zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Culture
/
The Highlander Hybrid Bronze Is The Most Fun Version Of A Boring Car
The Highlander Hybrid Bronze Is The Most Fun Version Of A Boring Car-August 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:12:19

Image for article titled The Highlander Hybrid Bronze Is The Most Fun Version Of A Boring Car

Toyota’s modus operandi is well summed up in one word: consistency. The Japanese carmaker is consistently , consistently and, sometimes even consistently . Now, it wants to make one of its boring crossovers a little more fun with the release of the .

This of the Highlander is set for a release later this year as a 2022 model, at a price point between the XLE and Limited trims, which means it may come in somewhere between $43,000 to $45,000. And this new edition is exclusive to the Highlander Hybrid. Toyota is pretty much saying if you want an ICE Highlander, then you don’t get to have these sick bronze wheels ... on our otherwise average crossover:

Image for article titled The Highlander Hybrid Bronze Is The Most Fun Version Of A Boring Car

I won’t call this a redesign because it clearly isn’t. This is a mild makeover at best or a wheel package at worst, but, then again, Toyota isn’t asking top dollar for this Highlander — as far as the range goes. I won’t sweat them too much about it, then.

Image for article titled The Highlander Hybrid Bronze Is The Most Fun Version Of A Boring Car

The Bronze comes with options similar to the XLE, per :

Building off of the popular Highlander Hybrid XLE grade, unique standard features of the new Bronze Edition include:

Hands-free power liftgateRain-sensing wipersDigital rearview mirror1500W power outletPuddle lamps with Highlander logoIn-dash ambient lightingDriver seat memory with 10-way power seatLED-strip Daytime Running Lights (DRL)

Where it differs from the XLE is in its appearance. It comes in two new paint finishes, one of which is exclusive to this edition. It also has a whole lot of bronze accents throughout, as :

Designed with sophistication in mind, the new Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition, available in either Cement (exclusive to Bronze Edition) or Wind Chill Pearl (new for 2022 Highlander) exterior colors, includes bronze-colored accents on exterior and interior, including 18-inch bronze wheels, bronze interior stitching, illuminated bronze door sills, and mid-century modern-inspired SofTex-trimmed seats with fabric insert and bronze stitching. Also exclusive to the Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition are unique floor and cargo mats embroidered with a special bronze logo.

This is essentially a new trim meant to appeal to drivers who want something with more personality than the regular Highlander Hybrid, but which isn’t as expensive as the Limited or full-on Platinum trims.

Image for article titled The Highlander Hybrid Bronze Is The Most Fun Version Of A Boring Car

Image for article titled The Highlander Hybrid Bronze Is The Most Fun Version Of A Boring Car

It looks more Tacoma than Camry to me, but don’t let that long hood and blocky front end fool you: The Highlander is currently built on the , which underpins cars such as the Toyota Camry and Lexus ES. Make fun of this CUV all you want, but the Highlander Hybrid comes with a third row and still gets 36 miles per gallon thanks to its family tree.

Image for article titled The Highlander Hybrid Bronze Is The Most Fun Version Of A Boring Car

The bronze wheels are the draw here, and I kind of want to tape a badge over that hybrid Toyota oval. Maybe even put a light bar on? I bet that’ll confuse a handful of folks, because this Highlander reads a little like a .

Image for article titled The Highlander Hybrid Bronze Is The Most Fun Version Of A Boring Car

Image for article titled The Highlander Hybrid Bronze Is The Most Fun Version Of A Boring Car

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Culture
2024 Kia EV9: What Do You Want To Know?
2024 Kia EV9: What Do You Want To Know?
At long last, we are about to get behind the wheel of for the first time. Sure, , and sure, , and sure , but hey — what can you do? Anyway, before we get behind the wheel of this three-row electric beast, we want to know what you...
Aug 28, 2025
I Can't Get Enough Of This YouTuber Who Builds Tiny, Fully Functional Scale-Model Cars
I Can't Get Enough Of This YouTuber Who Builds Tiny, Fully Functional Scale-Model Cars
I love tiny, of . I have a that is roughly half the size of a normal cat, and she’s perfect. I own a 2013 , which is like the miniature version of a normal-sized vehicle (at least here in Texas) — but beyond that, I also own a Hot...
Aug 28, 2025
Toyota Is Moving A Prewar 700-Ton Press Machine Halfway Around The World
Toyota Is Moving A Prewar 700-Ton Press Machine Halfway Around The World
closed its São Bernardo Plant in November 2023, marking the end of its first overseas production facility. The closure caps off a period of continuous car production in São Paolo, , lasting over 60 years. The plant was home to a Komatsu 700-ton press that predates itself. And now...
Aug 28, 2025
Subaru Had It Right All Along
Subaru Had It Right All Along
When first came to the United States, it sold small funky cars that were decidedly un-American. As the company grew its own identity and became more established in the U.S., it became the first automaker to offer an all-wheel-drive passenger car in 1975. Subaru was also an early-adopter of...
Aug 28, 2025
Watch ABS Fail When MotorWeek Tests A 1997 Chevy S-10
Watch ABS Fail When MotorWeek Tests A 1997 Chevy S-10
MotorWeek’s is some of the on the internet. The long-running automotive news magazine has a treasure trove of tests after being on the air for over 40 years. Where else can you find detailed instrumented testing of long-forgotten cars like the or a ? MotorWeek’s recent Retro Review upload is...
Aug 28, 2025
I Entered My Lifted Miata In A Real Off-Road Race, Here's What Happened
I Entered My Lifted Miata In A Real Off-Road Race, Here's What Happened
I have two automotive loves: The first is the Miata, the second is off-road racing. For a while I raced air-cooled Volkswagens in the deserts of California and Nevada and I was lucky enough to co-drive in a class 11 stock bug in the Baja 1000 a few years...
Aug 28, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved