Congrats on the new purchase, post some pics when you pic it up. Most of us can't get enough of them!

 

congrats...amazing how expensive these are now....we paid $36k for our 2011 Limited AWD (every option except rear entertainment)...and the Limited Platinium is $45k!

Was your 2008 giving you trouble? Why did you decide to upgrade?

 

No, not at all ! I traded the 2008 Highlander for a 2013 Venza XLE and didn't like it ! The main reason I don't like the Venza are the blind spots, and it is lower to the ground. I really miss the height of the Highlander ...looking forward to getting back to it ! And the inside of the Venza is not up to par with other Toyotas.

 

Congratulations on your new Highlander, and also congratulations on what I figure should be considered the 1st official 2014 Highlander thread. By all means share any insights you have with your 3rd Gen Highlander when you get it, there's a lot of us interested in reading them. :thumbsup:

 

Tested the xle all wheel drive today I liked it giving my review with lot's of pictures pretty soon

 

Congratulations! Anticipation is a fun time! That color really pops even on a cloudy day-great choice. Having been a long time HL owner, I'm looking forward to hearing about the subtle differences maybe you didn't expect. Was your 08 a base, sport or Limited?

 

2008 Limited......currently have 2013 Venza.......will be glad to get rid of it !

 

Just popped into my local Toyota dealer today while getting the recall done on my Camry Hybrid and saw the 2014 Highlander. That is one nice vehicle. I am certain Toyota will sell plenty of them. That "red" color was eye-catching.

The model with the leather trimmed fabric seats was the model in my budget. Around $35,000 before any discounts. Still kind of difficult to get into the third row seating as are most SUV's. The cup holder arrangement on the model with the captains chairs in the second row is unique.

Overall it looked nice but I did not get a test drive.

Brad

 

Today I bought an XLE, pre-dawn with tan captain seats interior, hitch and complete Toyota Care for $36,900.
- My salesman who has been helping me with all my questions for the last 3 weeks really tried today along with the manager to order me an LE Plus silver with captain leather seats. However could only get in black leather interior! My dealer was even willing to re-do the Seats and door panels in Tan. After weighing the costs, they came back with the XLE and offered to split the LE/XLE price difference. I accepted. but again remained firm I did not want any of the various protectors/sealers/guards/stripes/running boards. etc. They agreed. They found only one. It will come out of Florida and arrive next week.
- My dealer has been exceptional, very professional. polite, patient, and willing to help. Great experience. It may have helped I did my research. But no doubt I will recommend them. When my car arrives. I think I will have pizzas delivered for the dealer staff for lunch as a thank you as a bunch of them along the way were very kind and helpful.

 

That dealer sounds fantastic--going the extra mile for the customer. We always hear so many negative comments about dealerships--thanks for sharing a positive story.

I think you will enjoy the captains chairs in the second row. Sounds like you got a great deal on a nice ride. Send some pizza my way

 

Just got our 2014 Highlander Limited ...Love it . Predawn Gray with black interior W/Remote Start
With Driver Technology Package and Blu Ray Rear entertainment system . Only thing platinum
Adds to this setup is rear heated seats and heated Steering Wheel. Oh and panorama sunroof. It's
My understanding that you cannot get rear entertainment with panorama sunroof. Which didn't work for us
We had a panorama sunroof in our last SUV which out in az desert sun turned it into a oven anyways. With that
Being said we didn't need heated rear seats or steering wheel. We paid 47k out the door . Couldn't be happier.




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We had a panorama sunroof in our last SUV which out in AZ desert sun turned it into a oven anyways. With that
Being said we didn't need heated rear seats or steering wheel.

definitely not a must-have there

 

Speaking of Dealerships we purchased ours at Avondale Toyota. Avondale Az
Best dealer ever. I person for the entire purchase. When our highlander hit the lot
He called us we told him how we were paying. When we arrived we fell in love with the
HL he had it in the delivery area with temp tags all ready to go. We signed our paperwork and
We're out the door in 25 min. If we ever move I will fly here just to purchase from Matt at Avondale
Toyota.


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Speaking of Dealerships we purchased ours at Avondale Toyota. Avondale Az
Best dealer ever. I person for the entire purchase. When our highlander hit the lot
He called us we told him how we were paying. When we arrived we fell in love with the
HL he had it in the delivery area with temp tags all ready to go. We signed our paperwork and
We're out the door in 25 min. If we ever move I will fly here just to purchase from Matt at Avondale
Toyota.

That's how I felt about my purchase experience at Toyota of Carson here in California. It was the best purchase experience I ever had.

BTW, welcome to TN and welcome too to the Highlander forums! :hi:

 

The top trim model always overlaps the base model of another class up vehicle in price. I don't know why some of you are intriqued/suprised by this.

 

I might have put it wrong....I paid 47k with tax title and doc fees ....sticker was 44,800 ....we paid just over 42,000 ......we sold our previous SUV outright so I had no trade.
2014 HL with tech package / Remote start and rear entertainment system .....all weather floor mats came with it to as well as the carpeted ones which impressed me body molding and rear bumper protector

 

Vernstar, your price paid is much more reasonable. It is always such a let down to see those final numbers with taxes, title, etc...trust me, I know, it SUCKS!

And of course the Highlander is brand new, and people will pay MSRP or close to it.

All I am saying is that with the addition of the Platnium package, Toyota has managed to push the price of this fully loaded vehicle in mid $40s, which you can get a nicely equipped Audi Q5, Acura MDX etc (all luxury brands, whereas Toyota isn't).

Just not sure what the Lexus RX offers over the Highlander, you can now get just about everything on the Highlander (except Mark Levinson audio, HID lights...)

That's a lot of scratch for a Toyota. If you aren't inclined to need a 3rd SUV, but have $45k to spend on an AWD vehicle, you can get a very nicely equipped AWD BMW 328 sedan for $45k.

There are a LOT of luxury vehicles at that price point, so a loaded Highlander is playing in the luxury market.

 

All I am saying is that with the addition of the Platnium package, Toyota has managed to push the price of this fully loaded vehicle in mid $40s, which you can get a nicely equipped Audi Q5, Acura MDX

but they're not loaded like the HL platinum

There are a LOT of luxury vehicles at that price point.

[see above]

 

The RX did not impress me at all....45k no nav....no rear dvd...no third row....just a over glorified Venza.... A comparable mdx was 50k
I agree all those fees are horrible ...tax is going to get you every time unless you have a trade...don't agree with doc fees ...but such is life

 

that's funny :rofl2:

Lexus sales guys must love it when you walk out and say, the Highlander Limited Platnium is way nicer, quieter, etc. than the RX, so I'm going to go buy a Toyota instead of your overpriced luxury brand....

 

Problem with 4runner is no rear A/C out here in the summer temps can hit 115 to 119 degrees in July and August

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but it was my understanding if you want a platinum HL with rear seat entertainment
You had to go with HL limited with technology package.... Due to the panorama sunroof being in the way
That's why we went the route we did .... With a child I would rather have the DVD system than a larger moonroof
Basically the HL limited with tech package and platinum are just as nice .....question becomes do you want heated rear seats
And steering wheel or rear seat dvd system.as far as Msrp they are the same just depends on packaging...so I guess toyota could have labeled it platinum w/ panorama sunroof or platinum w/rear seat entertainment ......unless I'm wrong on this

 

The 2014 is beautiful inside .....in terms of luxury and fit and finish .... I have not been in a base model so not sure on that level ...I do agree the base model 2nd gen 08-13 are more basic when it comes to fit and finish but still a very nice vehicle. My wife's sister has a 08 HL sport"...I'd post pics of our new HL if this app would allow

 

Finally test drove the MDX....it wasn't *all* that I was expecting it to be.

So it's down to the HL and the T-Reg, though I'm really warming up to the HL and the price of the LTD.

 

Best of luck ! I hope you choose the HL ! :thumbsup:

 

2014 Highlander Acessories

Hello all ! Question...how many of you have running boards on your Highlander( any model ) ?? Do you think they add to the look ? I still have time to add these to my 2014 Limited....I am tall and don't need them to step up, but I know many folks get them for looks.....given the new look of the 2014 Highlander, would you add them or not????....not cheap !

 

Hello all ! Question...how many of you have running boards on your Highlander( any model ) ?? Do you think they add to the look ? I still have time to add these to my 2014 Limited....I am tall and don't need them to step up, but I know many folks get them for looks.....given the new look of the 2014 Highlander, would you add them or not????....not cheap !

They never added anything (good) to the looks of the HL. On my Sequoia they are necessary and therefore 'fit in', on my HL, my 3 year old can get in without them.

Here's my philosophy with cars, a lot of times less is more.

 

Thanks Ron I figured I do a review I was going to do this last week but vastly way too busy recovering from the holidays. Question does your mirrors have a light on both or only when you turn ? I wired mine from the Toyota forerunner and the only Toyota product I noticed that has lights on Mirrorlight's is the FJ cruiser i'm not talking about puddle lights I'm talking about LED light on both mirrors used as daytime running lights. If it's like the Lexus it only has LED when you use turn signals only

 

Well, I don't know....I don't have it yet !LOL Wish I did ! It might be February before it's in...it was ordered.

 

I'll answer your questions about the powertrain in the transmission being sluggish on my other thread

 

How do the rear hatch hinges look? Substantial hopefully.

 

like the pasted Highlander you don't see it..

 

Anyways, my input after seeing and driving it. It's a much more substantial vehicle all around. Everything feels higher quality (not that the old one was bad at all, this is just a step up). It's also quieter and benefits greatly from the new transmission.

As for what we've been selling them for, 500 to 1500 over invoice. About a dozen orders so far in the week we've had them available.

 

I don't see the New 6 speed as a big deal I know it's present but the power is about the same as the last Highlander it's just the new 6 speed is vastly smoother on hill's

I can see the markup a little bit but guess what I don't pay it :lol:

One i tested was about 37K and you can top to 50k with a hybrid and everything but that's the going rate on the hybrid. honestly speaking the pricing went up a little bit but I feel strongly it will go down give it time

 

Don't suppose it's time to create a 3rd Gen forum.....

 

i've asked right now they like to entertain us

 

Any firm pricng will be helpful from the new owners ....I am planning to go tomorrow to test drive the new HL. But looks like the HL lilimted 2014 is in 44-45k range which I think is a little expensive. Has been waiting for 2014 HL for a longtime but the differnece between 2013-2014 is alost 10k I believe. :-(

 

It's all based on supply and demand an area and region you're buying from. Take in mind it just came out a week or two ago so everybody's going to be paying more than MSRP and that's usually expected with most new Toyota products . The one I was driving today which was a limited was starting $37,000 with the le around 32k base .

Last year I looked at a hybrid highlander at that retailed for close to 50k the new model highlander typically saw a price inflation of about $2000 depending on model and specifications

 

I have to agree ...running boards on a HL are not needed as well as they don't look that great


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I've had my limited for a few days now with Driver technology package and rear seat entertainment.. Also ordered with body side moldings both carpeted and all weather floormats for all 3 rows as well as rear bumper protector....44,500 msrp I paid 42,200 including remote start.... I love it love it .... Fun to drive .... Rides great and the color Predawn Grey Gets tons of complements... Parked next to a 1st gen highlander today the owner could not believe mine was a highlander



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Congratulations Vernsstar. Sounds great! Hey, can you upload a nice profile photo of your 2014 HL? I would love to see what it looks like with the body-side molding. Thanks! :thumbsup: