Many SUVs these days aim for a bit of flash.

Some razzle dazzle to get your attention amid a growing sea of offerings.

But not the Toyota Highlander.

It is what it is. No gimmicks.

It’s an SUV for families who want reliability and versatility. And it delivers.

Let's take a more in-depth look at how the 2019 Toyota Highlander measures up in a crowded SUV field.

Financial Times Future of the Car Summit USA returns to Detroit for Round Two in 2019 — featuring the best minds in the industry discussing the changes and challenges to come as new technology comes into play, and how key players can stay ahead of the curve.

Knowledge and preparation will make the difference between success and failure as the industry evolves, and key issues surrounding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles and other advances will be discussed by the key players in the industry at the Summit, scheduled for 8 a.m.-5.30 p.m. on October 29, 2019, at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, 400 Renaissance Drive in Detroit.  

The event will welcome representatives from OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, dealerships, insurance providers, law firms, transportation companies and more. Public sector attendees will include state leaders in finance and transportation, as well as investment leaders from America’s largest cities. 

Confirmed attendees for 2019 include executives from Kia, FCA, Jaguar/Land Rover, Kawasaki, Ford, General Motors, Audi and AM General. More than 150 of the most influential players in the industry are expected in total.

Attendees in 2018 included: AAM, AM General, Bridgestone, Daimler, FCA, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Isuzu, Karma Automotive, Kawasaki, Lyft, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, PSA, Toyota, Uber, Volkswagen and Volvo.

Those in attendance will have a chance to:

• Connect with automotive thought leaders from around the world
• Meet new players in the industry and explore strategic partnerships 
• Hear updates on demand patterns in the global automotive market
• Explore the latest breakthroughs in connectivity and automation

As trends continue toward SUVs and larger vehicles, there remains a vehicle class that is still doing its best to stick around, and it’s on the opposite end of the spectrum — the subcompact car.
While its ranks are thinning (i.e. Ford Fiesta is saying goodbye), there are still plenty of automakers dedicated to keeping the littlest vehicles in their lineups around and fighting for whatever piece of the overall market they can maintain.

One longtime competitor in this segment is the Toyota Yaris, which battles a bevy of opponents — including Chevy’s Sonic and Spark, Hyundai Accent, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, MINI Cooper and the Kia Rio. After spending some time in a 2019 Yaris, I’m back with a full report of how this miniature ride measures up. 

LOOKS

Let’s get the one glaring fact out of the way. Being a subcompact sedan, you’re not going to get much use, if any, out of the back seat in terms of passengers. It’s best to think of the back seat as a glorified storage area, and call this one a two-seater. I suppose it’s possible to sit there, but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you are very tiny.

Toyota’s funky exterior designs are pretty divisive; most people will love the look of the Yaris, or think the polar opposite. I’ll leave that judgment up to the eye of the beholder.

The Yaris (or any subcompact, really) is not a vehicle I’d recommend for anyone who is overly tall.