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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  Best car I have ever had - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Michelle Earnest - July 11 - 8:30 pm

  I have put 60,000 miles on my Highlander in 2 years. It is reliable, fun to drive, comfortable and roomy. The DVD player is great for the kids and the JVC stereo system is awesome. The heated seats are a nice upgrade. Mileage is a solid 22mpg. Air conditioning is a big improvement over my previous Dodge minivan - cools down quickly and maintains temp well. I would buy another one without question!

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  a quality vehicle - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By mon - July 11 - 10:00 am

  We did our homework on SUVs over a period of months & time & time again,we kept returning to the Toyota highlander. With the quality built into this vehicle,we can see ourselves holding on to this vehicle for a good 6 or 7 years or possibly longer.In other words,you get what you pay for.

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  12 Highlander Limited Tech and Tow - 2012 Toyota Highlander
  By hyetek - July 9 - 12:19 am

  Traded my Tacoma 4x4 short bed extended cab for the 12 Highlander Limited with Tech and Tow package. Highlander does not have the nooks and crannys that are in the Tacoma, but it is a much smoother ride. Used the Tacoma 4x4 on several occassions, but have yet to try the Highlander 4x4. Same mpg as the truck. Backup camera is useless for the .0000001% of the time I need it.

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  From Venza To Highlander - 2013 Toyota Highlander
  By luvtoyota10 - July 8 - 9:31 pm

  I traded in my 2010 Toyota Venza for this Highlander because I wanted something more refined and comfortable. And I was right with choosing the Highlander. The ride is so quiet that when I had the radio off once, I only heard the A/C when I was going 40 mph. The ride is so smooth, reminds me of a 2011 Toyota Camry I drove. This car is so much more refined than my Venza. So Quiet. Its also easier to get out of, especially for my grandmother. I also feel safer in this. Ive only had it for three weeks, So I will do another review after I drive through the snow with it. The car handles well, its not thrilling or bad. The steering is better than My Venzas. This is my 5th Toyota.

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  Highlander good on ugly roads - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By sparky - July 7 - 10:30 am

  We are happy with the highlander. 4 wheel drive is great in mud and snow/ice. We travel 30% on gravel roads. Lots of power and reasonably good fuel mileage 10 to 11 L/100 km hwy.

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  Best Toyota in Town - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Ryan Patterson - July 7 - 10:00 am

  I baught this car about two months ago, I have loved it ever since. The navigation system and the leather are to die for. Anyone thinking of buying this beauty one word, BUY.

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  Happy Campers - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Cupid - July 7 - 6:03 am

  We have only had our Highlander for 7 months but we could not be happier. No problems with performance or engine quality and we changed from V6 minivan to 4 cylinders. Only complaints were with internal finish. We had to have some minor adjustments done to roof molding etc.

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  M next car will be again a Higlinder - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By Olga MA - July 4 - 9:10 pm

  I got my Highlander pre- owned/certified and drove it 40.000 in 1.5 year. It gives about 24-25 MPG. This is my first Toyota. I used to own only American cars but none of them lasted more than 100.000. LOVE this car. It’s comfortable drive, super reliable. I have over 65.000 miles on this car and she sounds like new. I love the space, I love I have a small sailboat and I can put it on top and howl it to the beach, I love it has a hatchback (not a swing out back-door as Rav4). What I don’t love: The radio. Its cheap. The interior fabric is cheap/poor quality. The arm supports are short. I barely can rest my elbow & I am normal height. The cars outside its thin.

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  J. Review - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By J. Doxbeck - July 2 - 10:10 am

  Comfy to drive, no blind spots like other SUVs I have driven. Very easy to handle and slip control comes in handy in when turning around icy corners. I love the look and feel. Lots of room for rear passengers and for cargo.

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  Im happy with my choice - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By billp8 - July 1 - 9:56 am

  I compared the HL with Jeep Liberty and Ford Escape. What sold me on the HL was the rear seat room, build quality, control layout, engine/transmission, and Toyotas reputation. I also like the rear hatch with the spare mounted below (versus the side-hinged door with gate- mounted spare on the Liberty). Mileage in the first 1000 miles is 17- 18 city, 21-23 highway.