1979 Buick Estate vs. 2012 Toyota Highlander
To start off, 2012 Toyota Highlander is newer by 33 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1979 Buick Estate. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1979 Buick Estate would be higher. At 5,736 cc (8 cylinders), 1979 Buick Estate is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 2012 Toyota Highlander (187 HP @ 5800 RPM) has 83 more horse power than 1979 Buick Estate. (104 HP @ 3200 RPM) In normal driving conditions, 2012 Toyota Highlander should accelerate faster than 1979 Buick Estate. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1979 Buick Estate weights approximately 85 kg more than 2012 Toyota Highlander.
Because 1979 Buick Estate is rear wheel drive (RWD), it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, it will be much easier to do with 1979 Buick Estate. However, in wet, icy, snow, or gravel driving conditions, 2012 Toyota Highlander, being front wheel drive (FWD), will offer much better control with better grip. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. Let's talk about torque, 1979 Buick Estate (275 Nm @ 1600 RPM) has 23 more torque (in Nm) than 2012 Toyota Highlander. (252 Nm @ 4100 RPM). This means 1979 Buick Estate will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 2012 Toyota Highlander.
Compare all specifications:
| 1979 Buick Estate | 2012 Toyota Highlander | |
| Make | Buick | Toyota |
| Model | Estate | Highlander |
| Year Released | 1979 | 2012 |
| Body Type | Station Wagon | SUV |
| Engine Position | Front | Front |
| Engine Size | 5736 cc | 2700 cc |
| Engine Cylinders | 8 cylinders | 4 cylinders |
| Engine Type | V | in-line |
| Horse Power | 104 HP | 187 HP |
| Engine RPM | 3200 RPM | 5800 RPM |
| Torque | 275 Nm | 252 Nm |
| Torque RPM | 1600 RPM | 4100 RPM |
| Fuel Type | Diesel | Gasoline |
| Drive Type | Rear | Front |
| Transmission Type | Automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Number of Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Number of Doors | 5 doors | 5 doors |
| Vehicle Weight | 1875 kg | 1790 kg |
| Vehicle Length | 5510 mm | 4785 mm |
| Vehicle Width | 1990 mm | 1910 mm |
| Vehicle Height | 1440 mm | 1760 mm |
| Wheelbase Size | 2950 mm | 2789 mm |
