2015 toyota Highlander Review
By
Alfian Adi Saputra
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Sunday, May 27, 2018
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2015 Toyota Highlander
Toyota listened to customers while redesigning the seven/eight-seat 2014 Highlander and also replied to needs for more cabin and also freight area, dynamic styling and also premium facilities. Requests for a much more vibrant driving experience ought to have been respectfully overlooked, nevertheless, as the 2014's harsher trip is a tradeoff I don't assume several midsize SUV customers ought to need to live with in return for sportier handling.
Still, various other enhancements will certainly interest shoppers that had actually damaged the previous Highlander off their listing or at the very least to those that don't think about a comfy trip a must-have. The 2014 Highlander's boosted freight area behind the typical third-row seat is a much-needed improvement; plus, it's simpler to obtain into the 3rd row, which currently seats 3 and bumps common seating ability to eight.
2015 toyota highlander review
With upgrades that span the schedule of LE, LE Plus, XLE, Limited and also Limited Platinum trim levels, the 2014 Highlander is now in much better shape to tackle the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2014 Ford Traveler and 2014 Honda Pilot.
I drove four-cylinder, six-cylinder as well as Hybrid 2014 Highlanders at a Toyota media event.
Outside & Designing
Toyota returned to the attracting board to upgrade its aging and also stylistically devoid Highlander. Fast-forward to 2014, and also you can not call the Highlander boring looking any longer. The 2013's dull appearance transforms right into a hulking SUV with a beefier position, protruding fenders as well as bold front designing. Its presence approved the 2013 New York City International Car 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 the auto's most appealing attribute, even with a variety of appealing brand-new framework as well as suspension adjustments, so it excels the brand-new SUV does so several other things well.
Toyota selected curved canyon and also seaside roads in The golden state to demonstrate the Highlander's new handling chops. Driving a 2013 and 2014 back to back, the 2014 does show greater degrees of road grip and also a boosted steering reaction. It's even more sports when digging right 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 acceleration in the heavy Highlander. It's a far cry from the lighter, 290-hp Hyundai Santa Fe, which is a "little" round of enjoyment 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 extra pounds.
An unfavorable impact of the Highlander's newly found dynamics is a choppier ride over rough roads. After driving 2013 and 2014 models, I can inform the 2014 sends even more roadway flaws with the chassis as well as right into seats. Hey, Toyota: It's OK to have a hostile style as well as flight like a sofa; see the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.
On the upside, the 2014 Highlander has a much more significant feeling over rough roads, with less rattles, squeals as well as chassis flex. It's a matured experience with increased noise insulation, acoustic glass and also a stiffer chassis assisting maintain outside sound minimal.
I quickly hung around in the four-cylinder Highlander with front-wheel drive, which Toyota anticipates to represent 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) as well as all-wheel-drive-only Crossbreed V-6 (27/28/28 mpg) are a little rough around the edges as for engine sound and also vibrations. The Crossbreed's gas mileage is reasonably the same for 2014, down 1 mpg in city scores to 27 mpg yet preserves its 28 mpg combined score. The change from electrical to when the engine fires up is obvious with raw noises originating from under the hood, distinct from across a parking area. Resonances from the shift are very little, however the noises are loud enough to take notice.
An additional 353 pounds included in the crossbreed from 3 electric motors-- 2 in the front and also one in the back-- and a nickel metal hydride battery is obvious in just how the Hybrid drives compared to the Limited V-6 with four-wheel drive. It's a relaxed experience much less ecstatic concerning increasing as well as handling even with 280-hp combined, as well as it likewise does not ride any smoother compared to the non-hybrid.
The Hybrid's abnormally loud engine noises would not be as much of a problem if the Highlander Hybrid just weren't $48,160 with destination, $7,130 greater than 2013-- a 2014 Lexus RX 450h is $47,320, however a lot smaller on the in. The Highlander Crossbreed's deluxe automobile cost does not mirror luxury refinement since the feature-loaded Crossbreed Limited is the only Crossbreed provided; the less-expensive variation got the axe for 2014.
The volume-seller V-6 is the most fine-tuned of the lot, providing smooth and foreseeable acceleration as well as 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 likewise extra affordable compared to the outward bound 2013 thanks to a brand-new six-speed transmission replacing a five-speed device on V-6 models. The all-wheel-drive system, which is also new, helps add 2 mpg freeway over the 2013 version. All-wheel-drive Highlanders send out torque to the rear wheels when slippage is identified, versus the previous system that always sent torque to four wheels.
Interior
Part of the 2014's change includes calling up the indoor styling with various soft-touch and also accent-stitched interior panels that enhance the classiness. The high quality is Toyota-Avalon nice with a stitched control panel, steering wheel as well as soft-touch, high-grade materials in popular locations. Plastic locations that typically aren't textured, stitched or covered are still on the same level for the course. Also the base LE Highlander emanates the virtually luxurylike niceness of the higher-optioned Restricted trims.
Seating is comfortable in the very first and also 2nd rows with soft, vast pole positions and also a very adjustable second row that moves as well as reclines with two captain's chairs or the typical three-seat bench setup-- captain's chairs are offered on the XLE as well as typical on the Limited. The remainder of the Highlander could have been redone with dynamism in mind, but the seats speak with its comfort-focused origins. Many individuals on our personnel will miss the 2013's removable second-row center seat. I will not, as it was uneasy as well as large to eliminate as well as change with the facility table that kept under the center console.
In the 3rd row, Toyota increased size and included an additional seat for a maximum capacity of 8 occupants in typical arrangement. A brand-new, more portable back suspension released the additional space. The 3rd 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. Previously, just the curbside seat folded and also slid forward via the one-touch bar. Third-row motorcyclists likewise gain from the 2nd row's raised seat traveling, which allows very easy entry as well as leave.
Ergonomics & Electronic devices
Modern technology is a big focus in the 2014 Highlander and also done very well. Toyota's Entune multimedia system works much better than ever compared with other Toyota automobiles where I have actually used the system. Functioning the Entune system's voice commands goes over. The designs I examined picked up on the different voice commands I talked.
Those with large phones or who frequently have their phone attached to the SUV will appreciate a device storage space walk below the climate controls that gives a pass-through for USB cables. There need to disappear Medusa-like dangling of cable televisions the gear selector.
The typical Entune on base LE models consists of a 6.1-inch touch-screen with backup cam, USB port with iPod connection, supporting input, voice recognition, Bluetooth phone connectivity as well as Bluetooth streaming audio. 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 subscription. The following step up is Entune Premium Audio with Navigating and Application Collection on XLE versions with an 8-inch touch-screen and also app suite with Pandora, Yelp as well as Facebook assimilation with a mobile phone and also accompanying Entune downloadable application. A JBL stereo is conventional on Restricted trim levels.
The large facility storage container between the front seats can feast on anything plus-sized, like a bag, iPad or Blu-ray collection for the readily available rear-seat Blu-ray gamer. When you neglect that Blu-ray in your home, a fascinating brand-new function called Easy Speak transmits the booming voice of an angry mom or father with the rear stereo audio speakers using the Bluetooth microphone to keep rowdy kids in check. How much extra family members focused can you get than supplying a function that enables moms and dads to chew out kids?
Cargo, Towing & Storage
Freight room behind the third row enhances over the previous Highlander's revealing walk, which struggled carrying groceries, let alone an infant stroller or golf bag. The cargo quantity is currently rated at 13.8 cubic feet, up from 10.3 cubic feet. It's not a massive renovation, yet at least it makes the area usable. It's still small compared to others in the sector: The Explorer has 21 cubic feet and the Pilot has 18 cubic feet behind the 3rd row. Toyota's trickery to raise freight room included relocating all three rows of seats ahead, including size behind the rear wheels as well as making use of an extra portable rear suspension.
The power liftgate is a remarkable attribute to be standard on LE And also trim levels and also above, as well as has a trick up its sleeve: It adapts to numerous heights, not simply a couple of fixed elevation settings. With the liftgate moving, individuals could stop the liftgate as well as program it to open to that established elevation the next time. The attribute will make much shorter drivers and also owners of reduced garages very satisfied. (If the gate goes too high, much shorter folks could struggle to get to the power-close button on its lower edge.) One more unique function on the back is an oldie yet a goody: On LE And also versions and above, the back window opens for simple gain access to independent of the freight entrance.
A 5,000-pound tow ranking on XLE and also Limited trim degrees has a common towing plan that includes engine/transmission colders as well as upgraded radiator and also generator. Hybrids can tow 3,500 pounds, V-6 LE/LE And also could tow 2,000 pounds and a four-cylinder LE is ranked 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 lower anchors as well as tethers on outboard second-row seats for child-safety seats, however just a secure support on the middle third-row seat.
Advanced safety features are offered, though just on the pricey Restricted trim level where a blind spot surveillance system as well as back car park aid are basic, and pre-collision, adaptive cruise control and also lane separation caution are optional. Limited trim degrees are additionally the only designs with a backup electronic camera that makes use of anticipating standards to show the automobile's path-- a back-up cam with set lines is typical on all other trim levels.
Value in Its Class
Toyota claims rates is up about $1,500 typically throughout the 2014 trim levels, that include added features over the 2013. Base rates begins at $30,075 for a base four-cylinder LE with location, while volume-seller XLE versions with four-wheel drive are $38,360 as well as consist of natural leather sitting with warmed front seats, navigating, three-zone climate control, smart keyless entry, second-row sunshades as well as even more. Prices 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 really a midpack three-row SUV, hanging back in vital locations like indoor high quality, freight area and modern technology. Feel confident, if you're a Highlander proprietor seeking to update-- as long as you're unconcerned regarding trip quality-- the 2014 is not only an engaging upgrade, yet additionally worthwhile of cross-shopping the section's best.