2012 Toyota Highlander SE

Right, the 2012 Toyota Highlander AWD. Now, on the face of it, you might think, "Oh, it’s just another one of those family SUVs," the kind that blends into the background of every suburban car park. But you’d be wrong. Because what we have here is something that Toyota, in their endless pursuit of reliability and sensibleness, has made rather... good. Let’s start with the engine. It’s got a 3.5-liter V6, pushing out 270 horsepower. Now, that’s not going to leave you clinging to the steering wheel with white knuckles, but it’s more than enough to get this big, chunky vehicle moving with surprising urgency. It’s a bit like a Labrador that looks calm but will suddenly leap into action when it spots a squirrel. And thanks to the all-wheel-drive system, it’ll get you through snow, mud, and other off-road inconveniences with the kind of nonchalant ease that makes you wonder if it even noticed. Inside, you won’t be blown away by opulence or a cabin that looks like it was lifted from a luxury yacht. But what you will get is pure, unadulterated Toyota logic. Everything is in its place, and it all just works. The seats are comfortable in that no-nonsense way, and there’s plenty of space for your family, the dog, and probably half the football team. The build quality? Well, it's Toyota, so you know it’s been engineered to survive a nuclear winter. And that’s the thing. It’s not flashy. It’s not going to win any beauty contests. But the Highlander isn’t interested in that. What it is interested in is getting you, your family, and all your stuff from point A to point B, safely and without any drama. This car just keeps going, like a well-fed marathon runner—steady, dependable, and utterly unstoppable. But don’t get the idea that it’s a slouch. The steering is light, yes, but there’s enough feedback to remind you you’re in control of something substantial. It rides smoothly over rough roads, and when you need to push on, that V6 quietly steps up and does the job without fuss. In short, the 2012 Toyota Highlander AWD is the car you buy when you want something that will just work, day in and day out, no questions asked. It’s like the automotive equivalent of a Swiss watch—reliable, robust, and quietly confident. You could spend more on something flashier, but when all is said and done, you’ll probably just wish you’d bought the Toyota. Because this is the SUV that does what it says on the tin—and does it brilliantly. Price excludes $399 processing fee