A few months ago during March’s New York International Auto Show, Toyota formally presented the all-new 2014 incarnation of its Highlander series. A celebrity in its own midsize SUV segment, the Highlander immediately drew praise for a sophisticated, stylish facelift that makes it look cooler and more aggressive. The refreshed Highlander one-ups its predecessor with urbane styling cues rarely seen in the Japanese company’s modest portfolio.
At full-frontal, exterior accents include tapering headlamps and turn signals, and a yawning grille with the opening cut deeper than usual. The SUV gains some three inches in length, and that added size isn’t just for effect. The interior boasts 34% more cargo space plus seating for an additional rider, upping the maximum capacity to eight passengers. The Highlander’s engine configuration hasn’t changed near as much as its outward appearance. That’s okay, because the outgoing generation’s base 2.7-liter four-cylinder setup suits the crossover SUV’s economy-aware audience just fine. The engine’s optional V6 counterpart also carries over, but is newly bolted to a six-speed transmission that should help the SUV shift and navigate with better efficiency.
Since they first went mainstream, the popular appeal of sport utility vehicles has depended not just on their utility, but also killer good looks. To that end, the upcoming new Toyota Highlander inventory may prove a perfect fit for buyers in the market for a well-designed and practical SUV with some exterior shine and growl. Stay tuned; the new Highlander won’t be released to U.S. dealerships until early 2014.
