2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 4x4

The Highlander could be a poster child for cars that grow larger from generation to generation. The current Highlander, which debuted in 2008, is four inches longer, three inches wider, and more than 400 pounds heavier than its predecessor. More important, it looks and feels it. Whereas the previous Highlander felt reasonably nimble and maneuverable, the current version feels heavy and overgrown. Contributing to that impression is the Highlander’s steering, which feels dead on center but becomes overly -- and irregularly -- heavy when you turn the wheel. Despite its heft, the top-of-the-line Limited 4x4 has no shortage of passing power from its 270-hp, 3.5-liter V-6. The upshot of the Highlander’s size inflation is that there's a ton of room inside. The second row of seats offers plenty of space, and I could even be somewhat comfortable sitting in the tiny third row for short distances, even though my knees would be up near my chin (and I’m only five-foot-six). Rusty Blackwell, Copy Editor