2014 Toyota Highlander thread
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
And the shelf under the nav and HVAC controls has been pretty universally praised for storage
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 22,608
Likes: 105
From: Waiting for next track day
The new model looks more masculine but overall there is no way this new vehicle is raising the bar on anything. Power train is weak for its size and the interior isnt going to be making Audi blush any time soon. Basically just another boring *** Toyota. I would agree that you would have to be a little dense to buy one of these over a Sienna considering the Sienna can haul families much more comfortably.
Its also pretty obvious to me that Toyota has been looking over the fence at the American car companies for design ideas for their SUV. This looks like an Acadia mixed with a Durango. They totally borrowed some lines here. In the end I think Toyota has been trying to copy the Americans in size and design in the pick up segment. Now its in the SUV segment as well. Its really the only way the middle Americans will considering leaving their domestic brands. Its like you have to fool them into buying Japanese lol
Its also pretty obvious to me that Toyota has been looking over the fence at the American car companies for design ideas for their SUV. This looks like an Acadia mixed with a Durango. They totally borrowed some lines here. In the end I think Toyota has been trying to copy the Americans in size and design in the pick up segment. Now its in the SUV segment as well. Its really the only way the middle Americans will considering leaving their domestic brands. Its like you have to fool them into buying Japanese lol
Last edited by I8ABMR; Dec 19, 2013 at 01:53 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: California
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,388
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From: Michigan
We got a Limited in today. I gotta say, the interior on the new Highlander blows any new Toyota interior out of the water. It's very SOLID and well put together, much better than the Avalon. I have some pictures side-by-side with the 2013 model, I'll spare the others since the magazine reviews covered the details pretty well.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,019
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From: NSW
Yeah but the current Kluger is extremely popular here. I'm not sure the new one will be able to replicate the same sucess as the current one due mainly due to its chunky styling.
Do Aussies prefer the older "truck" looking style? Here the Escape sells well in any generation. So far this 3rd gen despite its less rugged look is one of the top 10 best selling cars in the States last I saw.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,019
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From: NSW
Yeah I'd say truck based 'body on frame' SUVs are very popular and Toyota makes most of them. FJ Cruiser & and Prado especially are very popular. Land Cruiser is also extremely popular. For a very small market as our the Land Cruiser averages at about 800 per month.
I went in for a 10k service today and my dealer had two new Highlanders - LE AWD and an XLE AWD. I sat in both and have to say that this is one of Toyota's nicest interiors to date. Everything feels incredibly high quality - materials are on par or nicer than the current RX, and the design is easy to use, pleasant to look at, and will age very nicely. The XLE AWD was black on black leather with brown stitching...pretty rich looking for a $38k Toyota CUV. Perfect size interior, too.
I'd say that the exterior seems like a love child between a Lexus RX and Jeep Grand Cherokee - and I love it
. The front grille isn't as prominent in person as it looks in pics, but I really dig the side profile and rear end.
Overall, I'd give it a solid 8.5/10 having not driven it. Nice job Toyota
I'd say that the exterior seems like a love child between a Lexus RX and Jeep Grand Cherokee - and I love it
. The front grille isn't as prominent in person as it looks in pics, but I really dig the side profile and rear end.Overall, I'd give it a solid 8.5/10 having not driven it. Nice job Toyota