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 this SUV - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By gillie - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I have owned the Highlander for only two weeks, I couldnt be more pleased! Since 1980 I have owned Volvos, this car is heavier and far better to handle. I purchased with it concern for traveling during snowy weather.

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  Good Vehicle - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By hibank33 - March 17 - 2:00 am

  A good reliable crossover suv.Very safe good gas mileage rides very nice.Wife has had to make 1 evasive maneuver and she said it handled it very well at 40 mph.Rides like a car

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  Not REAALLLY an SUV - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By esiegel2 - March 17 - 2:00 am

  Ive been looking for a larger safer car and settled on the Highlander. I had a crisis of conscience about buying an SUV, but when I drove the 4 cylinder and realized that it was plenty zippy, I got over it. I get mileage comparable to my ford focus SE wagon that the Highlander is replacing, and I feel much safer. It is the best looking car I have ever owned, even better than the pictures.

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  Problem Solved Early - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Dene - March 16 - 9:50 am

  After owning the car a few years, my check engine light would come on and go off. The service manager recommended that I do the cat. converter because it seemed that it was going out and I only had about 15,000 miles before my warranty was up. I think this is problem with some of the Highlanders. And yes, the heater/air is acting up.

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  Toyota Highlander - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By wndsong - March 16 - 8:20 am

  It rides and drives like a car. Very comfortable ride. Tends to feel top heavy when taking curves in mountains at full speed. Plenty of storage behind 2nd seat. Have gotten as high as 29 mpg on the highway. Easy to handle in town driving.

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  Not happy with Toyota - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Kimberly McAllister - March 15 - 12:16 pm

  After doing a lot of research we purchased our 2008 Sport Highlander just three weeks ago. After two weeks of driving it we started to hear a noise when we would accelerate the car. (Mind you it only has 750 miles on it). Long story short we took it in to be checked out and found out we need a new transmission!!!! We are not happy and now doubt the reliability of our car.

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  From a Prius to Highlander... - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Otto - March 13 - 4:09 am

  I recently purchased a 2017 Highlander XLE while my 2010 Prius (107,000 miles) was getting an oil change. Call it an "impulse" buy, but I had been researching the Toyota Highlander for quite some time and with 0% financing available & a great deal from the local dealership, I left my Prius in the service department and drove home a brand new 2017 Highlander in Celestial Silver Metallic. Ive now had it a little over a week. Initial impression? Fantastic vehicle. Very quiet. User-friendly. Creature comforts that arent "over-the-top". Entune system is great. Of course, Im putting more gasoline in it than my former Prius, so that will take some getting used to. My biggest surprise? I emailed my insurance agent to change coverage over to the Highlander and it is over $100/year CHEAPER to insure the brand new 2017 Highlander than it was to insure a 2010 Prius!! What does that tell me? This vehicle is safe on the road. The sight lines are much better than the Prius (thats not really saying much) and the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) is very helpful along with the Lane Departure Alert (LDA). I am enjoying driving a bigger vehicle and will write another review after the "newness" factor wears off a bit. For now, very impressed and confident in this purchase. More to come, later...

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  My 2002 Toyota Highlander - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By dbeard - March 12 - 10:00 am

  Comfortable and smooth. Now my wife always wants to drive my car instead of hers!

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  SUV feels like Car Driving - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Surendra Patel - March 12 - 10:00 am

  Excellent overall, Excellent pickup menuvering, cornering, ride and comfort. Fual economy is acceptable accoring to the weight of the vehicle. Out side look need little improvement.

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  I drive it every chance I get! - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Michellebell - March 9 - 10:46 am

  I was ready to buy a new car for the first time ever. I did oodles of research, lots of test drives and asking friends. I finally hit upon the Highlander as my main interests were comfort and reliability. I had never bought a foreign car before, but my HL has not disappointed. I am 54" and it seems like it was built just for me. My husband, however, is 64" and he seems cramped when he drives it, although he fits better in the passenger seat. Taller drivers may need to look at the Sequoia. I enjoy driving my HL so much, that i drive it at every opportunity!