2015 toyota Highlander Xle
By
pusahma dua
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Wednesday, May 9, 2018
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2015 Toyota Highlander
Toyota listened to consumers while redesigning the seven/eight-seat 2014 Highlander as well as responded to needs for even more cabin and cargo room, dynamic designing as well as premium facilities. Requests for a much more dynamic driving experience must have been pleasantly neglected, nonetheless, as the 2014's harsher ride is a tradeoff I don't assume lots of midsize SUV buyers need to need to live with in return for sportier handling.
Still, various other improvements will undoubtedly appeal to consumers that had scraped the previous Highlander off their list or at least to those who don't take into consideration a comfortable ride a must-have. The 2014 Highlander's raised freight area behind the standard third-row seat is a much-needed renovation; plus, it's much easier to obtain right into the 3rd row, which currently seatses 3 and also bumps common seatsing capacity to eight.
2015 toyota highlander xle
With upgrades that span 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 and also 2014 Honda Pilot.
I drove four-cylinder, six-cylinder and Hybrid 2014 Highlanders at a Toyota media event.
Exterior & Styling
Toyota returned to the attracting board to upgrade its aging as well as stylistically devoid Highlander. Fast-forward to 2014, as well as you can't call the Highlander boring looking any longer. The 2013's dull appearance transforms into a hulking SUV with a beefier stance, bulging fenders and bold front styling. Its visibility approved the 2013 New York International Auto Program flooring where it debuted, and also it looks equally as excellent rolling down the street.
Just how It Drives
The driving experience isn't the car's most enticing attribute, despite having an assortment of encouraging new chassis and suspension changes, so it's good the brand-new SUV does so several various other things well.
Toyota chose curved canyon and also seaside 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 display higher levels of road grip and an improved guiding feedback. 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 an unlike the lighter, 290-hp Hyundai Santa Fe, which is a "little" round of excitement to name a few comparable three-row SUVs. A six-cylinder Highlander LE with front-wheel drive is 4,244 extra pounds, while a V-6, front-wheel-drive Santa Fe GLS is 3,933 pounds.
A negative effect of the Highlander's newfound dynamics is a choppier ride over rough roadways. After driving 2013 as well as 2014 designs, I can inform the 2014 transfers even more roadway flaws with the framework and also right into seats. Hey, Toyota: It's ALRIGHT to have an aggressive design and trip like a sofa; see the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.
On the upside, the 2014 Highlander has a more considerable feeling over harsh roads, with fewer rattles, squeaks and also chassis flex. It's a matured experience with raised audio insulation, acoustic glass and also a stiffer chassis helping maintain outside sound marginal.
I quickly hung out in the four-cylinder Highlander with front-wheel drive, which Toyota expects to make up 5 to 10 percent of sales, as well as in the brand new Highlander Hybrid. 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 edges regarding engine sound as well as resonances. The Crossbreed's gas mileage is relatively unchanged for 2014, down 1 mpg in city scores to 27 mpg yet preserves its 28 mpg combined ranking. The shift from electrical to when the engine fires up is visible with raw sounds coming from under the hood, distinct from across a parking lot. Vibrations from the shift are minimal, but the noises are loud enough to take notice.
An added 353 pounds contributed to the hybrid from 3 electric motors-- 2 in the front and one in the back-- and also a nickel steel hydride battery is visible in how the Hybrid drives compared to the Restricted V-6 with all-wheel drive. It's a loosened up experience much less fired up regarding increasing and taking care of even with 280-hp integrated, and also it also doesn't ride any kind of smoother than the non-hybrid.
The Hybrid's uncommonly loud engine sounds wouldn't be as much of a concern if the Highlander Hybrid just weren't $48,160 with destination, $7,130 greater than 2013-- a 2014 Lexus RX 450h is $47,320, though much smaller sized on the within. The Highlander Crossbreed's luxury automobile price does not mirror deluxe refinement now that the feature-loaded Hybrid 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 fine-tuned of the number, providing smooth as well as 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 additionally extra affordable compared to the outbound 2013 thanks to a brand-new six-speed automatic transmission changing a five-speed unit on V-6 models. The all-wheel-drive system, which is also brand-new, assists add 2 mpg freeway over the 2013 version. All-wheel-drive Highlanders send torque to the back wheels when slippage is identified, versus the previous system that always sent torque to four wheels.
Interior
Part of the 2014's transformation includes dialing up the indoor styling with countless soft-touch as well as accent-stitched interior panels that improve the classiness. The high quality is Toyota-Avalon wonderful with a sewn control panel, steering wheel and soft-touch, high-quality products in prominent places. Plastic areas that typically aren't textured, stitched or covered are still on par for the course. Also the base LE Highlander exhibits the almost luxurylike niceness of the higher-optioned Restricted trims.
Seating fits in the first as well as 2nd rows with soft, wide front seats and a highly flexible second row that slides and also reclines with two captain's chairs or the typical three-seat bench arrangement-- captain's chairs are offered 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 with its comfort-focused origins. Many people on our team will certainly miss out on the 2013's detachable second-row facility seat. I won't, as it was uneasy and also bulky to get rid of as well as replace with the center table that kept under the facility console.
In the third row, Toyota enhanced width and included an additional seat for an optimum capability of 8 passengers in conventional setup. A brand-new, much more small rear suspension freed the added space. The third row still doesn't fit adults with as much convenience as the larger Chevrolet Traverse, but it readies in a pinch. There are additionally new one-touch folding second-row seats on both sides. Previously, only the curbside seat folded up as well as slid forward through the one-touch bar. Third-row motorcyclists also take advantage of the second row's raised seat traveling, which permits simple entry as well as exit.
Ergonomics & Electronics
Technology is a big emphasis in the 2014 Highlander as well as done very well. Toyota's Entune multimedia system works much better than ever compared to other Toyota lorries in which I have actually utilized the system. Working the Entune system's voice commands goes over. The designs I examined picked up on the various voice commands I talked.
Those with bulky phones or who regularly have their phone linked to the SUV will certainly value a gadget storage space ledge listed below the climate manages that supplies a pass-through for USB cords. There should disappear Medusa-like dangling of cords ensnaring the equipment selector.
The common Entune on base LE models includes a 6.1-inch touch-screen with backup video camera, USB port with iPod connectivity, supporting input, voice acknowledgment, Bluetooth phone connection as well as Bluetooth streaming sound. LE And also trims have Entune Sound Plus with a higher-resolution 6.1-inch display, HD Radio and also 90-day satellite radio subscription. The next step up is Entune Premium Sound with Navigating and also App Suite on XLE versions with an 8-inch touch-screen and app suite with Pandora, Yelp and Facebook assimilation with a smart device as well as accompanying Entune downloadable application. A JBL sound system is common on Limited trim levels.
The enormous facility storage container in between the pole positions could feed on anything plus-sized, like a handbag, iPad or Blu-ray collection for the offered rear-seat Blu-ray gamer. And when you forget that Blu-ray in your home, an intriguing brand-new attribute called Easy Speak transmits the booming voice of an upset mother or dad through the back stereo audio speakers through the Bluetooth microphone to maintain rowdy youngsters in check. What does it cost? extra household focused can you obtain compared to supplying an attribute that permits parents to yell at kids?
Cargo, Towing & Storage space
Freight room behind the third row enhances over the previous Highlander's skimpy walk, which battled carrying grocery stores, not to mention a baby stroller or golf bag. The freight quantity is currently rated at 13.8 cubic feet, up from 10.3 cubic feet. It's not a huge improvement, but at the very least it makes the location usable. It's still small compared with others in the sector: The Traveler has 21 cubic feet and also the Pilot has 18 cubic feet behind the third row. Toyota's trickery to increase cargo area involved moving all three rows of seats forward, adding length behind the rear wheels as well as using an extra compact rear suspension.
The power liftgate is a remarkable function to be basic on LE And also trim degrees as well as above, and also has a trick up its sleeve: It adjusts to numerous elevations, not simply 1 or 2 fixed elevation settings. With the liftgate in motion, users can quit the liftgate as well as program it to open up to that established elevation the next time. The function will certainly make much shorter motorists as well as owners of low garages very satisfied. (If eviction goes too expensive, shorter people could battle to reach the power-close button on its lower edge.) Another unique attribute on the back is an oldie but a goody: On LE And also versions and above, the rear window opens up for simple access independent of the freight gate.
A 5,000-pound tow ranking on XLE and also Limited trim degrees comes with a typical towing package that consists of engine/transmission colders and also upgraded radiator as well as generator. 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 rated at 1,500 pounds.
Safety
The 2014 Highlander had not been crash-tested at the time of this writing.
The 2014 Highlander provides reduced supports and also tethers on outboard second-row seats for child-safety seats, but only a secure support on the middle third-row seat.
Advanced safety and security attributes are readily available, though only on the pricey Minimal trim degree where an unseen area tracking system as well as rear vehicle parking help are standard, and also pre-collision, flexible cruise control and also lane departure warning are optional. Limited trim levels are likewise the only models with a backup electronic camera that makes use of anticipating standards to show the car's path-- a backup video camera with fixed lines is standard on all other trim degrees.
Value in Its Course
Toyota states pricing is up around $1,500 usually across the 2014 trim levels, that include additional functions over the 2013. Base pricing starts at $30,075 for a base four-cylinder LE with destination, while volume-seller XLE versions with all-wheel drive are $38,360 and also consist of leather sitting with heated front seats, navigating, three-zone environment control, wise keyless access, second-row sunshades as well as more. Prices for the XLE is very competitive to three-row midsize SUVs like the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer or even the Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2013 Highlander was truly a midpack three-row SUV, lagging behind in crucial locations like indoor top quality, cargo space as well as innovation. Feel confident, if you're a Highlander proprietor wanting to upgrade-- as long as you're unconcerned concerning ride high quality-- the 2014 is not only a compelling upgrade, however additionally worthwhile of cross-shopping the section's best.