Toyota Highlander 2015
By
Herman Syah
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Saturday, March 24, 2018
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2015 Toyota Highlander
Toyota heard consumers while revamping the seven/eight-seat 2014 Highlander and also reacted to needs for even more cabin and cargo room, vibrant styling and also premium services. Requests for a much more vibrant driving experience must have been professionally overlooked, nevertheless, as the 2014's harsher flight is a tradeoff I don't think lots of midsize SUV purchasers need to need to deal with in return for sportier handling.
Still, various other improvements will undoubtedly interest shoppers that had actually scraped the previous Highlander off their checklist or a minimum of to those who do not consider a comfortable trip an essential. The 2014 Highlander's boosted cargo space behind the typical third-row seat is a much-needed renovation; plus, it's easier to obtain right into the 3rd row, which currently seatses 3 as well as bumps typical seating capacity to 8.
toyota highlander 2015
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 form to take on the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2014 Ford Explorer and also 2014 Honda Pilot.
I drove four-cylinder, six-cylinder and Hybrid 2014 Highlanders at a Toyota media event.
Outside & Designing
Toyota returned to the attracting board to upgrade its aging and stylistically devoid Highlander. Fast-forward to 2014, and you can not call the Highlander boring looking any kind of longer. The 2013's dull appearance changes right into a hulking SUV with a beefier stance, protruding fenders and also strong front styling. Its visibility approved the 2013 New York City International Automobile Program floor where it debuted, and also it looks equally as excellent rolling down the street.
Exactly how It Drives
The driving experience isn't really the vehicle's most attractive feature, even with an array of encouraging new chassis and suspension modifications, so it's good the new SUV does so lots of other points well.
Toyota chose curved canyon and also seaside roadways in California to demonstrate the Highlander's brand-new handling chops. Driving a 2013 and also 2014 back to back, the 2014 does exhibit higher levels of roadway hold and also an enhanced steering response. It's even more sports when digging right into a corner, though I would not call the Highlander enjoyable to drive. The 270-horsepower V-6 doesn't have a prompt 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 excitement to name a few 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 damaging impact of the Highlander's newly found characteristics is a choppier trip over rough roads. After driving 2013 and 2014 models, I might tell the 2014 sends more road imperfections via the framework and right into seats. Hey, Toyota: It's OK to have a hostile style as well as trip like a couch; see the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.
On the advantage, the 2014 Highlander has a much more considerable sensation over harsh roadways, with fewer rattles, squeals and also chassis flex. It's a matured experience with increased sound insulation, acoustic glass and a stiffer framework assisting maintain outside sound minimal.
I quickly spent time in the four-cylinder Highlander with front-wheel drive, which Toyota anticipates to make up 5 to 10 percent of sales, and in the all-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 Crossbreed V-6 (27/28/28 mpg) are a little rough around the sides regarding engine noise and resonances. The Crossbreed's gas mileage is fairly unmodified for 2014, down 1 mpg in city scores to 27 mpg however maintains its 28 mpg integrated ranking. The shift from electrical to when the engine fires up is obvious with raw sounds originating from under the hood, audible from across a parking area. Resonances from the change are very little, however the noises are audible to take notice.
An added 353 extra pounds added to the crossbreed from 3 electric motors-- 2 in the front as well as one in the back-- and also a nickel steel hydride battery is visible in how the Hybrid drives compared with the Restricted V-6 with four-wheel drive. It's a relaxed experience less ecstatic concerning accelerating and handling even with 280-hp integrated, and it also does not ride any kind of smoother compared to the non-hybrid.
The Crossbreed's abnormally loud engine noises wouldn't be as much of a problem if the Highlander Crossbreed just weren't $48,160 with destination, $7,130 more than 2013-- a 2014 Lexus RX 450h is $47,320, however a lot smaller sized on the inside. The Highlander Crossbreed's luxury cars and truck price does not reflect luxury improvement now that the feature-loaded Hybrid Limited is the only Hybrid used; the less-expensive version obtained the axe for 2014.
The volume-seller V-6 is the most fine-tuned of the bunch, supplying smooth and also 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 and 18/24/20 mpg with all-wheel drive is additionally a lot more affordable compared to the outgoing 2013 thanks to a new six-speed automatic transmission changing a five-speed system on V-6 versions. The all-wheel-drive system, which is additionally brand-new, helps include 2 mpg freeway over the 2013 version. All-wheel-drive Highlanders send out torque to the back wheels when slippage is spotted, versus the previous system that always sent torque to four wheels.
Inside
Part of the 2014's change includes dialing up the indoor styling with countless soft-touch and accent-stitched interior panels that boost the classiness. The top quality is Toyota-Avalon nice with a sewn dashboard, steering wheel and also soft-touch, top notch materials in popular locations. Plastic areas that aren't textured, stitched or covered are still on par for the course. Even the base LE Highlander exhibits the almost luxurylike niceness of the higher-optioned Minimal trims.
Seating fits in the very first and second rows with soft, vast pole positions and an extremely flexible 2nd row that slides as well as reclines with two captain's chairs or the conventional three-seat bench configuration-- captain's chairs are readily available on the XLE and also common on the Limited. The remainder of the Highlander could have been redone with dynamism in mind, but the seats speak to its comfort-focused roots. Many individuals on our team will certainly miss out on the 2013's removable second-row center seat. I won't, as it was uncomfortable as well as bulky to get rid of and replace with the facility table that stored under the facility console.
In the 3rd row, Toyota increased size and added an extra seat for an optimum ability of eight occupants in conventional arrangement. A brand-new, much more small rear suspension released the additional room. The 3rd row still doesn't fit adults with as much comfort as the larger Chevrolet Traverse, however it excels in a pinch. There are likewise brand-new one-touch folding second-row seats on both sides. Formerly, just the curbside seat folded up and also slid ahead by means of the one-touch bar. Third-row bikers also benefit from the second row's boosted seat travel, which enables very easy entry and also leave.
Ergonomics & Electronics
Modern technology is a huge focus in the 2014 Highlander and done extremely well. Toyota's Entune multimedia system functions better compared to ever before compared to other Toyota automobiles where I have actually made use of the system. Functioning the Entune system's voice commands goes over. The designs I examined detected the different voice commands I spoke.
Those with bulky phones or that frequently have their phone linked to the SUV will certainly value a gadget storage step listed below the environment controls that gives a pass-through for USB cords. There must be no more Medusa-like dangling of cable televisions ensnaring the gear selector.
The standard Entune on base LE designs includes a 6.1-inch touch-screen with backup camera, USB port with iPod connection, complementary input, voice acknowledgment, Bluetooth phone connection and also Bluetooth streaming sound. LE And also trims have Entune Sound And also with a higher-resolution 6.1-inch display screen, HD Radio and also 90-day satellite radio membership. The next step up is Entune Premium Audio with Navigation and also Application Suite on XLE versions with an 8-inch touch-screen and application suite with Pandora, Yelp as well as Facebook integration with a smart device and coming with Entune downloadable application. A JBL stereo is conventional on Limited trim degrees.
The enormous facility storage space bin in between the front seats can feed on anything plus-sized, like a bag, iPad or Blu-ray collection for the offered rear-seat Blu-ray gamer. And when you neglect that Blu-ray at home, a fascinating brand-new attribute called Easy Speak transfers the flourishing voice of a mad mother or dad via the rear stereo audio speakers using the Bluetooth microphone to keep rowdy youngsters in check. How much a lot more household concentrated can you get than offering an attribute that permits parents to chew out children?
Cargo, Towing & Storage
Cargo space behind the 3rd row enhances over the previous Highlander's revealing walk, which had a hard time lugging groceries, let alone a baby stroller or golf bag. The cargo volume is now rated at 13.8 cubic feet, up from 10.3 cubic feet. It's not a significant enhancement, however at least it makes the location usable. It's still small compared to others in the segment: The Traveler has 21 cubic feet as well as the Pilot has 18 cubic feet behind the 3rd row. Toyota's trickery to increase cargo room included moving all 3 rows of seats forward, adding length behind the rear wheels and making use of an extra compact back suspension.
The power liftgate is an excellent attribute to be common on LE And also trim degrees and above, and also has a dress up its sleeve: It adapts to different elevations, not simply 1 or 2 established height settings. With the liftgate moving, individuals could stop the liftgate and also program it to open up to that established elevation the following time. The function will make much shorter drivers and owners of reduced garages really pleased. (If eviction goes too high, shorter individuals could have a hard time to reach the power-close switch on its lower edge.) An additional special feature on the back is an oldie yet a reward: On LE Plus versions and also above, the rear home window opens for easy accessibility independent of the freight entrance.
A 5,000-pound tow score on XLE and Limited trim levels comes with a common towing plan that includes engine/transmission coolers and also updated radiator as well as alternator. Crossbreeds can tow 3,500 pounds, V-6 LE/LE Plus can tow 2,000 extra pounds as well as a four-cylinder LE is ranked at 1,500 extra pounds.
Safety
The 2014 Highlander hadn't been crash-tested at the time of this writing.
The 2014 Highlander gives reduced anchors and also tethers on outboard second-row seats for child-safety seats, however just a secure anchor on the middle third-row seat.
Advanced safety and security functions are available, though only on the costly Restricted trim level where a blind spot tracking system and rear parking assist are common, and pre-collision, flexible cruise control and lane departure warning are optional. Limited trim degrees are additionally the only versions with a back-up cam that uses anticipating guidelines to reveal the vehicle's course-- a backup camera with fixed lines is standard on all other trim levels.
Value in Its Course
Toyota says prices is up about $1,500 on average across the 2014 trim degrees, that include added attributes over the 2013. Base pricing begins at $30,075 for a base four-cylinder LE with destination, while volume-seller XLE models with all-wheel drive are $38,360 as well as include natural leather seatsing with heated front seats, navigating, three-zone climate control, smart keyless entry, second-row sunshades as well as more. Prices for the XLE is really competitive to three-row midsize SUVs like the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer or even the Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2013 Highlander was really a midpack three-row SUV, dragging in essential locations like indoor high quality, freight room and also innovation. Rest assured, if you're a Highlander owner seeking to update-- as long as you're unconcerned about ride high quality-- the 2014 is not only an engaging upgrade, however additionally deserving of cross-shopping the section's best.