2014 Highlander Specs and Price

I have read that the Pathfinder hybrid system is a little "lite" compared to the Highlander's, possibly meaning that typical drivers may have less chance of significantly exceeding EPA ratings. I need to see if I can get one for review.

On the flip size, the 2014 Highlander Hybrid is beautiful, except for the price, of course. The limited platinum trim I am reviewing now is over $51K MSRP. After over 200 miles so far around the Chicago suburbs, I'm getting over 37mpg. While I have some experience driving hybrids, I'm definitely not an expert. Plus, 3 kids limit my potential with more short trips and climate control use than are ideal. Anyway, it's about the same as what I get in my 2011 hybrid in similar conditions, so I can confirm they are close at least.

It's now basically similar in interior room to a Pilot or Santa Fe or CX-9. The interior and front end treatment are significantly improved. Aside from price, I have only a few minor quibbles compared to the previous model. Everything else is nicely updated. Price is a big one, though. For as few as they were selling before, I don't think the best way to improve sales was to increase price and decrease mileage (if only slightly). I guess sales are not the driving factor, it must be purely profits. Since you can only get the limited trim now starting at over US $47K, it seems like they were content to have it remain a niche vehicle rather than try to go mainstream.

My 2011 base hybrid was about $10K less just 3 years ago. Not much more than the non-hybrid LE Plus with V6/AWD is today. You can get a nicely equipped new Honda Odyssey for less, and it gets better fuel economy as well. If you've got more than a couple kids, it's almost a no-brainer. The new Highlander has a lot to offer over the old model, but the one thing it doesn't have is a bargain price.

 

I think Toyota keeps the HiHy around because the added cost of doing so is a small add on to the cost of making the RXh. It also lets them say they have a hybrid SUV. Plus, they may not want the loss of face from canceling any hybrid model at this point. In the beginning it, and the RX, was the only option for a larger hybrid, and was Toyota's first demonstration of a power hybrid.

Not sure what 'lite' exactly meant, but Nissan's system is a mild one. Which is why it didn't get the big gains in the city rating.

 

Yeah, I don't know how they are classified now. I think GM used to tag some of its vehicles a mild hybrid with the simple addition of a stop/start system. On the Highlander, I can go a couple miles at 35-40mph in EV mode. The battery can kick in just enough to keep your speed up to avoid being a moving roadblock. That's where I get the big fuel economy gains to offset accelerating a 4600 lb. behemoth at every stop sign and stoplight.

I would not be surprised if they are production limited and are forced to keep sales restricted to the RXh and Highlander Hybrid Limited to maximize profits. Or maybe they keep it around for fleet 2016 CAFE purposes. That's too bad, because I think they could sell a much cheaper base model that eeks out a couple more mpg with 2WD, a smaller ICE, less weight, etc. No, it won't tow 3500 lbs or go 0-60 in 7.x seconds, but for hauling kids around town, it would be much more attractive to a lot of families.

I did test the non-hybrid Infiniti JX35 (now QX60) a while back. It's a very nice vehicle and a good competitor to the 2014 Highlander Hybrid Limited.

 

We see quite a few years older ones here from when decent VA HOV plates were available. Now a HiHy would get killed due to our increasing property taxes on cars...think we are probably talking 20% tax (total) on a car like that in many No. VA towns