The automobile industry is constantly evolving with new technologies that help drivers handle the car better. Advances also manifest itself in the blurring of the line between car categories. For instance, with modern technology, automobile manufacturers now can combine features of a car and van in a single unit.
And that is what crossover sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are about. The vehicle is built based on a car platform and combining some features of a sport utility vehicle. Using a car's body construction and an SUV's typical passenger capacity makes the crossover a unique type of automobile. SUV features such as high ground clearance; high point seating and all wheel drive are incorporated in car built.
A Toyota Highlander is an example of a crossover SUV which is sometimes deemed as the bigger and heavier version of Toyota Camry. The Toyota Highlander was released in North America in 2001 as the first car-based midsize SUV in the country. The Highlander is also popular outside the US but branded in a different name. In Japan and Australia Toyota Highlander was named kluger (a German word for clever) because the former term ran synonymous with another car brand.
Safety Features
The Toyota Highlander is hailed for being a front wheel drive and all wheel drive with a fixed torque split. It became a unique crossover SUV since the automobile aimed for on-road comfort without sacrificing its body construction -think of it as having a luxury car and taking it to the most challenging outdoor terrains.
The crossover
used Toyota highlander has an anti-lock braking system (ABS) that allows auto wheels to continue rotating while the driver applies the brake. ABS essentially prevents wheels from locking up (and therefore skidding) or ceasing rotation when brakes are immediately applied. It also improves vehicle control as it decreases stopping distance on dry or slippery surfaces.
Brake assist (BA) detects any instances wherein emergency braking is needed. This is measured by the speed with which the brake pedal is pressed. When panic braking is detected, the BA readily develops a brake boost in order to compensate for the
used SUV driver's tendency to press the pedal without much force.
Electronic brakeforce Limitation (EBL) is the braking technology that applies various amount of force which is based on the vehicle's speed and loading capacity and the road condition it traverse. A very good feature for EBL in
used Toyota highlander is that it is able to apply more or less braking pressure on the vehicle depending on the auto's weight. Since the front part of a vehicle typically carries more weight, EBL distributes less braking pressure on the rear part to avoid skidding.
