Friday, January 10, 2014 Richmond Review · Page 17

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welcome to the driver’s seat.

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Toyota has always been a logical purchase, based on reliability and durability

but now its designs too are capturing buyers with a visual,

desirable esthetic.Zack Spencer

2014 Toyota Highlander: Prettier in form and functionCARMEL, CA: The Toyota Highlander is a perfect ex-ample of the trend towards crossovers away from traditional SUVs. Before its 2001 introduc-tion, the Toyota SUV of choice was the 4Runner, built off a pickup truck plat-form, providing ruggedness and versatility. Crossovers now accomplish the same versatility in terms of seating, cargo and all wheel drive capability but do so with a better on-road drive, thanks to a car-based platform. The first Highlander was rather small, about the same size as a compact crossover today.In 2008, its size was adjusted to make room for a standard third row of seats. Now the Highlander has grown again and is packed with more standard equipment and features.

Looks Toyota has always been a logical purchase, based on reliability and durability but now its designs too are capturing buyers with a visual, desirable esthetic. The 2014 edition is 7.5cm longer (mostly in the rear seat and cargo area), 1.5cm wider and 3cm lower. The stance is wide and lower, making more of a visual impact. Combine this with a large grille borrowed from the Tundra pickup truck and the Highlander has a very rugged, yet polished, look that

makes it more North American looking.I believe that this is the best-looking Highlander to date and import buy-ers will take note and a few domestic intenders should too.

Inside The dash is much improved with more soft-touch materi-als and a large 6.1-inch screen in the centre of the dash on the base LE or an 8.0-inch screen on

all other models, makes operation easy. One problem is the angle of the screen is hard to see if there is any sunshine, the glare a bit more than I had anticipat-ed. Back up camera is standard.Below the screen and heat controls is a tray-like shelf that runs from the middle to the passenger side of the dash. This is a clever space to place your smartphone but also enable it to be plugged in. The cup holder is large and the centre armrest has a massive storage area in-side; this is thanks to the removal of the stowaway seat that used to hide under the centre armrest. Now in the second row of seats there are three permanent seats or two captain’s chairs in the top Limited model. The previous hideaway idea was simple but not so comfortable. The biggest change takes place in the third row of seats, where three people can sit rather than just two. In addition,

there is 100L of cargo space behind the third row of seats offering much better functionality. It has all the interior amenities that one expects in a modern three-row crossover, even a system that allows the driver’s voice to be amplified through the stereo for easier conversations with passengers in the very back, but there seems to be a lack of sophistication compared to its competition.

Drive The previous Highlander was available with a 4-cylinder engine and front wheel drive (FWD). It’s with a standard 3.5L V6 with 270hp, matched to a 6-speed automatic transmission, also with FWD. The starting price stays at $31,680; factoring in the backup camera there is good value here. When it arrives later this month, the base LE with all wheel drive (AWD) starts at $34,180. I think most people will opt for the LE with convenience package that includes 8-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, three-zone climate control, satellite radio and leather steering wheel to name a few. This brings the price up to $34,480 for the FWD and $36,980 for the AWD. On the road, the AWD system sends power to just the front wheels as often as possible with only 10 per cent of the torque shifting when cornering. The system has the ability to shift or lock up to 50 per cent of the power for better traction but limiting it to times

when it is truly needed helps improve fuel economy. The other part of the fuel economy story is the all-new 6-speed automatic. The official fuel rating for the most popular AWD model is 11.5L/100km in the city and 8.2L on the highway, which is almost a full litre improvement in combined highway/city economy over the 2013 model. The rear suspension has been modified for a slightly more dynamic drive and improved ride. The steering is rather light and vague but the buyers of this type of product will appreciate the ease of use.

Verdict The Highlander is a functional vehicle for young buyers with kids and friends that need to get to practice and carry all the sports equipment that goes with it. Overall, a very good family cross-over that will get the job done every day.

The Lowdown

Power: 3.5L V5 with 270hpFill-up: 11.5L/8.2L/100km (city/highway AWD) Sticker price: $31,680-$45,100

zack.spencer@drivewaybc.ca

‘‘ A very good family crossover that will get the job done every day.’’Zack Spencer

Visit the Toyota Highlander photo gallery at DrivewayBC.ca

drivewayBC.ca | Welcome to the driver’s seat

Find more online at

drivewayBC.ca

With challenging road conditions across the province, January is always one of the highest months for crashes in B.C. Take some small steps to prepare your vehicle for the conditions, such as checking your tire pressure – tires defl ate more quickly in cold weather – and top up your

vehicle’s anti-freeze, windshield washer fl uid, and gas.

Safety Tip:

QuestionOF THE WEEK:What do you think is the best special feature available in today’s cars and trucks?Please explain why you have made that decision.

OF THE WEEK!

?QUESTION

Go to drivewayBC.ca to submit your answer.

REVIEW the richmond

Page 18 · Richmond Review Friday, January 10, 2014

TMThe Hyundai names, logos, product names, feature names, images and slogans are trademarks owned by Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. †Finance offers available O.A.C. from Hyundai Financial Services based on a new 2013 Accent 5 Door GL 6-Speed Manual/2013 Elantra GL 6-Speed Manual/2014 Tucson 2.0L GL FWD MT/2014 Santa Fe 2.4L FWD with an annual finance rate of 0%/0%/1.9%1.9% for 72/84/96/96 months. Bi-weekly payments are $113/$111/$119/$139. $0/$0/$250/$1,500 down payment required. Cost of Borrowing is $0/$0/$1,811/$2,114. Finance offers include Delivery and Destination of $1,550/$1,550/$1,760/$1,760. Registration, insurance, PPSA, fees, levies, charges, license fees and all applicable taxes are excluded. Delivery and Destination charge includes freight, P.D.E., dealer admin fees and a full tank of gas. Financing example: 2014 Tucson 2.0L GL FWD MT for $23,259 at 1.9% per annum equals $119 bi-weekly for 96 months for a total obligation of $25,070. $250 down payment required. Cash price is $23,259. Cost of Borrowing is $1,811. Example price includes Delivery and Destination of $1,760. Registration, insurance, PPSA, fees, levies, charges, license fees and all applicable taxes are excluded. Price of models shown: 2013 Accent 5 Door GLS 6-Speed Manual/2013 Elantra Limited/2014 Tucson 2.4L Limited AWD/2014 Santa Fe 2.0T Limited AWD are $19,249/$24,849/$35,359/$40,659. Prices include Delivery and Destination charges of $1,550/$1,550/ $1,760/$1,760. Registration, insurance, PPSA, fees, levies, charges, license fees and all applicable taxes are excluded. ΩPrice adjustments are calculated against the vehicle’s starting price. Price adjustments of up to $3,340/$4,540 available on 2013 Accent 5 Door L 6-Speed Manual/2013 Elantra L 6-Speed Manual (on cash purchases only). Price adjustments applied before taxes. Offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other available offers. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be assigned. No vehicle trade-in required. †Ω Offers available for a limited time, and subject to change or cancellation without notice. See dealer for complete details. Dealer may sell for less. Inventory is limited, dealer order may be required. ††Hyundai’s Comprehensive Limited Warranty coverage covers most vehicle components against defects in workmanship under normal use and maintenance conditions.

PAPER TO INSERT DEALER TAG HERE

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GLS model shown

Limited model shown

Limited model shown

Limited model shown

TUCSON GL

2014

SANTA FE SPORT

2014

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BI-WEEKLY

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1.9% †

FINANCING FOR 96 MONTHSWITH $250 DOWN PAYMENT

AT

2014 TUCSON 2.0L GL FWD MT. DELIVERY & DESTINATION INCLUDED.

2014 SANTA FE 2.4L FWD. DELIVERY & DESTINATION INCLUDED.

†† $139OWN IT FOR

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AT

††

SAY HELLO TO THE 2014’s

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2013

OR

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0% †

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††

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††

ALL-IN PRICINGINCLUDES PRICE ADJUSTMENTSΩ,

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ELANTRA L

2013

ORGET

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2013

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13171 Smallwood PlaceRichmond, 604-606-9033

D#28516

OpenRoad Hyundai13171 Smallwood Place, Richmond, 604-606-9033