Toyota Highlander 2015 Review
By
Alfian Adi Saputra
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Thursday, May 31, 2018
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2015 Toyota Highlander
Toyota listened to consumers while upgrading the seven/eight-seat 2014 Highlander and reacted to needs for even more cabin and also freight room, dynamic designing and also costs services. Requests for a more vibrant driving experience must have been pleasantly neglected, nonetheless, as the 2014's harsher flight is a tradeoff I don't believe lots of midsize SUV purchasers ought to have to cope with in return for sportier handling.
Still, various other enhancements will unquestionably attract shoppers that had actually scratched the previous Highlander off their checklist or at least to those that do not think about a comfy trip an essential. The 2014 Highlander's enhanced freight area behind the conventional third-row seat is a much-needed improvement; plus, it's simpler to obtain into the third row, which now sittings 3 and bumps typical seatsing ability to 8.
toyota highlander 2015 review
With upgrades that span the schedule of LE, LE And Also, XLE, Limited as well as Limited Platinum trim levels, the 2014 Highlander is currently in better shape to take on the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2014 Ford Traveler as well as 2014 Honda Pilot.
I drove four-cylinder, six-cylinder and also Hybrid 2014 Highlanders at a Toyota media event.
Exterior & Styling
Toyota returned to the drawing board to revamp its aging and stylistically devoid Highlander. Fast-forward to 2014, and also you can not call the Highlander boring looking any longer. The 2013's dull look changes right into a hulking SUV with a beefier position, protruding fenders as well as vibrant front styling. Its visibility was big on the 2013 New York City International Vehicle Show floor where it debuted, as well as it looks equally as excellent rolling down the street.
How It Drives
The driving experience isn't really the automobile's most enticing characteristic, even with an assortment of promising new chassis and suspension changes, so it excels the brand-new SUV does so lots of other points well.
Toyota chose curvy canyon and also coastal roadways in The golden state to show the Highlander's brand-new handling chops. Driving a 2013 and 2014 back to back, the 2014 does exhibit higher levels of road grasp and also an improved guiding response. It's more athletic when digging into a corner, though I would not call the Highlander enjoyable to drive. The 270-horsepower V-6 does not have a prompt punch of velocity 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 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.
An adverse effect of the Highlander's newfound characteristics is a choppier trip over rough roads. After driving 2013 and 2014 models, I could tell the 2014 transfers even more roadway flaws with the framework and also right into seats. Hey, Toyota: It's OK to have a hostile style as well as trip like a couch; see the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.
On the advantage, the 2014 Highlander has an extra substantial sensation over harsh roads, with less rattles, squeaks as well as chassis flex. It's a matured experience with increased audio insulation, acoustic glass and a stiffer chassis aiding keep outside noise marginal.
I briefly spent time in the four-cylinder Highlander with front-wheel drive, which Toyota expects to account for 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 all-wheel-drive-only Hybrid V-6 (27/28/28 mpg) are a little harsh around the sides regarding engine noise and vibrations. The Crossbreed's gas mileage is relatively unchanged for 2014, down 1 mpg in city scores to 27 mpg yet keeps its 28 mpg integrated rating. The change from electric to when the engine fires up is visible with raw sounds originating from under the hood, audible from throughout a car park. Vibrations from the shift are minimal, but the sounds are audible to take notice.
An additional 353 pounds added to the crossbreed from 3 electric motors-- 2 in the front as well as one in the back-- as well as a nickel metal hydride battery is visible in exactly how the Crossbreed drives compared to the Limited V-6 with all-wheel drive. It's a loosened up experience less fired up regarding increasing and dealing with despite having 280-hp incorporated, and also it likewise doesn't ride any type of smoother than the non-hybrid.
The Hybrid's unusually loud engine sounds would not be as much of a problem if the Highlander Crossbreed weren't $48,160 with destination, $7,130 more than 2013-- a 2014 Lexus RX 450h is $47,320, however much smaller on the inside. The Highlander Hybrid's deluxe cars and truck rate doesn't mirror high-end improvement now that the feature-loaded Hybrid Limited is the only Hybrid used; the less-expensive variation got the axe for 2014.
The volume-seller V-6 is the most fine-tuned of the bunch, providing smooth and predictable velocity along with the 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 additionally a lot more affordable compared to the outgoing 2013 thanks to a brand-new six-speed automatic transmission changing a five-speed unit on V-6 versions. The all-wheel-drive system, which is also new, helps include 2 mpg highway over the 2013 variation. All-wheel-drive Highlanders send torque to the back wheels when slippage is discovered, versus the previous system that constantly sent out torque to four wheels.
Interior
Part of the 2014's change includes dialing up the interior styling with countless soft-touch and accent-stitched indoor panels that boost the classiness. The high quality is Toyota-Avalon wonderful with a sewn control panel, guiding wheel as well as soft-touch, top quality products in famous areas. Plastic locations that aren't textured, sewed or covered are still on par for the course. Also the base LE Highlander radiates the practically luxurylike niceness of the higher-optioned Limited trims.
Seating is comfortable in the very first and second rows with soft, vast pole positions as well as an extremely adjustable second row that glides as well as reclines with two captain's chairs or the standard three-seat bench setup-- captain's chairs are available on the XLE and typical on the Limited. The remainder of the Highlander may have been redone with dynamism in mind, yet the seats talk to its comfort-focused origins. Lots of people on our staff will certainly miss the 2013's detachable second-row center seat. I won't, as it was uncomfortable and cumbersome to remove and change with the facility table that saved under the facility console.
In the third row, Toyota boosted width and also added an added seat for a maximum capability of eight residents in conventional configuration. A new, much more small back suspension freed the added space. The third row still doesn't fit grownups with as much convenience as the bigger Chevrolet Traverse, but it readies in a pinch. There are also new one-touch folding second-row seats on both sides. Formerly, only the curbside seat folded up as well as glided onward through the one-touch lever. Third-row riders additionally benefit from the 2nd row's increased seat traveling, which allows simple entrance and also exit.
Functional design & Electronics
Technology is a big emphasis in the 2014 Highlander and also done quite possibly. Toyota's Entune multimedia system works far better than ever compared to various other Toyota lorries in which I have actually used the system. Working the Entune system's voice commands goes over. The models I examined noticed the different voice commands I spoke.
Those with cumbersome phones or that constantly have their phone connected to the SUV will certainly value a tool storage space ledge listed below the climate regulates that gives a pass-through for USB cables. There ought to be no more Medusa-like dangling of cords the equipment selector.
The typical Entune on base LE models consists of a 6.1-inch touch-screen with backup camera, USB port with iPod connection, auxiliary input, voice recognition, Bluetooth phone connectivity and also Bluetooth streaming audio. LE And also trims have Entune Audio And also with a higher-resolution 6.1-inch display, HD Radio and 90-day satellite radio registration. The next step up is Entune Costs Sound with Navigation as well as App Suite on XLE designs with an 8-inch touch-screen and application suite with Pandora, Yelp and Facebook integration with a smartphone and also coming with Entune downloadable application. A JBL sound system is conventional on Minimal trim levels.
The massive center storage bin in between the front seats can devour anything plus-sized, like a bag, iPad or Blu-ray collection for the available rear-seat Blu-ray gamer. When you fail to remember that Blu-ray at home, a fascinating brand-new attribute called Easy Speak transfers the flourishing voice of a mad mommy or dad through the rear stereo audio speakers through the Bluetooth microphone to maintain wild kids in check. How much a lot more family concentrated can you get compared to supplying a feature that enables moms and dads to chew out youngsters?
Freight, Towing & Storage space
Cargo room behind the third row enhances over the previous Highlander's revealing walk, which battled carrying grocery stores, not to mention a stroller or golf bag. The freight volume is now ranked at 13.8 cubic feet, up from 10.3 cubic feet. It's not a significant improvement, yet at the very least it makes the location useful. It's still little compared to others in the segment: The Traveler has 21 cubic feet as well as the Pilot has 18 cubic feet behind the 3rd row. Toyota's trickery to raise freight area included moving all 3 rows of seats ahead, adding length behind the rear wheels and also using a much more portable rear suspension.
The power liftgate is a remarkable function to be conventional on LE And also trim degrees and also above, and also has a dress up its sleeve: It adapts to various elevations, not just one or two predetermined elevation setups. With the liftgate in motion, customers could stop the liftgate and program it to open to that set height the following time. The feature will certainly make shorter vehicle drivers as well as proprietors of low garages really satisfied. (If the gate goes too high, shorter folks may battle to get to the power-close button on its lower edge.) One more special function on the back is an oldie however a goody: On LE Plus models and 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 has a typical towing package that includes engine/transmission colders and also upgraded radiator and alternator. Hybrids could tow 3,500 pounds, V-6 LE/LE And also can tow 2,000 extra pounds and also a four-cylinder LE is ranked at 1,500 extra pounds.
Safety and security
The 2014 Highlander had not been crash-tested at the time of this writing.
The 2014 Highlander offers reduced supports and also tethers on outboard second-row seats for child-safety seats, yet just a tether support on the middle third-row seat.
Advanced safety and security functions are available, though just on the costly Minimal trim degree where a dead spot monitoring system as well as back auto parking assist are common, as well as pre-collision, adaptive cruise ship control as well as lane separation warning are optional. Minimal trim levels are additionally the only designs with a back-up electronic camera that uses predictive standards to reveal the car's path-- a back-up video camera with fixed lines is typical on all various other trim degrees.
Worth in Its Class
Toyota claims prices is up around $1,500 generally throughout the 2014 trim degrees, which include added functions over the 2013. Base pricing starts at $30,075 for a base four-cylinder LE with location, while volume-seller XLE versions with all-wheel drive are $38,360 and also consist of leather seatsing with warmed front seats, navigation, three-zone environment control, smart keyless entrance, second-row sunshades as well as even more. Rates for the XLE is very affordable to three-row midsize SUVs like the Honda Pilot, Ford Traveler as well as the Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2013 Highlander was really a midpack three-row SUV, lagging behind in vital locations like indoor quality, cargo space as well as innovation. Feel confident, if you're a Highlander proprietor aiming to upgrade-- as long as you're unconcerned regarding flight top quality-- the 2014 is not just an engaging upgrade, yet additionally worthy of cross-shopping the sector's ideal.