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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  HIGHLANDER - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By akapb - June 7 - 10:00 am

  A truly outstanding value. Very pleasant to drive and very ergonomic for driver and passengers. This car has drawn many compliments...it really is a car shaped like a SUV.

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  Happy with my choice. - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Tom - May 30 - 11:14 am

  Spent many months researching before buying and ended up with an old favorite. This is our second highlander and it is even better than before. We found a 2017 certified used (Dealer rental) and negotiated a real good deal. Under $40,000 with 100,000 bumper to bumper warranty. Only thing less than perfect are the front seat comfort is not quite soft enough for my old back (my wife who is picker than me has no complaints and thinks the ride is better than her Lexus) and the voice activated command is very temperamental. I think that a little adjustment on my part will bring these up to Toyota standards.

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  A winner from Toyota - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By garshir5 - May 30 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I were not happy with the downsized SUV offerings.... until (drum roll please) we decided to "upscale" a tad and try out the Highlander. Comfort and ride are in a whole different class than the aforementioned minis and with our 2wd v6 drive base model equipped with fender flares, rear spoiler, bug deflector, roof rack, four-wheel discs, reese hitch/wiring, privacy glass, 8-way power seat, keyless entry, Steller alloy wheels, and a few other goodies - well - this baby was a like a glove fit for us. (Ive added McNeil WeatherFlectors and taillight covers to "butch-up" the all white Highlander....so far).

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  poor transmission - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By karen18 - May 29 - 1:20 am

  V6 AWD automatic drives like a manual transmission driven by someone who doesnt know how to shift. Toyota says all is within specifications and transmission will "learn" how I drive. Hasnt yet. Hesitation, overreving, underreving, hard shifting. Console area leaves a lot to be desired. Not enough spaces to put things. Speedometer should only go to 110mph; half of it is never used. Lumbar support is nice. Vehicle has a good amount of room. Wouldnt buy again.

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  Great SUV - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By sam1960 - May 26 - 2:00 am

  This SUV has won my heart over any vehicle I have ever owned. The smooth, quiet ride and handling are very impressive. Its comfortable, roomy, easy to drive. Does not have that "truck" feel most SUVs have. Provides a large amount of cargo space and the seats fold down with ease. The AWD works unbelievably well in slippery/snowy conditions. Solid vehicle. The standard VSC (vehicle stability control) and traction control combined with the ABS and EBD (electronic brake force distribution) are wonderful features!

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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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  Love my Highlander - 2012 Toyota Highlander
  By nailar - May 22 - 5:06 pm

  I am a Toyota girl. I started off with the Corolla, then upgraded to the Camry. When my Camry was stolen and stripped (rest her soul..parts), it was time to start the car search again. Instinctively I decided on the Highlander but then I decided to actually research rather than go with loyalty. After a month of research, I ended up back at the Highlander. I do not regret my choice what so ever. I purchased in Aug 2012, and I only now feel that my mileage is starting to live up to what was advertised. However, even in the beginning it was the same as my Camry, so I am satisifed. This SUV is perfect for a family with children. I needed more space because of my son, and I love it very much.

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  Love it! - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Julie B. - May 22 - 4:49 pm

  Couldnt be happier with the car! Exceeds expectations!

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  The Best - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By rogan - May 21 - 10:00 am

  This is the best vehicle I have ever owned. Great ride , good mileage and as dependable as can be.

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  Love Toyota! - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By MAS - May 17 - 10:46 pm

  I previously drove a minivan and wanted to downsize as well as switch to a SUV. After researching online and test driving for months, I finally decided on the Highlander. I love that it drives like a car, not a truck. It handles extremely well and has great pickup. Im currently getting about 20 mpg in the city which is more than what is advertised. So far, couldnt be happier with my decision. The one thing I do not like is that it does not have automatic door locks. This would be a great safety feature at very minimal (or no) cost.