Toyota Highlander 2015 Reviews
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pusahma dua
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Wednesday, May 16, 2018
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2015 Toyota Highlander
Toyota listened to consumers while upgrading the seven/eight-seat 2014 Highlander and replied to needs for more cabin as well as freight room, vibrant styling and also premium features. Requests for an extra dynamic driving experience ought to have been professionally disregarded, nevertheless, as the 2014's harsher flight is a tradeoff I do not assume numerous midsize SUV purchasers ought to need to live with in return for sportier handling.
Still, other improvements will unquestionably interest shoppers who had actually damaged the previous Highlander off their list or at the very least to those that do not take into consideration a comfy trip a must-have. The 2014 Highlander's raised cargo area behind the standard third-row seat is a much-needed improvement; plus, it's less complicated to obtain right into the 3rd row, which now sittings three and also bumps standard sitting capability to eight.
toyota highlander 2015 reviews
With upgrades that cover the schedule of LE, LE Plus, XLE, Limited and also Limited Platinum trim levels, the 2014 Highlander is currently in far better shape to tackle the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2014 Ford Explorer and 2014 Honda Pilot.
I drove four-cylinder, six-cylinder as well as Hybrid 2014 Highlanders at a Toyota media event.
Exterior & Designing
Toyota went back to the attracting board to redesign its aging and stylistically empty Highlander. Fast-forward to 2014, and you can't call the Highlander boring looking any longer. The 2013's dull look transforms right into a hulking SUV with a beefier stance, protruding fenders as well as vibrant front designing. Its existence approved the 2013 New York International Auto Program floor where it debuted, and also it looks just as good rolling down the street.
How It Drives
The driving experience isn't really the vehicle's most enticing feature, even with an array of encouraging brand-new chassis as well as suspension adjustments, so it's good the new SUV does so many other things well.
Toyota selected curvy canyon and also coastal roads in The golden state to show the Highlander's new handling chops. Driving a 2013 and 2014 back to back, the 2014 does show higher degrees of roadway grasp and also a boosted guiding feedback. It's more athletic when excavating right into an edge, though I wouldn't call the Highlander enjoyable to drive. The 270-horsepower V-6 does not have an instant strike of velocity in the hefty Highlander. It's an unlike the lighter, 290-hp Hyundai Santa Fe, which is a "little" round of excitement among other 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 newfound characteristics is a choppier trip over rough roads. After driving 2013 and also 2014 versions, I could inform the 2014 sends even more road imperfections through the chassis as well as right into seats. Hey, Toyota: It's OKAY to have an aggressive layout as well as trip like a sofa; see the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.
On the benefit, the 2014 Highlander has a much more considerable sensation over harsh roadways, with less rattles, squeals and also chassis flex. It's a matured experience with enhanced audio insulation, acoustic glass and also a stiffer chassis helping keep outside noise minimal.
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, 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 also all-wheel-drive-only Crossbreed V-6 (27/28/28 mpg) are a little harsh around the edges as for engine sound as well as vibrations. The Hybrid's gas mileage is relatively the same for 2014, down 1 mpg in city scores to 27 mpg however 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. Vibrations from the shift are very little, however the sounds are audible to take notice.
An additional 353 pounds contributed to the crossbreed from 3 electrical motors-- two in the front and one in the back-- and also a nickel metal hydride battery is recognizable in how the Hybrid drives compared to the Minimal V-6 with all-wheel drive. It's a relaxed experience less ecstatic concerning speeding up and handling even with 280-hp incorporated, and it also doesn't ride any type of smoother compared to the non-hybrid.
The Crossbreed's unusually loud engine sounds wouldn't be as much of a concern if the Highlander Hybrid weren't $48,160 with destination, $7,130 more than 2013-- a 2014 Lexus RX 450h is $47,320, though a lot smaller on the inside. The Highlander Hybrid's luxury vehicle rate doesn't reflect high-end improvement since the feature-loaded Hybrid Limited is the only Crossbreed offered; the less-expensive version got the axe for 2014.
The volume-seller V-6 is one of the most improved of the number, using smooth and predictable acceleration 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 all-wheel drive is likewise more affordable than the outgoing 2013 thanks to a brand-new six-speed transmission replacing a five-speed unit on V-6 versions. The all-wheel-drive system, which is likewise brand-new, helps include 2 mpg highway over the 2013 version. All-wheel-drive Highlanders send out torque to the back wheels when slippage is spotted, versus the previous system that always sent out torque to 4 wheels.
Inside
Part of the 2014's change consists of dialing up the interior styling with numerous soft-touch and accent-stitched indoor panels that boost the classiness. The top quality is Toyota-Avalon great with a stitched control panel, steering wheel and also soft-touch, high-quality products in famous areas. Plastic areas that typically aren't textured, stitched or covered are still on the same level for the course. Even the base LE Highlander exudes the nearly luxurylike niceness of the higher-optioned Minimal trims.
Seating is comfortable in the very first and second rows with soft, wide pole positions as well as a very adjustable 2nd row that slides and also reclines with two captain's chairs or the typical three-seat bench arrangement-- captain's chairs are readily available on the XLE as well as common on the Limited. The rest 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 team will certainly miss the 2013's detachable second-row facility seat. I won't, as it was unpleasant as well as bulky to remove and change with the center table that saved under the facility console.
In the third row, Toyota raised width and also included an additional seat for a maximum ability of 8 residents in typical arrangement. A new, extra portable back suspension freed the extra area. The 3rd row still does not fit grownups with as much convenience as the bigger Chevrolet Traverse, but it excels in a pinch. There are additionally new one-touch folding second-row seats on both sides. Previously, just the curbside seat folded up and also glided onward by means of the one-touch bar. Third-row riders additionally gain from the 2nd row's boosted seat traveling, which allows simple access as well as exit.
Ergonomics & Electronics
Modern technology is a huge emphasis in the 2014 Highlander and done very well. Toyota's Entune multimedia system works far better compared to ever before compared with various other Toyota lorries where I've made use of the system. Working the Entune system's voice commands goes over. The versions I checked noticed the numerous voice commands I spoke.
Those with bulky phones or that constantly have their phone linked to the SUV will certainly appreciate a gadget storage walk listed below the climate regulates that supplies a pass-through for USB cords. There need to be no more Medusa-like dangling of wires the gear selector.
The common Entune on base LE models includes a 6.1-inch touch-screen with backup camera, USB port with iPod connection, supporting input, voice recognition, Bluetooth phone connectivity and also Bluetooth streaming audio. LE Plus trims have Entune Audio And also with a higher-resolution 6.1-inch display screen, HD Radio and also 90-day satellite radio membership. The following step up is Entune Costs Sound with Navigating as well as Application Collection on XLE designs with an 8-inch touch-screen and app suite with Pandora, Yelp as well as Facebook combination with a mobile phone and accompanying Entune downloadable application. A JBL stereo is typical on Limited trim degrees.
The enormous center storage space container between the front seats can devour anything plus-sized, like a handbag, 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 function called Easy Speak transfers the thriving voice of a mad mom or daddy with the back stereo audio speakers using the Bluetooth microphone to maintain rowdy youngsters in check. What does it cost? extra family concentrated can you get compared to providing a function that permits parents to yell at children?
Cargo, Towing & Storage
Cargo room behind the third row enhances over the previous Highlander's sexy ledge, which battled lugging grocery stores, let alone a baby stroller or golf bag. The freight quantity is now 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 usable. It's still small compared to others in the segment: The Explorer has 21 cubic feet and the Pilot has 18 cubic feet behind the 3rd row. Toyota's trickery to raise cargo area entailed moving all 3 rows of seats forward, adding size behind the rear wheels as well as utilizing a more compact back suspension.
The power liftgate is an excellent function to be typical on LE Plus trim degrees as well as above, and has a dress up its sleeve: It gets used to different heights, not just 1 or 2 predetermined height settings. With the liftgate in motion, users could quit the liftgate and also program it to available to that set elevation the next time. The feature will certainly make shorter motorists and proprietors of reduced garages really happy. (If the gate goes too high, much shorter people could have a hard time to get to the power-close button on its bottom edge.) Another one-of-a-kind feature on the back is an oldie however a reward: On LE And also designs and also above, the back window opens up for easy gain access to independent of the cargo entrance.
A 5,000-pound tow ranking on XLE and also Limited trim degrees features a conventional towing bundle that includes engine/transmission colders and upgraded radiator and alternator. Hybrids could tow 3,500 extra 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 and security
The 2014 Highlander had not been crash-tested at the time of this writing.
The 2014 Highlander provides lower anchors and tethers on outboard second-row seats for child-safety seats, but just a tether support on the middle third-row seat.
Advanced security features are available, though just on the costly Minimal trim degree where a dead spot monitoring system and rear parking aid are conventional, and pre-collision, adaptive cruise control and lane separation warning are optional. Restricted trim levels are additionally the only models with a back-up video camera that uses predictive guidelines to show the automobile's path-- a backup electronic camera with set lines is basic on all other trim levels.
Value in Its Course
Toyota claims rates is up about $1,500 usually across the 2014 trim degrees, that include added attributes over the 2013. Base pricing starts at $30,075 for a base four-cylinder LE with destination, while volume-seller XLE models with all-wheel drive are $38,360 as well as consist of leather sitting with heated pole positions, navigating, three-zone environment control, clever keyless entry, second-row sunshades as well as even more. Prices for the XLE is very competitive to three-row midsize SUVs like the Honda Pilot, Ford Traveler or even the Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2013 Highlander was truly a midpack three-row SUV, hanging back in important locations like interior top quality, freight room and modern technology. Rest assured, if you're a Highlander owner looking to update-- as long as you're unconcerned concerning ride quality-- the 2014 is not just a compelling upgrade, yet also worthwhile of cross-shopping the section's ideal.