Overview & Reviews

Toyota's midsize SUV is fully redesigned for 2008. Significantly larger than the original, the 2008 Highlander features a standard V6 engine and a habitable third-row seat.

• Powerful and fuel-efficient V6, easy to maneuver for its size, user-friendly cabin design with reconfigurable second-row seats and a fully usable third row.

• Third-row seat folds as a single unit rather than in 50/50 sections.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 233.00

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  Better than my 2004 Highlander - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Zak - October 25 - 1:23 am

  Bigger than my 2004 Highlander, & more room. Engine is more powerful but have noticed worse fuel economy than my 2004. Very quiet easy driving, but view out the back is much worse than my 2004. See comment below about the miserable head rests.

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  Electronic problems - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Oliver - July 19 - 2:00 pm

  Bought a Toyota for its reliability. My wife has been owning Toyotas for 20 years and they all seem reliable. I didnt really fell in love with Toyota but loved the 2008 Highlander when I first saw it on the parking lot, test drove it and bought it. That was the summer of 2007 and all has been fine till the car turned 8 months old. Now the radio doesnt change volume or doesnt turn on at all in 60% of the cases. When driving away from a stall or at the lights the traction control indicator light blinks and the car doesnt move for 5 to 10 seconds, embarrassing when the light turns green. And the dash on the passengers side tweaks very very loud.

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  Watch Out for Unexpected - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Disappointed - June 1 - 11:26 am

  I bought in Sept 08 after lots of comparison with Lexus, MDX, RDX, BMW, etc. Nice specs and good power. Watch out for the very poor handling in snow. I live in Northeast, and driven here 30+ years. The problem is with the tires on this vehicle. The AWD and traction control work harder than necessary.

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  This is a keeper! - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By bluesguitar - December 1 - 7:50 pm

  We bought the base model, which is where the value is. Its the same car as the much more expensive version without the overpriced dvd player, blue tooth and GPS (we have our own for that one time a month we need it). This car is clearly superior in features to the 2008 Honda Pilot which drives like a truck to both me and my wife. It replaced a Honda Odyssey but still has the ability to seat 7 people comfortably (and looks way cooler!). We love it!!

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  Not as reliable as Toyotas should be - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By toyofan8 - August 29 - 6:12 am

  This SUV is nice and comfortable. A long time Toyota owner I was completely surprised by the constant issues. Rear window wiper motor, sunroof, NAV system had to be replaced. The lugs nuts are two piece shells and loose its cap each time you remove a lug nut. I forced the dealer to replace them at his cost every time he rotated the wheels. The tires cost about $1400 (poor choice and expensive) and regardless of the warranty they last only a mere 19K. The tire size is limited to two manufactures and thus the high price. Got stuck in snow and had to reverse the SUV to get out. Embarrassing to say the least for an SUV. Lastly, the traction control truly does not work, it slides everywhere.

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  93k and counting - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By north1 - May 24 - 8:40 am

  Bought my HL base V6 AWD model w/36k miles and now have 93k. Has proven very reliable and well built. Had the oil-line replaced under one of Toyotas TSBs and also the power window switch replaced as a result of a recall. For the size of the vehicle the mileage is outstanding and I get around 23-25 based on which highway I am driving (55 or 65 mph). I drive for a living (sales) so this is my work car and I have owned lots of different cars over the years. Utility, size, mpg are hard to beat. One thing that should bear consideration is driver height. I am 63 and have found that the seat length isnt long enough for us big guys...nissan/infiniti, honda/acura make better seats.

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  Just purchased - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Chuck - April 9 - 7:50 pm

  Just purchased 08 HLtd with all the toys. Drove the only one they had on the lot and bought one being delivered in two days. Drove Mazda CX-9, Murano SL, Dodge Nitro R/T (my wifes choices as this is her vehicle). She picked Salso Red with Nav, DVD and everything but remote start. She loves the HL over the Murano and the Mazdas front head rest would not adjust and hurt her neck. The outside front and back looked great to her, the side view is very bland. The inside set-up and handling sold her. Shes going from a Chevy Avalanche to the cross-over Toyoto. I hope she loves it for the next 4 years.

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  Tires, Brakes, Oxygen Sensor Issues - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By 4redwings - March 5 - 12:49 am

  Tires were shot at 30,000 miles. Odd size makes replacement expensive. Rear brake pads shot at 30,000 miles (grinding heard on LR rotor). Lots of life left on the front pads, so whats up with that? Biggest disappointment was at 30,000 miles and 3.5 years both oxygen sensors on right exhaust went out at the same time. Bank 1 Sensor 1 and Bank 1 Sensor 2 to be exact. $700 repair. I like the car but the reliability is coming into question for us.

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  Tires Revisited - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Joe - December 16 - 8:56 am

  As noted in my January review, I replaced the snow-scary Toyo Open Country A20 tires with Yokohama 235- 55x19 Parada Spec X tires. Had to go marginally smaller than factory 245- 55x19s in order to avoid either Toyo or Bridgestone (equally bad in snow). These two are currently ONLY 245-55x19 sizes on the market. Yokos transformed winter traction from truly scary to truly amazing. Smooth, quiet, handle better too. Perhaps not as well balanced...I will have balance rechecked soon. Tread wear an unknown at this point, but I would have traded vehicle if snow traction had not improved. Cant believe Toyota still specs these tires in 10, but maybe other recalls have occupied all of their time!

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  nice car, but dash sqeaks and rattles drive me nuts! - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By ctgardengirl - March 20 - 6:51 pm

  Our first Toyota, bought used Nov 2010, bought base model because of tire issues on sport and ltd, and cost. Went from 1997 Plymouth Voyager van to this - what a difference in driving. It scared me for awhile, getting used to the electronic/computer driving process, seemed out of control to me until I got used to it, now its fine. What drives me crazy is the dash rattles, which is way worse in winter. My old van didnt rattle like this! It makes me want to sell it, and buy another, but afraid of same problem. Radio is ok, bass is terrible. Roomy inside. Seats ok, but not that comfortable on day long drives. Back seat rattles now. What next?