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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  A Great Choice - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By JoeWino - January 31 - 10:00 am

  We have had 7 Toyota Cars over the years but this is our first Toyota SUV. Handles like a car. Great pick up. very nice features. I expect this one to be around our house a long time. got a great deal from the dealer. Bought it over the internet for 100 over invoice. Fully loaded. Wife is happy so what can I say. We still have a 96 Avalon that runs like the day I bought it only now it has 115,000 on it. The 99 Tacoma is my daughters now and it is still going strong. Great value and you get quite a bit for the money. Plus you get Toyota quality. Go buy one!

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  disappointed - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By gcoffey - January 21 - 12:03 pm

  This is our fourth Toyota. We are pleased overall with the Highlander. However, we are having problems with the alignment. Currently, have 23,000 miles. The 6yr/100,000 mile tires are experiencing unusual wear due to back wheel mis-alignment. These tires require rotation and balancing ever 6000 miles(our dealer charges $49.50). To this point the dealer is not standing behind the warranty for alignment.

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  So Far - So Good - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By bleubyu - January 17 - 5:50 am

  Although I have not had the HL for very long, I know I made the right choice. I was previously considering the CRV and new RAV4, but the HL flat out blows them into the weeds in terms of comfort and utility. The Limited Model with leather seats and a few other options is basically a Lexus 330 for $12k less. Toyota is aggressively pricing these puppies. Materials and workmanship seem excellent. Sound system is very good. I needed one totally practical vehicle in the line-up and the HL nails it!

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  decent, good vehicle - no wow factor - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By jack - January 15 - 9:00 pm

  Our Highlander is very comfortable and functional, but we dont drive much. The transmission seems ill-suited to puttering around the city; it always seems like it wants us to accelerate more abruptly. Plenty of cargo room for longer hauls with kids. Weve had one loose speaker since purchase that Ive been too lazy to fix.

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  2016 Highlander - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By David Allyn - January 14 - 9:23 pm

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  Love This Vehicle - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By lmhadley - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Have had the car for 7-8 months and have had nothing but outstanding performance. Not one problem!! Only downside is gas mileage. Have taken it on several trips and it has performed as I had hoped. Would highly recommend this vehicle.

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  Good Switch from a - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Good to Go - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Having worn-out our second Blazer we hit the lots looking for another SUV. Tried the new GM products...Envoy, Trailblazer, Tahoe...but one drive in the Highlander and we were hooked. The Camry base is evident over the other SUV offerings, with a car like drive and handle...smooth, comfy and hugs the road. We do not tow but appreciate the peppy V6, traction system and mpg...a quality buy!

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  From Explorer to Highlander - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By SacDriver - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I used to drive an Explorer unitl I recently sold it and got a Highlander. The ride and comfort is like night and day. The Highlander is so smooth and responsive. Its a joy to drive. The interior is classic, comfortable and well designed, while the engine is quiet and reliable. The only complaint is when the rear windows are rolled down with the front windows up, it sounds like a helicopter is landing on you. Ive heard of this condition with the Highlander before and it is loud, but we never drive with only the rear windows down so its not a real problem for us.

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  quality - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By morrison - December 31 - 8:03 pm

  Went from a mini van to limited Highlander. I have watched and wanted one for while. Love the comfort and style. We got leather, and love it. Also like the stereo.

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  Highlander - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Dolly - December 31 - 12:10 pm

  I enjoy this vehicle. It is very comfortable and roomy. It has a really nice stereo system and the air conditioning cools off the vehicle quickly. The heat is excellent also.