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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  2008 Sport AWD - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Max - May 15 - 12:00 am

  I have been looking for cars and reading their specs for 8 months. I decided to wait for the 2008 Highlander and the Nissan Rogue. Although I loved the Rogue my husband complained that his knees/legs hit the center console! I needed these things in a car: comfort, good economy for the vehicle size, takes regular unleaded gas, enough instant pickup to get on the freeway, decent warranty. The V-6 offers as much power as did my V-8 Mountaineer. I am averaging 21 mpg so far. The comfort is not the best but better than most short seated cars in this price range.

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  Super SUV - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By CAROLINAS - May 14 - 10:00 am

  We wanted a SUV style vehicle to replace a Conversion Van. Researched SUVs for quality, design, ride. Also, talked to other with SUVs. The Highlander Limited came out ahead. Im not into off road stuff so a "car-ish" rather than a "truck-ish" ride was, and has been, the best solution for me. My 2002 Highland was purchased used with a Toyota Used Car Certification check. Have had no problems and enjoy driving it in the city and on the highway. Id do it all over again with Toyota.

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  Best Bang for the Buck - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By lilwahine - May 14 - 10:00 am

  By far the most car for the money. Handled better than the MDX or the Lexus and cost thousands less. Drives like a dream - my sister-in-law calls it "the space shuttle."

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  Wished I purchased it sooner - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Casey - May 14 - 10:00 am

  The Toyota Highlander is fun to drive and very comfortable. It does not ride like my last SUV - Jeep Cherokee, which was like being in a truck. This is just like driving a car. I drive 36 miles a day on the highway and if I didnt know that I was driving a SUV, I would swear I am driving a car. I purchased the base model that had a lot of extras on it. The only thing that I dont use is the Home-link remote on the visor. It will not work on the garage door opener. It handled very well in the snow and ice this past winter. I love it and wish I bought it sooner.

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  highlander review - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Rolrhokmom - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Have owned Toyotas for 15 years and this SUV rides like a high quality car. Very easy to drive, park, roomy in the drivers compartment (especially compared to many other SUVs we looked at), and has the reliable toyota name behind it,

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  Abroad - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By SUV - May 9 - 7:46 am

  smooth ride;easy to handle; easy on gas

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  The wind noise! - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Wayne - May 7 - 9:14 am

  Love my new Highlander except for one thing. When I go past 45 or there is a strong crosswind, there is a whistling noise on the front passenger window, nothing on the driver sider. Dealer said its a "normal characteristic" of the car because it occurred in a 2015 Highlander also and there is nothing they can do till Toyota issues a "TSB, " Technical Service Bulletin, on how to fix it. Wind noise would be ok but whistling noise is fairly annoying, especially at highway speed. If a quiet cabin is not an important criteria then this is a great car. Otherwise, I would stay away till its fixed.

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  Comport to drive is below average - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By john ball - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I just bought my Highlander few months ago, so far its okey but i am not really satisfied with the "Fun to drive" Toyota is claiming. Its a little sluggish when the motor is cold and the cargo area is not that big for SUV.The back seat is very small for tall person (im 6`3 tall) I will give this car 4 out of 10.Wish i bought a Honda SUV.

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  AWESOME SUV - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By V-MAN - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Test drive the six and the four cylinder. The six cylinder is definately the choice model. It has been about a year since i picked up the 2002 Highlander and it has been perfect. Smooth and powerful v-6, comfortable interior, great handling for Suv and good gas milelage. Everything you need is a mid-sized Suv.

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  relief to have a reliable car - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By RVincent10 - April 30 - 2:00 am

  this vehicle is a wonderful blend of car and suv. having had a 97 ford explr xlt, there is no comparison. the ford was unreliable and required numerous repairs. once it died in busy traffic with an emissions failure. It also had a squeak and numerous rattles ... My 00 honda also has a rattle over bumps.. the highlander had a rattle when the sunroof was open, but once the luggage rack was adjusted and tightened it was gone. the highlander has better handling than the ford. Although it seems to roll abit on turns, if you push it and turn at a higher speed, it grips the road firmly and doesnt tilt much more than it did at lower speeds.