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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  Poor Transmission - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By Chuck - April 26 - 11:20 am

  Have had rough downshift from day one. Took the car to local Colorado springs dealer and they say within specs, cant do anything. On slight uphill and SLOW advance of throttle the transmission (20-30% of time) SLAMS into a lower gear. Sometimes feels like it drops two gears. Just bought new Infinity and the shifting in all directions is silky smooth. Cant imagine buying another Toyota. Rest of the car is OK, not great but OK. Clumsy third rear seat.

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  I tried to like it, but at the end trade it in for Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring only after 1 year. - 2011 Toyota Highlander
  By convert777 - April 25 - 8:59 am

  Positive: Suppose to have stellar reliability and has a good resale, quick, relatively roomy and comfortable if you are not a driver. Negatives: Most surfaces and materials dont belong in $40,000 car (ok with me) , drives like minivan/truck crossover with very light and not communicative steering (does not drives, but floats), 3 rd row not usable - not just because of size/just plywood covered in cheap vinyl, no blind spot monitoring ( a must because of size, blind spots), no adaptive xenon headlights, average MPG for it size ( computer always overstate by 1 MPG). Toyota keeps being arrogant and substantially raised prices for 2012 without any improvements, that worked in my favor. My last 5 cars were Toyotas. After buying my first Mazda and then a Subaru I discovered that they are build as good or better than Toyota and pleasure to drive. Checked with Consumer reports and others and discovered that it is not only my opinion: Subaru and Mazda are higher rated that Toyota. Replaced 2011 Highlander Limited with 2012 CX-9 GT for only $2000 extra (no financing): pleasure to drive and handing like compact CUV/sedan (yet substantially bigger than Highlander), very usable 3rd row, near luxury interior/exterior, all the extras and safety futures not even available in Highlander, reliability should be terrific also - six year of the model and built in Japan.

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  The best of the best - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Kyle Ginder - April 24 - 9:43 pm

  Excellent vehicle all around. I have the sport model and love the looks of it, and it handles great. Toyota has really outdone themselves w/the highlander. The only negative things I have to say about it is that I dont care for the headlights when switched to brights but dims work great and head rests are just a little to far forward.

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  Rattles a Surprise - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Surprised - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Overall I love to drive my Highlander. Its quick, nimble and quiet (for a SUV). However, after 20k miles there are two rattles in the interior. Toyota charges a premium for their vehicles and I used to think it was well worth it due to the quality...Im starting to wonder now.

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  for familys only - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By kern - April 16 - 3:56 pm

  great unit,very comon looking,no personality

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  You Cant Go Wrong - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By brian - April 16 - 2:26 am

  This was my first new car purchase ever and my wife and I couldnt be happier. We thought we would have buyers remorse after shelling out ~$40k for a Toyota, but it was well worth it. The car drives wonderfully, has a great exterior, incredible handling and features, and I feel like I purchased a Lexus. All of the features and upgrades are worth it. And I love the push button start and JBL stereo.

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  Great vehicle - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By mhuber - April 15 - 10:00 am

  The first night we were coming home after purchasing the vehicle, a car sped out in front of us on a snow covered highway. We were traveling about 45 MPH. The car handled great and we were able to avoid a collision.

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  trailer package - 2011 Toyota Highlander
  By dave354 - April 13 - 7:37 pm

  I bought my highlander with the trailer page. All the printed material clearly states the package come with a wiring harness. When I got it home I found no such harness. A check at nthe dealer confirmed there was no such harness, it must be purchased. Most of the in the service department were aware of this fact. After a discussion with the sales department, they agreed with me that the printed material from Toyota and the window sticker clearly stqated that a harness was included in the trailer package. The sales department had it installed at no charge. Cramer Toyota of Venice Florida did an excellent job of resolving my problem. but Toyota clearly has an advertising problem .

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  Exceeds my expectations!! - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Bullet - April 12 - 2:50 pm

  The new Highlander is a must see/must drive vehicle if you are in the market for a new SUV. While a crossover by design, it can still tow 5,000 lbs. Yet rides and handles as well as a car. Its a super quiet vehicle and leans to the luxury side of the market. Feels like youre driving a Lexus. More gadgetry than you can learn in a week. Ive had it a week now and am still learning. I think the gas mileage is good considering its an SUV. I get as good as my old 1996 Isuzu Oasis which was a 4 cyl. and there is no comparison as to power. This thing really moves! Quality materials and build. This vehicle is a real winner for Toyota!

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  Comfortable and reliable - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Dean - April 12 - 3:33 am

  My 2004 model is 4 cyl. but perfectly adequate for driving in the hilly country we live in and good in the snow. It is very comfortable with solid construction that feels much less tinny than our (previous) Honda CRV and more comfortable and quieter than our Subarus. It is easy to drive, handles well, has decent gas mileage for an SUV. We have had it almost a year and have about 10,000 miles on it and have had no problems at all, also unlike the Honda which had a series of small problems and malfunctions (like key chimes which were fixed over and over again). We would rate it a perfect 10 except for one thing: the body seems pretty easily dented and scratched.