2014 Toyota Highlander Limited Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds.com

2014 Toyota Highlander Limited Long-Term Road Test

The overall cargo capacity of the 2014 Toyota Highlander may be less than last year's model, but the storage space behind the third row has actually expanded.

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legacygt

I checked this out at the NY car show and didn't notice that the cargo area was smaller because it's just so much better designed. The 3rd row is more useful with seating for 3 across (although they need to be at the age where they no longer need boosters but aren't particularly wide). The 3rd row also splits for folding which, inexplicably, didn't happen on the last generation. Finally, the cargo mat that folds and splits with the third row is pretty well integrated. The Highlander is definitely "most improved" of the 3 row CUV class but still not groundbreaking.

akat2000

Did Highlander cargo volume really decrease from 2013 to 2014? If you look at 2013 and 2014 Highlander eBrochures, cargo volume in 2013 Highlander (http://www.toyota.com/content/ebrochure/2013/highlander_ebrochure.pdf):

Cargo volume (cu. ft.) (behind front/second-row/third-row seats) 81.6/39.6/10.3

2014 Highlander (http://www.toyota.com/highlander/ebrochure/):
Cargo volume (cu. ft.) behind front/second-row/third-row seats 83.7/42.3/13.8

I realize Edmunds reports much higher cargo volume for 2013, but unless Edmunds has made independent measurements, I trust the manufacturer reported numbers.

ocramidajzj

My OCD is not happy with the apparent misalignment of the left rubber mat with the right runner mat on the folded seat portion. I'm guessing, like my CX-9, these protective mats are held on with Velcro and some clips. If so would someone please fix it! :-)