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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  Best Car I have ever owned!! - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By Liz in MD - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle after owning 2 previous Toyotas that I was very pleased with. This is my favorite Toyota YET!! I am constantly told what a comfortable vehicle the Highlander is by all of my passengers. I recently added a baby to the family and the carseat works so well. Other friends are always complaining about how difficult it is to get their carseat in correctly and how the front seat has no room once the babyseat is installed. I have NONE of these problems with the Highlander. I bought this car from Jerrys Toyota in Maryland and the dealership was so great to do business with.

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  Great family vehicle - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Dave from MA - April 25 - 10:00 am

  We purchased a AWD 6cyl about 2 weeks ago and we love it. It is a pleasure to drive compared to our old RAV4. It has plenty of room, silky smooth engine and tranny. After test driving the Highlander and 4Runner back to back, we went with the Highlander for the better ride. Since Honda dealers are not dealing with the Pilot, we figured we could with the Highlander. We got it for below invoice after a $1000 rebate from Toyota.

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  Better Than the Lexus - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By jmarcus - April 25 - 10:00 am

  As a Lexus driver I was disappointed in the RX330 as it has a new engine and new transmission and absolutely no low-end torque. Trying to merge onto the highway is almost impossible. The 2003 Toyota Highlander had the exact engine and transmission combination that I enjoyed in the RX300. The interior is even nicer than the RX300 interior and the purchase price is about $10,000 dollars less. If you look under the hood you couldnt tell which car was which.

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  Bristol Highlander - 2010 Toyota Highlander
  By Bristol Brat - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Purchased Highlander for trips that require lots of room. Have had for approx 6 months. Gas mileage is 21 to 27 mpg. I think the interior dash looks a little cheap. We both enjoy the handling and how the dashboard is laid out. We have no regrets so far and would purchase it again. We did purchase extended warranty due to vehicle having electric power steering.

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  2006 Highlander - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By jelietz - April 20 - 7:40 am

  A thoroughly solid, reliable and dependable SUV. Have owned for 7 months with no problems at all. My 4th Toyota. All have been exceptionally reliable, if not sexy. Basically, the Highlander is as advertised. It is not luxurious, nor exceptionally sexy looking. Its performance is vanilla. However, it does everything well and is a versatile vehicle. A bit disappointed with overall mileage and seats could have more support for longer drives. Engine (V6) is rated as 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. I do very little city driving and my mileage averages about 20 mpg. Highway, about 22 mpg.

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  Love the Highlander - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Reese - April 17 - 5:26 am

  I love my 2008 Toyota Highlander. Yes, there are some issues in the snow with sliding, but this issue is not the vehicle, but rather the tires available for the Limited models 19 inch wheels. Only 2 manufacturers make good tires for this vehicle, and with a lower profile tire, you wont have the traction you would have from a 17 inch or smaller wheel. The ride and gas mileage (23mpg avg.) are great. Some rattling noises from the dashboard in the cold when hitting bumps. Overall Im very pleased with this vehicle. I would recommend buying this vehicle if you want a well equipped, dependable, reliable, quality suv without the large price tag. Toyota has succeeded again.

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  good vehicle - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By S bush - April 14 - 6:00 am

  had a problem with drivers armrest upon delivery, also had rubber around door come loose within 1st tank of gas. Drives well with full load of passengers.

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  great overall crossover - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By bishop05 - April 13 - 2:00 am

  I love this SUV, it has power to spare and spacious front and rear seating. It also handels great in deep snow and in rain

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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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  Good and irritants of a used Highlander - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Darrel - April 1 - 12:53 pm

  I bought a used 6 cy Higlander w 55 K miles - now have 75 K. I like the accelleration, power to pass & cruise at max highway speed, solid highway handling in the Kansas wind and great visibility. The 4wd has proven fabulous in rain, snow and ice. 3 irritants: Major irritant with the ABS/TPM, 2 times Toy. dealer rotated tires recommended every 10K. Takes 2 to 3 trips back to dealer to get it reset without coming on at fist big bump. The reset works but lasts until next bump/dip. Loose nut/broke wire on fan switch was surprise - $$$Ouch to fix. See internet for that problem. MPG is OK but less than I thought at just 21 at 65 mph. Im glad I got the 3rd row seat but grandkids struggle to enter