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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  2016 Highlander falls short of expectations - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Scott Ahern - February 24 - 2:50 am

  Vehicle feels heavy when accelerating. No HID or rear LED lights available :( Entune System is horrible! Toyota should offer Android Auto & Apple Carplay. it is 2016 you know. Navigation is not always accurate, does a poor job of finding alternate routes. Have to use portable Tomtom GPS for long trips. I would not buy again.

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  We like our Highlander - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By DON - February 22 - 10:00 pm

  We like our Highlander. Our previous vehicle was a 4-Runner. The Highlander has a much more comfortable ride, and gets much better gas mileage. I cant tell that we lost any space either.... it seems we can haul just as much stuff as we did in the 4- Runner. About the only thing I dont like about the vehicle is the exterior styling.... very boring.

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  Lurch Mobile 2 - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Parkerf - February 22 - 9:23 am

  I really liked this car until I had to drive it for longer than one month. There is something really wrong with the AWD transmission on these cars. It hesitates about 5 seconds when you need it to accelerate, stopped on a hill, gave a loud "clump" then went up hill. Transmission cannot keep up with computer is my thinking. Toyota will not admit any problems, been to shop twice. Car lurches while trying (slowly) to change gears, can be dangerous while trying to enter a freeway, hope no one gets killed due to this problem. Also, knobs, rubber is falling off, radio bad. Do not Buy!!!

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  Bought Too Soon - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By notwright - February 19 - 10:00 am

  Only had the vehicle for two days. Thought I really wanted one...did the homework...but I am VERY DISAPPOINTED. The vehicle is too LOUD, and dont open the back windows...youll lose your ear drums...ride is ok...it feels "loose" to me ...the engine ticks and sound "old" ...the leather seats up front are totally uncomfortable...my neck hurts. Its too small up front..no place to put cell, purse, etc. Ill keep it until its okay to trade unless the dealer will take it back (HA HA!!) or anyone out there will buy it for the high end $32+ I paid ( contact me)! Have had a 95 Avalon and like daughters 97 Camry ride better.

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  Second Highlander! - 2011 Toyota Highlander
  By wilk64 - February 17 - 6:21 am

  When the lease expired on our 2008 Highlander Sport we looked at the entire SUV market and ultimately chose to lease another Highlander on 12-15-10. We did upgrade to the Limited. Interior appearance & finish are comparable to Lexus & Acura SUVs and far superior to Kia Sorento SX. Only exterior knock is the new headlight styling, which looks like a hammerhead shark. We used our former Highlander for comfortable long road trips and look forward to using the new one with GPS and XM. While we didnt want the DVD, it came with the vehicle and our three grandchildren love it. "Lets ride in grandmas car" is a common refrain.

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  Fun to drive - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Gus Sonmezler - February 14 - 10:46 am

  Since I bought this suv I only made 5000 miles but test drove few of them. If you like little performance, stay with 6 cylinder model although surprisingly 4 cyclinder performed o.k. but 6 has a great accelaration. On the highway I averaged 24-26 mpg and city is about 19-20 mpg, for V6 this numbers are not bad. Ride quality, suspensions and road noise is much better than 4Runner. I recommend this car if you mostly drive in city or on the highway. Dirt roads and offroad is for 4Runner.

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  Missing refinement - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By Buca800 - February 11 - 2:50 pm

  Solid but plain-Jane SUV. Excellent power train. Comfortable interior. Good layout of instruments and controls. However, it is missing on refinements in the interior. Leather is thin and cheap, wrinkles easily. Hard to clean. Dashboard finish is thin and flakes off if even nicked. Radio antenna is weak and causes poor reception. Too many functions on light and wiper pods, which are unlit and hard to work at night. Cannot see instrument cluster even in daylight conditions. My first Toyota and Im disappointed with the overall chintziness of interior finishes.

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  Best Value in America - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Bike - February 5 - 10:00 am

  Recently purchased, 03 Highlander base model, I travel in sales and this vehicle impresses me more each day. My customers sem to like at well as I have benn driving to the golf outings almost every weekend. My wife loves it as well but, I dont let drive it too much. Great road feel, good acceleration and best of all lots of room to put all my stuff. Best vehicle I have ever purchased, and I have had many. Im 52 and busy.

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  Rock solid - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Jer - February 3 - 5:13 am

  62,000 miles and no problems other than a loose sun visor. 22+ MPG all around, quiet and smooth ride, room for lots of stuff.

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  Not Perfect, But OK - 2010 Toyota Highlander
  By 1toresearch - February 1 - 2:16 am

  My wife and I bought this car as the Family vehicle. Luckily, we purchased an extended warranty when new. The Gold standard I have of a reliable vehicle is just gas it up and go. I also include regular service intervals at dealer. This Highlander is not that vehicle. Although mechanically it seems great the car has its flaws. Automatic tailgate does not work reliably. Ours has been replaced but the problem has returned. Check enthusiast web sites and you can see the problem well described. We have also used our extended warranty on AC water leak into cabin, replaced sensors and a headlight switch. The warranty has paid for itself. My wifes 1st toyota and she does not want another toyota.