One day, quite unexpectedly, the Toyota Highlander became a vehicle of significant personal importance. It started with a phone call informing me about a serious car accident involving my sister-in-law. She was driving through an intersection when another driver, disregarding a red light, collided with her vehicle. The impact was forceful, flipping her car onto its roof. Adding to the gravity of the situation, her three-year-old son, my nephew, was in the back seat. Incredibly, both emerged from the wreckage completely unharmed.
The vehicle that played a crucial role in this outcome? A first-generation Toyota Highlander. This incident underscored the Highlander’s safety and protective capabilities in a very real and personal way. Therefore, when the invitation came to preview the new 2014 Highlander, my interest was more than professional; it was deeply personal. Toyota’s investment in marketing this vehicle, including Super Bowl ads and collaborations with The Muppets, signaled its strategic importance. For years, Toyota has effectively catered to the mid-size SUV market with two distinct approaches: the body-on-frame robustness of the 4Runner and the car-based versatility of the Highlander. While the 4Runner has traditionally appealed to a more masculine demographic, the Highlander has been favored by women and families. With the 2014 model, Toyota clearly aimed to broaden the Highlander’s appeal with a more assertive design. The front grille, reminiscent of the 4Runner, features a bolder, more pronounced appearance. The body sides are sculpted with more pronounced flares, contributing to a more truck-like aesthetic. The 2014 Highlander also grew slightly, gaining about half an inch in width and four inches in length. The updated styling is definitely polarizing – a design that will likely evoke strong reactions, either positive or negative. While personally, it might not be my preferred aesthetic, I commend Toyota for taking a bold step in making the Highlander visually distinctive, ensuring it stands out on the road, unlike its more understated predecessors.
The interior of the 2014 Highlander is where it truly excels. In the XLE and Platinum trim levels I experienced, the material quality was exceptional, setting a new standard in its class. The dashboard layout reflects thoughtful design and user-centric functionality. The XLE and Limited trims boast an impressive eight-inch, high-resolution touchscreen in the center console, while the base LE model features a six-inch screen. A particularly clever feature is the integrated storage tray that spans the entire dashboard from the center to the passenger side, perfect for managing electronic devices and other small items. This tray even includes a neatly designed portal above the USB jacks, allowing for discreet cable management. In the competitive world of CUVs and sedans where I spend a lot of time, it’s these thoughtful, unique details that truly make a vehicle memorable. Toyota’s attention to organization and detail in the Highlander’s interior is a standout feature.
A recurring concern with the previous generation Highlander, voiced by a friend who owned a 2013 model, was the limited second-row space. She often described the struggle of buckling children into car seats in the cramped second row. Toyota seems to have listened to this feedback. The 2014 Highlander addresses this issue directly with significant improvements to both second and third-row legroom and hip room. Both rows have been moved back approximately three inches, and the cargo space behind the third row has been increased by an impressive 34 percent. This expansion in space makes the 2014 Highlander much more practical for families and active lifestyles, easily accommodating strollers, sports equipment, or luggage. For added comfort, heated second-row seats are available on the Platinum package Premium trim level, a welcome luxury for passengers.
My primary focus, however, was on the driving experience. As a daily driver of a competitor vehicle (a Ford Flex), I was keen to compare the Highlander’s performance. Driving the Limited trim around Santa Barbara’s coastal roads, the Highlander felt notably wide, which was slightly concerning on narrower streets. Otherwise, the ride was pleasant. Noise reduction was a key improvement in the 2014 model, achieved through 30% more sound deadening material and a new windshield design. Toyota has truly excelled in creating a quiet cabin. It’s almost too serene, effectively isolating the driver from the outside environment. However, this level of quietness would undoubtedly be appreciated during long drives or in busy urban settings. Even with the panoramic sunroof open, the noise level remained remarkably low. The driver’s seat offered comfortable cushioning, although it retained the same lumbar controls from the Avalon, which I found less than ideal. The braking, however, was surprisingly soft, requiring significant pedal pressure, especially when decelerating from speeds above 35 mph.
Taking the Highlander into mountain roads revealed a less favorable aspect of its performance. The 2014 Highlander offers two engine options (excluding the Hybrid, which was not tested): a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 185 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque (LE trim only), and a 3.5-liter V6 generating 270 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque (available on all trims). With a curb weight ranging from 4,100 to 4,500 lbs depending on the trim, even the V6 engine felt somewhat underpowered. Toyota, perhaps acknowledging this, did not provide a four-cylinder model for testing. The six-speed automatic transmission tended to downshift even on slight inclines, which would be acceptable if it held the gear. Instead, it exhibited frequent gear hunting while navigating the Santa Ynez mountains. To achieve a consistently smooth driving experience, it required a more aggressive driving style, likely not typical for most CUV drivers. This aggressive driving also highlighted an unusual characteristic of the electric power steering. There was a noticeable lag, where the steering wheel could be turned several degrees before the front wheels responded. While not a major issue for typical CUV driving, it became disconcerting when tackling mountain corners at higher speeds.
The new double-wishbone rear suspension in the 2014 model was a clear improvement. The rear of the vehicle exhibited significantly less bounce than expected for a vehicle of its size. In fact, I felt that a wishbone suspension in the front would have been beneficial as well. The considerable weight over the front of the vehicle (weight distribution specifics were not available during the review) seemed to strain the MacPherson struts in corners, resulting in noticeable body roll.
Toyota anticipates the refreshed 2014 Highlander to be a major success in the competitive mid-size CUV segment, a segment crucial for any automaker’s success. They project a ten percent sales increase over the 2013 model, aiming for over 140,000 units, all manufactured in Franklin, Indiana. As the only significantly refreshed competitor in this segment for 2014, this target seems achievable. Toyota has managed to keep the starting price of the LE model under $30,000, at $29,215 for the front-wheel-drive four-cylinder version. However, they have also crossed the $40,000 threshold for the first time with the Limited trim, reaching $41,100 for the all-wheel-drive model, a $1,700 increase from the previous model. The new Platinum Limited trim is priced at $43,590 (with an optional Driver Technology Package including Pre-Collision system, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, and Automatic High Beam Headlights), and the Hybrid Limited Platinum just under $50,000 at $49,790. It is expected that the majority of sales will come from the LE Plus and XLE trims, priced at $34,200 and $37,500, respectively.
In conclusion, my overall impression of the 2014 Highlander is positive. If you primarily drive in urban or suburban environments and don’t plan on frequent mountain driving or towing, it ranks among the top in its class, competing effectively with the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Despite its bolder styling, it’s unlikely to detract sales from its stablemate, the 4Runner, as they remain distinct vehicles catering to different needs. The 2014 Highlander is poised to retain its existing customer base and attract new buyers from competing brands, provided they can look past the somewhat controversial front grille. It’s a spacious, safe, and feature-rich SUV that is well-suited for families and daily driving.
