Toyota Highlander 2015 for Sale
By
Herman Syah
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Sunday, April 1, 2018
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2015 Toyota Highlander
Toyota listened to consumers while redesigning the seven/eight-seat 2014 Highlander and reacted to demands for even more cabin and also cargo area, vibrant styling and premium features. Requests for a much more dynamic driving experience should have been professionally neglected, nevertheless, as the 2014's harsher ride is a tradeoff I don't believe many midsize SUV buyers need to have to live with in return for sportier handling.
Still, other enhancements will definitely appeal to buyers that had scraped the previous Highlander off their listing or at least to those who do not consider a comfortable ride a must-have. The 2014 Highlander's enhanced freight space behind the typical third-row seat is a much-needed renovation; plus, it's easier to get right into the third row, which currently seats three and also bumps typical seatsing capability to 8.
toyota highlander 2015 for sale
With upgrades that extend the lineup of LE, LE And Also, XLE, Limited and also Limited Platinum trim degrees, the 2014 Highlander is now in better form to take on the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2014 Ford Explorer as well as 2014 Honda Pilot.
I drove four-cylinder, six-cylinder and Hybrid 2014 Highlanders at a Toyota media event.
Exterior & Styling
Toyota went back to the drawing board to upgrade its aging and stylistically empty Highlander. Fast-forward to 2014, and also you can not call the Highlander boring looking any longer. The 2013's dull appearance changes into a hulking SUV with a beefier stance, bulging fenders and bold front styling. Its visibility was big on the 2013 New York City International Vehicle Program flooring where it debuted, and also it looks just as great rolling down the street.
How It Drives
The driving experience isn't really the auto's most attractive feature, despite having a variety of encouraging brand-new framework and suspension changes, so it readies the new SUV does so several other points well.
Toyota picked curved canyon and also seaside roads in California to demonstrate the Highlander's new handling chops. Driving a 2013 and also 2014 back to back, the 2014 does show higher degrees of road grip as well as an improved steering reaction. It's more sports when digging into an edge, though I wouldn't call the Highlander enjoyable to drive. The 270-horsepower V-6 doesn't have an instant strike 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 exhilaration to name a few similar 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 extra pounds.
A negative result of the Highlander's newfound characteristics is a choppier ride over rough roadways. After driving 2013 and also 2014 designs, I might inform the 2014 sends even more road flaws with the chassis and also into seats. Hey, Toyota: It's OK to have an aggressive style and also trip like a couch; see the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.
On the benefit, the 2014 Highlander has a much more considerable sensation over harsh roads, with less rattles, squeaks and also framework flex. It's a matured experience with enhanced sound insulation, acoustic glass as well as a stiffer chassis helping keep outside sound marginal.
I briefly spent time in the four-cylinder Highlander with front-wheel drive, which Toyota anticipates to account for 5 to 10 percent of sales, and in the brand new Highlander Crossbreed. 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 sides regarding engine noise and also vibrations. The Hybrid's gas mileage is fairly unmodified for 2014, down 1 mpg in city ratings to 27 mpg yet keeps its 28 mpg incorporated rating. The transition from electric to when the engine fires up is recognizable with raw noises coming from under the hood, distinct from across a parking lot. Resonances from the change are very little, yet the sounds are loud enough to take notice.
An extra 353 extra pounds included in the crossbreed from 3 electrical motors-- 2 in the front as well as one in the back-- and also a nickel steel hydride battery is visible in exactly how the Crossbreed drives compared with the Limited V-6 with all-wheel drive. It's a kicked back experience less ecstatic concerning increasing as well as taking care of even with 280-hp incorporated, and also it additionally does not ride any smoother than the non-hybrid.
The Crossbreed's uncommonly 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, however much smaller sized on the in. The Highlander Hybrid's high-end auto price does not reflect deluxe improvement since the feature-loaded Crossbreed Limited is the only Crossbreed used; the less-expensive version got the axe for 2014.
The volume-seller V-6 is the most refined of the bunch, supplying smooth as well as predictable velocity along with the very best handling with all-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 four-wheel drive is also extra competitive than the outgoing 2013 thanks to a brand-new six-speed automatic transmission replacing a five-speed device on V-6 versions. The all-wheel-drive system, which is also brand-new, aids include 2 mpg freeway over the 2013 version. All-wheel-drive Highlanders send torque to the back wheels when slippage is discovered, versus the previous system that constantly sent torque to 4 wheels.
Inside
Part of the 2014's makeover includes dialing up the indoor styling with many soft-touch and also accent-stitched interior panels that boost the classiness. The quality is Toyota-Avalon good with a sewn control panel, guiding wheel and soft-touch, premium materials in noticeable locations. Plastic areas that aren't textured, sewed or covered are still on par for the class. Also the base LE Highlander emanates the practically luxurylike niceness of the higher-optioned Restricted trims.
Seats fits in the very first and 2nd rows with soft, large front seats as well as a very adjustable second row that moves as well as reclines with two captain's chairs or the standard three-seat bench arrangement-- captain's chairs are offered on the XLE and typical on the Limited. The rest of the Highlander could have been redone with dynamism in mind, however the seats speak to its comfort-focused roots. Many individuals on our personnel will miss the 2013's removable second-row facility seat. I will not, as it was uneasy as well as cumbersome to get rid of and also change with the center table that kept under the facility console.
In the third row, Toyota raised width as well as included an extra seat for an optimum ability of 8 owners in standard configuration. A new, more portable rear suspension freed the added room. The third row still doesn't fit adults with as much convenience as the bigger Chevrolet Traverse, but it readies in a pinch. There are additionally new one-touch folding second-row seats on both sides. Previously, just the curbside seat folded up and also slid forward by means of the one-touch lever. Third-row riders likewise benefit from the 2nd row's increased seat travel, which enables easy entrance and exit.
Comfort design & Electronics
Technology is a huge emphasis in the 2014 Highlander as well as done extremely well. Toyota's Entune multimedia system works much better compared to ever compared to various other Toyota vehicles where I've used the system. Working the Entune system's voice commands is impressive. The models I examined noticed the numerous voice commands I spoke.
Those with cumbersome phones or that regularly have their phone connected to the SUV will appreciate a gadget storage walk listed below the climate controls that offers a pass-through for USB cables. There should disappear Medusa-like dangling of cords entangling the equipment selector.
The standard Entune on base LE designs consists of a 6.1-inch touch-screen with backup video camera, USB port with iPod connectivity, auxiliary input, voice recognition, Bluetooth phone connectivity as well as Bluetooth streaming audio. LE Plus trims have Entune Audio And also with a higher-resolution 6.1-inch screen, HD Radio and also 90-day satellite radio subscription. The next step up is Entune Costs Audio with Navigation as well as App Suite on XLE versions with an 8-inch touch-screen and app suite with Pandora, Yelp and Facebook assimilation with a mobile phone and coming with Entune downloadable application. A JBL sound system is basic on Limited trim levels.
The massive center storage container 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. When you neglect that Blu-ray at home, a fascinating brand-new feature called Easy Speak sends the booming voice of an upset mom or dad via the rear stereo audio speakers via the Bluetooth microphone to keep wild children in check. How much a lot more family members concentrated can you obtain than supplying a function that permits parents to chew out children?
Freight, Towing & Storage space
Cargo room behind the 3rd row improves over the previous Highlander's sexy step, which had a hard time lugging groceries, let alone a stroller or golf bag. The cargo quantity is now ranked at 13.8 cubic feet, up from 10.3 cubic feet. It's not a substantial renovation, however at the very least it makes the location usable. 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 hoax to increase freight space entailed relocating all 3 rows of seats onward, including size behind the back wheels and also making use of a much more small rear suspension.
The power liftgate is an outstanding feature to be common on LE Plus trim levels as well as above, and also has a dress up its sleeve: It gets used to various elevations, not just one or two established elevation settings. With the liftgate moving, individuals can quit the liftgate and program it to available to that established height the next time. The feature will certainly make shorter chauffeurs and owners of reduced garages really pleased. (If eviction goes too high, shorter people might battle to reach the power-close button on its lower side.) One more special attribute on the back is an oldie yet a goody: On LE And also versions and also above, the rear home window opens for easy access independent of the cargo gate.
A 5,000-pound tow ranking on XLE and also Limited trim levels comes with a basic towing package that includes engine/transmission colders and also upgraded radiator and generator. Crossbreeds can tow 3,500 extra pounds, V-6 LE/LE Plus can tow 2,000 extra pounds and a four-cylinder LE is rated at 1,500 pounds.
Safety and security
The 2014 Highlander had not been crash-tested at the time of this writing.
The 2014 Highlander gives lower anchors and tethers on outboard second-row seats for child-safety seats, yet only a tether support on the middle third-row seat.
Advanced safety attributes are offered, though just on the pricey Limited trim level where an unseen area surveillance system as well as back car parking aid are conventional, and also pre-collision, flexible cruise control and lane departure warning are optional. Minimal trim levels are also the only designs with a back-up cam that utilizes predictive guidelines to reveal the vehicle's course-- a backup video camera with fixed lines is common on all other trim degrees.
Value in Its Course
Toyota says rates is up around $1,500 on average across the 2014 trim degrees, which include added attributes over the 2013. Base prices 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 warmed pole positions, navigation, three-zone climate control, clever keyless entry, second-row sunshades as well as more. Pricing for the XLE is extremely competitive to three-row midsize SUVs like the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer as well as the Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2013 Highlander was really a midpack three-row SUV, dragging in crucial areas like interior top quality, cargo space and also technology. Feel confident, if you're a Highlander proprietor seeking to update-- as long as you're unconcerned about trip top quality-- the 2014 is not just a compelling upgrade, yet likewise worthwhile of cross-shopping the section's ideal.