Toyota 2015 Highlander
By
Herman Syah
—
Monday, March 19, 2018
—
2015 Toyota Highlander
Toyota heard customers while redesigning the seven/eight-seat 2014 Highlander and also responded to demands for even more cabin as well as cargo area, dynamic styling and costs facilities. Ask for an extra vibrant driving experience needs to have been professionally ignored, nonetheless, as the 2014's harsher trip is a tradeoff I don't think many midsize SUV purchasers ought to have to cope with in return for sportier handling.
Still, other renovations will definitely appeal to buyers that had damaged the previous Highlander off their checklist or a minimum of to those who don't think about a comfy flight a must-have. The 2014 Highlander's enhanced cargo room behind the standard third-row seat is a much-needed renovation; plus, it's less complicated to obtain into the third row, which now sittings 3 and also bumps typical sitting capacity to 8.
toyota 2015 highlander
With upgrades that span the schedule of LE, LE And Also, XLE, Limited as well as Limited Platinum trim degrees, the 2014 Highlander is currently in much better shape to tackle the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2014 Ford Explorer and 2014 Honda Pilot.
I drove four-cylinder, six-cylinder and Hybrid 2014 Highlanders at a Toyota media event.
Outside & Designing
Toyota went back to the attracting board to upgrade its aging as well as stylistically empty Highlander. Fast-forward to 2014, and you can not call the Highlander boring looking any type of longer. The 2013's ho-hum look transforms into a hulking SUV with a beefier position, protruding fenders as well as bold front styling. Its presence approved the 2013 New York City International Automobile Program flooring where it debuted, and it looks just as good rolling down the street.
How It Drives
The driving experience isn't really the car's most attractive characteristic, despite having a selection of promising new chassis and suspension adjustments, so it readies the brand-new SUV does so lots of other things well.
Toyota chose curvy canyon and seaside roads in The golden state to demonstrate the Highlander's brand-new handling chops. Driving a 2013 and 2014 back to back, the 2014 does display higher degrees of roadway grasp as well as an improved steering response. It's even more athletic when digging right into an edge, though I would not call the Highlander enjoyable to drive. The 270-horsepower V-6 does not have a prompt strike of acceleration in the heavy Highlander. It's an unlike the lighter, 290-hp Hyundai Santa Fe, which is a "little" ball of enjoyment among other 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.
An unfavorable impact of the Highlander's newfound characteristics is a choppier trip over rough roadways. After driving 2013 as well as 2014 versions, I could tell the 2014 sends even more road imperfections through the chassis and right into seats. Hey, Toyota: It's ALRIGHT to have a hostile style as well as flight like a sofa; see the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.
On the benefit, the 2014 Highlander has a much more significant feeling over rough roads, with less rattles, squeals and also framework flex. It's a matured experience with enhanced audio insulation, acoustic glass and also a stiffer chassis assisting keep outside noise very little.
I quickly hung around in the four-cylinder Highlander with front-wheel drive, which Toyota expects to represent 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) as well as all-wheel-drive-only Hybrid V-6 (27/28/28 mpg) are a little harsh around the edges as for engine noise and vibrations. The Crossbreed's gas mileage is reasonably unchanged for 2014, down 1 mpg in city scores to 27 mpg yet maintains its 28 mpg integrated rating. The change from electric to when the engine fires up is obvious with raw noises coming from under the hood, audible from throughout a parking area. Resonances from the shift are minimal, yet the sounds are loud enough to take notice.
An additional 353 pounds included in the hybrid from three electric motors-- 2 in the front as well as one in the back-- and also a nickel metal hydride battery is noticeable in exactly how the Hybrid drives compared to the Restricted V-6 with all-wheel drive. It's a kicked back experience less ecstatic about speeding up and also managing despite 280-hp integrated, and also it also does not ride any smoother compared to the non-hybrid.
The Crossbreed's unusually loud engine sounds would not be as much of a concern if the Highlander Hybrid weren't $48,160 with destination, $7,130 more than 2013-- a 2014 Lexus RX 450h is $47,320, however much smaller sized on the within. The Highlander Hybrid's high-end auto cost does not show high-end refinement since the feature-loaded Crossbreed Limited is the only Crossbreed provided; the less-expensive variation got the axe for 2014.
The volume-seller V-6 is the most fine-tuned of the lot, providing smooth and predictable velocity in addition to the very best handling with four-wheel drive. The V-6-powered Highlander's gas mileage of 19/25/21 mpg with front-wheel drive and 18/24/20 mpg with all-wheel drive is also extra competitive compared to the outbound 2013 thanks to a brand-new six-speed transmission replacing a five-speed unit on V-6 models. The all-wheel-drive system, which is likewise new, aids include 2 mpg freeway over the 2013 version. All-wheel-drive Highlanders send out torque to the rear wheels when slippage is discovered, versus the previous system that constantly sent torque to 4 wheels.
Inside
Part of the 2014's change consists of dialing up the indoor styling with many soft-touch and also accent-stitched interior panels that boost the classiness. The high quality is Toyota-Avalon good with a stitched dashboard, steering wheel and soft-touch, high-grade products in popular locations. Plastic locations that aren't textured, sewed or covered are still on the same level for the class. Even the base LE Highlander exhibits the almost luxurylike niceness of the higher-optioned Minimal trims.
Seats is comfortable in the first as well as 2nd rows with soft, large front seats and a highly adjustable 2nd row that slides and also reclines with two captain's chairs or the typical three-seat bench configuration-- captain's chairs are readily available on the XLE and also conventional on the Limited. The rest of the Highlander could 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 detachable second-row facility seat. I will not, as it was awkward as well as large to eliminate as well as change with the facility table that stored under the center console.
In the third row, Toyota increased size and included an extra seat for an optimum ability of eight occupants in common configuration. A new, a lot more small rear suspension released the added room. The 3rd row still does not fit adults with as much comfort as the bigger Chevrolet Traverse, yet it readies in a pinch. There are likewise brand-new one-touch folding second-row seats on both sides. Formerly, only the curbside seat folded up as well as glided ahead using the one-touch lever. Third-row motorcyclists additionally gain from the 2nd row's enhanced seat travel, which permits simple entry and leave.
Functional design & Electronics
Innovation is a massive focus in the 2014 Highlander and done quite possibly. Toyota's Entune multimedia system works much better compared to ever compared with various other Toyota vehicles where I've utilized the system. Working the Entune system's voice commands goes over. The versions I examined noticed the numerous voice commands I talked.
Those with large phones or who frequently have their phone attached to the SUV will certainly appreciate a tool storage walk below the climate regulates that gives a pass-through for USB cords. There ought to disappear Medusa-like dangling of cable televisions entangling the gear selector.
The typical Entune on base LE models consists of a 6.1-inch touch-screen with backup camera, USB port with iPod connectivity, auxiliary input, voice acknowledgment, Bluetooth phone connectivity as well as Bluetooth streaming audio. LE And also trims have Entune Audio And also with a higher-resolution 6.1-inch display screen, HD Radio and 90-day satellite radio registration. The following step up is Entune Costs Audio with Navigating as well as Application Suite on XLE designs with an 8-inch touch-screen as well as app collection with Pandora, Yelp and Facebook assimilation with a mobile phone as well as going along with Entune downloadable application. A JBL sound system is basic on Minimal trim levels.
The large facility storage space container in between the pole positions can feed on anything plus-sized, like a purse, iPad or Blu-ray collection for the available rear-seat Blu-ray player. When you fail to remember that Blu-ray in the house, an interesting new feature called Easy Speak transmits the growing voice of an angry mama or papa with the rear stereo audio speakers by means of the Bluetooth microphone to keep rowdy kids in check. What does it cost? a lot more family focused can you obtain compared to offering a feature that allows moms and dads to yell at kids?
Freight, Towing & Storage
Freight area behind the 3rd row boosts over the previous Highlander's skimpy step, which struggled carrying groceries, let alone a baby stroller or golf bag. The freight volume is currently ranked at 13.8 cubic feet, up from 10.3 cubic feet. It's not a big enhancement, however a minimum of it makes the location useful. It's still little compared with others in the sector: The Traveler has 21 cubic feet as well as the Pilot has 18 cubic feet behind the third row. Toyota's trickery to boost freight area entailed relocating all 3 rows of seats onward, adding size behind the back wheels and also making use of an extra portable back suspension.
The power liftgate is an outstanding feature to be standard on LE And also trim levels as well as above, and has a dress up its sleeve: It adapts to different heights, not just 1 or 2 established height settings. With the liftgate moving, users can stop the liftgate and program it to available to that set elevation the next time. The feature will certainly make shorter vehicle drivers and proprietors of reduced garages really satisfied. (If the gate goes too expensive, shorter individuals might battle to get to the power-close switch on its bottom side.) Another distinct feature on the back is an oldie however a reward: On LE And also designs and also above, the back window opens for simple access independent of the cargo entrance.
A 5,000-pound tow rating on XLE as well as Limited trim levels comes with a conventional towing plan that includes engine/transmission coolers and also updated radiator and also generator. Hybrids can tow 3,500 pounds, V-6 LE/LE Plus could tow 2,000 pounds and also a four-cylinder LE is rated at 1,500 pounds.
Security
The 2014 Highlander had not been crash-tested at the time of this writing.
The 2014 Highlander offers lower anchors as well as tethers on outboard second-row seats for child-safety seats, yet just a tether anchor on the center third-row seat.
Advanced security attributes are available, though just on the pricey Limited trim level where an unseen area monitoring system and back car parking assist are basic, as well as pre-collision, flexible cruise control and lane departure warning are optional. Restricted trim degrees are also the only designs with a back-up video camera that uses predictive guidelines to show the vehicle's path-- a backup video camera with fixed lines is conventional on all various other trim levels.
Worth in Its Class
Toyota says pricing is up around $1,500 usually throughout the 2014 trim levels, which include additional functions over the 2013. Base rates starts at $30,075 for a base four-cylinder LE with location, while volume-seller XLE designs with all-wheel drive are $38,360 and include natural leather seatsing with warmed pole positions, navigating, three-zone climate control, clever keyless entrance, second-row sunshades and more. Prices for the XLE is very competitive to three-row midsize SUVs like the Honda Pilot, Ford Traveler and even the Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2013 Highlander was genuinely a midpack three-row SUV, dragging in vital areas like interior quality, freight area as well as innovation. Feel confident, if you're a Highlander proprietor aiming to update-- as long as you're unconcerned concerning flight quality-- the 2014 is not just a compelling upgrade, but likewise deserving of cross-shopping the sector's ideal.