Toyota's spruced-up 2011 Highlander crossover made its world premiere today at this year's edition of the Moscow International Motor Show. Though Toyota is keeping its cards closed, buyers in the States should see a US launch of the facelifted crossover later this year.
The 2011 Highlander's exterior benefits significantly from a much more crisp, defined nose and headlights, along with restyled tail lamps and new bumper trim at the back. The rest of the car appears to go on mostly unchanged for the new model year.
Russian and Ukrainian buyers get a single engine option, the 3.5-liter V6 gasoline unit pumping out 273HP, matched to a five-speed automatic transmission.
In the States, powertrains and accessories should carry over from the 2010 model year, which means choosing an I4, V6, or hybrid and front- or all-wheel drive. Other than continuing to make a good argument for killing off the Venza (I'm sorry, is the Highlander not "crossover" enough for you?), not much else is new.
By Phil Alex
