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 has read too many of its headlines - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By gary rainford - September 16 - 5:33 pm

  Overall the Highlander is a solid vehicle that will probably perform well over time & hold its value. However, dont believe the 18-24 fuel rating. I just took it on a 250 mile trip, drove conservatively on the highway & averaged a whopping 17.9 MPG. Also, the electronics are ok, but given this is a 2016 model, the user interface could definitely use some fine tuning.

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  Highlander All Star - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Highlander All-star - September 11 - 11:18 pm

  This is a great Crossover with few compromises. We cross shopped the typical competitors; Honda, Mazda, Hyundai, GM, etc. Given we have/had a Mazda CX-5 and 6, thought it was natural we would end up in the CX-9. The CX-9 had too many compromises in practicality and options that didnt over come the driving fun part - this is a family commuter. The fact that Toyota Safety Sense is included is a real bonus. The lane departure and radar cruise control are features you never knew you needed before. There are more goodies that add up in terms of practicality and comfort. Items like 2nd row shades, heated front seats, heated mirrors, large 8"UI screen, 5 USB outlets, tri-climate control, leather seating in front rows, full function moon roof, a intercom system, solid V6 / 8spd auto, auto start/stop (could do without), ample small storage-notably the mid-shelf in the dash, navigation, power liftgate, reclining seats in the 2nd and 3rd row too, and a window hatch that opens independent of the rear gate! For us the Captains / bucket seats in the 2nd row was a must because of having supervision for multiple car seat riders that can be tended to without crazy gymanastics. All the above without having to step up to the top expensive trims; like in other brands. The higher trims on the Highlander have nice options but not worth the money for our lifestyle. Worth test driving the competition but currently there is no comparison in our minds in terms of the options, safety, reliability, and over all package performance. Keep the factory add ons to a minimum and you can get a good out the door price; keeping in mind you are in the market for a 3 row cross over. Online price comparisons dont always talk about the dealer fees and sales tax but it adds up. We were out the door for no more than $40K (2017 HL XLE AWD - Silver - Cptn Chairs OPTs - All weather mats, rear bumper protector) Good luck and safe driving.

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  Very Good - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By vasant123 - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I fell in love with SUV and finally it made to buy it. It is wonderful.

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  03 Highlander - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Palmer2345356 - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Highlander is okay. Seats feel kind of hard, and sometimes you can hear the engine. Drive is comfortable though, and, it is a Toyota so you know your gas mileage is up there. I would have rather gotten a Jeep Grand Cherokee, or a Chevrolet Tahoe, but this was the way that the majority of the family wanted to go.

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  2006 Highlander Nice choice - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By gary - September 3 - 12:53 pm

  Typical good Toyota quality, interior very bland and plain, small armrest, 3rd seat is so small it is unusable Smooth running, great in the snow. with 4WD Overpriced compared to other similar SUV But is a good vehicle with no problems so far.

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  Worth It - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Bigchief - September 2 - 9:36 pm

  I only have owned for 2 weeks, but this vehicle has surpassed my expectations. I researched and tested Acadia and Mazda CX9, however, based on the features and looks of the Highlander, this was my choice. I am hoping the maintenance and cost of ownership of the Toyota reputation is valid with this vehicle. I have received many "thumbs-up" gestures from older Highlander drivers. I chose the Sport with a lot of extras. Would have been easier to deside if a greater selection of Highlanders were on the lot, but I am thrilled with the color and vehicle I ordered.

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  highlander - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By allen - September 2 - 3:03 am

  Overall, a very reliable car. This is my second Highlander SUV and so far no mechanical problems.

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  This car fits me fine! - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By DS - August 29 - 8:20 am

  This was my first SUV. I fought with the Camry; Im tall & that car was too low and hard getting in and out. The Highlander just "fits" me. I love being above the sedans and eye-to-eye with SUVs. It is very comfortable to drive. I had some windows limo-tinted providing privacy and better interior temp in summer. Pump sticker shock, yes, but I watch the useful realtime mpg indicator to gauge how Im driving. Drivers see you when youre coming and dont pull out in front of you as often. Opening rear windows w/o front open = weird noise and eardrum pressure. I plan to have this car 10 years or more, even with the gas prices.

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  First Impressions - 2009 Toyota Highlander
  By George - August 20 - 4:00 am

  Pros: Very sharp looking SUV. Nice lines. Paint and trim seem to be above par. Quiet when driving and it has a great sound system with the JBL 6 Disc. Very smooth shifting vehicle with plenty of power from the V6. Cons: Front seats are not designed for men. Im 61" tall and find it hard to get into a comfortable driving position. Seats are also way too hard and do not offer enough leg support. The Sport model rides rough on uneven surfaces. However, it is very smooth on even highway roads. Currently experiencing an odd shutter at light throttle use. This is a random event and may go away with time once the computer learns our driving habits. Overall: Nice vehicle for my wife.

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  Overall Great With a Few Questions Marks - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Trying to Decide - August 19 - 11:43 am

  I purchased in 2007 with under 30,000 mi. Now at 95,000 mi curious if itll start needing repairs. Until now, virtually maintenance free. Snatches a little at take off or low speeds; hope no transmission issue. Love the height and lumbar support for my aching back. Its really easy to park and handling is good. Miss the handling of my sporty Acura coupe, but love the fact I can make the long trips without constant stops to stretch my back. Sometimes wish I had AWD, but we get snow once or twice a year, so I just park up the hill on level ground. Spoiled with the cargo space-I dont want a car! Great vehicle overall, but a little overpriced purchased new. Happy I made this purchase.