If you are in the market for a new SUV, you know there is a lot of range in features and price. However, a lower price doesn’t always mean fewer great features. The 2015 Toyota Highlander XLE, with a V6 engine and All-Wheel Drive, is actually quite comparable to the 2015 Lexus RX in many areas, including powertrain, convenience, and safety. Before you shell out the extra cash for a luxury vehicle, consider the trusted and reliable 2015 Highlander from Limbaugh Toyota in Birmingham.
Under the Hood
In powertrain, performance, and efficiency, the 2015 Highlander XLE V6 AWD is indistinguishable from the 2015 RX. Powered by a 3.5L V6 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, both have 270-horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. Naturally, they have the same towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs as well as equal EPA-estimated mileage of 18/24 mpg*.
Comparing Features
Whether you buy a traditional vehicle or a luxury model, you want to know your dollars are being stretched as far as they can go. The base 2015 RX is thousands of dollars more expensive that the base price of the 2015 Highlander XLE. Yet, the Toyota includes many standard features that are only options (read: if you pay even more) for the Lexus.
Some of the features the XLE has that are extra on the RX are a Power Moonroof, Heated Front Seats, and an in-dash Navigation System. The Highlander fits a considerably larger crowd, with seating for 8 as opposed to the RX’s seating for 5—that’s another car’s worth of passengers! Both vehicles off a Rear Entertainment System, but the Lexus only supports DVDs while the Toyota ups the ante with Blu-Ray capability.
Safety Smarts
Both SUVs are serious about safety. Each is bolstered by a number of modern braking systems, including Smart Stop Technology, and a back up Camera. Also, advanced systems like Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Blind Spot Monitor are available. Even so, the Toyota comes out on top with regard to crashworthiness. The 2015 Highlander received a 5-Star rating form the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in its passenger Front Crash Test; the 2015 Lexus RX received only 4 stars.
Clearly there is more to a vehicle than meets the sticker price. Check out the fully-stocked 2015 Highlander XLE at Limbaugh Toyota in Birmingham, Alabama.
*2015 EPA-estimated city/highway mileage. Actual mileage will vary.
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