2015 toyota Highlander Reviews

2015 toyota highlander reviews: The 2014 Toyota Highlander's cavalcade of renovations make a previously dull, middle-of-the-road SUV stand out with strong designing as well as enhanced family members kindness.

Toyota listened to customers while upgrading the seven/eight-seat 2014 Highlander as well as replied to needs for more cabin and cargo area, dynamic styling and costs facilities. Requests for a more vibrant driving experience must have been pleasantly disregarded, however, as the 2014's harsher flight is a tradeoff I don't think several midsize SUV purchasers must need to deal with in return for sportier handling.

Still, other improvements will definitely interest buyers who had scratched the previous Highlander off their checklist or a minimum of to those that don't consider a comfortable trip an essential. The 2014 Highlander's raised freight space behind the conventional third-row seat is a much-needed improvement; plus, it's easier to get right into the 3rd row, which now sittings three and bumps typical seating ability to 8.


2015 toyota highlander reviews


With upgrades that cover the schedule of LE, LE Plus, XLE, Limited and also Limited Platinum trim degrees, the 2014 Highlander is currently in far better form to tackle the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2014 Ford Explorer as well as 2014 Honda Pilot.

I drove four-cylinder, six-cylinder as well as Hybrid 2014 Highlanders at a Toyota media event.

Exterior & Designing

Toyota returned to the drawing board to redesign its aging as well as stylistically empty Highlander. Fast-forward to 2014, as well as you can't call the Highlander boring looking any longer. The 2013's ho-hum look changes into a hulking SUV with a beefier stance, protruding fenders and bold front styling. Its existence approved the 2013 New York International Vehicle Program flooring where it debuted, as well as it looks just as excellent rolling down the street.

How It Drives

The driving experience isn't the auto's most enticing feature, despite having an array of promising new chassis and also suspension adjustments, so it excels the new SUV does so several other things well.

Toyota picked curved canyon and coastal roads in The golden state to show the Highlander's brand-new handling chops. Driving a 2013 as well as 2014 back to back, the 2014 does exhibit greater levels of road grip and also an enhanced guiding feedback. It's even more sports when digging into a corner, though I would not call the Highlander enjoyable to drive. The 270-horsepower V-6 doesn't have a prompt strike of velocity in the heavy Highlander. It's a far cry from the lighter, 290-hp Hyundai Santa Fe, which is a "little" ball of enjoyment among other 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 pounds.

A damaging result of the Highlander's newly found dynamics is a choppier flight over harsh roadways. After driving 2013 and also 2014 designs, I could inform the 2014 transfers more roadway blemishes through the chassis and also into seats. Hey, Toyota: It's ALRIGHT to have an aggressive style and also ride like a sofa; see the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.

On the upside, the 2014 Highlander has a much more significant feeling over harsh roadways, with fewer rattles, squeaks and also chassis flex. It's a matured experience with raised sound insulation, acoustic glass and a stiffer framework helping keep outside sound very little.

I quickly hung out in the four-cylinder Highlander with front-wheel drive, which Toyota anticipates to make up 5 to 10 percent of sales, and also 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 Hybrid V-6 (27/28/28 mpg) are a little harsh around the sides regarding engine noise and also resonances. The Crossbreed's gas mileage is fairly unchanged for 2014, down 1 mpg in city scores to 27 mpg however maintains its 28 mpg integrated score. The transition from electrical to when the engine fires up is obvious with raw sounds coming from under the hood, distinct from throughout a parking area. Vibrations from the transition are minimal, but the noises are loud enough to take notice.

An additional 353 extra pounds added to the crossbreed from 3 electrical motors-- 2 in the front as well as one in the back-- and also a nickel metal hydride battery is visible in how the Hybrid drives compared with the Minimal V-6 with four-wheel drive. It's a relaxed experience less ecstatic regarding accelerating and dealing with even with 280-hp combined, as well as it likewise does not ride any type of smoother than the non-hybrid.

The Crossbreed's unusually loud engine noises would not be as much of an issue if the Highlander Hybrid weren't $48,160 with destination, $7,130 greater than 2013-- a 2014 Lexus RX 450h is $47,320, however much smaller sized on the within. The Highlander Hybrid's high-end cars and truck rate doesn't reflect deluxe refinement now that the feature-loaded Crossbreed Limited is the only Crossbreed used; the less-expensive version obtained the axe for 2014.

The volume-seller V-6 is the most refined of the bunch, offering 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 as well as 18/24/20 mpg with four-wheel drive is additionally more competitive compared to the outgoing 2013 thanks to a new six-speed automatic transmission replacing a five-speed device on V-6 models. The all-wheel-drive system, which is additionally new, helps add 2 mpg freeway over the 2013 variation. All-wheel-drive Highlanders send torque to the back 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 calling up the interior styling with countless soft-touch and accent-stitched interior panels that boost the classiness. The high quality is Toyota-Avalon wonderful with a stitched control panel, steering wheel as well as soft-touch, top notch products in noticeable locations. Plastic areas that aren't textured, sewed or covered are still on the same level for the course. Even the base LE Highlander emanates the nearly luxurylike niceness of the higher-optioned Restricted trims.

Seating fits in the initial as well as 2nd rows with soft, large front seats as well as a highly adjustable second row that slides as well as reclines with two captain's chairs or the basic three-seat bench setup-- captain's chairs are available on the XLE and standard on the Limited. The remainder of the Highlander may have been redone with dynamism in mind, but the seats speak with its comfort-focused roots. Many people on our team will miss out on the 2013's detachable second-row center seat. I won't, as it was uneasy as well as bulky to remove and also change with the facility table that kept under the facility console.

In the third row, Toyota boosted size and also added an additional seat for an optimum ability of 8 passengers in conventional arrangement. A brand-new, extra portable rear suspension freed the added space. The third row still doesn't fit adults with as much comfort as the bigger Chevrolet Traverse, however it readies in a pinch. There are also new one-touch folding second-row seats on both sides. Previously, just the curbside seat folded as well as moved forward using the one-touch lever. Third-row cyclists likewise gain from the 2nd row's enhanced seat traveling, which allows simple entry as well as departure.

Ergonomics & Electronic devices

Modern technology is a big emphasis in the 2014 Highlander and also done very well. Toyota's Entune multimedia system works much better than ever before compared with other Toyota automobiles in which I've made use of the system. Working the Entune system's voice commands is impressive. The models I checked picked up on the different voice commands I talked.

Those with cumbersome phones or that frequently have their phone connected to the SUV will appreciate a tool storage space step below the climate manages that offers a pass-through for USB cords. There need to be no more Medusa-like dangling of cable televisions entangling the gear selector.

The standard Entune on base LE versions consists of a 6.1-inch touch-screen with backup camera, USB port with iPod connection, supporting input, voice acknowledgment, Bluetooth phone connectivity and also Bluetooth streaming audio. LE And also trims have Entune Sound And also with a higher-resolution 6.1-inch display, HD Radio and 90-day satellite radio membership. The next step up is Entune Premium Sound with Navigation and also Application Suite on XLE versions with an 8-inch touch-screen and app collection with Pandora, Yelp and Facebook combination with a smartphone and also going along with Entune downloadable application. A JBL stereo is standard on Limited trim levels.

The enormous facility storage space bin between the front seats could feed on anything plus-sized, like a purse, iPad or Blu-ray collection for the offered rear-seat Blu-ray gamer. And when you fail to remember that Blu-ray at home, an interesting new attribute called Easy Speak transmits the booming voice of an upset mama or daddy via the back stereo audio speakers using the Bluetooth microphone to keep rowdy children in check. What does it cost? extra family members focused can you obtain than offering a function that allows moms and dads to chew out children?

Cargo, Towing & Storage

Freight space behind the 3rd row enhances over the previous Highlander's skimpy walk, which battled bring groceries, let alone an infant stroller or golf bag. The freight volume is now rated at 13.8 cubic feet, up from 10.3 cubic feet. It's not a substantial enhancement, yet at the very least it makes the location usable. It's still small compared to others in the section: The Traveler has 21 cubic feet as well as the Pilot has 18 cubic feet behind the 3rd row. Toyota's hoax to increase cargo space involved moving all 3 rows of seats onward, adding length behind the back wheels and also using an extra portable back suspension.

The power liftgate is an excellent function to be typical on LE Plus trim degrees and also above, and has a trick up its sleeve: It gets used to various elevations, not just 1 or 2 established height setups. With the liftgate moving, customers could quit the liftgate and program it to open to that established elevation the following time. The attribute will certainly make much shorter chauffeurs and owners of low garages extremely satisfied. (If the gate goes too expensive, shorter individuals may battle to reach the power-close button on its bottom side.) An additional distinct function on the back is an oldie yet a goody: On LE And also models and also above, the rear home window opens for very easy access independent of the freight entrance.

A 5,000-pound tow rating on XLE and also Limited trim levels comes with a basic towing plan that includes engine/transmission colders as well as upgraded radiator as well as alternator. Hybrids could tow 3,500 extra pounds, V-6 LE/LE And also can tow 2,000 pounds and a four-cylinder LE is rated at 1,500 pounds.

Safety and security

The 2014 Highlander hadn't been crash-tested at the time of this writing.

The 2014 Highlander provides reduced supports and tethers on outboard second-row seats for child-safety seats, however just a tether support on the center third-row seat.

Advanced security features are available, though only on the pricey Restricted trim level where a dead spot tracking system and back auto parking assist are common, and also pre-collision, adaptive cruise control and also lane departure warning are optional. Minimal trim levels are likewise the only designs with a back-up electronic camera that makes use of anticipating standards to reveal the car's course-- a back-up video camera with fixed lines is common on all various other trim levels.

Worth in Its Course

Toyota says prices is up around $1,500 typically throughout the 2014 trim degrees, that include additional functions over the 2013. Base prices starts at $30,075 for a base four-cylinder LE with destination, while volume-seller XLE designs with four-wheel drive are $38,360 and also consist of leather seatsing with heated pole positions, navigation, three-zone environment control, wise keyless access, second-row sunshades as well as even more. Rates for the XLE is really affordable 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, hanging back in vital locations like indoor high quality, cargo room and also modern technology. Rest assured, if you're a Highlander owner wanting to upgrade-- as long as you're unconcerned regarding ride top quality-- the 2014 is not only a compelling upgrade, however additionally worthy of cross-shopping the section's ideal.