The Detroit Newspapers's view

Just once, I’d like to see a second-generation vehicle smaller than the first.

But I realize that’s unlikely for any carmaker. America likes to supersize everything. Our own self-indulgences have led us down the gluttonous path of Big Gulps and vehicles that can carry them. Obesity — the epidemic — strikes wheelbases, cabin space and drive trains as surely as it affects our prodigious posteriors in need of wider seats.

A recent study examined America’s waistlines, vehicles and driving habits, suggesting that we burn an extra 1 billion gallons of fuel each year lugging around our own extra lard and husky friends.

Perhaps Toyota Motor Co.’s thinking was it had to make the 2008 Highlander bigger just to allow it to seat the same number of passengers as the first generation midsize SUV introduced in 2001.

Toyota has been growing, and I’m not talking about market share this time.

The redesigned RAV4 stretched an additional 14 inches in length, and the Texas-sized Tundra ballooned in every direction to enter the full-size pickup segment. Call it Toyota’s new global expansion plan.

Compared with those, the Highlander, which rolls into dealerships this month, had only a few late night snacks. Its wheelbase grew nearly 3 inches to 109.8; its length extended 3.8 inches to 188.4 inches, and its width expanded 3.3 inches to 75.2. Overall, the new model is 2.8 inches taller.

The Highlander wears its weight well. It’s a practical vehicle with nice touches that most drivers will appreciate. What it may lack in personality, it makes up with usefulness and functionality.

I recently tested a variety of Highlander models, including the much-touted hybrid, in Arizona, where Toyota stuffed journalists with information about the vehicles and a delicious Mexican buffet.

Outside improves

From the outside, the new Highlander has matured. The previous generation’s nondescript exterior was as exciting as a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Now, it’s vanilla with sprinkles. No Sanders hot fudge just yet, but it’s better.

Its shoulders bulge above each wheelwell and leave a nice line along the body, giving the Highlander a recognizable profile.

Combine the base model’s 17-inch wheels with the high beltline and forward leaning stance, and the Highlander looks much more aggressive. That’s accentuated on the Sport and Limited models with the 19-inch tires. (And every model comes with a full-size spare.)

From the front, the Highlander has a much more car-like appearance. It rides low and looks deceptively undersized. The trapezoid grille, wide bumper and sweeping headlights create that illusion, stretching the vehicle’s lines. Horizontal lines make things look shorter and wider, which is why I avoid wearing them.

The low-hanging body makes hopping into the Highlander easy. Whereas some SUVs need a rope ladder so people can climb aboard, the Highlander needs just a step up. Kids will have no problem jumping into the back unassisted.

Inside, the Highlander offers a ton of amenities and plenty of room. The cabin expanded to an impressive 156 cubic feet. The front seating is spacious and comfortable, and the second row offers plenty of room for adults. The third row can squeeze in an adult but not two from Chicago, recently named America’s fattest city.

One gee-whiz feature is the second row center stow seat. It’s removable and connects to the two captain’s chairs, which were widened. The seat folds up and fits in a storage compartment at the base of the center console. It’s certainly a welcome feature for that unexpected passenger.

The second row one-touch levers are another cool feature. The levers allow a person to lower the second row from the back of the vehicle. Add the power liftgate and rear loading couldn’t be easier.

When both rows are down, there’s 95 cubic feet of storage, enough for a grocery trip to Costco.

The Highlander offers a plethora of safety features, including seven airbags (with side curtain airbags for all three rows), electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes. And consumers eat up safety features.

The list of standard features in the cabin is impressive: tilt and telescopic steering wheel, cargo area tiedown hooks, multi-function keyless entry, UV reduction glass, 10 cup holders and three 12-volt auxiliary power outlets, to name a few.

Options include everything from a voice-activated navigation system and a second row 9-inch screen DVD player to Bluetooth phone connecter and three-zone air conditioning.

One nice option Toyota took from Lexus allows the front of the driver’s seat to expand or contract. For shorter passengers, this will allow the seat cushion to be smaller and provides your legs with a comfortable position.

Hybrid is peppy

The hybrid, which hits showrooms in September, provides the best combination of ride, acceleration and handling.

All gas models come with Toyota’s 3.5-liter V-6, which produces 270-horsepower and 248-pound-feet of torque. Mated with a five-speed automatic transmission, its fuel economy is 18 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg for the front-wheel drive and 17 mpg/23 mpg for the four-wheel drive model.

The hybrid’s 3.3-liter six-cylinder gas engine combined with an electric motor offers much peppier acceleration from a stop and includes an EV mode, which stands for Electric Vehicle, and lets you push a button and drive under 25 mph by electric motor.

The transition from electric to gas is seamless, and, like the gas-only models, the hybrid is extremely quiet on the road.

The Highlander model never wowed me on the road, but it was never intended to act like a sports sedan. It’s a family hauler and drives accordingly. Though one jaunt through a test track demonstrated the hybrid’s impressive stability control and an off-road course showed its solid trail riding capabilities. However, the most off roading I’d expect from a Highlander owner is on a gravel driveway.

Ultimately, the Highlander’s performance bends under its own weight, but doesn’t break. It’s a soft ride and electric power steering provides a solid, but not precise, feel. Making it bigger naturally has caused it to add about 300 pounds, tipping the scales at 4,000 pounds.

But Americans have never shied away from expanding waist lines or bigger vehicles for that matter. Why shouldn’t Toyota join us at the self-serve trough?

Packing on a few pounds is not necessarily a bad thing, there’s just more of the Highlander to love.

2008 Toyota Highlander

Type: Front-wheel-drive midsize SUV. All-wheel drive available. Trim levels: Base, Sport, Limited and Hybrid Retail price*: $27,985 – $35,000+ Hybrid pricing has not been released. Engines

3.5-liter V-6, 270-hp, 248-lb-ft torque

(hybrid) 3.3-liter V-6 with two electric motors, 209-hp, 212-lb-ft torque Transmission

3.5-liter, Five-speed automatic

Hybrid, CVT EPA mileage

3.5-liter: FWD: 18 mpg city / 24 mpg highway

AWD: 17 mpg / 23 mpg

Hybrid: 27 mpg city / 25 mpg highway *Includes shipping

Report card

Overall: ***

Performance: Good: Extremely quiet on the road but drives like a bigger SUV.

Exterior: Good: Fresh design fits bigger body. Clean lines and good proportions.

Interior: Good. Well-appointed with a number of options to keep the driver comfortable and the passengers entertained.

Safety: Excellent. Seven air bags, electronic stability control and traction control standard.

Pros: A well-appointed vehicle with lots of family friendly amenities.

Cons: Soft ride and heavy body cut into performance.

Grading Scale

Excellent: ****

Good: ***

Fair: **

Poor: *