Toyota Highlander Limited 2015
By
pusahma dua
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Monday, May 7, 2018
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2015 Toyota Highlander
Toyota listened to consumers while revamping the seven/eight-seat 2014 Highlander and also reacted to needs for even more cabin and also freight space, dynamic designing and also premium amenities. Ask for a more vibrant driving experience should have been respectfully overlooked, nonetheless, as the 2014's harsher trip is a tradeoff I don't believe many midsize SUV purchasers ought to need to deal with in return for sportier handling.
Still, other renovations will most certainly appeal to buyers who had actually scraped the previous Highlander off their listing or a minimum of to those who do not think about a comfy trip a must-have. The 2014 Highlander's increased cargo space behind the conventional third-row seat is a much-needed enhancement; plus, it's simpler to obtain into the 3rd row, which now seatses 3 and also bumps common seatsing capacity to 8.
toyota highlander limited 2015
With upgrades that span the lineup of LE, LE Plus, XLE, Limited and also Limited Platinum trim degrees, the 2014 Highlander is now in much better shape to take on the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2014 Ford Explorer and 2014 Honda Pilot.
I drove four-cylinder, six-cylinder and also Hybrid 2014 Highlanders at a Toyota media event.
Outside & Designing
Toyota went back to the drawing board to upgrade its aging and stylistically devoid Highlander. Fast-forward to 2014, and you cannot call the Highlander boring looking any type of longer. The 2013's ho-hum appearance changes into a hulking SUV with a beefier stance, bulging fenders and strong front styling. Its existence approved the 2013 New York City International Auto Program flooring where it debuted, and also it looks just as great rolling down the street.
How It Drives
The driving experience isn't the cars and truck's most appealing feature, despite having an assortment of promising new framework as well as suspension adjustments, so it's good the new SUV does so many various other things well.
Toyota picked curvy canyon and also coastal roadways in California to show the Highlander's brand-new handling chops. Driving a 2013 as well as 2014 back to back, the 2014 does show higher degrees of road grasp and also an enhanced steering reaction. It's even more sports when excavating right into a corner, though I wouldn't call the Highlander enjoyable to drive. The 270-horsepower V-6 doesn't have an immediate punch of acceleration in the hefty Highlander. It's an unlike the lighter, 290-hp Hyundai Santa Fe, which is a "little" sphere of exhilaration 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 pounds.
An adverse result of the Highlander's newfound characteristics is a choppier ride over harsh roadways. After driving 2013 and also 2014 designs, I might tell the 2014 transmits even more roadway imperfections via the chassis as well as into seats. Hey, Toyota: It's OKAY to have a hostile layout as well as flight like a sofa; see the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.
On the benefit, the 2014 Highlander has an extra substantial sensation over harsh roadways, with fewer rattles, squeaks and also framework flex. It's a matured experience with enhanced noise insulation, acoustic glass as well as a stiffer chassis aiding maintain outside sound marginal.
I quickly hung around in the four-cylinder Highlander with front-wheel drive, which Toyota anticipates to account for 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 also all-wheel-drive-only Hybrid V-6 (27/28/28 mpg) are a little rough around the edges as for engine sound and also vibrations. The Hybrid's gas mileage is reasonably the same for 2014, down 1 mpg in city scores to 27 mpg however keeps its 28 mpg combined score. The transition from electrical to when the engine fires up is visible with raw noises originating from under the hood, distinct from throughout a car park. Resonances from the shift are very little, yet the sounds are loud enough to take notice.
An extra 353 pounds contributed to the crossbreed from 3 electrical motors-- 2 in the front as well as one in the back-- and a nickel steel hydride battery is visible in how the Hybrid drives compared with the Minimal V-6 with four-wheel drive. It's an unwinded experience much less ecstatic about accelerating as well as taking care of even with 280-hp integrated, as well as it also doesn't ride any kind of smoother compared to the non-hybrid.
The Crossbreed's unusually loud engine noises wouldn't be as much of a problem if the Highlander Hybrid just weren't $48,160 with location, $7,130 greater than 2013-- a 2014 Lexus RX 450h is $47,320, though a lot smaller sized on the in. The Highlander Crossbreed's deluxe car rate does not show luxury refinement now that the feature-loaded Hybrid Limited is the only Hybrid used; the less-expensive version got the axe for 2014.
The volume-seller V-6 is one of the most improved of the lot, offering smooth and also predictable velocity in addition to 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 as well as 18/24/20 mpg with four-wheel drive is also a lot more competitive compared to the outward bound 2013 thanks to a new six-speed transmission changing 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 version. All-wheel-drive Highlanders send out torque to the rear wheels when slippage is spotted, versus the previous system that constantly sent torque to four wheels.
Inside
Part of the 2014's makeover includes dialing up the interior styling with numerous soft-touch and accent-stitched interior panels that boost the classiness. The quality is Toyota-Avalon nice with a stitched control panel, steering wheel and also soft-touch, premium products in popular places. Plastic areas that aren't textured, stitched or covered are still on the same level for the course. Also the base LE Highlander shows the practically luxurylike niceness of the higher-optioned Limited trims.
Seats is comfortable in the very first as well as second rows with soft, wide front seats and also a highly flexible second row that slides and reclines with 2 captain's chairs or the common three-seat bench configuration-- captain's chairs are available on the XLE as well as conventional on the Limited. The rest of the Highlander could have been redone with dynamism in mind, but the seats speak with its comfort-focused roots. Many individuals on our staff will miss out on the 2013's detachable second-row center seat. I won't, as it was uneasy and also large to eliminate and replace with the facility table that saved under the facility console.
In the 3rd row, Toyota enhanced size and included an extra seat for an optimum ability of 8 residents in basic configuration. A brand-new, extra compact rear suspension released the additional room. The third row still doesn't fit adults with as much comfort as the larger Chevrolet Traverse, yet it excels in a pinch. There are also new one-touch folding second-row seats on both sides. Formerly, just the curbside seat folded and also glided forward by means of the one-touch bar. Third-row bikers likewise benefit from the 2nd row's raised seat traveling, which permits very easy entry and also exit.
Ergonomics & Electronic devices
Modern technology is a significant emphasis in the 2014 Highlander and done effectively. Toyota's Entune multimedia system works better compared to ever compared to various other Toyota lorries in which I've utilized the system. Working the Entune system's voice commands goes over. The versions I evaluated detected the different voice commands I spoke.
Those with cumbersome phones or that frequently have their phone linked to the SUV will certainly value a gadget storage space ledge below the climate manages that offers a pass-through for USB cables. There ought to disappear Medusa-like dangling of cable televisions the gear selector.
The typical Entune on base LE models consists of a 6.1-inch touch-screen with backup electronic camera, USB port with iPod connection, supporting input, voice recognition, Bluetooth phone connection and also Bluetooth streaming audio. LE Plus trims have Entune Audio Plus with a higher-resolution 6.1-inch display, HD Radio and also 90-day satellite radio subscription. The following step up is Entune Premium Audio with Navigating as well as Application Suite on XLE models with an 8-inch touch-screen and also app collection with Pandora, Yelp and Facebook assimilation with a mobile phone and accompanying Entune downloadable application. A JBL sound system is standard on Limited trim levels.
The enormous facility storage space container in between the front seats can feast on anything plus-sized, like a purse, iPad or Blu-ray collection for the offered rear-seat Blu-ray player. When you fail to remember that Blu-ray in the house, a fascinating brand-new function called Easy Speak sends the thriving voice of a mad mommy or dad through the rear stereo speakers via the Bluetooth microphone to maintain rowdy youngsters in check. Just how much a lot more household focused can you get than supplying an attribute that allows parents to yell at youngsters?
Freight, Towing & Storage space
Freight area behind the third row improves over the previous Highlander's sexy walk, which struggled carrying grocery stores, let alone an infant 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 substantial renovation, however at least it makes the area functional. It's still tiny compared to others in the segment: The Traveler has 21 cubic feet and also the Pilot has 18 cubic feet behind the third row. Toyota's hoax to increase cargo space included relocating all three rows of seats forward, adding length behind the back wheels and also using an extra portable rear suspension.
The power liftgate is an excellent function to be common on LE And also trim degrees and also above, and also has a trick up its sleeve: It adjusts to numerous heights, not just a couple of established elevation setups. With the liftgate moving, users could stop the liftgate as well as program it to open up to that established elevation the following time. The function will make shorter drivers and also owners of low garages very happy. (If eviction goes too high, much shorter folks could have a hard time to get to the power-close button on its lower side.) Another one-of-a-kind feature on the back is an oldie yet a reward: On LE Plus models as well as above, the rear window opens up for simple gain access to independent of the freight gate.
A 5,000-pound tow ranking on XLE and Limited trim degrees has a conventional towing bundle that consists of engine/transmission coolers and upgraded radiator and also generator. Crossbreeds could tow 3,500 pounds, V-6 LE/LE And also can tow 2,000 pounds and a four-cylinder LE is rated at 1,500 pounds.
Safety and security
The 2014 Highlander hadn't been crash-tested at the time of this writing.
The 2014 Highlander offers lower anchors and tethers on outboard second-row seats for child-safety seats, but only a tether anchor on the middle third-row seat.
Advanced safety and security functions are offered, though only on the costly Restricted trim level where an unseen area tracking system and also rear car park help are standard, as well as pre-collision, flexible cruise control and lane separation warning are optional. Restricted trim levels are likewise the only designs with a backup camera that utilizes anticipating guidelines to show the car's path-- a backup electronic camera with fixed lines is basic on all other trim degrees.
Worth in Its Course
Toyota says rates is up around $1,500 usually across the 2014 trim levels, which include added functions over the 2013. Base pricing begins at $30,075 for a base four-cylinder LE with location, while volume-seller XLE versions with all-wheel drive are $38,360 and include leather sitting with heated front seats, navigating, three-zone climate control, wise keyless access, second-row sunshades and more. Rates for the XLE is extremely competitive to three-row midsize SUVs like the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer and even the Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2013 Highlander was truly a midpack three-row SUV, hanging back in crucial areas like interior high quality, cargo space and innovation. Feel confident, if you're a Highlander owner planning to update-- as long as you're unconcerned concerning trip high quality-- the 2014 is not only an engaging upgrade, but likewise deserving of cross-shopping the section's finest.