shift since it overheated and didn't make it up the hill

[@powerguymark]

​​​@@yissibiiyteJapanese companies learned it from E Edwards Deming who tried to teach it to American companies, but they wouldn't listen.

[@robertsienko9986]

@@yissibiiytenot true! Ask a Subaru owner. Big difference

[@c1aytonbigsby]

@@yissibiiyteya that’s not true at all, Nissans of today are not as reliable as Toyotas. You can blame their European owners for that though.

[@ryanb.5453]

I'm considering the regular hybrid - less money to purchase and less money on gas. I'd love to see these tests on that model. I have a sports car and motorcycle when I want to go fast, and an old truck to haul stuff. My biggest concern is being able to haul the wife, kids and dog and everything that goes along with them on road trips while keeping everyone comfortable and the gas not killing me.

[@batshit101]

Tommy-Invest in some sidewalk chalk and mark the tires so we can count the number of times the wheels spin before engaging traction control.

[@axeamaniac4490]

You should do this with all vehicles in all types of modes and make it, it's own series.

[@bernardhossmoto]

and with quick editing, no lengthy talking, no replays, no slomo

[@WolowitzsMother]

Polish guys do that for years.

[@lawdog516]

I’m thoroughly impressed !!!! I believe the dirt course failure was a tire issue, those tires are not designed for that extreme, put a good set of trail tires on and I think it could have been successful.

[@jmc6000]

Not a tire when the wheels that had traction did not even spin

[@lawdog516]

@@jmc6000 When they were spinning there was no traction, just spinning. Did great on the slip test, so it not that the power or programming was insufficient but on dirt it has the problem? Anyway thats my .02🤷maybe yo seen it differently??

[@jmc6000]

@@lawdog516 Yes the tires WITHOUT traction were spinning and NOT transfering to the tires WITH traction. That is my issue.

[@MH-rl9ep]

More off-roady tires would have helped it do better in the dirt!

[@bogart5131]

​@@jmc6000yea the back tire is not spinning..... i felt disappointed..... i felt i wanna go back again to pathfinder rock creek.... at least you can run in mild off road without problem and at the same time on road

[@mrvoyagerm]

I own a 2021 Highlander Platinum non hybrid with Torque Vectoring. This system has clutches on each drive shaft (4) and offers seamless traction that does not require the brakes to engage to operate. On the Grand Highlander you are using we can clearly hear the ABS kicking in similar to the 4Runner, Tacoma and Tundra. I would much rather have the Torque Vectoring system anyday. I would not have had any trouble with this wheels in the air test as I have done it myself and never needed hardly any throttle. I have ordered my Gas Grand Highlander for 2025 and would be very intreested in your test of the gas version on this same course.

[@LukeMiller12]

Bring out the pilot elite for the new off-road course love to see how it does being a similar sized vehicle with all season tires unlike the trail sports ATs

[@J.W.W.]

Ye, please retest the base setup and the hybrid setup next!

[@tejakalagara3174]

Great video, Can you please do this with non MAX variant? Due to dealers greed max variant is not feasible to lot of consumers.

[@jimbrown7261]

It's suppose to move the power around but inevitably, anytime the car is 'stuck', there's at least one wheel that just won't turn. It didn't move power to that one tire that obviously had the move traction.

[@tritchie6272]

Pretty car that would probably be really nice and helpful in snow and other bad weather conditions. I suspect the main things needed for soft offroading would be to trade that hybrid in for a straight gas,skid plates and better tires. In fact I think I would like to see the same testing done with the none hybrid AWD system. I think somebody else mentioned the base model,if it had AWD that would probably be very interesting. Or even a more mid grade or next to base.

[@tomkeen9421]

With the space, matching the Chevy traverse, and Kia, Telluride and palisade, and now seen the off-road capability and slip test Toyota really has in my humble opinion the number one midsize, three row crossover SUV…. I would say it even goes above and beyond the BMW X7 because you don’t need premium gas the third road seats also full down 100 times faster has a pretty decent Soundsystem and it’s not gonna cost an arm and a leg

[@pablomoreno1999]

You could do an score board with all the cars you put through this test. I think it was already getting hot before it gave you the warning. That's why the performance of the traction control gets worse with time.

[@reidgrandchamp774]

Never owned a Toyota but just bought one of these in the Limited trim with the 2.4L Turbo (non-hybrid). I thought it smoked the competition in just about every way. The regular Highlander is on borrowed time.

[@joec.1695]

Fantastic review! I’ve always been curious about the limitations of AWD vehicles. It’s impressive to see how much Toyota’s non-off-road cars have improved this time.

[@DanielAcostaAZ]

9:00 totally unimpressive real world performance on a dirt trail, plus hybrid system overheat. Thanks for helping us eliminate this from our shopping list. No doubt it’s a great mall crawler.

[@natehoule567]

I’m sitting here waiting for the impressive part

[@scaccima]

Would love to see how the new Honda Pilot does in the new course.

[@komronazamat1911]

do the same test with the regular grand highlander hybrid plsss!!!!!!!

[@alanaugust8853]

My 2016 Subaru Outback 3.6R with 97,000 miles was yelling, “Put me in coach…! I’m READY to PLAY!! And, I’ll show ‘em how it’s done!!”

[@gp_trades7348]

Hi, may I ask where to buy slip testers (I would like to test my AWD car)?

[@johnnylong2049]

Can you do the hybrid non max?

[@ExpeditionaryRanger]

Former 2016 Highlander owner here. Now own a 2024 “Sumo” Highlander XLE, as the kids like to call it. Happy to answer any questions. Purchased Sept 1, and we now have 13,000 km on it.

[@rapide12345]

Outlander PHEV vs RAV4 Prime AWD Slip test or offroad test comparison.

[@uphill248]

I’m thinking about getting this truck when its time to buy a new car..but I wish they would work on the AWD system. Maybe they should do a Differential lock?

[@DanOBEY2]

The electric motor between the trans and the engine reminds me of Mazda's CX90 setup.

[@jeffw2082]

Can someone help explain what happens when the hybrid battery is very low from driving really hard but you really need AWD? Do you lose AWD capability in these situations?

[@danichicago9140]

Does the back window open? It's the best part of my 18 Highlander. Without it you you might as well buy the Sienna.

[@Kirrichan]

No, it doesn’t. I have a 2018 4Runner and absolutely love being able to roll down the back window for my dog and for better air flow!

[@UAkovalchuk]

Can u please do the same test for a gas grandhighlander!??

[@Challenger432]

when I see this, I miss an old 4x4 diff lock. But hey, still does good.

[@humbertogonzalez7505]

I just finished watching the video where you compare the Expedition Timberline against the F-150 Tremor towing a trailer up the Ike gauntlet. So now I’m wondering how the Expedition Timberline would’ve done taking this test?

[@thebigguy8306]

Thank you Tommy for the good review. I'd agree Highlander is one of the best, That is why for your pal Alex I'd take a Highlander with 200k vs a Land Rover with 50k+

[@careykuhn9174]

You cant actually 4 wheel a highlander. No low range. No comparison there.. Maybe 4runner to the Land Rover.

[@thebigguy8306]

@@careykuhn9174 Good point, not an OFFROADER but great 90% of the time

[@thebigguy8306]

@@careykuhn9174 True, I'd have gone for the 4runner, offroad capable, reliable, and comfortable

[@careykuhn9174]

@@thebigguy8306 But, like Alex said, 4runner to Land Rover for 10 grand. You get a 300k mile 4runner. It doesnt matter what anyone says, you will need to do repairs on a 300k mile rig. Knowing this Id have prolly tried the LR too. Here in Colorado is the home for them, you can keep a LR repaired here.

[@popeyerubi1981]

I want to see how the Honda Pilot would perform on this new obstacle. 😉

[@larry-notthecableguy]

You guys should put everyone from TFL team into the GHighlander and see how comfi it is!

[@tallll70]

Don't understand, what does this mean, did the roller test slide again on roller frames or the clutches are not strong enough under weight the climbing from holes?

[@lidolf8168]

At 2:36 who is recording you there?

[@ScoobyFermentation]

Just goes to show you that the Slip Test is not a perfect real world test.

[@4x4.tests.on.rollers]

Cause it's a slip test. More like ice, snow, not like some offroad obstacle where a lot of torque is needed.

[@michaeljennrich8527]

What would views be on 23 Pilot Trailsport vs this base hybrid for GHighlander? As a growing family with future need of a 3rd row who does spend weekends on dirt roads like your test (to a point) for outdoor rec this is a new contender for me. Any thoughts? Live in CO to reference and are in those 5-10% that would push a 3rd row in the US outside of around town commutes

[@1993rufus]

I live in Colorado too, and i just got my Grand! No regrets!!! Throw some AT tires on that, and it's a beast!!

[@mcrobbie99]

Now that winter is upon us, I would love to see videos with these SUVs that have Downhill decent/crawl control manage them selfs down a steep snowy hill. I have a very steep down hill driveway and coming home from work after a snow storm here in New England is treacherous. Can these vehicle handle that? It’s on my list of my next vehicle purchase and videos like this would be extremely helpful.

[@danielramsey1959]

I would buy one except there isn't any available in Alaska.

[@Baasicstuff]

All gas model is the way to go

[@zezoo2107]

Look Toyota is really the only company I am willing to spend $60k (obviously more) becuase they not only have a amazing history but they are nice and reliable and just can do a lot more than most vehicles

[@freytheviking]

Is it tire limiting? Or AWD issue?

[@PetrZeVsetina]

Is this direct4 - same as rx500h?

[@jontydavids1874]

Tommy can you plz review a 2023 Tundra SR/SR5 with 8 foot contractor's bed and also a laod test

[@RedHawkish]

Tommy... any chance for some Truck slip tests?

[@DaleWilly]

very nice, worth EVERY penny

[@TimeMariner]

Lol!😂

[@zmarko]

Impressive results, but im not paying $60k for it.

[@jpdoc5722]

$50k OTD👍

[@StreetSmartification]

Man, it’s so unfortunate that these vehicles aren’t made as resilient as they make for other countries such as Afghanistan and other nations with mountainous areas. Those vehicles out there fly through the terrains like walking in the park.

[@matthelms4167]

That overheated very quickly?

[@1guyin10]

Wow. That's a huge improvement over the old system! Nicely done Toyota!

[@bogart5131]

which improvement?.... it even didnt pass the test

[@omarrocha8389]

Really good review, if I own a vehicle like I will not put in the dirty road. 😊

[@grayowl1509]

Please 🙏🙏🙏 Lexus RX350h vs Lexus RX500h 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@ivanvalverde7018]

GR Corolla Slip Test, please

[@1lovesgreatness]

Retitle video to nerd gets city crossover with all season tires stuck in the dirt.

[@paulneil7321]

We need Bench seat option on this drivetrain

[@nicholasriley3569]

Who in their right mind would drive an AWD Crossover on road tyres up a course like that?

[@jakes5530]

I agree, a long-wheelbase awd *crossover* on street tires does not belong off road. Most this is ever gonna see is some snow or maybe a gravel road for 99% of owners.

[@Aaronf187]

A lost soccer mom

[@knightryder3757]

Nice vehicle. The AWD system seems to work great, on asphalt. 😉 The course fail did manage to get a chuckle out of my CrossTrek that was watching the video, then it promptly went back to sleep.

[@shiftmotorsports9803]

The real world application proved to be the complete opposite of the roller test but at least it's reliable.....oh, it overheated the system? If it were an any other vehicle the comments would be littered with "crap". Let's see how many excuses there are for this one

[@stronghold07ptx85]

Toyota simply doesn’t produce class leading AWD systems. Doesn’t mean the vehicle is shit just not the best AWD system.

[@bluethundar]

Other vehicle probably wouldn't give you the warning or simply overheats and stalls.

[@shiftmotorsports9803]

@@stronghold07ptx85 Here we go

[@shiftmotorsports9803]

@@bluethundar mmm hmm

[@thomaslam6821]

Impressive! 👍

[@johncaruana6406]

Very impressive vehicle. It excels at what it was designed for.

[@jmc6000]

I was impressed untill I reached the end of the video, lol

[@jakes5530]

Heavy snow is the most this thing is ever gonna see for 99% of owners

[@occckid123]

Tires

[@jmc6000]

@occckid123 not when they where not even spinning. So not a traction issue

[@occckid123]

@@jmc6000 yes you are right I was resounding 2a comment about snow. Going uphill and those big ruts maybe left for a 4 runner

[@Pwj579]

The power train seems overly complicated and will likely be expensive to repair. Seems to be a strange departure for Toyota

[@mikefoehr235]

No one will ever convince me that NOT having two drive shafts is better than one. This shaftless iteration by Toyota did well but a rear drive shaft would be much better.

[@ALMX5DP]

All depends on who the target demographic is and what they typically use their vehicles for.

[@sansinutube]

Better than CX-90 ?

[@hopecottrill3916]

Hybrid MAX has the larger electric motor on the rear axle // Prius did not perform the same // Camry AWD Hybrid will perform the same as Prius ??? //

[@mastafa4517]

The Grand Highlander Hybrid-Max is a beast for city wintry 🥶 weather conditions! For sure this TFL review is impressive 😅

[@TimeMariner]

Yep getting stuck in dry dirt is damned impressive!

[@M.G.jun.]

This is not an off-roader. But that won't happen at all. But on the street, without such restrictions, it is definitely a weapon. No matter what surface. But please don't make this course so demanding. So he is representative.

[@Ram14250]

Put the new Honda Pilot on that course. It's the trail king so far!!

[@user-tb7rn1il3q]

I’d rather have an SUV like the 4Runner or Land Cruiser.

[@TimeMariner]

On what planet?

[@rkiels]

Again, no mention of the Grand Cherokee (L) as a capable competitor.

[@bogart5131]

im disappointed that it cannot pass the obstacle, its even just a mild rough road?...

[@emmanuelwilson2780]

I bet with all terain tire it would have blown through that coarse. The system was working byt the tire tread was slipping in the lose soil

[@EladSi]

It seems that under controlled terms it performs very well, however in real life it's not that perfect.

[@gpilsitz1783]

Tommy, you scuttled the run through the course as soon as you praised the capability! Never do that until you are through the obstacles.😮

[@n2l2l]

The best solutions are.... differential lockers. As always.... relying on ABS sensors is always as it is.... electronic system and car company software engineers that never been off-road. For that price that car should not have those issues on this little terrain. Imagine wet and slippery mud.... not impressive for that amount of money from my point of view.

[@5G4R]

So a crossover should have manual air lockers from the factory based on your logic. E-lockers and A-TRAC all depend on electronics to function (just like literally everything else in a modern vehicle)lol

[@n2l2l]

@@5G4Rwell, it is not really advertized as crossover, but rather as off-roader I think. And yes, I think at least central+rear lockers should be there for that price. But that's my view and you could have other of course.

[@ALMX5DP]

@@n2l2l I havent seen the GH being advertised as an off-roader, and either way that is advertisement/marketing and should always be taken with grains of salt.

[@n2l2l]

@@ALMX5DP I don't agree with that statement. Advertisements should be accountable. For example: if you want to buy the car that makes 4s 0-60mph (0-~100km/h), it should do that, and not "takes a grain of salt", because it takes 7s.... anyway.... right ?

[@ALMX5DP]

@@n2l2l if something is explicitly advertised as meeting a measurable figure sure, but just saying something is “offroad worthy” can be interpreted along an entire spectrum (not saying the GH is advertised as that, again I don’t think Toyota makes any mention of real offroad worthiness aside from one line I saw saying it has a “commanding presence on and off the road”).

[@jusskitten9773]

Can’t do that with HT’s.

[@governorstash8168]

The right tyres would make a difference.

[@jmc6000]

Not on this case

[@DaleWilly]

TIRES** NOT tYeRs

[@governorstash8168]

@@DaleWilly My country uses the british spelling of words so I did not make a mistake. Eg. the word colour as opposed to the American spelling color. If we are being technical the British spelling existed before the American spelling of the word.

[@jakes5530]

Throw some Michelin Crossclimate2’s on this bad boy and it’d be unstoppable all year long. This performed better than most non-hybrid awd vehicles. (I dont work for michelin, those are just by far the best tire Ive ever owned, #1 rated for a reason…)

[@occckid123]

They do excellent in the snow

[@CesarDelgado-fu2nd]

Perfect 👌 😊

[@PickensDon]

I have a request. Checking AWD is so 20 years ago. I’d love to see some quality checking of driver assistance features including lane keeping, emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane change, stop go in traffic , cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring etc. and ultimately hands free driving. I’ve had two cars with these systems and find a big variance between mfrs of how they work and how well they work. And I’m not gonna test auto forward collision braking myself on my new car!

[@Tallnerdyguy]

you have a request, then an insult. Not a particularly good way to make a request. Driving sports TV does a lot of the "driving features" If you don't want a video about a slip test or AWD system, why the heck would you watch a video with that in the title. Jeez. Do a bit of googling or look for the right resource, don't insult the creator for a video as described.

[@TimeMariner]

Oh yeah, test all the boring crap. Start your own channel & see how it goes

[@jmartyt9810]

Why am I not surprised that everyone is impressive. There is nothing impressive when it got to the real off-road test.

[@LexusGX460-OFF-ROAD]

... driver error.. "foot to the floor"

[@winstondeocampo699]

The Honda Pilot Trailsport would have made that look easy. Here come the Toyota fanboy comments lol.

[@CACressida]

Looks like you ran out of gearing. That thing was struggling to get itself moving up hill.

[@ramqueen09]

The camera man is supposed to be invisible.

[@DaleWilly]

people will NOT cross shop this superior vehicle with a kia or hyundie; they are to smart for that would hope

[@JoeGibertoni]

Seriously, who takes this type vehicle off roading like this! C’mon!

[@Oaky]

Slip test more audis :(

[@user-bo2mk3sh7k]

Shouldnt use momentum on this vehicle, not a true test of what its capable of.

[@9002-bv9xz]

Hey...this vehicle is not even available to purchase...ETA on orders are 12-18 months out! PLEASE don't waste people's time by testing a model that they cannot purchase. Focus on the mainstream...2.4 turbo non hybrid. Smarten up

[@joeblack1052]

Hybrid system overheats😅

[@flight2k5]

Huh?

[@joeblack1052]

@@flight2k5 if that was a normal drivetrain that effort would be nothing.

[@flight2k5]

@@joeblack1052 😂🤣 huh? Don’t be stupid. Have you watch previous videos? It’s apparent you haven’t.

[@skiptheroad]

The back doors being wider than the front doors looks odd.

[@tinker1148]

Typical Toyota traction control system issues. Nothing new here.

[@aky19832001]

It’s a minivan with 4 doors. It’s overpriced as a soccer mom mall vehicle

[@下田洋介-w4z]

This system has really good capability for snow or dirt condition, but on the other hand, not good enough for rock crawling or ditch moguling....

[@abv79cryt]

Pilot is better.

[@Arctic5fox]

A guy at work but one last week and the main reason he picked it over the Highlander, the V6 motor and no turbo.

[@lawrenceralph7481]

Looks like your little obstacle stumped the chumps. Older off-road tech is superior. The pretenders pretend not to pretend.

[@tao265]

And a big dumb grille front to boot! When is Toyota gonna wise up on their designs? So 2015…

[@dusty179]

The rollers sound like they’re squealing, quite a bit, and possibly adding friction and helping the vehicle get off the rollers, making the test results not accurate?

[@ranger1752]

$70k for a Toyota Highlander? Bidenomics at work!

[@Arcl1t]

I understand that you have to do clickbaity titles to get the clicks but it's like you forgot your i-vtm4 pilot experience.

[@MartinPetrichev]

Just buy a Land Cruiser.