Cars of 2014

70. Toyota – Highlander

• Toyota hasn’t yet released details on the new Highlander SUV, which will go on sale early in 2014.
• A hybrid version will hit the market in the spring.

71. Toyota – Tundra

• The 2014 Tundra full-size pickup truck gets a complete makeover, with a bigger, bolder grille up front, improved suspension below and an integrated spoiler in the rear to improve fuel economy.
• A backup camera is standard on all trim levels, a first for the full-size pickup segment.
• Interior – ergonomic improvements, including installing more comfortable front seats that move back farther and reduced wind noise.
• There’s a new top-of-the-line model, the 1794 Edition, which pays homage to the San Antonio ranch, founded in 1794, where Toyota’s plant is now located. It has a western theme, with saddle brown leather seats, suede accents, and premium features like heated and cooled seats and navigation.
• The engine choices:

1. 4.0 liter V6 (270hp).
2. 4.6 liter V8 (310hp).
3. 5.7 liter V8 (381hp) – are carried over from the previous model, which got up to 17 mpg in city and highway driving.

• Goes on sale in September.

72. Volkswagen – Beetle

• 1.8 liter turbocharged four cylinder engine (170hp) to replace the base 2.5 liter five cylinder engine (increase in gas mileage by 17 percent). Current five-cylinder Beetle gets 31mpg on the highway.
• New GSR retro racer line is added, and Beetle Turbo becomes the R-Line.

73. Volkswagen – Jetta

• 1.8 liter turbocharged direct-injection four cylinder engine (to replace the 2.5 liter five-cylinder).
• New engine gets 36 mpg on highway.
• 30th anniversary GLI performance model comes late in the model year.

74. Volkswagen – Passat

• 1.8 liter turbocharged engine (to replace the five cylinder).

75. Volvo – XC60

• Small SUV.
• Most extensive refresh since it was introduced 4 years ago.
• New hood and grille give the vehicle a wider, more confident stance.
• Interior – sporty paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel (drivers shift without taking their hands off the wheel). Upgraded materials and a high-tech instrument cluster.
• Corner traction control, which helps the vehicle on wet or winding streets (standard).
• Also standard are a new blind spot monitoring system and cross-traffic alert, a radar system that warns the driver if vehicles are approaching the rear sides (standard).
• An technology package offers active high beams, which automatically switch to low beams if oncoming traffic is detected, and a system that automatically brakes if the car is about to hit a pedestrian or cyclist (optional).
• 3 engines remain:

1. 3.2 liter V6 (240hp).
2. 3.0 liter turbocharged V6 (300hp)
3. 3.0 liter turbocharged V6(325hp) – ‘top-of-the-line’.

• The base engine gets up to 25 mpg on the highway.