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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  Love It - 2009 Toyota Highlander
  By Mary - June 22 - 2:10 am

  I went from a 2000 V8 Ford Explorer to the Highlander. The pick-up is great, comfort is exceptional. Very smooth ride, quiet, handles surprisingly well for an SUV. Lots of room.

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  Love My Highlander - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By naturalpsych - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Had the car about a year, no problems whatsoever. Feels very luxurious.

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  After testing many others... - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By christineb - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Highlander! I own my own business and could have gotten a big writeoff with a heavier SUV, but my conscious wouldnt allow me to buy a gas guzzler on the taxpayers bill. I took home and drove many SUVs, some over a weekend. The Pilot was so generic and bland inside, and the driving experience was blah, the Envoy was classy but a gas guzzler. No other SUVs in the low 30s are as well rounded as the Highlander. Its such a well made truck. I used to have a $50k GMC Envoy and this is as plush as that, but better in many other areas. This is my first Japanese car, and I think Ill stick with Toyotas from now on...

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  Excellent vehicle for women - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Cheryl - June 18 - 12:26 am

  Though less macho-looking than the 4- Runner and others like it, this vehicle has a sleek appearance, gives consistently solid performance, and has excellent safety features. Its the perfect car for a woman seeking the advantages of an SUV in terms of cargo space and safety on busy roads. With both sets of rear seats folded away, I can carry my bicycle, dog kennel with dog, and luggage. On the two road trips Ive taken so far, my Toyota has performed well and offers a quiet, solid ride. It is responsive in heavy traffic on city streets as well as on the open highway . I researched cars for two months before deciding on the Highlander Limited, and Ive not regretted my decision at all.

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  Loaded Highlander Limited - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Tony B. - June 17 - 2:00 am

  I have now had my 2002 Highlander Limited for 1 week and am absolutely impressed with the ride, build quality and performance of this car. Six months ago I traded our 99 Lexus RX300 for another car for my wife. The Highlander is our second car and I see many similarities between it and the RX300. This truely surpised me considering a new RX will cost around $40k and I paid invoice of $29k for my Highlander! I cannot say enough good things about the 2002 Highlander Limited!

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  Nice SUV, but the newer model is nicer - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By Brian - June 15 - 9:30 am

  We purchased a 2006 Highlander to replace our 2000 Blazer. We chose to go with the Highlander because we wanted improved fuel economy, but still with a V6/4WD combination. We also were impressed with the safety ratings on the Highlander. Now, the Blazer was OUTSTANDING in the snow, and only time will tell if the Highlander will do well in the snow too. The power delivery from the V6 was better than I expected, but having also test-driven a 2008 model (expensive) it lags in comparison. The transmission is seamlessly smooth, and the suspension in the Sport package makes the vehicle more fun to drive. The third row really only provides adequate room for children, but it is nice to have.

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  So far so good... - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By B.A. - June 14 - 10:15 pm

  Very comfortable. Today 97-98 degrees, a/c comfortable. Stereo good. Bluetooth connection to cell phone/pandora good. Seats very comfortable in front, with firm good support. Would prefer stronger seat covering than cloth, but this is base trim. Would prefer LED or high intensity headlights, but not on this trim. Good acceleration, very good road holding. Road trip from Colorado to Calgary and back via Glacier, Banff, Yellowstone, with 5 adults and baggage comfortable, except for third row seating. Mileage for trip: 24.5 - 25.5 mpg. Car very smooth, and so far, pleasure to drive. Bought Toyota Platinum Extended warranty, zero deductible 125,000 miles, 10 years. Would be great if I never have to use it. So far, I am happy with the purchase. Things to watch for when purchasing: Make sure gas, and temp gauges are working and are accurate. If must be replaced, part of instrument cluster which must be replaced as a unit, and includes the odometer. Toyota can be difficult about this, requiring car to be left at dealer for several weeks while part ordered. Check this thoroughly on test drive.================================================Update 1/15/18: One star removed (now 4 stars) due to perceived cost of future maintenance, see following: This is probably the most comfortable car I have ever owned. It is responsive, quiet, handles well, holds the road well. We are coming from US made Saturns, a 2007 Vue with 216,000 miles and 2004 Ion with 138,000 miles. We keep cars forever, so reliability and longevity are key for us, as well as low costs of ownership, and low maintenance costs. We were looking at RAV4, priced right, but seemed a little cramped... and the salesman suggested Highlander. We drove an LE with V6 and AWD and really liked it. Got a good price and the rest is history. We like how the car drives and looks. Very comfortable, with the performance being there when needed. We are getting approx 24 - 25 mpg with a combination of highway and local driving. We were able to purchase a Toyota extended warranty to 125,000 miles or 10 years (whichever comes first). We would give the car a 5 star rating, except for these items: 1). New plugs are required to maintain the emission warranty every 60,000 miles. To get to the plugs, a manifold must be removed, raising the cost of the service. 2) At 120,000 miles replacement of a brake booster vacuum pump is required as part of regular maintenance. The part alone is over $1,000... and labor is additional. This is required maintenance and not considered an extended warranty item. 3) The wheels appear to be alloy wheels. However, they are coated with clear plastic, which looks like they could be damaged by scraping a curb (ours are still fine, fingers crossed). There seems to be no way to repair this damage other than replacing the wheel, which I am told cost $700 each if purchased from Toyota. I would like Toyota to focus a bit more on low cost of ownership. 4) We have not experienced this problem as we have an LE (manual rear hatch) but there are some reported instances of failure of the electrically operated rear hatch on other Highlander models.

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  THIS IS MY SECOND ONE - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Ladyinblack0404 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I have found this vehicle to be very reliable and a pleasure to drive. This is my second one, and have had no mechanical or other problems.

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  So Proud I Picked The Real Winner - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By NationwideDriver - June 11 - 10:00 am

  Im recently retired at a fairly young age with a goal of trying to see most all areas of our wonderful country. I had the luxury of evaluating and personally test driving 27 vehicles I felt had potential to be the best. The Highlander was chosen. Son of a gun, turns out I made a perfect choice! Shes wonderful! Shes spectacularly satisfying. A quality and truly reliable trooper, as well proven after many miles of often very challenging driving conditions.

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  This IS the one! - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By CeeLee - June 11 - 10:00 am

  We Test drove all the Mid-Size SUVs and drove the Highlander last because the Toyota dealer never had any in stock. As soon as I closed the door for the test drive, I knew this was the one. This car/suv is so well built! 4- cylinder is enough if you dont tow.