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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  2012 highlander - 2012 Toyota Highlander
  By kingsford1 - January 11 - 9:39 pm

  I had a 2007 Rav4 which I liked very much. The new Highlander has a nicer, quieter ride it does not has as much power-pick-up as the rav 4. I hope that the reliability is as good as the Rav. I like my highlander thank you toyota.

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  Just got it - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By TrishG - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I just picked up my Highlander today. I traded in a 1999 4Runner with high mileage. So far, so good. I really had my heart set on another 4Runner, but, I really enjoyed the test drive. Its got great pickup a smooth ride and great handling. Im going to ease into it adjusting for the 4Runner- but Im sure it will be a breeze

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  stupendous - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By SPARKY - January 6 - 9:53 pm

  It was the most fabulous suv I have ever driven and the people at autofair toyota were the most helpful, knowledgeable, fair priced and best people I have ever had the privledge of doing buisness with.

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  Awesome SUV - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Ronn - January 5 - 6:33 pm

  Hey Highlander lovers, after trading an Avalon 05 for a Rav4 08 in October, I realized that after 3 months, I wasnt as happy as I missed the features I had on the Avalon and traded for the Highlander. The Highlander Limited AWD 08 is a perfect SUV for me, and I love it ! The interior space is large enough for me as I am 62. The leather seats are very comfortable, and I love the instrumentation on the dash. I enjoy the lighted cup holder feature for night driving. It has a very smooth, quiet ride, and the Blizzard Pearl color looks fantastic on the SUV. The navigation is much easier than the Avalon, as it has a touch pad. Before you buy your next SUV, drive a Highlander. You will love it!

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  exel - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By laurie roberts - January 5 - 2:00 am

  well toyota make very + good vehicles.i had six of them 86/cressads/96landcruis/98cruis/01 rav4/01highlander/now 04 ighlander i love the 04 great suv.the only thing on the 04 the gas burn like a v8.i dont know if the tank hold less gas than the 01 but it burn gas.

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  Endless Rattling - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Highlander2002 - January 4 - 10:33 pm

  I had bought this car used at a local dealership with 10k miles on it. After a few months, I had started to notice some minor rattling coming from the trunk area. I had brought it back to the dealership and they claimed to have replaced some clips. Still rattles. A few months later, I bought it to another dealership for the recall and again complained about the rattle. They added some foam, but the noise is still there. Over the years, more rattling started to appear from the dash and trunk. Its beginning to sound like my old 1984 Supra. At least the car is reliable. Hasnt broken down once.

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  Great all around vehicle - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Alan - January 4 - 10:53 am

  Rides just as well as our Camry XLS and has cargo space to boot. Driver position is good, not too low or too high. Good compomise vehiclem with best features of a sedan and a SUV. Good gas mileage for a SUV.

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  Super Vehicle - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By B Whitcomb - January 4 - 9:43 am

  Performed extensive research to find economical vehicle with a 5000 lb towing capability. No competition. Best economy with 5000 lb towing. Excellent economy achieved 24.8 MPG on first 1000 miles round trip to NC mountains, 5000 ft elevation. Exceeded EPA mileage estimates on first tank. Quiet at 60+ stereo super, love auto rear opener. Sport suspension stiffer than base and Limited. I prefer stiffer. Able to select transmission gearing, a plus for towing. Second seats can be moved forward and aft as well as folded flat. Rear auto door is a real plus for convenience.

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  BEST CAR IVE EVER OWNED - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By guit - January 3 - 10:00 am

  I OWN A 4RUNNER ALSO AND THIS VEHICLE (HIGHLANDER) GIVES ME THE TOYOTA QUALITY WITH COMFORT, UTILITY, STYLE AND CONVIENENCE. MY WIFE AND I LOVE THIS VEHICLE (AND I DONT FIND CARS VERY EXCITING).

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  Awesome Vehicle - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By i love my toyota - January 3 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love my Highlander. The smooth ride and performance is incredible. I test drove the competition before making my purchase and this is by far the best ride. Taking Toyotas reputation for excellence into consideration, this is a vehicle youre sure to love.