Toyota Highlander 2015 for Sale
By
Alfian Adi Saputra
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Tuesday, May 22, 2018
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2015 Toyota Highlander
Toyota paid attention to consumers while upgrading the seven/eight-seat 2014 Highlander and replied to needs for even more cabin and cargo area, dynamic styling as well as costs services. Requests for a much more vibrant driving experience needs to have been respectfully overlooked, nevertheless, as the 2014's harsher ride is a tradeoff I don't assume numerous midsize SUV purchasers need to need to deal with in return for sportier handling.
Still, other enhancements will undoubtedly appeal to buyers that had damaged the previous Highlander off their checklist or at the very least to those who do not consider a comfy ride an essential. The 2014 Highlander's increased freight space behind the typical third-row seat is a much-needed renovation; plus, it's easier to obtain right into the 3rd row, which now sittings three and bumps typical seatsing capability to 8.
toyota highlander 2015 for sale
With upgrades that cover the lineup of LE, LE Plus, XLE, Limited as well as Limited Platinum trim levels, the 2014 Highlander is now in far better form to take on the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2014 Ford Explorer and also 2014 Honda Pilot.
I drove four-cylinder, six-cylinder as well as Hybrid 2014 Highlanders at a Toyota media event.
Outside & Designing
Toyota went back to the drawing board to revamp its aging and stylistically empty Highlander. Fast-forward to 2014, as well as you can not call the Highlander boring looking any kind of longer. The 2013's ho-hum appearance transforms into a hulking SUV with a beefier stance, protruding fenders as well as vibrant front styling. Its presence was big on the 2013 New York City International Car Program flooring where it debuted, as well as it looks just as good rolling down the street.
How It Drives
The driving experience isn't really the car's most attractive feature, despite having an assortment of encouraging brand-new chassis as well as suspension modifications, so it readies the brand-new SUV does so lots of various other things well.
Toyota chose curved canyon and coastal roads in The golden state to show the Highlander's new handling chops. Driving a 2013 as well as 2014 back to back, the 2014 does exhibit higher degrees of road grip and also an enhanced guiding feedback. It's even more sports when excavating into a corner, though I would not call the Highlander enjoyable to drive. The 270-horsepower V-6 doesn't have an instant strike of acceleration in the hefty Highlander. It's a far cry from the lighter, 290-hp Hyundai Santa Fe, which is a "little" round of exhilaration to name a few 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 extra pounds.
A negative effect of the Highlander's newfound dynamics is a choppier trip over rough roadways. After driving 2013 as well as 2014 models, I might tell the 2014 sends even more roadway blemishes via the chassis as well as right into seats. Hey, Toyota: It's ALRIGHT to have a hostile design and flight like a couch; see the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.
On the advantage, the 2014 Highlander has an extra considerable feeling over rough roadways, with fewer rattles, squeaks and also chassis flex. It's a matured experience with enhanced sound insulation, acoustic glass and also a stiffer framework assisting maintain outside noise very little.
I briefly spent time in the four-cylinder Highlander with front-wheel drive, which Toyota anticipates to make up 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 sides as for engine sound and also vibrations. The Hybrid's gas mileage is fairly unmodified for 2014, down 1 mpg in city scores to 27 mpg yet maintains its 28 mpg incorporated rating. The transition from electric to when the engine fires up is noticeable with raw sounds originating from under the hood, distinct from throughout a parking lot. Resonances from the transition are minimal, however the sounds are audible to take notice.
An additional 353 pounds included in the hybrid from 3 electrical motors-- two in the front as well as one in the back-- and also a nickel steel hydride battery is obvious in how the Hybrid drives compared with the Limited V-6 with all-wheel drive. It's a loosened up experience much less excited regarding speeding up as well as taking care of even with 280-hp incorporated, and also it likewise does not ride any smoother than the non-hybrid.
The Hybrid's abnormally loud engine sounds wouldn't be as much of a problem 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 in. The Highlander Crossbreed's high-end car cost doesn't show luxury improvement now that the feature-loaded Crossbreed Limited is the only Crossbreed provided; the less-expensive variation obtained the axe for 2014.
The volume-seller V-6 is the most fine-tuned of the lot, providing smooth and predictable velocity as well as 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 additionally extra affordable than the outgoing 2013 thanks to a brand-new six-speed automatic transmission replacing a five-speed system on V-6 versions. The all-wheel-drive system, which is additionally new, helps include 2 mpg freeway over the 2013 variation. All-wheel-drive Highlanders send out torque to the rear wheels when slippage is detected, versus the previous system that constantly sent out torque to 4 wheels.
Interior
Part of the 2014's makeover includes calling up the indoor styling with various soft-touch and also accent-stitched interior panels that improve the classiness. The top quality is Toyota-Avalon good with a sewn control panel, steering wheel and also soft-touch, top notch materials in noticeable places. Plastic locations that typically aren't textured, sewed 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.
Seating fits in the initial and 2nd rows with soft, large front seats as well as an extremely flexible 2nd row that slides and also reclines with two captain's chairs or the standard three-seat bench setup-- 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, but the seats speak to its comfort-focused roots. Many people on our personnel will certainly miss the 2013's removable second-row facility seat. I will not, as it was uneasy and also bulky to get rid of as well as replace with the center table that saved under the facility console.
In the 3rd row, Toyota raised width and included an extra seat for an optimum ability of 8 passengers in standard setup. A new, much more small back suspension freed the added area. The 3rd row still doesn't fit adults with as much comfort as the bigger Chevrolet Traverse, yet it readies in a pinch. There are additionally brand-new one-touch folding second-row seats on both sides. Formerly, only the curbside seat folded up and also glided forward using the one-touch lever. Third-row motorcyclists likewise benefit from the 2nd row's increased seat traveling, which permits easy access as well as exit.
Comfort design & Electronic devices
Technology is a significant emphasis in the 2014 Highlander and done extremely well. Toyota's Entune multimedia system works far better than ever compared to other Toyota vehicles where I've utilized the system. Working the Entune system's voice commands goes over. The models I checked detected the numerous voice commands I spoke.
Those with bulky phones or who frequently have their phone linked to the SUV will value a gadget storage space step below the environment controls that gives a pass-through for USB cables. There must disappear Medusa-like dangling of cords the gear selector.
The basic Entune on base LE versions consists of a 6.1-inch touch-screen with backup electronic camera, USB port with iPod connection, auxiliary input, voice acknowledgment, Bluetooth phone connectivity and also Bluetooth streaming audio. LE Plus trims have Entune Audio And also with a higher-resolution 6.1-inch display, HD Radio as well as 90-day satellite radio subscription. The next step up is Entune Premium Sound with Navigation and also App Suite on XLE versions with an 8-inch touch-screen and also app collection with Pandora, Yelp and also Facebook assimilation with a mobile phone and also coming with Entune downloadable application. A JBL sound system is standard on Restricted trim degrees.
The massive facility storage container in between the pole positions could feed on anything plus-sized, like a bag, iPad or Blu-ray collection for the offered rear-seat Blu-ray gamer. And when you neglect that Blu-ray in the house, an intriguing new feature called Easy Speak transfers the growing voice of a mad mama or daddy via the back stereo audio speakers via the Bluetooth microphone to maintain wild youngsters in check. Just how much more family focused can you get compared to supplying a function that permits moms and dads to chew out youngsters?
Freight, Towing & Storage
Cargo room behind the 3rd row boosts over the previous Highlander's skimpy walk, which struggled lugging groceries, let alone a stroller or golf bag. The cargo volume is now rated at 13.8 cubic feet, up from 10.3 cubic feet. It's not a huge enhancement, yet at the very least it makes the location useful. It's still small compared to others in the segment: The Explorer has 21 cubic feet as well as the Pilot has 18 cubic feet behind the 3rd row. Toyota's hoax to enhance cargo room entailed moving all 3 rows of seats forward, adding length behind the back wheels and also making use of a much more portable back suspension.
The power liftgate is an impressive attribute to be common on LE Plus trim levels as well as above, and also has a trick up its sleeve: It gets used to numerous heights, not just one or two fixed elevation setups. With the liftgate moving, individuals could quit the liftgate as well as program it to available to that established elevation the next time. The attribute will certainly make much shorter drivers and also proprietors of low garages very satisfied. (If the gate goes too high, shorter people may struggle to reach the power-close button on its bottom edge.) An additional special feature on the back is an oldie yet a goody: On LE Plus versions as well as above, the back home window opens up for simple access independent of the freight gate.
A 5,000-pound tow score on XLE and Limited trim degrees features a basic towing plan that consists of engine/transmission colders and upgraded radiator and generator. Crossbreeds could tow 3,500 pounds, V-6 LE/LE And also can tow 2,000 pounds as well as a four-cylinder LE is rated at 1,500 extra pounds.
Safety
The 2014 Highlander hadn't 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 features are available, though only on the costly Restricted trim level where a blind spot tracking system and also back vehicle parking assist are typical, as well as pre-collision, adaptive cruise control and also lane departure warning are optional. Limited trim levels are also the only versions with a backup video camera that utilizes anticipating standards to reveal the car's path-- a backup video camera with set lines is typical on all various other trim degrees.
Worth in Its Class
Toyota states rates is up about $1,500 on average across the 2014 trim levels, that include extra attributes over the 2013. Base prices 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 seating with heated pole positions, navigating, three-zone climate control, wise keyless access, second-row sunshades and also even more. Pricing for the XLE is very affordable to three-row midsize SUVs like the Honda Pilot, Ford Traveler and even the Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2013 Highlander was truly a midpack three-row SUV, hanging back in essential locations like interior quality, freight room as well as technology. Rest assured, if you're a Highlander proprietor looking to update-- as long as you're unconcerned regarding flight quality-- the 2014 is not just a compelling upgrade, however also deserving of cross-shopping the section's best.