2015 toyota Highlander Reviews
By
pusahma2008
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Sunday, March 4, 2018
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2015 Toyota Highlander
Toyota heard consumers while revamping the seven/eight-seat 2014 Highlander and also replied to needs for more cabin and also freight room, vibrant styling and also premium services. Ask for a much more dynamic driving experience ought to have been respectfully overlooked, nonetheless, as the 2014's harsher trip is a tradeoff I don't believe several midsize SUV customers need to have to deal with in return for sportier handling.
Still, various other renovations will unquestionably attract shoppers that had actually damaged the previous Highlander off their checklist or a minimum of to those who do not consider a comfortable flight a must-have. The 2014 Highlander's boosted cargo space behind the typical third-row seat is a much-needed renovation; plus, it's less complicated to obtain right into the third row, which currently seatses 3 and also bumps basic sitting capability to 8.
2015 toyota highlander reviews
With upgrades that extend the lineup of LE, LE Plus, XLE, Limited as well as Limited Platinum trim degrees, the 2014 Highlander is now in far better shape to take on the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2014 Ford Explorer and 2014 Honda Pilot.
I drove four-cylinder, six-cylinder and also Hybrid 2014 Highlanders at a Toyota media event.
Exterior & Styling
Toyota returned to the drawing board to upgrade its aging as well as stylistically empty Highlander. Fast-forward to 2014, and you can't call the Highlander boring looking any type of longer. The 2013's dull look transforms right into a hulking SUV with a beefier stance, bulging fenders and strong front styling. Its presence approved the 2013 New York International Vehicle Program flooring where it debuted, as well as it looks just as great rolling down the street.
Just how It Drives
The driving experience isn't the car's most attractive attribute, despite an array of encouraging new chassis and suspension adjustments, so it excels the new SUV does so lots of other things well.
Toyota selected curved canyon and also seaside roads in The golden state to show the Highlander's new handling chops. Driving a 2013 and 2014 back to back, the 2014 does display greater levels of road hold as well as a boosted steering feedback. It's even more sports when digging into a corner, though I would not call the Highlander fun to drive. The 270-horsepower V-6 does not have an immediate punch of acceleration in the heavy Highlander. It's a far cry from the lighter, 290-hp Hyundai Santa Fe, which is a "little" round of enjoyment to name a few comparable three-row SUVs. A six-cylinder Highlander LE with front-wheel drive is 4,244 extra pounds, while a V-6, front-wheel-drive Santa Fe GLS is 3,933 extra pounds.
A damaging result of the Highlander's newfound characteristics is a choppier flight over harsh roadways. After driving 2013 and 2014 designs, I might inform the 2014 transmits even more roadway imperfections via the chassis as well as into seats. Hey, Toyota: It's ALRIGHT to have a hostile style as well as ride like a couch; see the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.
On the benefit, the 2014 Highlander has a more considerable sensation over harsh roadways, with fewer rattles, squeaks and also chassis flex. It's a matured experience with increased audio insulation, acoustic glass and also a stiffer framework assisting keep outside sound minimal.
I briefly hung out in the four-cylinder Highlander with front-wheel drive, which Toyota expects to account for 5 to 10 percent of sales, and in the brand new Highlander Hybrid. Both the front-wheel-drive-only four-cylinder (20/25/22 mpg city/highway/combined) and all-wheel-drive-only Hybrid V-6 (27/28/28 mpg) are a little harsh around the edges as far as engine sound as well as resonances. The Hybrid's gas mileage is relatively unmodified for 2014, down 1 mpg in city scores to 27 mpg yet keeps its 28 mpg incorporated score. The change from electrical to when the engine fires up is obvious with raw noises originating from under the hood, distinct from across a parking area. Resonances from the change are minimal, however the sounds are audible to take notice.
An additional 353 extra pounds added to the hybrid from 3 electric motors-- 2 in the front as well as one in the back-- and a nickel metal hydride battery is noticeable in how the Hybrid drives as compared to the Limited V-6 with four-wheel drive. It's an unwinded experience less excited about accelerating as well as taking care of even with 280-hp integrated, as well as it likewise does not ride any kind of smoother than the non-hybrid.
The Hybrid's abnormally loud engine sounds wouldn't be as much of a concern if the Highlander Hybrid weren't $48,160 with location, $7,130 greater than 2013-- a 2014 Lexus RX 450h is $47,320, however a lot smaller on the inside. The Highlander Crossbreed's high-end vehicle price doesn't reflect luxury refinement now that the feature-loaded Hybrid Limited is the only Crossbreed supplied; the less-expensive variation got the axe for 2014.
The volume-seller V-6 is one of the most improved of the bunch, using smooth and predictable velocity in addition to 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 as well as 18/24/20 mpg with all-wheel drive is likewise extra competitive compared to the outgoing 2013 thanks to a new six-speed automatic transmission changing a five-speed system on V-6 designs. The all-wheel-drive system, which is also new, aids add 2 mpg freeway over the 2013 version. All-wheel-drive Highlanders send torque to the back wheels when slippage is spotted, versus the previous system that always sent torque to 4 wheels.
Inside
Part of the 2014's improvement consists of calling up the indoor styling with various soft-touch and also accent-stitched interior panels that enhance the classiness. The high quality is Toyota-Avalon nice with a stitched dashboard, guiding wheel and also soft-touch, high-grade materials in prominent areas. Plastic locations that aren't textured, sewed or covered are still on par for the class. Even the base LE Highlander shows the nearly luxurylike niceness of the higher-optioned Restricted trims.
Seats fits in the first and 2nd rows with soft, large pole positions and a very flexible second row that slides and also reclines with 2 captain's chairs or the common three-seat bench setup-- captain's chairs are offered on the XLE and also standard on the Limited. The rest of the Highlander could have been redone with dynamism in mind, yet the seats speak with its comfort-focused roots. Many individuals on our personnel will miss the 2013's removable second-row center seat. I will not, as it was unpleasant and large to get rid of and also change with the facility table that kept under the center console.
In the third row, Toyota enhanced size as well as included an added seat for a maximum ability of 8 passengers in typical configuration. A brand-new, extra compact rear suspension released the extra area. The third row still does not fit grownups with as much comfort as the bigger Chevrolet Traverse, however it's good in a pinch. There are also brand-new one-touch folding second-row seats on both sides. Previously, only the curbside seat folded up as well as glided ahead via the one-touch lever. Third-row motorcyclists also take advantage of the 2nd row's enhanced seat traveling, which allows simple access as well as departure.
Comfort design & Electronic devices
Technology is a big emphasis in the 2014 Highlander and also done effectively. Toyota's Entune multimedia system works much better compared to ever before compared with other Toyota cars where I have actually used the system. Functioning the Entune system's voice commands goes over. The models I examined noticed the various voice commands I talked.
Those with bulky phones or who continuously have their phone attached to the SUV will value a device storage walk listed below the environment controls that provides a pass-through for USB cables. There need to disappear Medusa-like dangling of cables ensnaring the gear selector.
The basic Entune on base LE models includes a 6.1-inch touch-screen with backup video camera, USB port with iPod connection, auxiliary input, voice recognition, Bluetooth phone connectivity and Bluetooth streaming sound. LE And also trims have Entune Audio And also with a higher-resolution 6.1-inch display, HD Radio and also 90-day satellite radio subscription. The next step up is Entune Premium Audio with Navigation and App Suite on XLE designs with an 8-inch touch-screen as well as application suite with Pandora, Yelp and also Facebook assimilation with a mobile phone and also accompanying Entune downloadable application. A JBL stereo is common on Minimal trim degrees.
The enormous center storage bin in between the pole positions could feed on anything plus-sized, like a handbag, iPad or Blu-ray collection for the readily available rear-seat Blu-ray player. And when you neglect that Blu-ray in the house, a fascinating brand-new feature called Easy Speak transmits the thriving voice of an angry mother or dad with the rear stereo speakers through the Bluetooth microphone to keep rowdy children in check. How much more household concentrated can you get than offering an attribute that allows parents to yell at kids?
Cargo, Towing & Storage space
Freight area behind the 3rd row enhances over the previous Highlander's skimpy step, which battled carrying grocery stores, not to mention a baby stroller or golf bag. The cargo quantity is now rated at 13.8 cubic feet, up from 10.3 cubic feet. It's not a significant improvement, yet a minimum of it makes the location useful. It's still little compared to others in the sector: The Explorer has 21 cubic feet as well as the Pilot has 18 cubic feet behind the third row. Toyota's hoax to enhance cargo room included moving all 3 rows of seats ahead, adding size behind the back wheels and also utilizing a much more compact rear suspension.
The power liftgate is an outstanding attribute to be conventional on LE Plus trim degrees and also above, and has a dress up its sleeve: It adjusts to numerous elevations, not just 1 or 2 predetermined height setups. With the liftgate moving, users can quit the liftgate as well as program it to available to that set height the next time. The feature will certainly make shorter chauffeurs and also owners of low garages very pleased. (If the gate goes too expensive, much shorter people could struggle to reach the power-close switch on its bottom edge.) One more unique attribute on the back is an oldie however a goody: On LE Plus models and above, the rear home window opens up for simple gain access to independent of the freight gateway.
A 5,000-pound tow ranking on XLE as well as Limited trim levels comes with a conventional towing plan that consists of engine/transmission colders as well as upgraded radiator as well as generator. Crossbreeds can tow 3,500 pounds, V-6 LE/LE And also could tow 2,000 pounds and a four-cylinder LE is ranked at 1,500 pounds.
Security
The 2014 Highlander hadn't been crash-tested at the time of this writing.
The 2014 Highlander provides reduced anchors as well as tethers on outboard second-row seats for child-safety seats, but only a tether support on the center third-row seat.
Advanced safety and security features are available, though only on the expensive Limited trim degree where an unseen area monitoring system as well as rear auto parking help are common, and also pre-collision, adaptive cruise control as well as lane departure caution are optional. Restricted trim levels are additionally the only models with a back-up cam that uses anticipating guidelines to reveal the vehicle's course-- a back-up camera with set lines is standard on all other trim degrees.
Worth in Its Class
Toyota says rates is up around $1,500 on average across the 2014 trim degrees, which include added functions over the 2013. Base rates begins at $30,075 for a base four-cylinder LE with location, while volume-seller XLE versions with four-wheel drive are $38,360 as well as consist of natural leather seating with warmed front seats, navigating, three-zone climate control, smart keyless entrance, second-row sunshades as well as even more. Pricing for the XLE is very affordable to three-row midsize SUVs like the Honda Pilot, Ford Traveler and even the Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2013 Highlander was truly a midpack three-row SUV, hanging back in essential areas like indoor quality, cargo area and also modern technology. Rest assured, if you're a Highlander proprietor aiming to upgrade-- as long as you're unconcerned concerning trip high quality-- the 2014 is not just a compelling upgrade, however additionally deserving of cross-shopping the section's finest.