“Urban Adventure” was the invitation descriptor for the 2014 Highlander’s regional media program in Charleston. But that ride and drive program label took on a whole new meaning when South Carolina and other southern states experienced a rare ice/snow storm on January 28-29. Journalists drove to various iconic destinations within hours of Charleston’s lovely palmetto trees being weather-transformed into frozen umbrellas. Highlander’s 3rd-generation transformation showcases a re-styled exterior and a more spacious interior. “There is room for everything. Everything but boring,” Josh Hoffman, Toyota Motor Sales USA’s National Brand Manager for Highlander and RAV4, told journalists.

Highlander’s revised interior equates to 34% more cargo space behind the standard 3rd row seat. With just the 3rd row seat folded flat, there’s more than 13 cubic feet of space. Fold the 2nd and 3rd row seats and the cargo volume behind the front seats exceeds 83 cubic feet. A 3.5-inch black and white or a 4.2-inch LCD display (positioned between the cluster gauges) provides at-a- glance information, such as turn-by-turn navigation directions. And a center floor console’s roll- top access means driver and front passenger won’t lose their armrests whenever someone reaches for a stowed item. Highlander’s 6-speed automatic transmission is now standard equipment, whether mated to the 4-cylinder or V6 engine. Stay tuned for a future Highlander report based on a one-week test drive.