2014 Toyota Highlander 2.7L DOHC 6AT FWD (185 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Toyota rushed the Highlander through generations, and just five years after it launched the model’s second iteration, it brought the third one at the 2013 New York International Auto Show.

With the world financial crisis gone, Toyota was more relaxed and aimed high at the mid-size crossover segment with the Highlander. The 2014 model year version of this vehicle showed that the Japanese automaker focused more on design than on the previous two generations of this nameplate. Furthermore, it worked harder to provide an upscale interior and offered customers a vehicle that was no longer made for school runs. As a result, the car sold more than 200,000 units worldwide since it was available in the U.S., Japan, Australia, and China.

While the first two generations of the Highlander didn’t look like the automaker invested too much in the design department, the third generation came with a fresh aspect and a bolder look. The headlights were slimmer and swept back towards the fenders and sported projector beams. Between them, the automaker placed a broad grille with a chromed surrounding. In addition, the carmaker’s badge was housed at the top, being integrated into a chromed horizontal slat. On the lower side of the bumper, Toyota added a second air intake that improved the cooling area and was flanked by the side scoops for the fog lamps and the daytime running lights.

The flared wheel fenders of the 2014 Highlander looked more subtle, especially for the front axle. Toyota also improved the side design with sculptured door panels that featured a creased lower area just above the side sills. It also used a black trim around the wheel arches and on the bodywork’s lower side to emphasize the Highlander’s SUV image. The door mirrors now featured turn signals, which was part of the safety package introduced by Toyota. Finally, at the back, the automaker penned a raked-forward D-pillar that created a dynamic image for the car. Finally, at the back, a roof spoiler adorned the tailgate, which integrated parts of the taillights.

Inside, customers were in for a big surprise. The three-row vehicle could accommodate up to eight people, although Toyota offered customers the option to get six seats with two captain seats for the middle row. At the front, the standard bucket seats provided an average side support. The redesigned instrument cluster ditched the binocular style that was previously used and adopted a more classical pattern with a broader panel where the speedometer and tachometer flanked a TFT between them. There was also an improvement in the quality of the materials, which made customers feel better like they were in a premium vehicle.

Under the hood, Toyota carried over the engines from the previous generation. The base model came with a 2.7-liter. The mid-grade version offered customers a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated unit, while the top-spec version featured a 3.5-liter V6. Apart from the hybrid version, which was mated to a CVT, the other versions featured a 6-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel-drive system was available for selected engines.