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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  Drives, handles an including looks -as advertised! - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By josehums - May 25 - 2:39 pm

  ride is quiet and smooth, and has an interior that really looks and feel roomy (have 2-row captain chairs). handsome styling too. handles good on the road.

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  Love my highlander - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Mary - May 24 - 4:30 pm

  I have owned my highlander 8 mos. and would buy another one in a minute! Did a lot of research, drove several cars within in all major brands. This was my #1 choice. It has been great all the way around - very comfortable, good mileage (24 mpg hwy)and fits our family of 4 great. No regrets - two thumbs up!

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By ajohnbeck - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the base model highlander for almost 2 years now and couldnt be happier. With 52000 miles and nothing more than oil changes and tire rotation. This car has all the power anyone could need in the base 4 cyl. I average 24.5 mpg with mixed city/interstate driving. Great vehicle!

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  Highlander AWD 6cyl - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By KevinW - May 22 - 10:00 am

  Highly recommended,car like ride and handling. Somewhat small interior. Typical Japanese suspension and seats (both very tight), unlike the plush, cushiony feel of American designed cars and SUVs.

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  Great value for the Buck - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By L. Harvey - May 22 - 10:00 am

  The Toyota was my choice due to location of the dealer; price; previous experience. For the $8000 difference in the RX300( my other car) and the Highlander, I opted for the larger usable space. On its first road trip I got over 22 mpg during the 1700 miles including local driving in and around DC and travel through the Tennessee and Georgia mountains. Comfort was great The seats easily fold down. Plenty of storage space. The automatic air conditioning worked great. No worry about the power antenna in the car wash. Purchase price was under $30,000 for the Limited AWD with leather; 6 disc changer; sunroof and tow package

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  A Great Value SUV - 2010 Toyota Highlander
  By Mike - May 19 - 5:26 am

  I traded my 2007 Camry LE because I wanted to get back in an SUV. I looked at 4Runners, Muranos, GMCs, and Volvos and was very close to buying the Infiniti FX35. My girlfriend suggested that I drive a Highlander, best advice Ive gotten in a while. I drove the Highlander and was hooked. I selected the Limited AWD, classic silver, sunroof, and black leather interior. The interior gives you maximum space for 4 or more passengers, a much greater value when compared to the FX35. It actually has an echo when the doors are closed, I kid you not! Easy and fun to drive and looks great at the curb. I added running boards and side moldings to complete the trim and glad I did.

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  Bought it for safety devices - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Jim Yuhas - May 12 - 7:56 pm

  Im 74 and can use a little help driving. I like the lane departure warning and blind spot warming. I havent need the forward collision warning but Im glad it is there if I dont notice someone has slowed ahead of me. In other brands I could only get these features in upper trim levels at much higher costs. Other brands were as much as $10,000 higher to get all the new safety features.

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  We love it - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Kevin - May 2 - 1:20 pm

  We wanted to graduate out of our wagon. Our decision came down to Mazda CX-9, Hyunda Veracruz, and the Highlander. The Veracruz seemed a little more luxurious, but we were hesitant about reliability/resale. The best part about the Highlander is that there was nothing in the "con" list except maybe initial price. But take into account resale, and that goes away.

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  Used 2002s Are Awesome!! - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By mechanicsrule923 - May 2 - 8:23 am

  I currently own two 2002 models - one with 110,000 miles, the other with 170,000. And theyre still perfect! Toyota did it right with these models. The interior is still modern by todays standards. And the 3.0L V6 is a beast! It runs so smoothly and quietly; and yet it is extremely powerful and responsive. Weve never had a problem - no leaks, no noises, no dysfunctions. Ive replaced typical parts: tires, air filters, oil, bulbs, etc. and it runs like new! The parts are easy to find and cheap, too! My other cars are at least $60,000 each; but the $14,000 I spent on each of these Highlanders was much better spent! If you find one, buy it!

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  2017 highlander - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Larry williams - April 29 - 7:50 pm

  Very nice car. Rides incredibly smooth. Quiet