Toyota Highlander Reviews 2015
By
Alfian Adi Saputra
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Tuesday, May 29, 2018
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2015 Toyota Highlander
Toyota listened to customers while upgrading the seven/eight-seat 2014 Highlander and replied to demands for more cabin and also cargo room, dynamic styling and also premium facilities. Requests for a much more vibrant driving experience should have been pleasantly ignored, nevertheless, as the 2014's harsher flight is a tradeoff I do not think lots of midsize SUV customers ought to need to live with in return for sportier handling.
Still, other enhancements will definitely interest consumers who had damaged the previous Highlander off their list or a minimum of to those who do not take into consideration a comfortable ride a must-have. The 2014 Highlander's boosted cargo room behind the typical third-row seat is a much-needed improvement; plus, it's much easier to obtain right into the 3rd row, which now sittings three and also bumps conventional sitting capability to 8.
toyota highlander reviews 2015
With upgrades that cover the schedule of LE, LE Plus, XLE, Limited and also Limited Platinum trim degrees, the 2014 Highlander is currently in far better shape to handle 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 went back to the attracting board to revamp its aging and stylistically devoid Highlander. Fast-forward to 2014, as well as you can not 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 vibrant front styling. Its visibility approved the 2013 New York International Auto Program flooring where it debuted, and also it looks equally as great rolling down the street.
Just how It Drives
The driving experience isn't the automobile's most enticing feature, despite having a selection of appealing new chassis and also suspension adjustments, so it readies the new SUV does so lots of various other things well.
Toyota picked curvy canyon and seaside roadways 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 hold and also an enhanced guiding reaction. It's even more athletic when digging 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 a far cry from the lighter, 290-hp Hyundai Santa Fe, which is a "little" round of enjoyment 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 extra pounds.
An unfavorable result of the Highlander's newfound characteristics is a choppier trip over rough roads. After driving 2013 as well as 2014 versions, I can tell the 2014 transmits more road imperfections with the framework and also right into seats. Hey, Toyota: It's ALRIGHT to have a hostile style as well as trip like a couch; see the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.
On the benefit, the 2014 Highlander has a much more considerable sensation over rough roads, with less rattles, squeaks as well as framework flex. It's a matured experience with boosted noise insulation, acoustic glass and also a stiffer framework assisting keep outside sound minimal.
I quickly hung around in the four-cylinder Highlander with front-wheel drive, which Toyota expects to account for 5 to 10 percent of sales, and also in the brand new Highlander Hybrid. 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 harsh around the edges regarding engine noise and resonances. The Crossbreed's gas mileage is relatively unmodified for 2014, down 1 mpg in city rankings to 27 mpg yet keeps its 28 mpg integrated rating. The change from electric to when the engine fires up is obvious with raw noises originating from under the hood, audible from across a parking area. Vibrations from the shift are very little, yet the noises are audible to take notice.
An extra 353 pounds contributed to the crossbreed from 3 electrical motors-- 2 in the front and also one in the back-- and a nickel metal hydride battery is noticeable in exactly how the Hybrid drives as compared to the Restricted V-6 with four-wheel drive. It's an unwinded experience much less ecstatic about increasing as well as taking care of even with 280-hp incorporated, as well as it additionally doesn't ride any type of smoother than the non-hybrid.
The Hybrid's uncommonly loud engine sounds would not 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, though much smaller on the inside. The Highlander Crossbreed's luxury cars and truck cost doesn't show luxury refinement now that the feature-loaded Crossbreed Limited is the only Hybrid used; the less-expensive variation got the axe for 2014.
The volume-seller V-6 is the most refined of the bunch, using smooth as well as foreseeable velocity as well as 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 all-wheel drive is likewise extra competitive than the outward bound 2013 thanks to a new six-speed automatic transmission changing a five-speed device on V-6 models. The all-wheel-drive system, which is also brand-new, assists add 2 mpg freeway over the 2013 variation. All-wheel-drive Highlanders send out torque to the back wheels when slippage is detected, versus the previous system that constantly sent torque to four wheels.
Inside
Part of the 2014's makeover consists of calling up the indoor styling with various soft-touch and also accent-stitched indoor panels that boost the classiness. The high quality is Toyota-Avalon wonderful with a sewn control panel, steering wheel as well as soft-touch, high-quality products in noticeable places. Plastic areas that aren't textured, sewed or covered are still on par for the class. Even the base LE Highlander exhibits the practically luxurylike niceness of the higher-optioned Minimal trims.
Seating is comfortable in the very first and second rows with soft, broad front seats as well as an extremely flexible 2nd row that slides and also reclines with 2 captain's chairs or the standard three-seat bench setup-- captain's chairs are available on the XLE and also basic on the Limited. The rest of the Highlander may have been redone with dynamism in mind, but the seats talk with its comfort-focused origins. Many individuals on our staff will certainly miss the 2013's detachable second-row center seat. I won't, as it was unpleasant and also large to get rid of and change with the center table that stored under the center console.
In the 3rd row, Toyota boosted width and added an additional seat for a maximum capacity of 8 residents in typical configuration. A brand-new, a lot more portable rear suspension released the added room. The third row still does not fit adults with as much convenience as the larger Chevrolet Traverse, yet it readies in a pinch. There are additionally new one-touch folding second-row seats on both sides. Formerly, only the curbside seat folded and also slid forward using the one-touch bar. Third-row motorcyclists also benefit from the second row's raised seat traveling, which allows simple entry as well as departure.
Functional design & Electronics
Technology is a significant emphasis in the 2014 Highlander and done very well. Toyota's Entune multimedia system functions better compared to ever compared to other Toyota lorries where I have actually made use of the system. Working the Entune system's voice commands is impressive. The models I examined picked up on the different voice commands I spoke.
Those with bulky phones or who continuously have their phone attached to the SUV will certainly appreciate a device storage space walk below the environment manages that supplies a pass-through for USB cables. There must disappear Medusa-like dangling of wires the gear selector.
The basic Entune on base LE models includes a 6.1-inch touch-screen with backup camera, USB port with iPod connectivity, complementary input, voice recognition, Bluetooth phone connection and Bluetooth streaming audio. LE And also trims have Entune Audio Plus with a higher-resolution 6.1-inch display screen, HD Radio as well as 90-day satellite radio subscription. The next step up is Entune Premium Sound with Navigating and also Application Suite on XLE versions with an 8-inch touch-screen as well as app collection with Pandora, Yelp and Facebook integration with a smartphone and also accompanying Entune downloadable application. A JBL stereo is conventional on Minimal trim levels.
The massive facility storage bin in between the front seats can feed on anything plus-sized, like a purse, iPad or Blu-ray collection for the readily available rear-seat Blu-ray gamer. When you fail to remember that Blu-ray at home, an intriguing new attribute called Easy Speak sends the thriving voice of an angry mama or father through the back stereo audio speakers by means of the Bluetooth microphone to maintain rowdy kids in check. Just how much more family members concentrated can you obtain than giving a feature that allows moms and dads to yell at youngsters?
Cargo, Towing & Storage space
Freight space behind the third row boosts over the previous Highlander's skimpy step, which battled carrying groceries, let alone a stroller or golf bag. The freight volume is currently rated at 13.8 cubic feet, up from 10.3 cubic feet. It's not a massive renovation, but at least it makes the location usable. It's still small compared to others in the section: The Traveler has 21 cubic feet as well as the Pilot has 18 cubic feet behind the 3rd row. Toyota's trickery to enhance freight space entailed moving all three rows of seats ahead, including length behind the back wheels and also utilizing an extra compact back suspension.
The power liftgate is an outstanding feature to be typical on LE And also trim degrees and above, as well as has a dress up its sleeve: It adapts to different heights, not simply a couple of predetermined elevation setups. With the liftgate in motion, individuals can quit the liftgate and program it to open up to that set elevation the following time. The function will certainly make shorter vehicle drivers and owners of low garages extremely pleased. (If the gate goes too high, much shorter people could have a hard time to reach the power-close switch on its bottom edge.) An additional one-of-a-kind function on the back is an oldie however a reward: On LE And also versions and also above, the rear window opens up for very easy gain access to independent of the freight entrance.
A 5,000-pound tow score on XLE and Limited trim levels has a typical towing package that includes engine/transmission colders and upgraded radiator as well as alternator. Hybrids can tow 3,500 extra pounds, V-6 LE/LE Plus could tow 2,000 pounds and a four-cylinder LE is ranked at 1,500 pounds.
Safety and security
The 2014 Highlander had not been crash-tested at the time of this writing.
The 2014 Highlander gives lower anchors and tethers on outboard second-row seats for child-safety seats, however only a secure support on the middle third-row seat.
Advanced safety and security features are offered, though only on the expensive Restricted trim level where a dead spot tracking system as well as rear vehicle parking assist are conventional, as well as pre-collision, adaptive cruise control and lane departure caution are optional. Restricted trim levels are likewise the only models with a back-up camera that makes use of anticipating standards to reveal the car's path-- a backup camera with fixed lines is conventional on all various other trim degrees.
Value in Its Class
Toyota says prices is up about $1,500 usually across the 2014 trim degrees, which include additional functions over the 2013. Base rates starts at $30,075 for a base four-cylinder LE with destination, while volume-seller XLE designs with all-wheel drive are $38,360 and also consist of leather seating with warmed pole positions, navigation, three-zone environment control, wise keyless access, second-row sunshades and also even more. Prices for the XLE is really affordable 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, dragging in essential areas like indoor quality, cargo area and innovation. Feel confident, if you're a Highlander proprietor planning to update-- as long as you're unconcerned concerning ride quality-- the 2014 is not just a compelling upgrade, however additionally worthwhile of cross-shopping the sector's ideal.