New Toyota Highlander 2014 - new generation, new car

Exterior of Toyota Highlander 2014

Compared to the second generation, the dimensions of the car have not changed much: the length has increased to 4.87 m versus 4.79 m, the width has increased to 1.93 m versus 1.91 m. The height has decreased by 3 cm (1.73 m), The ground clearance also decreased to 197 mm (versus 206 mm). The distance between the front and rear axles of the wheels remains the same - 2.79 m. The luggage compartment volume is 269 liters, with the third row folded - 813 liters.

The muscular appearance of the Toyota Highlander is complemented by a trapezoidal grille that is distinctive for the third generation. The impression of a powerful car is fueled by reinforced wheel arches, sculpted body lines and the sharp angle of the rear windows.

The head optics are represented by LED lamps. The headlights protrude beyond the body less than in the previous generation and are more narrowed. The rustic look of Highlander II was replaced by the eyes of a real predator.

The color of the car is represented by pearl white “Mother of Pearl” and 8 “Metallic” options: black, dark blue, dark gray, green, dark red, sand, gray-blue.

Second generation U40. Second generation

According to many auto experts, the new automatic transmission is quite slow when changing gears, but it functions clearly, always leaving a reserve of traction under the pedal. As a result, we add that all the arguments listed in the article, one way or another, justify the rather high cost of the new Toyota Highlander crossover 2021 2022 and make it fully justified.

Toyota Highlander 2014 interior

The Highlander has 3 rows of seats. The width of the cabin at the front and rear has been reduced to 1.42 m and 1.4 m, respectively. The rear seat backs have become 4 cm thinner, which adds legroom for third-row passengers.

All configurations of the Toyota Highlander are made with leather upholstery. The seats of the driver and passengers are heated. The Prestige class driver's seat remembers the position settings.

The steering wheel is also covered in leather and has a heating function. The steering column is adjustable for reach and tilt. The luggage compartment is delimited by a curtain.

The Elegant class salon is decorated with silver inserts, while top trim levels are decorated with wood-look elements. For advanced options, interior lighting and sun blinds are provided.

The design of the car contains elements that suppress noise. The engine mount is designed with a hydraulic part, and the body cavities contain porous, vibration-damping material. The special shape of the side mirrors does not generate sound waves when driving. The glass is thickened, the front doors are equipped with sealing gaskets.

Fuel consumption in reviews • First generation

• 2.4 liters for 155 horsepower;
• 3 liters for 223 horsepower;
• 3.3 liters for 232 horsepower.

The whole truth about the 2014 Toyota Highlander safety system

The modern automotive industry pays special attention to safety. Toyota Highlander is no exception. Vehicle active safety systems:

• anti-slip;
• dynamic stabilization;
• assistance when starting uphill;
• ABS, EBD, BAS;
• assistance when changing lanes and descending the mountain (not available on Elegance);
• monitoring blind spots and recognizing road signs (only on “Lux”).

Passive safety features include active head restraints, seat belt pretensioners and curtains. The car has 8 airbags as standard.

Impression

Anticipating commentators on the topic of deterioration in geometric cross-country ability due to the body kit, I chose the car exclusively for asphalt, but the station wagons are not happy with the appearance, and I don’t intend to climb anywhere with it. The Japanese developer does not provide official data regarding the dynamic capabilities of the crossover, but we can say with confidence that due to its powerful dimensions, the car will definitely not belong to the category of sports cars.

How does the 2014 Toyota Highlander behave on the road?

Manufacturers have reduced the Highlander's off-road capabilities, focusing on comfort. The car feels great on city highways and allows country trips on dirt roads, but there is no talk of real off-road driving.

The suspension travel is shortened, which minimizes roll when cornering. The minimum turning radius is 5.9 meters.

In reviews, owners of the 2014 Toyota Highlander note the comfort and ease of operation.

Marat: “I took the car from the dealership in 2015, the mileage is now 120 thousand km. I can’t say a single reproach towards the reliability of the Highlander. Spacious, comfortable (you can feel it especially on long hauls), and quite playful on the highway. They said that the 2.7 engine would be lacking when overtaking, but I don’t notice anything like that. I feed him 92, he eats without problems and doesn’t sneeze. There are not enough modern assistants: lighting when turning, for example. Driving at night is stressful.”

Some perform chip tuning of the car, increasing the number of horses under the hood and removing the maximum speed limit.

The process of changing the oil in the gearbox

, this version had an automatic and all-wheel drive, and fuel consumption was 14.4 liters on a busy road and 8.4 liters on the highway, on average the car consumes 11.2 liters per hundred. We devoted an independent review to the new Japanese crossover Toyota Highlander Toyota Highlander 2021 2022 model years, the fourth generation in the XU70 body, marked GSU75, under the hood of which a 2GR-FKS 3 gasoline engine is installed.

Equipment for Toyota Highlander 2014

For Russian consumers, the Highlander was offered with three types of configurations and two options for gasoline engines:

• 1AR-FE - 2.7 l, 188 horsepower, 4 cylinders, consumption - 9.9 l/100 km, installed on front-wheel drive cars of the Elegance and Prestige classes;
• 2GR-FE – 3.5 l, 249 hp, 6 cylinders, consumption – 10.6 l/100 km, installed on all-wheel drive cars of the “Elegance”, “Prestige” and “Lux” classes.

Transmission – automatic transmission. The side mirrors fold down. Manufacturers installed heated side mirrors and windshield. The multimedia system includes a CD and MP3 player, is equipped with a color display, and has a multifunction steering wheel. The Highlander has 6 speakers. There is a standard rearview camera.

Toyota Highlander is equipped with:

• cruise control;
• a rain sensor that controls the wipers automatically;
• light intensity sensors for dimming the rear view mirror;
• climate control with 3 zones;
• rear parking sensors;
• electric power steering;
• full electrical package.

The Highlander is enhanced with keyless entry and push-button winding. The trunk door and driver's seat are electrically controlled.

MMC "Prestige" is supplemented with a navigator, parking sensors and ventilation are installed in the front of the car. The “Lux” package includes 4 cameras for a panoramic view and a premium audio system with 12 speakers.

Budget

Representatives of Toyota Motor believe that there is a cozy price niche for the “Highlander” in the Russian market between the RAV4 and Prado, and the release of the second generation Highlander is an excellent reason to fill it right now. The share of sales of SUVs and crossovers, according to Toyota Motor, in the Russian market is constantly growing, regardless of fluctuations in absolute figures. If in 2002 it was 10%, then this year it is 22%, and by 2012 it will increase to 25%. In such a segment, any gap requires filling. And the share of Toyota SUV sales is quite impressive: from 29% in 2007 it rose to 48% in 2010. This direction seems to be the main one in the company’s work, and Highlander may well become the crown jewel of the lineup.

Suite Safety

The top version of the Toyota Highlander is priced at almost 4.29 million rubles. An additional payment of 600 thousand rubles is provided for a significant expansion of the safety complex, which in this modification includes intelligent cruise control, lane keeping assistant, adaptive headlights, a driver monitoring sensor, pedestrian and road sign recognition systems, emergency braking, preventing frontal impact. Externally, the SUV in this version stands out due to its 20-inch wheels and panoramic roof.

When purchasing a Highlander in the maximum configuration, you can count on a head-up display of speedometer readings, an electric drive with memory for passenger seat positions, ventilated front seats, and a heated second row. The place of the standard audio system is taken by premium acoustics, complemented by 11 speakers. Also in the top version there are all-round cameras and navigation. And LED strips appear at the bottom of the door panels.

Advantages and weaknesses of the 2014 model

The positive aspects of the Toyota Highlander 2014 are described by car owners as:

• spaciousness and spaciousness;
• reliability;
• comfortable chairs;
• large armrest glove compartment;
• LED optics with washers and running lights.

The owners consider the weak points of the 2014 Highlander to be:

1. Railings. This part of the model is called the main miscalculation of the designers. The roof rails of the Toyota Highlander are not designed for the Russian winter. There are no seals or gaskets between their main part and the decorative trim. As a result, water gets into the joint, freezes and tears the plastic of the railing.
2. Fuel tank volume. Average consumption in the city is 14.5 l/100 km. As a result, a 64 liter tank (and even a 75 liter option) is not enough for everyone.
3. Brakes. In reviews of the 2014 Toyota Highlander, there are complaints about the brake system. Replacement of standard disks is required after a couple of years of active use.
4. Poor cross-country ability. Even owners of an all-wheel drive Highlander do not risk driving off the beaten track. There are complaints that the car gets stuck when the front and diagonal rear wheels simultaneously fall into holes.
5. Interior leather. Creases in the driver's seat and cracked leather on the door handles force drivers to have their car reupholstered after 15-30 thousand kilometers.

Another weak point of the 2014 Highlander. called a large transport tax. However, this minus is indirectly related to the car itself, since it depends on the legislation of the Russian Federation, and not on the manufacturers.

Service cost

At the same time, this car is quite relevant for Muscovites with its remarkable adaptation to asphalt surfaces, compact dimensions, agility and efficiency. Thanks to the presence of 204 mm ground clearance, the all-wheel drive system, as well as the mass of assistants with which the car is equipped, the owner of the new Toyota Highlander will not have any problems driving on dirt roads or overcoming obstacles.

Engine problems

Both versions of Toyota Highlander engines use the Dual VVT-i dynamic intake and exhaust valve system. The applied principle saves fuel while providing high traction characteristics. Both 1AR-FE (resource 400 thousand km) and 2GR-FE (350 thousand km) have proven themselves well, but are not without some problems typical for each type of engine. The 4-cylinder engine is not the first in the series and therefore has few disadvantages. Identified shortcomings of the 2014 Toyota Highlander in owner reviews related to the 1AR-FE engine:

• The VVi coupling is usually the first to fail. The only solution to the problem is to replace the part.
• The pump is another element that requires replacement in case of malfunction. A breakdown is indicated by drips appearing on the engine.

The 2GR-FE engine has been produced since 2005, but there are more complaints about it from drivers. Among the problems with the 2014 Highlander engine are: with 6 cylinders note:

• The VVT-i lubrication system is very sensitive. Its components often break down after a couple of years of use.
• The electronic throttle becomes clogged quickly. As a result, fuel consumption increases. You can determine the blockage by the unstable operation of the engine at idle.
• Flaws in the organization of heat removal lead to the formation of scuffing in the fifth cylinder, as a result of which oil consumption increases and the risk of failure of the cylinder head mechanisms increases.

The absence of serious breakdowns during the entire service life is compensated by the high “mortality” of motors after its exhaustion. The principle of “disposability”, entrenched in mechanical engineering, seems to be a serious but irreparable drawback.

Price

Some will be surprised, but this is an expensive SUV.
The average price of used cars with mileage above 200,000 km is 500,000 rubles, while models costing more than 700 thousand rubles are often found. The reason seems to be reliability, which is highly valued by owners. Car maintenance is relatively cheap, and many things can be done by hand. In the end, this is a great family car that will last a long time, because it is unlikely that the entire list of problems will come out on one car. If you were thinking about buying a Toyota Highlander XU20, buy it and, most importantly, maintain it properly and don’t abuse it off-road, so that it will serve you longer.

Photo review of Toyota Highlander 2014

The owners post photos and video reviews of the 3rd generation Highlander. The lens features embossed sidewalls and reinforced wheel arches.

The first thing that catches your eye is the huge radiator grille. The headlights are narrow. The front part is complemented by a massive bumper with round PTF and daytime running lights under them.

The salon is presented in dark and light variations. On the front panel there are MMS with large buttons. The steering wheel has a diameter of 40-41 cm.

The luggage compartment can be increased by folding both rear rows of seats. At the same time, the seat backs form an almost flat floor.

Interior

Inside, the materials are traditionally simple and well-built. The car is still not cheap, so even from its appearance it is clear that it has a good level of equipment. Top trim levels received leather upholstery and wooden inserts, which completely changed the impression.

The skin is weak, after a few years creases appear on the driver's seat. The Toyota Highlander XU40 seats themselves are comfortable, with 8-way electrical adjustment. The rear sofa is adjustable longitudinally, it’s perfect for two people to sit there, but it’s very uncomfortable for the central passenger. The third row of seats is a little small, it is better to transport children there. In good trim levels, your own climate control appears at the rear.

The 4-spoke multi-steering wheel is comfortable, but the dashboard is more attractive. Technically, these are just 4 analog sensors, but their design and placement in different wells looks beautiful, look at the photo.

At first glance, the center console seems overloaded, although this impression is created by the many climate control buttons, which you quickly figure out. The upper 7-inch navigation and multimedia display is controlled by buttons and two huge pucks. At the bottom there are seat heating adjustment consoles, a 12-volt power outlet and music ports. The stove stops working after a few years due to the wiring - you need to disassemble and resolder the contacts.

The tunnel looks stylish, again due to the wooden insert. There are cup holders, another socket and niches for small items.

The electric trunk lid provides access to 292 liters of space (if all 7 seats are used), and by folding the two rear rows you can transfer large cargo to 2282 liters. In normal condition with 5 seats, the trunk volume is 1200 liters.

Suspension and other chassis characteristics

MacPherson struts are mounted on the chassis of the new car at the front, while the rear suspension is built on wishbones. This suspension option improves handling and makes it possible to expand the rear part of the cabin. The suspension is set to a comfortable soft version, this feeling is present when the car is moving on a good track. But on uneven surfaces vibration appears and the suspension often breaks through.

Exterior, ergonomics and interior comfort of Toyota Highlander

The new Highlander has a fairly spacious 8-seater interior with 3 rows of seats, and access to the last rows of seats is easier than in previous models. The high quality of the finishing material used in it is noted. In different parts of the interior and door trim there are many inserts in the form of chrome elements and parts imitating wood.

From a design point of view, the front panel is of interest, where the touch display and various instruments look neat. The front seats have become much wider and have an electric drive for adjusting the seats. The use of high-quality materials, including soft plastic, has changed the interior for the better; it has become more comfortable, practical and technologically advanced.

New options have appeared, such as push-button engine start, heated seats, etc. The exterior of the car has also changed, even at a quick glance you can see an impressive grille, a lowered roof, thin headlights, improved running lights, etc. Noteworthy is the size of the rear door, which gives convenient access to the trunk.