Toyota 2015 Highlander
By
Pusahma satu
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Tuesday, June 5, 2018
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2015 Toyota Highlander
Toyota paid attention to consumers while redesigning the seven/eight-seat 2014 Highlander and also responded to needs for even more cabin and freight area, vibrant designing and also premium features. Requests for a more vibrant driving experience should have been professionally ignored, nevertheless, as the 2014's harsher ride is a tradeoff I do not assume many midsize SUV purchasers need to have to cope with in return for sportier handling.
Still, other improvements will undoubtedly attract shoppers who had actually scraped the previous Highlander off their list or at the very least to those that don't think about a comfy ride a must-have. The 2014 Highlander's increased cargo room behind the typical third-row seat is a much-needed renovation; plus, it's simpler to obtain right into the third row, which now sittings 3 and bumps typical seatsing capacity to 8.
toyota 2015 highlander
With upgrades that extend the schedule of LE, LE And Also, XLE, Limited and Limited Platinum trim levels, the 2014 Highlander is currently in far better shape to tackle the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2014 Ford Traveler as well as 2014 Honda Pilot.
I drove four-cylinder, six-cylinder as well as Hybrid 2014 Highlanders at a Toyota media event.
Outside & Styling
Toyota returned to the drawing board to revamp its aging as well as stylistically devoid Highlander. Fast-forward to 2014, as well as you can't call the Highlander boring looking any type of longer. The 2013's ho-hum appearance changes right into a hulking SUV with a beefier stance, protruding fenders and strong front styling. Its existence was big on the 2013 New York International Car Show floor where it debuted, and also it looks just as great rolling down the street.
Exactly how It Drives
The driving experience isn't really the cars and truck's most appealing characteristic, despite an array of promising brand-new framework and also suspension modifications, so it excels the brand-new SUV does so lots of other points well.
Toyota picked curved canyon and also seaside roads in The golden state to demonstrate the Highlander's new handling chops. Driving a 2013 and 2014 back to back, the 2014 does show greater levels of road hold and also an enhanced guiding feedback. It's more athletic when digging right into an edge, 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" ball of excitement 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 pounds.
A negative effect of the Highlander's newly found dynamics is a choppier trip over rough roadways. After driving 2013 and also 2014 models, I could inform the 2014 sends more roadway imperfections via the framework and also into seats. Hey, Toyota: It's OKAY to have an aggressive design and flight like a sofa; see the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.
On the advantage, the 2014 Highlander has a much more considerable sensation over rough roads, with less rattles, squeaks and also framework flex. It's a matured experience with increased noise insulation, acoustic glass and also a stiffer chassis helping keep outside noise minimal.
I briefly hung around 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 all-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 regarding engine noise as well as resonances. The Crossbreed's gas mileage is fairly the same for 2014, down 1 mpg in city rankings to 27 mpg however maintains its 28 mpg incorporated ranking. The shift from electric to when the engine fires up is recognizable with raw sounds coming from under the hood, audible from across a parking lot. Resonances from the change are very little, however the noises are loud enough to take notice.
An added 353 extra pounds included in the crossbreed from three electric motors-- 2 in the front and one in the back-- and also a nickel steel hydride battery is obvious in just how the Hybrid drives compared with the Limited V-6 with four-wheel drive. It's a relaxed experience less ecstatic concerning accelerating as well as managing despite 280-hp integrated, as well as it likewise does not ride any kind of smoother than the non-hybrid.
The Hybrid's unusually loud engine sounds would not be as much of a concern if the Highlander Crossbreed just weren't $48,160 with location, $7,130 more than 2013-- a 2014 Lexus RX 450h is $47,320, though a lot smaller on the in. The Highlander Crossbreed's luxury automobile price does not show high-end improvement since the feature-loaded Crossbreed Limited is the only Hybrid provided; the less-expensive version got the axe for 2014.
The volume-seller V-6 is the most refined of the number, providing smooth as well as predictable velocity along with the very 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 also much more competitive than the outgoing 2013 thanks to a brand-new six-speed automatic transmission replacing a five-speed system on V-6 designs. The all-wheel-drive system, which is likewise new, helps add 2 mpg freeway over the 2013 version. All-wheel-drive Highlanders send torque to the back wheels when slippage is discovered, versus the previous system that constantly sent torque to four wheels.
Interior
Part of the 2014's transformation includes dialing up the interior styling with countless soft-touch and accent-stitched interior panels that improve the classiness. The top quality is Toyota-Avalon nice with a stitched dashboard, guiding wheel and soft-touch, top notch materials in famous places. Plastic areas that typically aren't textured, sewed or covered are still on the same level for the course. Also the base LE Highlander emanates the practically luxurylike niceness of the higher-optioned Minimal trims.
Seats fits in the initial and also second rows with soft, broad pole positions as well as an extremely adjustable 2nd row that slides and also reclines with two captain's chairs or the basic three-seat bench setup-- captain's chairs are available on the XLE and also common on the Limited. The rest of the Highlander could have been redone with dynamism in mind, however the seats talk with its comfort-focused origins. Many people on our team will certainly miss out on the 2013's removable second-row center seat. I will not, as it was awkward as well as large to get rid of and also replace with the facility table that kept under the facility console.
In the third row, Toyota enhanced size as well as added an added seat for a maximum ability of 8 occupants in common configuration. A new, more small rear suspension freed the additional room. The 3rd row still does not fit adults with as much comfort as the bigger Chevrolet Traverse, but it excels in a pinch. There are likewise brand-new one-touch folding second-row seats on both sides. Formerly, just the curbside seat folded and moved ahead using the one-touch bar. Third-row motorcyclists additionally gain from the second row's boosted seat traveling, which permits simple access and also exit.
Ergonomics & Electronic devices
Modern technology is a massive emphasis in the 2014 Highlander and also done quite possibly. Toyota's Entune multimedia system works better than ever compared with various other Toyota lorries where I've utilized the system. Functioning the Entune system's voice commands is impressive. The versions I checked noticed the numerous voice commands I spoke.
Those with bulky phones or who continuously have their phone connected to the SUV will appreciate a gadget storage ledge listed below the climate controls that supplies a pass-through for USB cords. There need to be no more Medusa-like dangling of cables ensnaring the gear selector.
The conventional Entune on base LE versions consists of a 6.1-inch touch-screen with backup camera, USB port with iPod connectivity, auxiliary input, voice recognition, Bluetooth phone connectivity and Bluetooth streaming audio. LE And also trims have Entune Audio And also with a higher-resolution 6.1-inch screen, HD Radio and 90-day satellite radio registration. The following step up is Entune Costs Sound with Navigating as well as Application Suite on XLE designs with an 8-inch touch-screen and app collection with Pandora, Yelp as well as Facebook integration with a mobile phone as well as accompanying Entune downloadable application. A JBL sound system is standard on Restricted trim degrees.
The substantial center storage space bin in between the pole positions could feast on anything plus-sized, like a handbag, 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 new feature called Easy Speak sends the booming voice of an angry mother or father through the back stereo speakers through the Bluetooth microphone to maintain wild kids in check. Just how much extra family members concentrated can you obtain than offering an attribute that allows moms and dads to chew out youngsters?
Cargo, Towing & Storage space
Freight space behind the 3rd row improves over the previous Highlander's revealing walk, which struggled lugging groceries, not to mention an infant 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 substantial renovation, however a minimum of it makes the location useful. It's still little compared to others in the section: The Explorer has 21 cubic feet as well as the Pilot has 18 cubic feet behind the 3rd row. Toyota's trickery to increase freight area entailed relocating all 3 rows of seats forward, including size behind the rear wheels and also utilizing a much more compact back suspension.
The power liftgate is an outstanding feature to be typical on LE Plus trim levels as well as above, and has a dress up its sleeve: It adjusts to various heights, not just 1 or 2 predetermined height settings. With the liftgate in motion, users can stop the liftgate as well as program it to open to that set elevation the next time. The feature will make much shorter motorists as well as proprietors of reduced garages very happy. (If eviction goes too high, much shorter folks could have a hard time to reach the power-close button on its lower side.) One more distinct feature on the back is an oldie however a reward: On LE Plus models as well as above, the back window opens up for easy access independent of the cargo entrance.
A 5,000-pound tow ranking on XLE and also Limited trim levels has a typical towing bundle that consists of engine/transmission coolers as well as upgraded radiator and alternator. Crossbreeds can tow 3,500 pounds, V-6 LE/LE And also can tow 2,000 pounds and a four-cylinder LE is ranked at 1,500 extra pounds.
Security
The 2014 Highlander had not been crash-tested at the time of this writing.
The 2014 Highlander gives lower supports and tethers on outboard second-row seats for child-safety seats, but only a tether support on the middle third-row seat.
Advanced safety attributes are available, though just on the expensive Restricted trim degree where a dead spot tracking system and rear parking assist are standard, and pre-collision, adaptive cruise control and lane separation caution are optional. Restricted trim degrees are additionally the only models with a back-up camera that utilizes predictive guidelines to reveal the automobile's course-- a backup electronic camera with fixed lines is conventional on all other trim levels.
Value in Its Course
Toyota claims rates is up about $1,500 on average across the 2014 trim degrees, which include added attributes over the 2013. Base prices 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 consist of natural leather seatsing with warmed pole positions, navigating, three-zone environment control, wise keyless entry, second-row sunshades and more. Rates 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 indoor top quality, freight area and also modern technology. Feel confident, if you're a Highlander proprietor looking to update-- as long as you're unconcerned about ride high quality-- the 2014 is not just an engaging upgrade, but also worthwhile of cross-shopping the segment's finest.