The Toyota Highlander was all-new for 2014, so it moves into 2015 relatively unchanged. The Highlander is an upper-mid-size crossover and has seating for seven or eight, while keeping a reasonable amount of cargo space behind the third row.
The Highlander line starts with the LE, which comes with a 270 hp 3.5L V6 mated with a six-speed automatic. There is a choice of front or all-wheel drive. The LE gets a 6.1-inch touch screen for the audio system with USB, bluetooth and voice recognition. Power windows, dual-zone climate control, a tilt/telescoping wheel, and a backup camera are standard as well. The LE with the convenience package gets heated seats with power adjustment for the driver and SofTex simulated leather, satellite radio, an 8.0-inch display screen, three-zone climate control, a power rear hatch, fog lights, flip up rear window, and 18-inch alloys.
Highlander XLE is all-wheel drive only and adds leather to the first two rows of seats, navigation, a 4.2-inch information display in the dash, and sunshades in the rear door windows. The Limited adds a 12-speaker JBL stereo, perforated leather seats in the first two rows (ventilated for driver and passenger), a heated steering wheel, backup sensors with cross traffic alert, blind spot warning, and 19-inch wheels. The limited has captains chairs in the second row, so has seating for seven instead of eight.
The Highlander in front drive gets 12.5 L/100 km city, 9.3 L/100 km highway, and all-wheel drive trims achieve 13.0/9.8. With its increased for 2014 size, the Highlander competes with the Ford Edge, the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, Dodge Durango, and Mazda CX-9. The Highlander was a pioneer of the crossover utility class, and it drives well, and is very well equipped. The shelf in the middle of the dash is also extremely useful for holding phones, snacks, magazines, or whatever you want.
