Highlander toyota 2015
By
Alfian Adi Saputra
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Friday, May 25, 2018
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2015 Toyota Highlander
Toyota listened to consumers while redesigning the seven/eight-seat 2014 Highlander and also replied to demands for even more cabin and also freight area, dynamic designing and costs amenities. Ask for an extra vibrant driving experience must have been professionally neglected, nevertheless, as the 2014's harsher ride is a tradeoff I do not believe several midsize SUV buyers must have to live with in return for sportier handling.
Still, various other improvements will most certainly attract shoppers who had scratched the previous Highlander off their listing or a minimum of to those who do not take into consideration a comfortable ride a must-have. The 2014 Highlander's increased freight area behind the common third-row seat is a much-needed enhancement; plus, it's less complicated to obtain right into the 3rd row, which now sittings three and bumps standard seating capacity to eight.
highlander toyota 2015
With upgrades that span the lineup of LE, LE And Also, XLE, Limited and also Limited Platinum trim levels, the 2014 Highlander is now in better shape to take on the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2014 Ford Traveler and 2014 Honda Pilot.
I drove four-cylinder, six-cylinder and also Hybrid 2014 Highlanders at a Toyota media event.
Outside & Styling
Toyota went back to the drawing board to revamp its aging as well as stylistically empty Highlander. Fast-forward to 2014, and also you can not call the Highlander boring looking any kind of longer. The 2013's dull look changes right into a hulking SUV with a beefier stance, protruding fenders and vibrant front styling. Its visibility was big on the 2013 New York City International Car Show flooring where it debuted, as well as it looks equally as excellent rolling down the street.
Just how It Drives
The driving experience isn't really the cars and truck's most attractive quality, despite a selection of appealing brand-new framework and suspension modifications, so it readies the brand-new SUV does so many other points well.
Toyota selected curved canyon and also coastal roadways in The golden state to demonstrate the Highlander's brand-new handling chops. Driving a 2013 and also 2014 back to back, the 2014 does exhibit greater levels of roadway grip and an improved guiding action. It's even more sports when digging right into a corner, though I wouldn't call the Highlander enjoyable to drive. The 270-horsepower V-6 does not have an immediate strike of acceleration in the hefty Highlander. It's an unlike the lighter, 290-hp Hyundai Santa Fe, which is a "little" ball of exhilaration among other similar 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 damaging effect of the Highlander's newfound dynamics is a choppier trip over rough roadways. After driving 2013 as well as 2014 designs, I can tell the 2014 transfers even more roadway flaws with the chassis and also into seats. Hey, Toyota: It's OKAY to have an aggressive layout as well as trip like a couch; 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 chassis flex. It's a matured experience with enhanced audio insulation, acoustic glass and a stiffer chassis helping keep outside sound minimal.
I quickly hung around in the four-cylinder Highlander with front-wheel drive, which Toyota anticipates to make up 5 to 10 percent of sales, and in the all-new Highlander Hybrid. Both the front-wheel-drive-only four-cylinder (20/25/22 mpg city/highway/combined) and all-wheel-drive-only Crossbreed V-6 (27/28/28 mpg) are a little rough around the sides regarding engine sound as well as resonances. The Hybrid's gas mileage is fairly unmodified for 2014, down 1 mpg in city scores to 27 mpg but keeps its 28 mpg integrated ranking. The transition from electric to when the engine fires up is visible with raw sounds originating from under the hood, distinct from across a car park. Resonances from the transition are very little, yet the sounds are loud enough to take notice.
An extra 353 extra pounds contributed to the crossbreed from 3 electric motors-- two in the front and one in the back-- and also a nickel metal hydride battery is noticeable in just how the Hybrid drives compared to the Limited V-6 with all-wheel drive. It's a loosened up experience much less fired up concerning increasing and also managing despite having 280-hp combined, and it additionally does not ride any smoother compared to the non-hybrid.
The Crossbreed's uncommonly loud engine noises wouldn't be as much of an issue if the Highlander Hybrid weren't $48,160 with location, $7,130 greater than 2013-- a 2014 Lexus RX 450h is $47,320, however a lot smaller sized on the within. The Highlander Hybrid's high-end automobile price does not show deluxe improvement since the feature-loaded Crossbreed Limited is the only Crossbreed used; the less-expensive version got the axe for 2014.
The volume-seller V-6 is the most refined of the lot, providing smooth and also predictable velocity as well as the most effective handling with all-wheel drive. The V-6-powered Highlander's gas mileage of 19/25/21 mpg with front-wheel drive and also 18/24/20 mpg with all-wheel drive is likewise a lot more competitive compared to the outward bound 2013 thanks to a brand-new six-speed automatic transmission changing a five-speed unit on V-6 designs. The all-wheel-drive system, which is also new, assists include 2 mpg highway over the 2013 variation. All-wheel-drive Highlanders send out torque to the rear wheels when slippage is found, versus the previous system that constantly sent out torque to 4 wheels.
Interior
Part of the 2014's improvement consists of dialing up the indoor styling with various soft-touch and accent-stitched interior panels that enhance the classiness. The quality is Toyota-Avalon wonderful with a stitched control panel, guiding wheel as well as soft-touch, high-grade products in prominent locations. Plastic locations that typically aren't textured, stitched or covered are still on par for the course. Also the base LE Highlander emanates the nearly luxurylike niceness of the higher-optioned Restricted trims.
Seats fits in the first and also 2nd rows with soft, wide pole positions and a very adjustable second row that glides as well as reclines with 2 captain's chairs or the conventional three-seat bench configuration-- captain's chairs are readily available on the XLE and also typical on the Limited. The remainder of the Highlander could have been redone with dynamism in mind, but the seats talk with its comfort-focused roots. Many individuals on our staff will certainly miss out on the 2013's detachable second-row facility seat. I will not, as it was uncomfortable and cumbersome to get rid of and also change with the facility table that stored under the facility console.
In the third row, Toyota raised width and added an additional seat for an optimum ability of 8 residents in typical configuration. A brand-new, a lot more compact back suspension released the extra room. The 3rd row still does not fit adults with as much comfort as the larger 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 up and also moved onward through the one-touch lever. Third-row bikers also benefit from the 2nd row's enhanced seat travel, which allows simple access as well as departure.
Comfort design & Electronic devices
Technology is a significant emphasis in the 2014 Highlander and also done very well. Toyota's Entune multimedia system works much better compared to ever before compared with other Toyota lorries where I have actually used the system. Functioning the Entune system's voice commands is impressive. The designs I examined noticed the different voice commands I talked.
Those with cumbersome phones or who constantly have their phone connected to the SUV will certainly appreciate a tool storage space step listed below the climate controls that supplies a pass-through for USB cables. There need to be no more Medusa-like dangling of cables ensnaring the gear selector.
The basic Entune on base LE versions consists of a 6.1-inch touch-screen with backup cam, USB port with iPod connection, supporting input, voice acknowledgment, Bluetooth phone connection and Bluetooth streaming audio. LE And also trims have Entune Sound Plus with a higher-resolution 6.1-inch display screen, HD Radio and 90-day satellite radio registration. The next step up is Entune Costs Sound with Navigation and also Application Collection on XLE versions with an 8-inch touch-screen and also application suite with Pandora, Yelp and Facebook combination with a smart device and also coming with Entune downloadable application. A JBL stereo is basic on Minimal trim degrees.
The large center storage space container in between the front seats could devour anything plus-sized, like a purse, iPad or Blu-ray collection for the available rear-seat Blu-ray player. When you fail to remember that Blu-ray in the house, an intriguing brand-new attribute called Easy Speak sends the booming voice of an angry mama or daddy through the rear stereo speakers by means of the Bluetooth microphone to keep wild children in check. Just how much more family members focused can you get than offering an attribute that enables moms and dads to yell at youngsters?
Cargo, Towing & Storage
Freight area behind the third row enhances over the previous Highlander's revealing step, which struggled bring grocery stores, not to mention a baby 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 huge improvement, however a minimum of it makes the location functional. It's still little compared to others in the section: The Traveler has 21 cubic feet as well as the Pilot has 18 cubic feet behind the third row. Toyota's trickery to raise cargo room entailed relocating all 3 rows of seats forward, adding size behind the back wheels and also using an extra small rear suspension.
The power liftgate is a remarkable feature to be conventional on LE And also trim degrees as well as above, as well as has a trick up its sleeve: It gets used to different elevations, not just 1 or 2 fixed height settings. With the liftgate in motion, customers can stop the liftgate as well as program it to open up to that set height the next time. The attribute will certainly make shorter chauffeurs as well as proprietors of reduced garages extremely pleased. (If eviction goes too expensive, shorter people may battle to reach the power-close button on its bottom edge.) One more special attribute on the back is an oldie but a goody: On LE And also models and above, the rear window opens for simple access independent of the cargo gateway.
A 5,000-pound tow score on XLE and Limited trim levels includes a typical towing plan that consists of engine/transmission colders and also upgraded radiator and generator. Hybrids can tow 3,500 extra pounds, V-6 LE/LE And also can tow 2,000 pounds and also a four-cylinder LE is ranked at 1,500 extra pounds.
Safety
The 2014 Highlander had not been crash-tested at the time of this writing.
The 2014 Highlander supplies reduced supports as well as tethers on outboard second-row seats for child-safety seats, yet just a tether anchor on the center third-row seat.
Advanced safety and security features are offered, though just on the pricey Minimal trim level where a dead spot tracking system and also back auto parking aid are conventional, and pre-collision, flexible cruise ship control and also lane departure warning are optional. Restricted trim degrees are additionally the only versions with a backup video camera that makes use of anticipating standards to show the lorry's path-- a backup camera with set lines is common on all various other trim levels.
Worth in Its Class
Toyota states prices is up about $1,500 usually throughout the 2014 trim degrees, that include extra features over the 2013. Base prices begins at $30,075 for a base four-cylinder LE with location, while volume-seller XLE designs with all-wheel drive are $38,360 as well as consist of leather sitting with warmed front seats, navigation, three-zone environment control, wise keyless entry, second-row sunshades and also even more. Prices for the XLE is very competitive to three-row midsize SUVs like the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer as well as the Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2013 Highlander was absolutely a midpack three-row SUV, lagging behind in essential areas like interior high quality, freight space and technology. Feel confident, if you're a Highlander proprietor seeking to update-- as long as you're unconcerned about flight high quality-- the 2014 is not just an engaging upgrade, yet likewise deserving of cross-shopping the segment's finest.