The keywords for Toyota this model year are "bread" and "butter."

You see, this year Toyota is replacing some of the most important models to the company's bottom financial line, including the upcoming Corolla and Matrix -- more on those in the next buyers guide -- and the all-new Highlander, the car that helped the word "crossover" in the automotive lexicon.

Introduced in January, 2001, the Highander was one of the first true crossovers -- cars that combine car-like driving, economy and style with minivan/SUV interior flexibility and design. And it's been a big seller ever since, one of Toyota's most important products sales-wise, along with the Camry.

After a few hours with the all-new 2008 version, I can tell you the Highlander still stacks up nicely against the competitors, albeit the car is pricier than ever. To avoid that problem, I suggest you might want to look at the entry level and mid level Highlanders, and be very careful with that option list.

On other matters, the Highlander has a new look-- more substantial, more expressive, more contemporary and elegant, and entirely different from the slab sided, uninteresting look of the previous generation. There's a new, more powerful front end that looks a lot like the all=-new Tundra truck, too.

The new Highlander is considerably bigger and roomier than the model it replaces. It comes in Base, Sport and Limited models, all powered by a 3.5 liter V-6 that gets 18/24 miles per gallon in two wheel drive form and 17/23 in four wheel drive form.

There's also a new Highlander Hybrid model, which gets 27/25 miles per gallon.

Highlander also is one of the safest vehicles on the road, thanks to Toyota's standard STAR safety system. You get anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, and a new enhanced vehicle stability control system with electric power steering. There are seven air bags, including a driver's knee air bag, and roll-sensing side curtain air bags for all three rows.

The first thing I noticed when I got behind the wheel is that the new model is much peppier and fun to drive. Acceleration is more than adequate, and it can really pick up the pace on the open road.

Cornering and handling are both capable and well-behaved, with only a little body lean, and an electronic steering system that feels thankfully responsive without the dead or over-assisted spots I often feel with these kinds of systems.

What I really liked though, was the ease of operation with the third and second row seats. There's an all-new feature in which you can remove the center portion of the second row seat, store it quickly, and it becomes either captain chairs or a console portion-- which comes with the system-- can be installed as well. This was introduced in response to customers who wanted the ability to have their children separated in the second row, along with the possibility of seating three people in other situations.

Meanwhile, around back, Toyota's introduced levers near the hatch entrance that allow you to lower the second row seats in a snap. And the third row seats have tethers to lower them that can e reached easily without stretching uncomfortably into the car interior.

Highlanders start at about $28,000.