2014 Toyota Highlander: Toyota’s redesigned hybrid SUV to debut in New York

By Stephen Edelstein March 15, 2013

The Toyota Highlander is one of a handful of hybrid SUVs currently on the market, and after seven years a new one is on the way. Toyota will unveil a completely redesigned version of this midsize crossover at the 2013 New York Auto Show at the end of the month.

Toyota is naturally keeping the details quiet until the Highlander’s debut, but like the recently redesigned RAV4, the styling is expected to be more car-like. The next Highlander may look less like a 1980s 4Runner and more like the oversized Camry wagon it truly is.

As with the current and first generation models, the 2014 Highlander will ride on a modified version of the Camry’s platform. That means this crossover won’t be the most exciting thing to drive, but it will still be able to accommodate Toyota’s hybrid powertrain.

The Highlander, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Ford Escape are the only mainstream hybrid SUVs currently available; the rest are luxury models. The Highlander is in a sweet spot between the large Tahoe and the compact Escape.

The 2014 Highlander hybrid is expected to use the same 3.5-liter V6, dual electric motors, and nickel-metal-hydride battery pack as the current car. Total system output is currently 280 horsepower, while fuel economy is 28 mpg in all three EPA categories.

We’ll have to wait for the Highlander’s New York debut to see if those numbers improve. Maybe that less-boxy shape will help with aerodynamics.

The Toyota Highlander was never a vehicle that set the world on fire, but the hybrid option could still be useful for buyers looking to go green, but who still need to move people and things on a regular basis.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations

The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.