2014 Toyota Highlander GXL AWD Highlander Gains

2014 Toyota Highlander

In recent Toyota news, the T brand announced it would close its Aussie operations, where it has been building cars since 1963. Australia was Toyota’s first manufacturing site outside of Japan but sentiment means nothing in business. While Toyota states there was not one central factor in the decision to shut Altona but rather a raft of problems, the cost of making cars in Aussie had become problematic. Yet around the same time, TMC announced its forecasted profit for the fiscal year would top $20billion. That’s not a misprint. There’s no sense in keeping uneconomic business operations running however and while the previously announced closure of the Ford and Holden plants means the end for big cars like the Commodore and Falcon, the Camry, which was produced in Altona, will continue to be made somewhere else in the world. Just like cockroaches, Camrys are hard to kill.

2014 Toyota Highlander Dash View

As the market demand continues to decline for traditional large sedans like Camry, the want grows for large SUVs like the Highlander. And a third-generation model has just launched. You’ll see a few of these things around as Toyota NZ predicts it will make up nine per cent of its sales this year, or around 1,800 units. You should notice it too with its more assertive Americanized look. Speaking of America, that’s now where the Highlander comes from, Indiana to be exact. Not that it really matters where a car is made, but what does is just how good it is. And Toyota reckons this Highlander builds on the strengths of the old model, and the company has made improvements in perceived weak areas. Upgrades include an increase in passenger space, and cargo capacity, better styling and a minor improvement in fuel economy. The number of variants offered has been expanded to net Toyota a bigger slice of this segment which includes Territory, Santa Fe, Sorento, Pathfinder and CX-9. There’s only one engine, the same 3.5-litre V6 as before but it now gets a six-speed auto to help reduce fuel use from 11.6L/100km for AWD models to 10.6, while the FWD version is said to return 10.2L/100km. Toyota likes to point out that in this particular slice of the SUV market, petrol power represents 56 per cent of sales and that fuel economy is not a top priority for buyers. However, the diesel-powered alternatives in the segment offer more torque and go further on a tank of fuel. The Highlander can move when you need it to, the new six-speeder sure does help, but you have to work that big V6 on overtaking manoeuvres while around town, it’s rated at 14.4L/100km.

Toyota states it has added extra features to each variant, making the new model a better value proposition. The entry level or Avis spec AWD GX kicks things off at $59,990. This has a reversing camera, rear sensors, cruise, privacy glass, 18-inch alloys and the required safety features including ESC, seven air bags along with Bluetooth connectivity. The GXL models will be the volume sellers and are set at $61,990 for the 2WD and $65,990 for the AWD version. These add leather, heated seats, a smart key and more safety equipment, along with three-zone climate control. The Limited has moved up to $74,490 but gains satnav, a Blu-ray player in the rear, LED lights, 19s, a powered tailgate and blind spot monitoring while the top-spec Limited ZR is $80,990 and adds even more active safety features.

2014 Toyota Highlander Rear

This new Highlander sits on the same wheelbase dimensions as the old car but it’s 80mm longer overall thanks to extended overhangs and it’s a tad wider, and lower too, giving it better proportions. Interior improvements see 155mm of extra load length in the boot for increased cargo capacity and third-row seat space. New double wishbone rear suspension helps liberate space here too, and is said to improve ride comfort. On our brief introductory drive we noted some fidgeting at lower speeds. Toyota has repackaged the interior to improve space for all, there’s now acres of space in the rear and access to the third-row is much improved. There’s a better on-demand AWD system which has been programmed to be more proactive to avoid front-wheel slip in the first place, rather than reacting to it. Toyota’s new seven-seat school bus is on sale now.