Toyota Highlander Limited AWD 2014
The Highlander's osseous tissues contained an easy going part, seats for five, and fwd with the choice of AWD and were accommodated in the Camry sedan. When we set it through its rates against two other new-for-'01 utes-- a Chevy TrailBlazer and a Ford Explorer --the Highlander predominated. "Is Not this what we used to contact a station-wagon?" we inquired. And replied: "Yep.

This is before the term crossover became among the most flexible terms in automotive background. And here we're, 13 years afterwards, studying the third-era Highlander. The fundamental principles are fundamentally the sam e: front drive architecture, AWD capacity, all around family-oriented transport.

It Is 3.9 inches broader, 590 pounds heftier than our likewise equipped 2001 Highlander Restricted, and capable of seating seven or eight travellers. Make that scarcely competent for the rear most two or thee travellers, but the first Highlander had spots for just five.

What 's outstanding is that for all its extra mass, which needs a larger engine, the new Highlander out-performs its 2001 ancestor in every goal grouping, including fuel-economy.

It lags its quick, 2nd-gen forerunner somewhat when the light turns green, though the third-era version outperforms the first in straight-forward urgency. Matched to a fresh six-speed automatic, the 3.5-liter V6 result amounts are unchanged--270 hp and 248 pounds-foot of torsion--but fat has improved.

Some of the generational weight-gain is due to dimensional increases--2.7 inches longer total and a 1/2-inch broader--some to particular structural stiffening, and some to successful sound-damping actions. We logged a so so 19 mpg in our screening of the 2014 version.

For all its somewhat more manly clothing, the new Highlander is dynamically a conventional Toyota, which is always to say unobtrusive, mannerly, and peaceful. These aren't terrible characteristics for a family conveyance, and those peculiarities--no shock there are enhanced by the third-era version. But there is certainly a nice surprise looking forward to the motorist who must make a crisis avoidance transfer or is captured with a should experience sidelong hold and lifted epinephrine on an expanse of winding back-road.

At 0.80 grams on the skidpad, hold--delivered by an established of 245/55 Toyo A20 Open State all-period tires on 19-inch wheels--is way from leechlike, and the electrical-support power steering tends toward the obscure. But for all that, the Highlander shifts way without play or excessive body movements and rapidly. And if the steering system is brief on tactile comments, particularly on-middle, it is properly weighted, relatively rapid (2.7 turns lock-to-lock), and precise once the motorist is acclimated. The Highlander's dominating managing characteristic is progressive lead, but the flipside of that's complete predictability with no disagreeable surprises. The Highlander realizes its sport without losing household- chassis improvements, an operate of its longer wheelbase and easy ride quality.

The ondemand all-wheel-generate system works transparently, unless grip is reduced there operating as a front drive vehicle, whereupon the method can send-up to fifty per cent of motor torque to the back wheels. The V6 AWD Highlander Restricted is rated to tow up to 5000 lbs.

It is braking operation, if there is any dynamic disappointment. Even though that is maybe not cursing, the binders confirmed a trace of fade after recurrent hard stops at the check track. Recurrent tough stops are not probably to be on the Highlander's using menu. 186 toes from 70 miles per hour is unsatisfactory, although its evaluation stops were within six-feet of one another. That Is maybe not the worst in this type, but it is unquestionably not the greatest, either.

The captivating inside redesign was coated by our 2014 Highlander first-drive review in more detail, but a few components deserve added reference. First, that tract ledge crossing the lower dashboard in the right-side-door frame virtually to the left of the middle smokestack is among the niftiest stowage characteristics we have observed in a while. The soft substance in the bottom of the ledge damps retains and rattles stuff from roaming about too much. Memorandum to feds: How about including this to your own listing of mandates?

Amount two is the six-rate automatic transmission. As mentioned, that is the five, and a fresh tranny -rate that included lower tailored degrees in the gen two Highlander is gone. In automobile mode, the new transmission reacts rapidly to orders from your motorist's right-foot and is easy. Yet, its guide mode makes something to be wanted. Shifts are realized unless the console's lid is open -- by transferring the lever fore and aft, which contributes to a continuing struggle between the motorist's elbow and the heart cabinet. We should include this will not be a large problem, since most motorists are likely to switch into fiddle with things on the package ledge and D instead.

The pulled wheelbase takes care of with more inside volume, and fore and aft adjustability of the mid-row perches (captains' seats in our Small example) makes the third-row virtually habitable--for hobbits. Extremely little hobbits.

Toyota has transferred the Highlander toward a simplified version line with fewer choices bundles. You will find five tailored degrees. In ascending Constrained Platinum: LE, LE Plus, XLE, Restricted, and sequence, with minimal pricey all-wheel-push LE and V 6 combo beginning at $32,840.

Our $46,156 AWD Restricted Platinum evaluation unit was packed with typical conveniences such as a backup camera, back parking support, 2nd-row captains' chairs, warmed and ventilated perforated- leather-trimmed electricity front seats, LED jogging lamps, a-12-loudspeaker Entune superior audio program, and blind spot and back-cross-visitors warning methods. The Platinum bundle (a $2490 lump over a garden variety Small) additional radar cruise-control, a pre-collision system, lane-departure alarm, automobile high beam handle, a panoramic sun roof, and a heated steering wheel and 2nd-row seats.

Men working with undiluted precedence and buying family rigs are more probably to be seeking at some thing like a Dodge Durango. But these men should at least be mindful the new Highlander makes a more robust claim.

2014 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD video