2015 toyota Highlander Dimensions

2015 toyota highlander dimensions: 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 improved family friendliness.

Toyota paid attention to customers while redesigning the seven/eight-seat 2014 Highlander as well as responded to demands for more cabin and also freight space, vibrant designing and premium facilities. Requests for a more vibrant driving experience ought to have been professionally overlooked, however, as the 2014's harsher trip is a tradeoff I do not assume numerous midsize SUV buyers need to have to live with in return for sportier handling.

Still, various other enhancements will undoubtedly appeal to consumers that had scraped the previous Highlander off their checklist or at least to those that do not consider a comfy flight a must-have. The 2014 Highlander's increased cargo space behind the basic third-row seat is a much-needed improvement; plus, it's simpler to get into the third row, which now seatses three and also bumps common seatsing capability to eight.


2015 toyota highlander dimensions


With upgrades that cover the schedule of LE, LE And Also, XLE, Limited and Limited Platinum trim levels, the 2014 Highlander is now in far better shape to handle 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 revamp its aging and stylistically empty Highlander. Fast-forward to 2014, and also you can not 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 also bold front designing. Its existence approved the 2013 New York International Auto Program flooring where it debuted, and it looks just as good rolling down the street.

Just how It Drives

The driving experience isn't really the car's most enticing feature, despite an array of encouraging new framework and also suspension adjustments, so it readies the new SUV does so lots of other things well.

Toyota selected curved canyon and seaside roadways in California to show the Highlander's new handling chops. Driving a 2013 as well as 2014 back to back, the 2014 does display greater levels of road grasp as well as a boosted guiding response. It's even more sports when excavating right into a corner, though I wouldn't call the Highlander enjoyable to drive. The 270-horsepower V-6 doesn't have an instant punch of acceleration in the hefty Highlander. It's an unlike the lighter, 290-hp Hyundai Santa Fe, which is a "little" ball of enjoyment 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 pounds.

An unfavorable result of the Highlander's newfound characteristics is a choppier ride over rough roadways. After driving 2013 as well as 2014 versions, I could tell the 2014 transmits even more roadway blemishes through the chassis and also right into seats. Hey, Toyota: It's OKAY to have an aggressive design and also ride like a sofa; see the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.

On the benefit, the 2014 Highlander has a much more significant feeling over rough roadways, with fewer rattles, squeaks as well as chassis flex. It's a matured experience with raised noise insulation, acoustic glass and a stiffer framework assisting keep outside noise minimal.

I quickly hung out in the four-cylinder Highlander with front-wheel drive, which Toyota anticipates to represent 5 to 10 percent of sales, as well as 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 Hybrid V-6 (27/28/28 mpg) are a little harsh around the edges regarding engine noise and also vibrations. The Hybrid's gas mileage is relatively unchanged for 2014, down 1 mpg in city rankings to 27 mpg however keeps its 28 mpg integrated ranking. The shift from electrical to when the engine fires up is noticeable with raw noises coming from under the hood, distinct from throughout a car park. Resonances from the transition are marginal, yet the sounds are audible to take notice.

An additional 353 pounds contributed to the crossbreed from three electrical motors-- 2 in the front and also one in the back-- and a nickel metal hydride battery is noticeable in just how the Crossbreed drives compared to the Limited V-6 with all-wheel drive. It's a loosened up experience less ecstatic about increasing and taking care of despite 280-hp combined, and also it also doesn't ride any kind of smoother compared to the non-hybrid.

The Hybrid's uncommonly loud engine sounds wouldn't be as much of a concern if the Highlander Crossbreed just weren't $48,160 with location, $7,130 greater than 2013-- a 2014 Lexus RX 450h is $47,320, though much smaller sized on the within. The Highlander Hybrid's luxury auto cost doesn't reflect deluxe improvement now that the feature-loaded Hybrid Limited is the only Hybrid provided; the less-expensive variation got the axe for 2014.

The volume-seller V-6 is the most refined of the number, supplying smooth and foreseeable acceleration in addition to the 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 four-wheel drive is likewise much more competitive compared to the outward bound 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 additionally brand-new, aids add 2 mpg freeway over the 2013 variation. All-wheel-drive Highlanders send out torque to the rear wheels when slippage is spotted, versus the previous system that constantly sent out torque to 4 wheels.

Inside

Part of the 2014's makeover consists of calling up the interior styling with various soft-touch and accent-stitched indoor panels that boost the classiness. The top quality is Toyota-Avalon great with a sewn dashboard, steering wheel as well as soft-touch, high-quality products in famous locations. Plastic areas that aren't textured, sewed or covered are still on the same level for the class. Even the base LE Highlander radiates the virtually luxurylike niceness of the higher-optioned Minimal trims.

Seating fits in the very first and 2nd rows with soft, broad pole positions and also a very flexible second row that moves as well as reclines with two captain's chairs or the common three-seat bench configuration-- captain's chairs are readily available on the XLE as well as basic on the Limited. The rest of the Highlander might have been redone with dynamism in mind, however the seats talk to its comfort-focused origins. Many people on our personnel will miss out on the 2013's detachable second-row center seat. I won't, as it was awkward and also large to eliminate and also change with the facility table that saved under the facility console.

In the third row, Toyota boosted width and added an extra seat for a maximum capability of eight owners in typical setup. A brand-new, more portable rear suspension released the added room. The third row still doesn't fit grownups with as much comfort as the bigger Chevrolet Traverse, yet it's good in a pinch. There are likewise brand-new one-touch folding second-row seats on both sides. Previously, only the curbside seat folded up as well as moved onward via the one-touch lever. Third-row bikers also take advantage of the 2nd row's increased seat traveling, which allows easy entry and also exit.

Ergonomics & Electronic devices

Innovation is a big emphasis in the 2014 Highlander and also done quite possibly. Toyota's Entune multimedia system functions far better than ever compared with other Toyota cars where I've made use of the system. Working the Entune system's voice commands is impressive. The models I examined picked up on the numerous voice commands I spoke.

Those with bulky phones or that frequently have their phone connected to the SUV will value a tool storage ledge below the climate controls that supplies a pass-through for USB cables. There should disappear Medusa-like dangling of cords the gear selector.

The basic Entune on base LE models includes a 6.1-inch touch-screen with backup electronic camera, USB port with iPod connectivity, complementary input, voice acknowledgment, Bluetooth phone connection as well as Bluetooth streaming audio. LE Plus trims have Entune Sound Plus with a higher-resolution 6.1-inch display screen, HD Radio as well as 90-day satellite radio membership. The next step up is Entune Premium Audio with Navigating and Application Collection on XLE models with an 8-inch touch-screen and application collection with Pandora, Yelp and also Facebook assimilation with a smart device and also coming with Entune downloadable application. A JBL sound system is typical on Minimal trim levels.

The massive center storage container in between the front seats could feast on anything plus-sized, like a bag, iPad or Blu-ray collection for the readily available rear-seat Blu-ray player. And when you neglect that Blu-ray at home, an intriguing brand-new function called Easy Speak transfers the growing voice of an angry mommy or daddy via the back stereo speakers through the Bluetooth microphone to maintain rowdy children in check. How much extra family concentrated can you obtain compared to giving an attribute that allows moms and dads to chew out children?

Freight, Towing & Storage

Cargo area behind the third row improves over the previous Highlander's sexy walk, which had a hard time bring groceries, let alone a baby stroller or golf bag. The freight quantity is currently ranked at 13.8 cubic feet, up from 10.3 cubic feet. It's not a huge improvement, however a minimum of it makes the area functional. It's still small compared with others in the sector: The Traveler has 21 cubic feet and the Pilot has 18 cubic feet behind the third row. Toyota's hoax to raise cargo area included relocating all 3 rows of seats ahead, adding size behind the back wheels as well as making use of a much more small back suspension.

The power liftgate is an outstanding feature to be conventional on LE And also trim levels and above, and also has a trick up its sleeve: It adjusts to numerous elevations, not simply a couple of predetermined elevation setups. With the liftgate in motion, individuals could stop the liftgate and program it to open to that established elevation the next time. The attribute will certainly make much shorter chauffeurs and proprietors of reduced garages extremely delighted. (If eviction goes expensive, shorter folks might battle to reach the power-close button on its bottom edge.) One more special attribute on the back is an oldie however a goody: On LE Plus models and also above, the rear home window opens up for simple access independent of the cargo gateway.

A 5,000-pound tow ranking on XLE as well as Limited trim levels comes with a basic towing bundle that consists of engine/transmission colders and updated radiator and also alternator. Crossbreeds could tow 3,500 extra pounds, V-6 LE/LE And also could tow 2,000 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 supplies reduced anchors as well as tethers on outboard second-row seats for child-safety seats, but just a tether support on the center third-row seat.

Advanced safety and security features are readily available, though only on the pricey Limited trim degree where a dead spot surveillance system and also rear car park aid are standard, and also pre-collision, flexible cruise ship control and also lane departure warning are optional. Restricted trim levels are likewise the only designs with a back-up electronic camera that uses anticipating standards to show the automobile's path-- a backup cam with set lines is basic on all various other trim degrees.

Worth in Its Class

Toyota claims pricing is up around $1,500 on average across the 2014 trim levels, that include additional features over the 2013. Base prices starts at $30,075 for a base four-cylinder LE with location, while volume-seller XLE designs with four-wheel drive are $38,360 and also consist of natural leather seatsing with heated pole positions, navigating, three-zone climate control, smart keyless entry, second-row sunshades and even more. Prices for the XLE is really affordable to three-row midsize SUVs like the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer as well as the Hyundai Santa Fe.

The 2013 Highlander was truly a midpack three-row SUV, hanging back in essential locations like interior high quality, freight room as well as modern technology. Rest assured, if you're a Highlander owner planning to update-- as long as you're unconcerned about trip high quality-- the 2014 is not only a compelling upgrade, however additionally worthwhile of cross-shopping the segment's best.