2015 toyota Highlander Limited
By
Alfian Adi Saputra
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Sunday, May 20, 2018
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2015 Toyota Highlander
Toyota heard consumers while revamping the seven/eight-seat 2014 Highlander as well as reacted to demands for more cabin and cargo space, vibrant designing and costs amenities. Ask for a more dynamic driving experience must have been respectfully ignored, nevertheless, as the 2014's harsher trip is a tradeoff I do not believe many midsize SUV purchasers should need to deal with in return for sportier handling.
Still, other improvements will certainly attract customers who had scratched the previous Highlander off their listing or a minimum of to those that don't take into consideration a comfortable flight a must-have. The 2014 Highlander's enhanced freight area behind the basic third-row seat is a much-needed renovation; plus, it's easier to obtain right into the third row, which currently seatses 3 and bumps common seatsing capability to 8.
2015 toyota highlander limited
With upgrades that extend the lineup of LE, LE Plus, XLE, Limited and Limited Platinum trim levels, the 2014 Highlander is now in much better shape to take on the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2014 Ford Explorer and 2014 Honda Pilot.
I drove four-cylinder, six-cylinder as well as Hybrid 2014 Highlanders at a Toyota media event.
Exterior & Styling
Toyota went back to the drawing board to upgrade its aging and stylistically devoid Highlander. Fast-forward to 2014, and also you cannot call the Highlander boring looking any longer. The 2013's ho-hum look changes into a hulking SUV with a beefier position, protruding fenders and strong front styling. Its presence approved the 2013 New York City International Vehicle Show flooring where it debuted, as well as it looks equally as great rolling down the street.
Exactly how It Drives
The driving experience isn't really the cars and truck's most attractive characteristic, despite an array of promising brand-new framework and suspension changes, so it readies the brand-new SUV does so numerous other things well.
Toyota picked curved canyon as well as seaside roads in The golden state to demonstrate the Highlander's brand-new handling chops. Driving a 2013 as well as 2014 back to back, the 2014 does exhibit greater degrees of road grasp and a boosted guiding feedback. It's even more athletic 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 punch of velocity in the hefty Highlander. It's an unlike the lighter, 290-hp Hyundai Santa Fe, which is a "little" round of excitement 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 adverse effect of the Highlander's newfound dynamics is a choppier trip over rough roadways. After driving 2013 as well as 2014 versions, I can inform the 2014 transfers even more road imperfections with the framework and also right into seats. Hey, Toyota: It's OKAY to have a hostile design and also flight like a sofa; 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 noise insulation, acoustic glass and a stiffer chassis aiding keep outside noise minimal.
I quickly spent time 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 brand new Highlander Crossbreed. Both the front-wheel-drive-only four-cylinder (20/25/22 mpg city/highway/combined) and also all-wheel-drive-only Hybrid V-6 (27/28/28 mpg) are a little rough around the sides as for engine sound and also vibrations. The Hybrid's gas mileage is reasonably unmodified for 2014, down 1 mpg in city scores to 27 mpg however keeps its 28 mpg combined ranking. The change from electric to when the engine fires up is visible with raw sounds originating from under the hood, distinct from throughout a parking area. Resonances from the transition are very little, however the sounds are loud enough to take notice.
An added 353 pounds contributed to the crossbreed from three electric motors-- 2 in the front as well as one in the back-- and a nickel metal hydride battery is recognizable in how the Hybrid drives compared with the Minimal V-6 with four-wheel drive. It's an unwinded experience less ecstatic about speeding up as well as dealing with despite having 280-hp incorporated, as well as it additionally doesn't ride any type of smoother than the non-hybrid.
The Hybrid's unusually loud engine sounds wouldn't be as much of an issue if the Highlander Hybrid 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 within. The Highlander Crossbreed's luxury vehicle cost does not mirror luxury improvement now that the feature-loaded Crossbreed Limited is the only Hybrid provided; the less-expensive variation obtained the axe for 2014.
The volume-seller V-6 is one of the most improved of the number, offering smooth and predictable velocity as well as 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 as well as 18/24/20 mpg with all-wheel drive is likewise more competitive than the outgoing 2013 thanks to a brand-new six-speed automatic transmission changing a five-speed system on V-6 models. The all-wheel-drive system, which is also new, assists add 2 mpg freeway over the 2013 variation. All-wheel-drive Highlanders send out torque to the back wheels when slippage is found, versus the previous system that always sent out torque to four wheels.
Inside
Part of the 2014's transformation includes dialing up the indoor styling with countless soft-touch as well as accent-stitched indoor panels that enhance the classiness. The quality is Toyota-Avalon nice with a stitched control panel, guiding wheel and soft-touch, top notch products in famous areas. Plastic locations that aren't textured, sewed or covered are still on the same level for the course. Also the base LE Highlander shows the virtually luxurylike niceness of the higher-optioned Restricted trims.
Seats fits in the first and also second rows with soft, broad pole positions and a very adjustable 2nd row that glides as well as reclines with 2 captain's chairs or the common three-seat bench configuration-- captain's chairs are readily available on the XLE and conventional on the Limited. The remainder of the Highlander could have been redone with dynamism in mind, however the seats talk with its comfort-focused origins. Many individuals on our team will certainly miss the 2013's detachable second-row facility seat. I will not, as it was uneasy and also bulky to eliminate and replace with the facility table that kept under the center console.
In the third row, Toyota enhanced width and also included an extra seat for a maximum ability of 8 occupants in standard setup. A brand-new, a lot more compact rear suspension released the additional space. The third row still doesn't fit adults with as much convenience as the larger Chevrolet Traverse, yet it's good in a pinch. There are additionally new one-touch folding second-row seats on both sides. Formerly, just the curbside seat folded as well as moved forward via the one-touch lever. Third-row motorcyclists likewise benefit from the 2nd row's raised seat travel, which permits very easy entrance and departure.
Functional design & Electronics
Technology is a big emphasis in the 2014 Highlander and done effectively. Toyota's Entune multimedia system functions far better compared to ever compared to other Toyota cars where I've utilized the system. Working the Entune system's voice commands goes over. The versions I checked picked up on the various voice commands I talked.
Those with bulky phones or that frequently have their phone attached to the SUV will appreciate a tool storage space step below the climate manages that gives a pass-through for USB cables. There ought to be no more Medusa-like dangling of cable televisions ensnaring the gear selector.
The common Entune on base LE models includes a 6.1-inch touch-screen with backup electronic camera, USB port with iPod connectivity, supporting input, voice recognition, Bluetooth phone connection as well as Bluetooth streaming audio. LE And also trims have Entune Audio Plus with a higher-resolution 6.1-inch display, HD Radio and also 90-day satellite radio registration. The next step up is Entune Costs Audio with Navigating and Application Suite on XLE models with an 8-inch touch-screen as well as application collection with Pandora, Yelp as well as Facebook integration with a smartphone and also going along with Entune downloadable application. A JBL stereo is conventional on Limited trim levels.
The large center storage space container in between the front seats can feast on anything plus-sized, like a bag, iPad or Blu-ray collection for the available rear-seat Blu-ray player. When you forget that Blu-ray in your home, a fascinating brand-new attribute called Easy Speak sends the growing voice of an angry mother or papa via the back stereo speakers by means of the Bluetooth microphone to maintain wild youngsters in check. What does it cost? more household concentrated can you get compared to offering an attribute that allows parents to yell at children?
Freight, Towing & Storage space
Cargo room behind the third row enhances over the previous Highlander's revealing walk, which had a hard time carrying groceries, not to mention a baby stroller or golf bag. The cargo volume is now ranked at 13.8 cubic feet, up from 10.3 cubic feet. It's not a substantial enhancement, however a minimum of it makes the area usable. It's still little compared to others in the segment: The Traveler has 21 cubic feet and also the Pilot has 18 cubic feet behind the third row. Toyota's hoax to boost freight space involved relocating all three rows of seats forward, adding length behind the back wheels as well as making use of an extra small rear suspension.
The power liftgate is an impressive function to be standard on LE And also trim levels and also above, and has a trick up its sleeve: It gets used to numerous elevations, not just a couple of fixed elevation setups. With the liftgate moving, individuals can stop the liftgate as well as program it to open to that established height the following time. The attribute will certainly make much shorter vehicle drivers and proprietors of reduced garages really happy. (If eviction goes expensive, much shorter folks could battle to reach the power-close switch on its bottom edge.) One more distinct attribute on the back is an oldie yet a goody: On LE And also designs and also above, the rear window opens up for simple accessibility independent of the freight gateway.
A 5,000-pound tow score on XLE as well as Limited trim degrees features a standard towing package that consists of engine/transmission coolers as well as upgraded radiator as well as generator. Hybrids could tow 3,500 pounds, V-6 LE/LE Plus could tow 2,000 extra pounds and also 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 offers lower anchors and also tethers on outboard second-row seats for child-safety seats, but only a tether support on the center third-row seat.
Advanced safety and security attributes are offered, though just on the costly Restricted trim level where an unseen area surveillance system and back car parking aid are common, and also pre-collision, flexible cruise control and also lane departure warning are optional. Minimal trim degrees are additionally the only models with a back-up electronic camera that makes use of anticipating guidelines to show the vehicle's course-- a backup cam with set lines is conventional on all various other trim levels.
Value in Its Class
Toyota says pricing is up about $1,500 typically across the 2014 trim levels, which include extra functions over the 2013. Base prices starts at $30,075 for a base four-cylinder LE with destination, while volume-seller XLE models with four-wheel drive are $38,360 and also consist of natural leather seating with warmed pole positions, navigation, three-zone climate control, clever keyless entrance, second-row sunshades as well as even 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 absolutely a midpack three-row SUV, lagging behind in important locations like indoor quality, freight room and innovation. Feel confident, if you're a Highlander proprietor planning to update-- as long as you're unconcerned concerning trip quality-- the 2014 is not just a compelling upgrade, yet likewise worthy of cross-shopping the section's ideal.