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We were sitting in the Octagon last Wednesday–that’s what we call Leith Toyota’s showroom–looking out the window, wondering when it would start snowing. The Octagon feels more like a cafe. Its unique shape puts you in the midst of all the display cars, and there are a number of tables scattered throughout the room. The free coffee and popcorn add to the mystique, too.
Luckily, Snowmageddon didn’t begin until after our test-drive, but we would have been well prepared had it started coming down while we were on the road. Our quarry that day was the 2014 Toyota Highlander, and our sales representative who accompanied us was Rick Staton. The Highlander is in its third generation now, and Rick assured us that this one is the best. Just in case, we needed to see and drive it for ourselves to be sure.
The headlights are what we consider to be the most striking feature of the redesigned Highlander. They’re very wide, wrapping around the corners of the front fascia, really dominating the cars upper cheek bones, figuratively speaking. The grille has the look of a chevron mustache, broad and open to increase airflow to the engine. We were driving an XLE trim, so the fog lights and daytime LED running lights sat beneath the rest. A metallic stripe with the Toyota badge ties the front end together.
From the side, all the chrome can’t be ignored, with new Chrometec wheels, a chrome border around the windows, and best of all, the Chrometec integrated roof rails. They run the length of the vehicle’s roof, providing a mount for any accessories you need to strap on top and blending in otherwise, adding to the overall aerodynamics of the Highlander’s design.
Speaking of aerodynamics, the Highlander also has a new technology called vortex generators. These tiny fins are positioned in strategic points on the sides of the vehicle. They’re so small you might even miss them if you don’t know what you’re looking for, but they’re anything but inconsequential. Like the fletching on an arrow, the vortex generators keep the Highlander flying straight and true through the airstream.
Behind, the Highlander’s taillights correspond to the headlamps, wrapping around the corners and giving the rear a pronounced look. The trunk is remarkable. You can press a button to open up the back window if you just need to set something down inside the trunk. The lift gate is powered and also height adjustable. That means you can set the trunk to open to a certain height, so that the button to close the trunk is not out of reach of drivers of a shorter stature, or for if you’re parking in a garage with a low ceiling. As a safety feature, the power lift gate only works when the engine is off.
Back around front and under the hood, the 2014 Highlander we drove was packing a 3.5L dual overhead cam V6 engine. Rick was excited to show us this aluminum alloy animal, along with its dual intakes and dual exhaust for improved airflow. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the engine accounts for 270 horsepower and an impressive 248 pound-feet of torque for quick acceleration and sustained speed.
Rick also explained that because of Toyota’s QDR philosophy–that’s Quality, Durability, Reliability–the Highlander doesn’t need a tune-up until you’ve taken it 100,000 miles. The last thing we noticed before getting in the vehicle was the sticker on the side that says where it was made. Everything but the transmission came from right here in the USA, and it was assembled here, too. It’s pretty easy to believe in a philosophy like Toyota’s after reading that label.
Before starting the car, we took a seat first in the way back. Just looking at the Highlander from the outside, you might be surprised to find out that third row seating is available. We climbed back there and were pleasantly surprised. It was cozy, but viable even for someone tall as we are –note: that this is the editorial “we”–especially because the second row can be moved forward to augment the legroom. After that we moved up and sat in the second row, which is even more spacious. Our knees didn’t even touch the back of the driver’s seat, and there’s ample headroom as well. All this is to say you shouldn’t be afraid to pack in the full eight passengers.
We rode in the front passenger’s seat on our way out of the dealership. Rick wanted us to experience what the Highlander was like as a passenger first. It’s comfortable. Like we said, there’s a lot of space to work with, and in the XLE, the front seats are heated, which was really nice on that sub-freezing day. There’s dual-climate control as well, so we could have really cranked up the heat if we wanted to.
It’s also very quiet. The front windshield is acoustic sound-dampening glass that blocks out engine noise and other environmental sounds, plus the floor of the new Highlander has additional insulation against noise, too. Rick pointed out that this makes using Bluetooth for phone calls much easier, as well as making voice commands for the built-in navigation system. The infotainment display is fully loaded, providing access to Toyota’s Entune Audio and App Suite, as well as a backup camera. You’ve got AM, FM, and satellite radio at your disposal, or you can use Bluetooth to stream audio.
Everywhere you look there’s a cubby or a place to put something. The center armrest has a huge, configurable compartment. On the passenger side there’s a large, deep glove box, and a long cubby runs from the top of the display screen all the way over to the passenger door. It’s the perfect place to rest loose change, sunglasses, or a cellphone while it charges. Add in door cubbies and a staggering ten cup and bottle holders, and you’ll struggle to make use of all the storage the new Highlander offers.
By the time we had taken in the finer points of the interior, Rick had pulled over into a nearby shopping center and parked the car. It was our turn to drive. The car is up to date, with smart key entry. Just have the key in your pocket and the door will unlock. Leave it there as you push the button to start the engine.
We adjusted our mirrors–the side ones are heated, and the rearview is auto-dimming–and made sure our seat was in a good position. The driver’s seat is power adjustable with lumber support, and it’s also whiplash resistant. In the event of a rear-end collision, the seat will actually adjust to a position that better protects your neck and spine. With a feature like that, as well seven standard air bags and an available pre-collision system, it’s easy to see why the 2014 Highlander is an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus.
It also has a sequential shifter, which would have been really useful if it had been snowing already. The transmission is automatic, but the Highlander gives you the option to select the gear you need if you’re in a tough spot or negotiating varied terrain. As it was, we just put it in Drive and pulled out of the parking lot.
So fluid. The Highlander starts and stops effortlessly. The V6 engine gives you all the getup you need to start moving. Some Crossover SUVs feel sluggish or underpowered. This one feels anything but. You’ll accelerate smoothly, and you’ll slow down smoothly with Toyota’s ventilated disc brakes.
The Highlander also handles great. New electric power steering makes it very easy to turn the wheel and maneuver at low speeds, and tightens up your control when you’re going fast down the open road.
The instrument cluster is very open and easy to read, and there’s a display screen in the middle that gives you diagnostic and trip information. We also noticed a little green “Eco” flag that kept popping up, which we asked Rick about. That’s the indicator that the Highlander is in Eco mode, when the engine is at its most efficient. We were impressed by how often the Eco tab was lit up.
The test-drive route took us through neighborhood and highway, so we got to experience the Highlander on all kinds of road, and it was almost indistinguishable. The highway doesn’t feel like highway. The whole time, we felt totally in control, never once doubting that the car would do what we wanted it to do. The word “fluid” keeps popping up, and that’s just how it drives. Rick said that Toyota really wanted the driver to feel at one with this car, to let the vehicle serve as an extension of themselves. As we leaned back in the leather seat, our hands wrapped around the steering wheel, we felt like they had accomplished that goal. There can only be one, after all.
All in all, the 2014 Toyota Highlander is an excellent all-purpose vehicle. It’s remarkably spacious, incredibly versatile, and exceedingly comfortable. It’s also a crossover that drives as smoothly as a small car, with excellent stability and control. Plus it’s super safe. We also want to thank Rick Staton for showing us the Highlander. Rick is just one of the many excellent sales representatives you can find in the Octagon. We insist you stop by Leith Toyota for your own test-drive experience.
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