The Highlander is probably the most car-like SUV that Toyota makes,
especially since it is built on a car chassis.  I suspect that the higher
seating position in the Highlander makes it seem more truck-like.  You may
want to try driving a 4-Runner and Sequoia and then drive the Highlander
again.  You may appreciate how un truck-like the Highlander is.  Toyota does
make the Matrix/Vibe if it is big enough.

Driven a few 4-runners, a rangerover and a landcruiser. None of them
feel like a car, and if you treat them like one you will roll it. If
you want car handling get a car/estate.

J

I replaced my 87 Camry (a superbly reliable and easy to drive car) with
a Matrix in 2002 and have been very pleased.  The Matrix interior space
is excellent and the fold-flat seats mean you can carry 8-ft. objects
with the back door closed.  I upgraded the rear sway bar and it handles
very well, little or no body lean in corners as you might get with an
SUV.  It averages 30mpg with an automatic.

if you think highlander drives like a truck try to drive one of the
competitors or a truck then you will have a better relative comparison
{4runner, pathfinder, VUE, Escape, Explorer Sport trac }

I just took delivery of  '06 highlander V6

**I like it** because it blends alot  of features i finally realized i
needed and wanted in a new car, larger cargo area, safe crash rating, decent
gas mileage for the size, comfortable,  a little higher off ground, quality
name, longevity, price etc.

i wasn't expecting any thing SUV to drive like a car but some SUV drive more
like a car than others
i plan to keep my sporty car for sporty rides and use the highlander  for
other stuff

biggest trouble i had was deciding what i really needed vs what i wanted so
i went through gambit of cars when trying to decide e.g. Volvo S60, v70,
v40, xc90, Acura TL, Accord v6, Ford Escape, Toyo Highlander, Honda Pilot,
Saturn VUE, etc...

I do not think you will find a vehicle that does it all, that is  gives you
the best of car and SUV/Van world (well maybe the **Cayane**) one of the
cross-over cars may be close

These links show rollover ratings for various cars , the highlander is in
top of list (lower rollover) and compare with some Vans and Cars which have
a higher rollover rating or equal to highlander.

http://www.safercar.gov/
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.bead436724af02e770f6df1020008a0c/

HTH

[snip]

Way back when, on a number of occasions, I drove a 1978 K-5 Blazer -
6-cylinder engine, 3-speed stick, hi4/lo4/hi2 ranges, drove like, well, a
truck, drank like W.C.Fields and it was like riding a bucking bronco (tall +
short wheelbase = lots of pitching).  It did have good off-road capability.
I liked it OK, it was just a different driving experience than a sedan or
station wagon.

My Rav4s, which do NOT have AWD are good on gas, comfortable, drive like a
car and, because they're small and have a good turning radius, are very easy
to park.  Enough power for all practical purposes.  I'd call them
"car-like."

I did test-drive an AWD Rav4 on a couple of occasions and they behaved just
like the FWD versions, as near as I could tell.

I did notice that, in spite of the taller profile and short wheelbase, you
don't seem to pitch back and forth all that much.  Maybe height/wheelbase
ratio is better than on the K-5 or the suspension makes a difference -
whatever - it's a nice vehicle to drive.

[snip]

On a number of occasions, I drove a 1978 K-5 Blazer - 6-cylinder engine,
3-speed stick, hi4/lo4/hi2 ranges, drove like, well, a truck, drank like
W.C.Fields and it was like riding a bucking bronco (tall + short wheelbase =
lots of pitching).  It did have good off-road capability.

My Rav4s, which do NOT have AWD are good on gas, comfortable, drive like a
car and, because they're small and have a good turning radius, are very easy
to park.  Enough power for all practical purposes.

I did test-drive an AWD Rav4 on a couple of occasions and they behaved just
like the FWD versions, as near as I could tell.

I did notice that, in spite of the taller profile and short wheelbase, you
don't seem to pitch back and forth all that much.  Maybe height/wheelbase
ratio is better than on the K-5 or the suspension makes a difference -
whatever - it's a nice car to drive.