2014 Toyota Highlander Review

      2014 Toyota Highlander- let's face it family-friendly crossovers are far from the most electrifying vehicles on the road today. They're typically ponderous overweight and a good deal thirstier than they should be am i describing an actual car or your eccentric uncle. Injecting some needed visual flair into Toyota dealerships across the country is this shapely three-row people hauler.

Chances are the first thing you'll notice about the 2014 Highlander is its expressive new body. It makes quite a bold statement with that gigantic almost Lexus like grill. If you can believe it. This is the second iteration of the design that they came up with the first one got scrapped because it just wasn't good enough. The result of that Mulligan is dramatically more interesting than today's model though from the rear this vehicle does look like it's got a load in its diaper. Naturally design isn't all that it offers so let's break it down.

Now I know it's not as appealing as my socks right here but the new third generation toyota highlander is offered in four different trims, ranging from an entry-level le, to the le plus, to the xle, and range-topping limited. Once again a fuel-efficient hybrid is available though it's only offered in high falootin limited trim. Base price for a stripped-down entry-level version is right about 30,000 dollars likewise limited models start right around 40 grand. As for power trains two are available in non hybrid models the base engine is a 2.7 liter four banger providing 185 horsepower the overwhelming majority of new Highlanders will be powered by a familiar 3.5 liter v6. It delivers a smooth 270 ponies with 248 pound-feet of twist. Unlike today's model a six-speed automatic transmission is standard with both engines. Fuel economy is up as well front-wheel drive v6 models sticker at 19 miles per gallon city and 25 highway which results in a combined score of 21 mpg.

When properly equipped the 2014 highlander here is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds SAE certified by the way which theoretically should be enough to drag the loch ness monster from her murky lair. Despite a complete redesign this vehicle actually rides on the same wheelbase as today's model. Though the overall body length is slightly greater. It's track is a little bit wider now what does that mean for you the driver well it actually translates into considerably more cargo space behind the third row seat. In fact behind this vehicles back most bench there are nearly 14 cubic feet of space. That's nearly enough room for a brosef kilts are perhaps even enough haggis to feed the Orkney Islands for six whole months.

Now a thirty four percent increase in back most storage is not the Highlanders only trick. Now as you'd expect this vehicle has a brand-new interior as well. They've completely redesigned. It in here and I think the overall look kind of resembles the new Avalon and that is not a bad thing it's very premium. There are lots of squishy soft plastics on both the dashboard and the door panels. There's nice integrated storage bin that runs along the dashboard here plus a number of other nice touches. As with many new vehicles technology is very important the Highlander offers a number of interesting features you get standard heated side view mirrors and Bluetooth connectivity plus you can opt for things like rear cross-traffic alert, which is handy for crowded shopping markets. You can get blind spot warning which is always handy out on the freeway. Now front seat passengers are treated to a massive center bin right here. This thing actually holds 24 and a half liters worth of volume. What is that in real numbers what Toyota engineers did the math? It works out to more than fifty eight children size juice boxes nearly 60 juice boxes will fit in here that's incredible. You can put a purse or all kinds of other bulky items right in the center bin.

While developing the 2014 highlander, Toyota engineers paid enormous attention to nvh. That's noise vibration and harshness now to combat all three of those undesirable things. They've loaded this vehicle with things like sound deadening blankets and strategically placed spray foam at certain points throughout the body to really keep it whisper quiet in here. So out on the road here in the 2014 highlander this thing feels extremely sturdy, very heavy as well and that plays in of course with how quiet it is but it's 270 horsepower are quite overmatched. That's what the v6 engine of course. Now since we're on these winding roads. It's worth noting the highlanders steering. It's quite heavy for a crossover and it makes it a bit of fun to throw around you can certainly feel all of the mass out back this thing is equipped with a double wishbone rear suspension. Something that used to be reserved for sports cars and Toyota has thrown that under the rear of the new Highlander here and supposedly. It gives a smoother ride better handling and of course better packaging. So that helps play into the increased cargo space out back.

The 2014 Highlander is aimed at active sporty families. But it competes in a segment that is very demanding and customers can literally graze on a number of different vehicles. Thankfully though the Highlander does offer a nice blend of features. It's got a quiet, spacious interior. It's not too bad to drive plus it should have Toyota's legendary reliability.