Anyone else not nuts about the looks of the new Highlander's rear? I'm not liking the skinny horizontal tail lights or the more slopped rear window. When I see older generation Highlanders, or even Pilots, I'm kinda jealous.
Not that I don't like my Highlander. I'm just sayin'. :|
I'm with you, I like the looks of the new HL from all angles except from the rear. Looks a little too soft for me, and looks too similar to many other manufacturers from that vantage point. It doesn't seem to fit the rest of the styling if you ask me. Mine is white also with roof racks, and when I see others out there without them, looks better IMHO. I may be taking them off since we never throw anything up there.
A more vertical rear window--like those on the vehicles you envy--collects dust & dirt like a magnet collects steel shavings. There's no "spoiler" like they used to put on SUVs to direct the wind onto the window. Our 4Runner gets so dusty on dirt roads that vision out the back is totally impaired. I usually have to stop at a coin-op car wash on the way home to wash the dust off. Oh yeah, our license plate lights get full of dust too.
My wife and I both agreed, while still shopping around, that the HL looks great at every angle except the rear. I recall reading a review where the writer compared the look to a "loaded diaper." I prefer to be more kind and say it looks like a mini-van from the back.
I've only heard the "loaded diaper" reference directed at the CR-V.
My wife really dislikes the tail lights on the rear on the Highlander sticking out like they do, but the reality is that there isn't a better looking vehicle on the whole from a manufacturer I trust, so we are kind of stuck with them at this point if/when we buy the Highlander.
Compare the rear end of the Highlander to a Chevy Equinox... which was my previous car. Typical of GM for the most part, it appeared that they ran out of design motivation as they got to the rear of the vehicle.... Many, many GM vehicles have very lackluster derriere's .....
In contrast, I find the back of the new HL's quite refreshing. I think it looks a ton better than the new Nissan Pathfinder's.... and many other SUVs.
Personal preference I guess.... but it looks similar to a Ford Escape.... and maybe a touch of the Hyundai Santa Fe.... which are both attractive in my book.
Not too fond of the Pilot... a big box with no personality... and the rear ends of the GM Traverse (although better this year than past years) and GMC Acadia are pretty boring.
But again - these things strike everyone in different ways.
Edit: I like the tail lights protruding..... they follow the body side style line nicely..... Maybe they could be choked in a bit, but they lend a creativity that sets them apart from every other SUV..... which in the sea of copycat designs is refreshing.
Hey Petzuker.... how is your 07 holding up 'rust-wise?' Every time I see a first generation here in Michigan I make a point of examining them to see how the body's are holding up in this 4 season state.... and I have yet to see one that is rusty.... which bodes well to the rust preventative measures which I would guess are even better today than in 07.
Also probably a good testament on NOT needing to Ziebart/Undercoat your vehicle.... true, some of the 1st gen's I've seen might have been undercoated, but statistically they can't all have been... and again - I haven't seen a rusty one yet.
As much as I hate to admit it, I feel like the rear of the Highlander has a slight resemblance to the rear of a Sienna. Good thing the rest of the it looks much better!
As much as I hate to admit it, I feel like the rear of the Highlander has a slight resemblance to the rear of a Sienna. Good thing the rest of the it looks much better!
How could anyone not love this rear end. For me it looks so much more modern then previous gen Highlanders. I think the way the tail lights stick out is it's best feature. IMO
The rear of the Highlander seems too narrow to me. It does not evoke a masculine look from the rear. I think it appears less masculine from the rear because the rear tail lights make the car wider at the upper portion rather than the lower portion like the Grand Cherokee for example.
I like the ass end better than I did on my 2011 gen 2 (very bland). It was the front grille, initially, that gave me pause, but now I am liking the front too! I think Gen 3 has a much more upscale, sculpted, (rich?) look which Gen 2 definately does not.
I like the ass end better than I did on my 2011 gen 2 (very bland). It was the front grille, initially, that gave me pause, but now I am liking the front too! I think Gen 3 has a much more upscale, sculpted, (rich?) look which Gen 2 definately does not.
I will definitely opt for a little more chrome on the grille, which I assume Toyota will offer next year to keep us upgrading:smile: I like the Tundra Platinum grille.
Personally I like the look from the rear; I've followed many Highlanders the past 1 month so I've been observing, but I think the wheels are way too far in. They need to widen the track on the back. That really throws off the look.
We're already running a 245 tire, so if I bump it to 265 it may decrease fuel mileage. That, or add spacers.
Its those ridiculous tail lights. Had they kept it simple instead of overstyling them with reflective surfaces, protrusion, and inner "fanciness" they would look much better. Just make the top half red and the bottom half white. Done.
I was mistaking the new Rav4 to the new HL when i first was paying attenton looking for other HLers when I first purchased. I think it looks much like a Rav4, just larger.
I think the 14 design is more modern and a step up from past years. I never disliked it, but the design surely didn't attract me in any way. Also the past gen looks like it has much better rear visibility. The 14 has smaller and curved rear glass. I think the rear hatch level is also higher, making it a bit more need of effort to load. Otherwise just for looks I think its a step in the right direction....As long as those bugeyes don't turn yellow in just a few years!
I agree. I think the previous generation looked a little "feminine" and that an SUV/CUV should have a more rugged masculine look to it. The '14-'15 Highlander certainly isn't extremely rugged looking but it's definitely much improved.
Could be worse. Have you seen the back end of the 14 Dodge Durango. The tail lights are simply ugly in the day time and worse at night. Not sure why Dodge felt the need to put racing lights on the a$$ end. Its a SUV, not a muscle car.
its funny how different peoples taste is. the skinny lights and beautiful front and rear redesign were my main selling points! the old highlanders look like an awkward POS to me.
then again, speaking of rear ends...people think beyonce and J Lo and Kim K are hot but I think they are disgusting morbidly obese hippos.
Agree 1000% percent. I hate the white/clear/mirror border around the lenses. I think applying red film would be extremely difficult due to the curves. I did see this on Ebay, which looks significantly better, but I doubt they are DOT certified.
It is a curvy, soft-edged, uniform-colored, thin-bumpered rear. To be more aggressive or masculine, it needs more sharp edges, hard angles, a larger bumper, and more black - like the front end. But if it was too masculine, you might lose some soccer moms, and they are important to Toyota.
It's mostly my wifes' vehicle, but I will say it is the first Higlander that I thought looked at least somewhat sporty/aggressive. Previous generations were so bland as to be invisible. I liked the Durango as well, but the better half felt is was too truckish - in other words, too masculine. So Toyota knows what they're doing. The Highlander appeals to more men now than ever, but still keeps the ladies happy.
I went to the dealer yesterday and picked up a set of OEM roof rack Cross Bars. Once installed, they really changed the look of the vehicle for me. It's got a much sportier appearance and tied all of the black trim together. Overall the highlander looks much more "finished" with the aforementioned addition.
In conclusion, the cross bars allowed me to see the designers complete vision, and the black rear bumper/ wheel wells now make sense
As far as the tail lights go I think they look MUCH cooler than what I had on the Gen 2.
I prefer the longer, horizontal type lights to the stubby looking lights I had. Plus it goes beyond the rear panel onto the rear door which looks better. I am sure it costs more to do it that way too. ***** see my pics of both vehicles on page 1.
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