Overview & Reviews

A pioneering vehicle in many ways, the Toyota Highlander was one of the first midsize crossover SUVs to be sold in America when it debuted in 2001. With its car-based unibody design, the original Highlander provided many benefits over Toyota's more traditional SUVs, including better handling, higher fuel mileage, a quieter cabin, improved crashworthiness and easier entry and exit for passengers.

Since then, the Toyota Highlander has gone on to become one of the most popular crossovers available, appealing to shoppers who want a vehicle with SUV styling, plenty of versatility for hauling cargo and a third-row seat. The third-generation Highlander has the most seating capacity, while the second generation has the most rear cargo space. That said, a Highlander of any vintage is one of the better values out there for those seeking a comfortable, easy-to-drive vehicle that can carry a fair amount of cargo and passengers and handle snow and ice during the winter months while still delivering decent fuel economy.

Current Toyota Highlander
Redesigned for 2014, the current Toyota Highlander is a few inches longer than the previous-generation model and sports notably more aggressive styling. The cabin has also been modernized: Many of the cabin's previously hard plastic surfaces are now covered with softer materials, and the electronics are more up to date.

The Highlander is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Base front-drive models come with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine making 185 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. All other Highlanders have an impressively efficient 3.5-liter V6 good for 270 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard with either engine. There is also a Toyota Highlander Hybrid that delivers considerably better fuel economy. It is covered in a separate review.

Toyota Highlander shoppers can choose among four trim levels: LE, LE Plus, XLE and Limited. Highlights of the base LE include 18-inch wheels, a touchscreen display, a rearview camera, Bluetooth and an iPod/USB interface. Moving up to the LE Plus gets you a flip-up rear window, a power liftgate, a power driver seat and tri-zone climate control. The XLE's perks include keyless ignition and entry, a sunroof, leather upholstery, a navigation system and Toyota's Entune suite of smartphone app-based services. The top-dog Limited sports 19-inch wheels, upgraded leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, second-row captain's chairs, ambient interior lighting and an upgraded audio system. Additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring, frontal collision warning/mitigation and lane-departure warning systems are also available on the Limited.

On the road, the Highlander's near-silent V6 engine is complemented by a liquid-smooth six-speed automatic transmission with the refinement you might expect in a Lexus. Acceleration is among the best in this class. Unless your budget will only allow the four-cylinder engine, the V6 is the way to go. Maximum passenger capacity is eight -- more than most other crossovers. The third-row seat is still really only suitable for children, but the second row slides and reclines, maximizing comfort. The interior looks and feels upscale and there are plenty of storage areas for your personal items. Overall, we highly recommend the Highlander if you're shopping for a large, three-row crossover SUV.

Used Toyota Highlander Models
The second-generation Toyota Highlander was produced from 2008-'13. It was significantly larger than the previous model in nearly every way, adding shoulder room, hiproom and legroom all around as well as additional cargo capacity.

This generation Highlander felt spry on the road and was easy to drive, with especially brisk acceleration coming from the V6 engine. We liked the quiet, roomy cabin that seated up to seven passengers. While the Highlander's third row was less spacious than those of some rivals, it was easy to reach thanks to a nifty 40/20/40-split second row with a removable center seat that facilitated walk-through access. Cargo space was also down compared to larger crossovers, but this Highlander should still be roomy enough for almost any family.

For 2008, the only available engine was a 270-hp 3.5-liter V6. In 2009 it was joined by a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that made 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive were standard, and all-wheel drive was available with the V6.

Available trim levels, depending on the year, were base, Sport, SE, Plus and Limited. Standard equipment on the base Highlander included air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and the 40/20/40-split second row bench seat. The Sport trim level (2008-'10) added a more firmly tuned suspension, a rearview camera, a flip-up rear window in the liftgate and a power-adjustable driver seat.

For 2011, Toyota discontinued the Sport trim level and made most of that trim level's equipment standard on the SE (2010-'13). The SE also had a sunroof, heated seats, leather upholstery and an upgraded audio system. The Plus (2013 only) had similar equipment to the Sport. For the Limited, Toyota added 19-inch wheels, tri-zone automatic climate control, upgraded upholstery and a front passenger seat. Major options for this Highlander included a navigation system and a rear-seat entertainment system.

If you're shopping for a second-generation model, take note that the 2008 through 2010 models had a less versatile third-row seat with a one-piece bench design rather than the 2010-'13 model's 50/50-split seat. For 2011, Toyota also mildly updated the Highlander's exterior styling.

The first-generation Toyota Highlander was produced from 2001-'07. It was powered by either a 155-hp four-cylinder engine or a 220-hp 3.0-liter V6. A four-speed automatic transmission was standard. In 2004 the V6 was bumped up to 3.3 liters and 230 hp, and models so equipped received a five-speed automatic transmission, while four-cylinder models soldiered on with the four-speed unit (and 5 extra hp). Available trim levels were base, Sport and Limited.

Base models came equipped with a respectable amount of equipment, including air-conditioning, power accessories, cruise control and a CD player. The Sport trim spiced things up with 17-inch alloys, a sport-tuned suspension, foglights, a power driver seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter. The Limited added heated outside mirrors, power front seats, a fold-flat third-row seat (as of 2004) and an upgraded JBL sound system. Popular options included leather seating, an in-dash CD changer, a towing package and -- on the Limited model only -- a navigation system.

Shoppers interested in a used Toyota Highlander might want to confine their search to 2004 models and newer, not just because of the power increase, but also because a third-row seat and rear DVD entertainment system were newly available, enabling the Highlander to remain competitive with the strengthening crop of midsize crossover SUVs. Other significant changes for '04 included the addition of stability control and a tire-pressure warning system as standard equipment, as well as newly optional side curtain airbags for the first and second rows (which became standard on '07 models).

User Reviews:

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  love it! - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By gtsai2 - October 18 - 6:30 am

  You can not find a better car / suv than toyota highlander, Its make by lexus, good quality all around. best car /suv i have ener had. Drive one and youll love it. better than BMW m5.

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  SUV Great Electronics NOT - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Western Michigan - October 12 - 6:46 pm

  Switched to Highlander from Lexus RX 330. Pleased with the design and drivability - comfort is excellent as I am 6 ft, 3 in. Very much like the smart key system and the functionality. Very displeased with the electronics. Satellite radio requires a very expensive and labor intensive installation - I obviously didnt read carefully enough or I would have likely purchased a different vehicle. In order to install satellite radio the dealer indicates that the headliner has to be removed - even a seat removed. WHAT WAS TOYOTA THINKING? The GPS mapping system lacks detail - I live in a city of 40,000 and most of the side streets arent noted. GPS service on my cell phone is more detailed.

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  Toyota Highlander: The Mario of SUVs - 2011 Toyota Highlander
  By jc22 - October 12 - 2:00 pm

  I purchased my V6 Base AWD Highlander early December 2010 because I was expecting my second child in January and simply wanted something affordable, safe and solid to drive the family around in. After an extensive pre-purchase research and 3,000 miles later, I can best described the Highlander as the Mario of SUVs. The Highlander, much like Mario in the Super Mario Brother video game franchise, is not the biggest, strongest, fastest or best looking SUV around. But it just seems to do everything just right (e.g., affordability, fit and finish, interior space / configuration, engine, controls, safety features, comfort, dash layout, MPG) much like Mario. So it is the perfect all-around SUV

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  Age is only a number - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By luvtoyota10 - October 10 - 10:13 pm

  I cant believe this car is 9 years old! It drives as if it was brand new. This is my grandmothers vehicle and it only has 76k miles on it. It handles so nice compared to my 2013 Toyota Highlander. It has hydraulic power steering, not electric, so it has good steering feel with a decent weight. It also corners spectacularly due to its lower ride height. The V6 is just fine for the size. The interior could be roomier. Im over 6 so the front seat is a little cramped. But, it has great cargo versatility, came in handy when I moved. I couldnt lower all of my 2013s seats due to a seat lever malfunction that Im getting fixed. This Highlander, is an amazing car. Had it for 6 years.

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  Nice to look at, boring to drive - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By t2miller - October 7 - 2:00 am

  The quality of the vehicle itself is excellent, but the Toyota side step bars have rusted and been replaced 2 times already. Beware of dealerships trying to sell you extra services also. During servicing (20k miles) it was recommended that coolant be flushed(insisting it was not long- life coolant), perform a brake service AND balance. I declined all of these services and for good reason - I will contact Toyota to express my concerns that a $60 service would have topped $300 after taxes. So why buy a Toyota for reliablity and longetivity if you are paying the cost? Consider Honda if you wish to have the complete Japanese experience.

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  Highlander - Best Buy - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By HighlanderOwner - October 7 - 2:00 am

  It took a while to pick a good mid-size AWD. Final choices were Subaru Forester XT Turbo, Legacy Outback V6 or Highlander V6. Forester has a comparable power, similar price and has about the same, above-average fuel consuption. Then, why not go with the "Best Buy" Highlander instead of "Recommended" Forester? Highlander has been very helpful in the first 6 - 8 inch snowfall. There were no problems getting around or getting the car parked on snowy parking lots. Every hard turn on a slippery road was handled by VSC and traction control without any problems. Very reliable, confident driving. Has a lot of useful hi-tech features plus full-time AWD!

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  A GREAT SUV - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By HIGHLANDER5161 - October 6 - 10:00 am

  A great suv like the lexus rx300 at a cheaper price plus consumer reports rated the the toyota highlander is the best midsuv in its class.

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  Great Car - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Corhap - October 1 - 2:00 am

  This is the first SUV Ive owned. Great car. Quiet and smooth riding. Handled great this past winter in the snow and ice. Hoping for better gas mileage

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  Really good, solid car - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By michelito - September 30 - 4:10 am

  I drive it everyday as my commute car, but have taken it on long trips (more than 3000 miles) and it is a great car. Have been in dirt roads and drives well. Feels almost like a car, but you are higher.

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  A total new impression of boring Toyota - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By lnc - September 29 - 10:00 am

  I testdrove both V6 and 2.4 4cyl models, it showed the difference on a demanding hills, but Toyota did a good job tuning this 2.4l engine, it roars a bit louder, but the power does not drain out at all. So I went ahead and bought the cheaper model. The cabin is impressively quiet crusing on the road, the interior is roomy, nicely designed with a lot of useful storage rooms, and the comfortable driving position is easily found with every button easily reached.