The 2014 Toyota Highlander Limited receives an EPA-estimated 20 mpg combined fuel economy.
The recent redesign of the 2014 Toyota Highlander Limited is rather solid.
Inside the 2014 Highlander Limited, the new infotainment setup is easy to use and the climate controls are simple to understand and operate.
The 2014 Toyota Highlander Limited is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6.
The 2014 Toyota Highlander Limited comes in at a base price of $44,450 with our tester topping off at $46,156.
DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: Following the Corolla, Toyota has another very solid core vehicle redesign on its hands with the Highlander. Exciting it isn’t, but everything a premium three-row crossover shopper could want is available, particularly in this Limited with Platinum Package edition.
Let’s talk interior, since the outside is typically inoffensive — you’ll neither love it nor hate it, thus removing a potential purchase objection by default. Where my previous Highlander experience was one of nasty plastics, this Limited is a lovely place in which to spend time. An expansive open shelf runs 2/3 the length of the dash in one of those simple yet ridiculously useful ideas no one else uses — it’s perfect for cell phones, wallets and other items occupants might want to stow yet have easy access to.
In the rear, folding and sliding second-row seats offer tons of legroom when the third row isn’t needed (90 percent of the time) yet allows you to customize the interior space for the needs of various occupants. An easy seat-side slider permits third-row inmates to easily tip and slide the second row for ingress/egress, and once they’re reclined a bit those rear seats are reasonably comfortable and spacious for the occasional use they’re likely to see.
On the open road the Highlander is, in a word, unobtrusive. Everything is just a little better than the segment average — it’s quieter, feels slightly faster and handles bumps and curves with just a bit more confidence. Those who know me know I’m not prone to waxing eloquent about the merits of Toyota transportation appliances, but the Highlander’s utter competence is remarkable in its completeness. It’s like the world’s best accountant — it’ll never make the opposite sex swoon, but you can count on it absolutely in every situation.
Yes, our tester was expensive but it was also about as loaded as one could option a 2015 Toyota Highlander — realistic transaction prices for a nice one will likely parallel those of the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot and Hyundai Santa Fe in the high $30K range, and the Highlander is arguably better than any of them.
The 2014 Toyota Highlander Limited is a solid core vehicle redesign for the Toyota lineup.
EDITOR WES RAYNAL: I was pleasantly surprised by this 2015 Toyota Highlander — this is a hell of an improvement and way less boring than the outgoing Highlander. No, it’s not cheap, but is illustrative of the length and expense people might go to so they don’t drive a minivan.
The exterior looks a lot better being far more handsome and angular. On the inside there is better build quality and interesting shapes plus more soft-touch materials on the dash and armrests and such. I really like the little shelf running the width of the dash, which is handy for storing small stuff. All the controls are perfectly logical to use and feel like decent quality — it took about a minute to figure out the functions. That’s nice for a change.
It’s unremarkable to drive (that’s why I mention the minivan above), though is almost Lexus-quiet on the road and feels quite a bit more solid/robust than the outgoing model. The body motions also feel a lot better controlled than I remember in previous Highlanders.
In sum, it’s not thrilling — it’s about as inoffensive as these things get. Plus it’s less Sienna-like and as I said, quite a bit less dull. And no doubt it’d last a long time.
The 2014 Toyota Highlander Limited comes in at a base price of $44,450 with our tester topping off at $46,156.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR GRAHAM KOZAK: “Didn’t realize you took home a minivan last night,” my roommate told me as he was getting ready to take off for the day. He wasn’t trying to be snarky — he simply didn’t realize that the 2015 Toyota Highlander is totally, definitely an SUV and not a minivan.
Or do most Highlander buyers not realize that their three-row people-hauler is a minivan, not an SUV? I’m not sure. The Highlander isn’t too sure, either. Its unibody construction meant it was always more Sienna than FJ Cruiser. Yet its styling was decidedly trucklike, at least when it was introduced in 2000.
Now in its third iteration, the Highlander — whatever it is — has settled down to become a handsome vehicle. Its interior coddles like a nice van: Quiet, functional, not too much hard plastic. Exterior sculpting is more butch from nose to tail, though, and driving position is somewhat more upright.
Driving is an un-taxing experience, with the smooth V6 punching well above its stated 248 lb-ft of torque. It never sounds particularly stressed; perhaps Toyota has figured out how to perfectly dial in its eight-speed gearbox.
The Highlander isn’t going to see rock-crawling duty any time soon, and there are no silly “sport lines” in this loaded model’s build sheet. But it’ll handle whatever suburban task you hand it, whether that’s carting people, groceries or landscaping supplies.
If you’ve absolutely loved what we’ve had to say about our long-term Mercedes-Benz GL350 Bluetec tester, but can’t or won’t stomach the $81,705 as-tested price, this Toyota Highlander Limited with Platinum Package is a possible compromise. You won’t get that massive Tristar on the grille or the premium-feeling interior, and the Toyota’s not quite as big inside (though you don’t lose as much cargo capacity as its substantially shorter wheelbase would suggest).
But you will enjoy a smooth powertrain, a shape that is not unpleasant to the eye and three-row functionality without the stigma of minivan ownership.
The 2014 Toyota Highlander Limited is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR JAKE LINGEMAN: I went on the launch of this car in California, and found it adequate in every area, but excelling in none. It’s an average SUV for someone who wants good view of their surroundings, decent mileage and relative comfort, along with some family and storage space.
The third-generation Highlander got a redesign, which adds a little bit of flair into an otherwise tame blueprint. The big front intake makes it look a little more aggressive, and the fog lights on the Limited trim set the look off well. In back, it’s very similar to the last generation. I will admit that the profile view looks sharp. The side sheetmetal looks muscular and the window shape adds to the sleekness.
Power is fine from the V6. It’s better if you keep it in sport mode. The eight-speed transmission is basically smooth, and fuel mileage seems acceptable for this class of vehicle.
Inside, the seats are comfy — taking a page out of the Lexus book — and you really do get a good view of the road. The new infotainment setup is easy to use and the climate controls are simple to understand. I like the cord pass through in the dash for phone chargers and the panoramic sunroof, too.
This particular SUV is still a little too plain for me, but it’s a fine vehicle in all other respects. Would I buy it? No. I still like the Ford Explorer better, and if I was thinking cheaper and smaller, the Mazda CX-5.
2014 Toyota Highlander Limited with Platinum Package
Base Price: $44,450
As-Tested Price: $46,156
Drivetrain: 3.5-liter V6; AWD, eight-speed automatic
Output: 270 hp @ 6,200 rpm, 248 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm
Curb Weight: 4,508 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 18/24/20 mpg
AW Observed Fuel Economy: 17.5 mpg
Options: Tow hitch with wiring harness ($699); remote engine start ($499); glass breakage sensor ($299); body side mounting ($209)
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