Autumn leaves, pumpkins, and a warm fireplace. It’s my favorite time of the year. The weather is just cold enough that you need a jacket, but not so cold that you freeze. Coffee tastes even better when there is a chill in the air. And the long commute to work is better when there are colorful leaves everywhere.
We had an opportunity to test drive the 2019 Toyota Highlander for a week, which was a great excuse to visit our local pumpkin patch and to explore the area in search of fall foliage (which was especially fun to see through the sunroof). A few of our friends recommended a visit to Maris Farms, which is a local family farm that offers a giant corn maze, acres of pumpkins, and monster truck rides? Yep, we had to check it out.
I made good use of the Toyota Highlander’s heated seats as we drove along the back roads in search of the farm. One of the best things about the Pacific Northwest is the abundance of trees and this time of year the leaves give an incredible show. The yellow, orange, and red leaves were amazing to see and the Highlander’s navigation system helped us navigate past the cow pastures and to our destination.
Maris Farms turned out to be more than we expected. I was hoping for a pumpkin patch and possibly a hay ride. But this place had several acres of family activities. We arrived in time to see pig races and then we tried our hand at fishing. Afterward, we walked through the barn and saw goats, horses, and kittens. As we explored the farm we found a spot where kids can blast apples at targets using an air cannon! (where was this when I was a kid?). And of course, we went on a ride in that monster truck (wow, that was an adventure!).
Our family’s pumpkin patch adventure was over the weekend, and then the Toyota Highlander became my best friend for my workday commute. It was a treat to have a new car for the lengthy drive and I made really good use of the sound system. The Highlander was fun to drive and I liked the stylish look of the interior with the red stitching. I never felt like I was driving a family car. It felt like much more than that with the red paint job, V6 engine, and 19″ Black Alloy wheels.
There are many good reasons why the Toyota Highlander remains a top vehicle for families. The Highlander V6 SE, that we test drove, had seating for seven (other trims can seat 8). It has plenty of cargo space with a third row that folds flat. My son loved the Blu-Ray player that came with wireless headphones. He also gave the Highlander a thumbs up because he had his own thermostat controls in the second row, along with a sun shade for the window.
We had a great time during our test drive, and it was fun to be among the first to drive the 2019 Toyota Highlander. Whether you are driving your family to the pumpkin patch or simply taking everyone to school, the Highlander has room for everyone and the comfort and safety features to make it a great trip.
