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2014 Toyota Highlander thread

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Old 08-15-14, 07:59 PM
  #526  
pbm317
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Originally Posted by LexFather
Because you are obviously promoting Hyundai/Kia here while finding anyway possible to diminish Toyota/Lexus here.

How cute.
I try to promote cars that provide what people seem to be looking for. Lately I think some of the Hyundai/Kia products have been that impressive. I've also spoken highly of Ford's, GM vehicles, any manufacturer.

I do think Toyota/Lexus can do more than they're currently doing, one of the main reasons I left the company. But I still give them credit in a lot of threads to doing a great job of overall system integration and execution. I don't think the Highlander is a bad car and never knocked it. But people in this thread, and across the automotive industry have written that the Highlander, while solid, seems like they could have gone farther on some of the small details. Obviously, most Highlander customers are quite happy, hence the strong sales, waiting list at dealerships, strong transaction prices, etc. I also admit that you can't do everything for every refresh/remodel, need to leave some stuff for the minor change etc.

I know this is a Lexus forum and you'll do your darndest to stick up for them. But I also want to help balance a lot of conversations as well. I evaluate vehicles across the industry from every manufacturer and know their product plans several years out. I try to provide information to an extent that I can to help inform.

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Old 08-15-14, 08:19 PM
  #527  
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Lexfather, please exit this thread. No need for the personal commentary.
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Old 08-16-14, 04:21 AM
  #528  
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Originally Posted by pbm317
Beside, next generation Highlander would then have the same lifecycle issues. It would revert back to bulb type rear tail lamps after likely having received LED's during the current generation's mid cycle refresh haha
If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your crystal ball? I've been looking to pick one up...
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Old 08-17-14, 07:41 PM
  #529  
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Originally Posted by tex2670
If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your crystal ball? I've been looking to pick one up...
Just speaking from experience and seeing what Toyota, and a number of other manufacturers also do with regard to things like LED taillamps.

Example, 03-09 4Runner started with bulb type taillamps, got LED's are the midcycle refresh. 2010 4Runner went back to bulb type, and now 2014 refresh got LED's.
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Old 08-17-14, 08:27 PM
  #530  
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Originally Posted by spwolf
most people here didnt think they are big feature for Corolla (in our Corolla thread)... now of course, it would be big feature for Highlander :-).
well if i didn't post it there... good job toyota for putting led headlights on a lower end vehicle.

of course each generation of each vehicle is at its own point in a lifecycle so some vehicles are left 'wanting' toward the end of their current run.

the new highlander though is brand new... out less than a year, and no LED tails, and not even HID headlights on the top trim - seems a bit 'wanting'.

on a brighter note, the interior dash is head and shoulders better than the vehicle it replaces.
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Old 08-17-14, 08:28 PM
  #531  
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Originally Posted by pbm317
Example, 03-09 4Runner started with bulb type taillamps, got LED's are the midcycle refresh. 2010 4Runner went back to bulb type, and now 2014 refresh got LED's.
it's a neat vehicle, but the 5speed auto and tiny infotainment screen killed it for me.
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Old 08-18-14, 05:30 AM
  #532  
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Originally Posted by bitkahuna
well if i didn't post it there... good job toyota for putting led headlights on a lower end vehicle.

of course each generation of each vehicle is at its own point in a lifecycle so some vehicles are left 'wanting' toward the end of their current run.

the new highlander though is brand new... out less than a year, and no LED tails, and not even HID headlights on the top trim - seems a bit 'wanting'.

on a brighter note, the interior dash is head and shoulders better than the vehicle it replaces.
basically thats only feature than RX has and Highlander does not... I would guess thats why.
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Old 08-18-14, 05:32 AM
  #533  
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Originally Posted by pbm317
Just speaking from experience and seeing what Toyota, and a number of other manufacturers also do with regard to things like LED taillamps.

Example, 03-09 4Runner started with bulb type taillamps, got LED's are the midcycle refresh. 2010 4Runner went back to bulb type, and now 2014 refresh got LED's.
Agreed, seems like one of the easy ways for manufacturers to spiffy their models up
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Old 08-18-14, 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Allen K
Agreed, seems like one of the easy ways for manufacturers to spiffy their models up
yep, in the 90's it was the white signal lenses.
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Old 08-19-14, 09:40 AM
  #535  
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Two cars and two Edmunds.com editors Face Off: the Toyota Highlander vs the Mazda CX-9. Editors James Riswick and Mike Monticello debate the merits of each Crossover SUV, including their performance, comfort, interior, value and how much (or little) they're fun to drive. Which Crossover SUV would you buy: the Highlander or CX-9?
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Old 08-19-14, 12:08 PM
  #536  
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^^^ not a fair comparison imo. CX9 is a 6 year old car while Highlander is a brand new model.
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Old 08-19-14, 12:12 PM
  #537  
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I also don't think many people are "attacking highway onramps" with their family haulers, so there's that. lol.
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Old 08-19-14, 12:38 PM
  #538  
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cx9 is very dated. overhaul coming soon i believe.
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Old 08-19-14, 12:41 PM
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^Judging by the new 6 and 3, new CX-9 should be killer!
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Old 08-22-14, 12:08 PM
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Is the 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid just a big Prius or much more? Brian Cooley drives the sleek new SUV and checks the tech.
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