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 Review - 2017 Toyota Highlander
By Gary Wallpe - February 7 - 11:04 pmThis car is perfect for us. We like the luxury of a nice car but also want something that can carry 4 golfers with clubs and luggage. This car is great. We also want to upgrade our 2009 Avalon (which was a great vehicle also) to some of the new safety features. This Highlander is loaded with safety features!!! I love the inside and outside look of the car also! Perfect for us and I know the Toyota reliability will be there. The price of a Toyota is high but the resale is also high. I love the 7 year, 100,000 mile extended warranty for the vehicle also! What a deal at a cost of $1400!
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Fun to drive - 2009 Toyota Highlander
By Yiwen - February 7 - 6:30 pmIts an amazing upgrade from my 98 Madza MPV all-sport. Drives like a sedan. Sometimes I felt its even quieter than my wifes 04 Camry. The engine is powerful and quiet even when driving up the Cottonwood canyon mountain resorts. Well designed interior controls, which are large and easy to reach. Storage is plenty with many cup-holders. I consistently get 21 mpg (city/highway combined) for my commute to work. Trip to California in July on highway and gets consistent 24 mpg. View isnt as good as my MPV (maybe Im still trying to get used to it).
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Great SUV for very decent price - 2003 Toyota Highlander
By Barbara - February 6 - 11:06 pmLove this car. Leased it and will purchase at lease end. Very comfortable and handles well. Feels like a car but much better.
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This is a great car - 2004 Toyota Highlander
By mslrupton - February 5 - 2:00 amI bought this SUV because it had been rated excellent and I am so glad I did. Its beautiful to look at and so much fun to drive. I dont have to fill up as often with this SUV as my parents do with their Honda Pilot.
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Third Row Seats - 2010 Toyota Highlander
By Larry - January 31 - 2:36 pmWithout question I would recommend any Toyota product. I have been driving a Toyota vehicle since 2003 and have been very pleased. The Highlander is a great SUV. The only problem is the 3rd row seat. The cup holders take up a lot of the storage space. The 3rd row seat is now standard and is something my wife and I dont need. Toyota should go back and make this optional or change the design to eliminate this problem.
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I LOVE MY HIGHLANDER!! - 2005 Toyota Highlander
By Tonia - January 29 - 12:23 pmTruely drives like a car with the room of an SUV. You gotta get the navigation system. Amazing!
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Just out of warranty, radio, Nav unit broke - Ugh - 2013 Toyota Highlander
By osfans - January 27 - 12:29 am2013 Highlander LTD. We are just out of warranty and the radio and Nav unit started going crazy and would operate on its own. We brought it to the dealer to find out its going to cost $1500- $2000 to fix. The reason I bought a Toyota is so that we would not have these issues. Anyone else have these issues?
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Should have ignored rep and bought hybrid - 2012 Toyota Highlander
By dvdmllr - January 26 - 9:20 pmI was debating about the Limited V6 4wd with the hybrid or just going with the standard gas model. The rep convinced me that I didnt really need the hybrid that the mileage would be just fine. I do a lot of highway miles yet Im still just getting an average of 16 mpg. Ive been told then when I hit 10k miles it will improve but its not even at city mileage right now so not holding my breath. I am also frustrated with the number of rattles in a brand new vehicle that the dealership cant seem to find and fix. Makes it seem like I bought a used vehicle.
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My second toyota highlander - 2004 Toyota Highlander
By Rjudyj - January 24 - 10:00 amI especially like the way the front seat fits my lower back. This is the 2nd one Ive bought for this reason. The car also feels very safe and is a good size for a woman who enjoys driving an suv, travels between two states frequently, and hauls many things. Also the gas mileage is good for an suv, I think 21+ depending on where I am.
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Luv My Highlander - 2004 Toyota Highlander
By sparklingwater - January 24 - 10:00 amOnly had my Highlander two weeks and I absolutely love it. The ride is smooth, the handling great. The inside is designed well. Anyone looking for a SUV with the comfort of a smooth ride, look no further.
