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, the real energizer bunny - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By Bill Ridgeway - February 12 - 5:39 pm

  The only pricey maintenance item is the required timing belt replacement every 100,000 miles so when this Highlander keeps going for over 200,000 miles you will need to budget $500 for each change, otherwise just oil changes, tires and brakes

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  2008 Highlander - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Dave - February 12 - 1:33 am

  Love the vehicle. First new vehicle for me in 20 years. Very nice drive. More confortable and better handling then Pilot test drive.

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  Excellent choice - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By toycannon - February 11 - 1:03 pm

  Gave back 05 pilot for the 08 highlander. Huge improvement in looks, ride comfort, shifter location, a/c, stereo, moonroof. Miss homelink and split 3rd row. Display gives you current mpg and different useful data as well as back up camera. Very quiet, steering feel is light.

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  2004 highlander 8cl - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Antonio Borrell - February 11 - 10:00 am

  Is one of the best suv I ever drove.

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  What a machine - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By jim - February 9 - 2:00 am

  I recently bought a 2003 Highlander Limited edition and I can honestly say it is a Lexus with a Toyota badge. What a satisfying experience it is to drive this machine. Just Awesome. Jim

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  BEST SUV Ive ever owned!! - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Marianne - February 9 - 2:00 am

  My last 2 SUVS were Jeep Grand Cherokees. I never thought Id drive anything else. A friend recommended the Toyota Highlander and I went for a test drive. Not only did it drive MUCH better than the Jeep, the interior was more attractive, the seats folded down much easier and the price was WELL below that of Jeep Grand Cherokee. I also cant say enough about Toyota of Westport. They were incredible..helpful, knowledgeable and extremely consumer friendly. I LOVE my Highlander and I am delighted with its performance.

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  Toyota Highlander Is an Excellent SUV - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By dshimmel - February 3 - 2:00 am

  My wife uses this vehicle for work driving about 130 miles a day and is totally in love with it. It is a comfortable and reliable vehicle. It has had no maintenance problems in its first year only a rattle in the console that is uneconomical to correct. She intends to get another one in 2004.

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  Great Handler! - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By rfrank - February 3 - 2:00 am

  The only problem I have is the sound system. It is the worst of the worst! My steering wheel was also off-center when driving down a straight stretch of road.

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  Best vehicle to buy - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By vicedmunds - February 3 - 2:00 am

  We are very satisfied with the Highlander. The customers reviews on Edmunds were very valuable. The issue concerning thumping wind noise when either single or both windows open was true. Maybe they designed it this way to discourage passengers from opening the rear windows when the vehicle is moving. Also the radio on the model that we purchased didnt have the best sound, another point that one of the customers mentioned. The ride, power, gas mileage and build in this vehicle are best in the market.

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  Highlanders a Winner! - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Jim Martin - February 3 - 2:00 am

  This is a VERY comfortable car to drive. I am 64" and I find the drivers seat to be the most comfortable in any vehicle in its class. I drive over 80 miles per day, and the Highlander makes the drive very enjoyable. The 4 cylinder engine is a great cruising engine and it is economical. Highly recommend the Highlander to prospective buyers.