2015 toyota Highlander Review
By
fardhan alief
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Saturday, March 17, 2018
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2015 Toyota Highlander
Toyota heard customers while redesigning the seven/eight-seat 2014 Highlander and reacted to needs for more cabin and freight space, vibrant designing and also premium services. Ask for a much more vibrant driving experience should have been professionally ignored, nonetheless, as the 2014's harsher trip is a tradeoff I don't think several midsize SUV customers should need to cope with in return for sportier handling.
Still, other enhancements will most certainly interest buyers that had actually damaged the previous Highlander off their list or a minimum of to those that don't think about a comfortable ride an essential. The 2014 Highlander's boosted freight area behind the common third-row seat is a much-needed enhancement; plus, it's simpler to get into the third row, which currently sittings 3 and bumps conventional seatsing capacity to eight.
2015 toyota highlander review
With upgrades that span the lineup of LE, LE Plus, XLE, Limited and Limited Platinum trim degrees, the 2014 Highlander is currently in far better shape to handle the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2014 Ford Traveler and 2014 Honda Pilot.
I drove four-cylinder, six-cylinder and Hybrid 2014 Highlanders at a Toyota media event.
Outside & Styling
Toyota went back to the drawing board to redesign its aging and stylistically empty Highlander. Fast-forward to 2014, as well as you can not call the Highlander boring looking any longer. The 2013's dull appearance changes right into a hulking SUV with a beefier stance, protruding fenders as well as bold front designing. Its visibility approved the 2013 New York City International Auto Show flooring where it debuted, and also it looks just as excellent rolling down the street.
How It Drives
The driving experience isn't the vehicle's most appealing characteristic, despite having an assortment of encouraging new framework and also suspension adjustments, so it readies the brand-new SUV does so several various other points well.
Toyota selected curvy canyon as well as coastal roadways in The golden state to show the Highlander's new handling chops. Driving a 2013 and also 2014 back to back, the 2014 does exhibit greater levels of road grip as well as an enhanced guiding feedback. It's even more athletic when digging into a corner, though I would not call the Highlander fun to drive. The 270-horsepower V-6 does not have an instant strike of acceleration in the hefty Highlander. It's a far cry from the lighter, 290-hp Hyundai Santa Fe, which is a "little" round of exhilaration among other comparable three-row SUVs. A six-cylinder Highlander LE with front-wheel drive is 4,244 pounds, while a V-6, front-wheel-drive Santa Fe GLS is 3,933 pounds.
A negative impact of the Highlander's newly found dynamics is a choppier trip over harsh roads. After driving 2013 and 2014 versions, I could tell the 2014 sends even more roadway flaws with the framework and into seats. Hey, Toyota: It's OKAY to have a hostile design and also trip like a sofa; see the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.
On the upside, the 2014 Highlander has a more substantial feeling over rough roadways, with fewer rattles, squeals and also chassis flex. It's a matured experience with raised sound insulation, acoustic glass and a stiffer chassis helping maintain outside noise marginal.
I briefly hung out in the four-cylinder Highlander with front-wheel drive, which Toyota expects to represent 5 to 10 percent of sales, as well as in the all-new Highlander Hybrid. Both the front-wheel-drive-only four-cylinder (20/25/22 mpg city/highway/combined) and all-wheel-drive-only Crossbreed V-6 (27/28/28 mpg) are a little rough around the edges as far as engine noise and vibrations. The Hybrid's gas mileage is relatively unchanged for 2014, down 1 mpg in city ratings to 27 mpg however preserves its 28 mpg incorporated ranking. The shift from electrical to when the engine fires up is recognizable with raw noises originating from under the hood, audible from throughout a parking lot. Vibrations from the shift are minimal, but the noises are audible to take notice.
An extra 353 extra pounds contributed to the crossbreed from 3 electrical motors-- 2 in the front and one in the back-- as well as a nickel metal hydride battery is noticeable in exactly how the Hybrid drives as compared to the Restricted V-6 with all-wheel drive. It's a loosened up experience much less fired up about increasing and dealing with despite 280-hp combined, as well as it likewise does not ride any kind of smoother compared to the non-hybrid.
The Hybrid's abnormally loud engine noises wouldn't be as much of a concern if the Highlander Crossbreed weren't $48,160 with location, $7,130 greater than 2013-- a 2014 Lexus RX 450h is $47,320, though a lot smaller on the in. The Highlander Crossbreed's deluxe auto cost doesn't mirror luxury improvement since the feature-loaded Hybrid Limited is the only Hybrid offered; the less-expensive version got the axe for 2014.
The volume-seller V-6 is one of the most fine-tuned of the number, supplying smooth and also foreseeable acceleration along with the most effective handling with four-wheel drive. The V-6-powered Highlander's gas mileage of 19/25/21 mpg with front-wheel drive and also 18/24/20 mpg with four-wheel drive is likewise extra affordable compared to the outward bound 2013 thanks to a new six-speed transmission replacing a five-speed device on V-6 designs. The all-wheel-drive system, which is also new, helps include 2 mpg freeway over the 2013 variation. All-wheel-drive Highlanders send torque to the rear wheels when slippage is spotted, versus the previous system that constantly sent out torque to four wheels.
Interior
Part of the 2014's change includes dialing up the interior styling with many soft-touch and also accent-stitched indoor panels that boost the classiness. The top quality is Toyota-Avalon great with a stitched control panel, steering wheel as well as soft-touch, high-grade products in noticeable places. Plastic areas that typically aren't textured, stitched or covered are still on par for the course. Even the base LE Highlander exhibits the nearly luxurylike niceness of the higher-optioned Restricted trims.
Seating fits in the initial and 2nd rows with soft, wide front seats and a very flexible 2nd row that slides and also reclines with two captain's chairs or the common three-seat bench configuration-- captain's chairs are offered on the XLE as well as basic on the Limited. The rest of the Highlander might have been redone with dynamism in mind, but the seats talk to its comfort-focused roots. Many individuals on our team will miss out on the 2013's removable second-row facility seat. I won't, as it was uneasy and bulky to eliminate and also replace with the center table that stored under the center console.
In the third row, Toyota increased size and included an added seat for a maximum capability of 8 residents in standard configuration. A new, more compact back suspension freed the extra area. The 3rd row still doesn't fit grownups with as much convenience as the larger Chevrolet Traverse, yet it's good in a pinch. There are likewise brand-new one-touch folding second-row seats on both sides. Previously, only the curbside seat folded up and slid onward via the one-touch bar. Third-row bikers also take advantage of the second row's raised seat traveling, which allows simple entry and also exit.
Functional design & Electronics
Technology is a big emphasis in the 2014 Highlander and done effectively. Toyota's Entune multimedia system functions better compared to ever before compared to other Toyota lorries in which I have actually used the system. Functioning the Entune system's voice commands goes over. The models I tested picked up on the numerous voice commands I spoke.
Those with bulky phones or that continuously have their phone connected to the SUV will certainly value a device storage space walk below the climate manages that gives a pass-through for USB cables. There should disappear Medusa-like dangling of cords entangling the gear selector.
The common Entune on base LE models consists of a 6.1-inch touch-screen with backup cam, USB port with iPod connectivity, complementary input, voice recognition, Bluetooth phone connection and also Bluetooth streaming sound. LE And also trims have Entune Sound Plus with a higher-resolution 6.1-inch display, HD Radio and 90-day satellite radio registration. The next step up is Entune Costs Sound with Navigating as well as App Suite on XLE designs with an 8-inch touch-screen as well as app collection with Pandora, Yelp and Facebook assimilation with a smartphone as well as coming with Entune downloadable application. A JBL stereo is basic on Limited trim degrees.
The huge facility storage space bin between the front seats could feed on anything plus-sized, like a handbag, iPad or Blu-ray collection for the readily available rear-seat Blu-ray player. When you neglect that Blu-ray at home, an intriguing new attribute called Easy Speak transmits the booming voice of an angry mom or papa with the rear stereo speakers by means of the Bluetooth microphone to keep wild kids in check. Just how much more family focused can you obtain compared to supplying a function that allows moms and dads to chew out youngsters?
Cargo, Towing & Storage space
Cargo area behind the third row improves over the previous Highlander's revealing walk, which battled bring groceries, not to mention a baby stroller or golf bag. The cargo volume is currently ranked at 13.8 cubic feet, up from 10.3 cubic feet. It's not a significant renovation, yet at the very least it makes the area functional. It's still small compared to others in the section: The Explorer has 21 cubic feet and the Pilot has 18 cubic feet behind the 3rd row. Toyota's trickery to enhance freight room included relocating all 3 rows of seats onward, adding length behind the back wheels as well as using a much more small rear suspension.
The power liftgate is an impressive function to be common on LE And also trim degrees and above, and also has a dress up its sleeve: It gets used to different elevations, not simply one or two predetermined elevation setups. With the liftgate moving, customers can quit the liftgate and program it to open to that established elevation the following time. The feature will certainly make much shorter motorists and also owners of low garages really delighted. (If eviction goes too expensive, shorter individuals could battle to get to the power-close button on its bottom edge.) Another distinct feature on the back is an oldie however a goody: On LE Plus designs and also above, the back home window opens up for simple gain access to independent of the cargo gate.
A 5,000-pound tow rating on XLE and also Limited trim degrees comes with a standard towing plan that includes engine/transmission colders and updated radiator and also generator. Crossbreeds could tow 3,500 pounds, V-6 LE/LE Plus could tow 2,000 pounds and also a four-cylinder LE is ranked at 1,500 extra pounds.
Safety and security
The 2014 Highlander hadn't been crash-tested at the time of this writing.
The 2014 Highlander supplies lower anchors and tethers on outboard second-row seats for child-safety seats, however just a secure support on the center third-row seat.
Advanced safety and security functions are available, though only on the pricey Restricted trim level where a blind spot surveillance system as well as back car park assist are typical, as well as pre-collision, flexible cruise ship control and lane departure warning are optional. Restricted trim levels are also the only designs with a back-up cam that uses predictive standards to reveal the automobile's path-- a back-up video camera with fixed lines is basic on all other trim degrees.
Value in Its Course
Toyota says rates is up about $1,500 typically across the 2014 trim levels, which include additional functions over the 2013. Base rates starts at $30,075 for a base four-cylinder LE with destination, while volume-seller XLE versions with four-wheel drive are $38,360 and also include natural leather seating with heated front seats, navigation, three-zone environment control, clever keyless access, second-row sunshades and even more. Pricing for the XLE is very affordable to three-row midsize SUVs like the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer and even the Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2013 Highlander was truly a midpack three-row SUV, lagging behind in vital areas like indoor quality, cargo space and technology. Rest assured, if you're a Highlander proprietor seeking to upgrade-- as long as you're unconcerned concerning trip quality-- the 2014 is not just a compelling upgrade, yet likewise worthwhile of cross-shopping the section's best.