Notices
Car Chat General discussion about Lexus, other auto manufacturers and automotive news.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Innova

2014 Toyota Highlander thread

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 15, 2014 | 07:59 PM
  #526  
pbm317's Avatar
pbm317
Lead Lap
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
Default

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.

Last edited by pbm317; Aug 15, 2014 at 08:13 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2014 | 08:19 PM
  #527  
DaveGS4's Avatar
DaveGS4
Administrator Emeritus
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 31,944
Likes: 2,737
From: North Carolina
Default

Lexfather, please exit this thread. No need for the personal commentary.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2014 | 04:21 AM
  #528  
tex2670's Avatar
tex2670
Lexus Champion
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,031
Likes: 97
From: Southeastern PA
Default

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...
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2014 | 07:41 PM
  #529  
pbm317's Avatar
pbm317
Lead Lap
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
Default

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.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2014 | 08:27 PM
  #530  
bitkahuna's Avatar
bitkahuna
CL Community Team
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 80,664
Likes: 3,927
Default

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.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2014 | 08:28 PM
  #531  
bitkahuna's Avatar
bitkahuna
CL Community Team
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 80,664
Likes: 3,927
Default

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.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2014 | 05:30 AM
  #532  
spwolf's Avatar
spwolf
Lexus Fanatic
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,223
Likes: 265
Default

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.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2014 | 05:32 AM
  #533  
Allen K's Avatar
Allen K
-0----0-
CL Folding 25,000
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,212
Likes: 1,178
From: NJ
Default

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
Reply
ClubLexus Stories

Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe

story-0

10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?

 Brett Foote
story-7

GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!

 Brett Foote
Old Aug 18, 2014 | 11:09 AM
  #534  
stlgrym3's Avatar
stlgrym3
Racer
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 20
From: Orange County, CA
Default

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.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2014 | 09:40 AM
  #535  
Motor's Avatar
Motor
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,018
Likes: 0
From: CA™
Default


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?
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2014 | 12:08 PM
  #536  
stlgrym3's Avatar
stlgrym3
Racer
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 20
From: Orange County, CA
Default

^^^ not a fair comparison imo. CX9 is a 6 year old car while Highlander is a brand new model.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2014 | 12:12 PM
  #537  
MPLexus301's Avatar
MPLexus301
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,044
Likes: 1
From: Friend Zone
Default

I also don't think many people are "attacking highway onramps" with their family haulers, so there's that. lol.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2014 | 12:38 PM
  #538  
bitkahuna's Avatar
bitkahuna
CL Community Team
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 80,664
Likes: 3,927
Default

cx9 is very dated. overhaul coming soon i believe.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2014 | 12:41 PM
  #539  
MPLexus301's Avatar
MPLexus301
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,044
Likes: 1
From: Friend Zone
Default

^Judging by the new 6 and 3, new CX-9 should be killer!
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2014 | 12:08 PM
  #540  
Motor's Avatar
Motor
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,018
Likes: 0
From: CA™
Default


Is the 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid just a big Prius or much more? Brian Cooley drives the sleek new SUV and checks the tech.
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:02 AM.

story-0
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Some luxury cars chase trends, but these Lexus models look better now than they did when they first rolled into showrooms.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-06 17:58:29


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

Slideshow: How to Get the Best Fuel Economy with a Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-05 20:54:44


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

Slideshow: 10 best Lexus models no one remembers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 17:33:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

Slideshow: diving into 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium's pricing, performance, fuel economy, features, and amenities!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-23 13:09:18


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: the 10 Lexus and Toyota vehicles you need to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-23 10:34:24


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation

Slideshow: Top 10 Lexus/Toyota models with the lowest 5-year depreciation rate.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 12:19:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?

The LC hasn't even disappeared from the Lexus lineup yet, and we're already seeing signs of an explosive market.

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-06 09:25:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler

Slideshow: comparing the pricings, specs, power, fuel economy, fun-factor, and features of the GX 550 Luxury+ and TX 550h+ Luxury.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-19 13:44:11


VIEW MORE
story-8
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)

Slideshow: 9 best Lexus models you can buy for half price and 1 you should avoid

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-19 12:01:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!

Here's everything you need to know about the latest NX.

By Brett Foote | 2026-03-19 11:56:59


VIEW MORE