Auto Cars 2011 2012: Toyota Highlander

Toyota has announced a voluntary recall of some 740,000 vehicles in the United States to address a potential leak problem with a seal in the brake master cylinder. The models that are being recalled in the U.S. are the 2005-2006MY Toyota Avalon, 2004-2006MY Highlander (non Hybrid) and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350. Another 600,898 vehicles were recalled in Japan and approximately 200,000 in China for the same issue.

According to the company, there's a possibility that a small amount of the brake fluid could slowly leak from the brake master cylinder, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp.

"If the brake warning lamp has illuminated and the vehicle continues to be operated without refilling the master cylinder brake fluid reservoir, the driver will begin to notice a spongy or soft brake pedal feel and braking performance may gradually decline," said the automaker.

Toyota said it will begin notifying owners of the involved vehicles through mail beginning in early November 2010. As with all recalls, Toyota and Lexus dealers will replace the brake master cylinder cup with a newly designed free of charge.

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As some of you may recall, Toyota showed a redesigned version of its Highlander SUV at last month's Moscow International Motor Show. Today, the Japanese automaker released details and photos of the U.S.-spec model that will begin arriving at Toyota dealers from September 24.

Not surprisingly, the NA 2011 Highlander features the same styling updates as the model shown in Moscow. On the outside, the Highlander gets a new front fascia, hood and fenders, redesigned head lamps and tail lights, a re-trimmed rear bumper, as well as new alloy wheel designs and black rockers with chrome accents for the gasoline models.

For 2011, Toyota has further distinguished the Hybrid version that gains a unique front grille and bumper design plus color-keyed rockers with chrome accents, vertically stacked fog lamps and blue lens covers for the head lights.

Inside, changes are limited to the added comfort and convenience features such as the 50/50 split third-row seat and manual rear climate control that have been made standard across the range, the standard power lift gate on the SE grade and the revised audio / navigation systems.

The standard 2011 Highlander will continue to be offered with two gasoline engine choices including a 2.7-liter four-cylinder unit with 187HP and 186 lbs-ft offering an EPA-estimated 25 MPG rating in highway driving, and a 3.5-liter V6 with 270HP at and 248 lb.-ft. of torque, hooked up to a five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.

The updated Highlander Hybrid debuts a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine for 2011, replacing the outgoing 3.3-liter V6. The system pairs the larger displacement V6 engine with an electric drive motor-generator for a total system output of 280 net horsepower. Toyota said the 2011 Highlander Hybrid receives EPA estimated fuel economy ratings of 28 MPG city and 28 MPG highway.

Prices for the revised Highlander range from $27,390 for the base 2WD four-cylinder model to $42,945 for the 4WD Hybrid variant in Limited trim.