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:

• 

  Dont buy for Stereo - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By PGIL - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle runs good, but engine noise heard through speakers. Toyota not standing behind audio system. Says good as it gets. $35,000+ auto with upgraded stereo has engine interference? This problem went away in the 80s, now its back? Wont buy another Toyota, based on their unwillingness to stand behind vehicle.

• 

  Great Crossover SUV - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Navy - January 21 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Highlander after totalling a minivan in a rollover accident. This is the second Toyota product I have owned and am always pleased with the engineering and quality of construction of the Toyota line. The Highlander is no exception. It rides like a dream with the visibility I was accustomed to in the minivan but without the mommobile stigma my teens objected to. I did lots of research before choosing another vehicle and the safety of the Highlander was of great importance. So far so good...

• 

  Great vehicle but pricey - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Lee C - January 15 - 2:54 pm

  We love the Highlander but did not love the price. The safety features are the best, comfort is a close second.

• 

  My Beautifully Defective 2008 Highlander - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By AT - January 6 - 11:36 am

  I was anticipating to write a rave review on my 3 month old car. Unfortunately, it did not live up to the high expectations. My gas mileage has been well below the posted 17/22. It has been 11/18 (18 after the car was repaired). Last month, the car would not start. It took five tries and pushing the gas to finally get it started. There was smoke and a burnt smell coming out my engine area. It took the dealership almost three day to figure out the problem, that being a faulty injector. Very frustrating process, poor service from both the selling dealership and Toyotas 800 customer satisfaction line. I find it ironic that our Chevy Silverado, now 6 years old has never needed a repair.

• 

  Solid and durable... - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Scottywsly - January 5 - 6:13 pm

  This is a pleasing to drive near luxury car based SUV. Has been 100% reliable. My only wish is that gas mileage was greater, and styling is a bit more sporty.

• 

  Toyota missed the mark on this one - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By NMR - January 5 - 7:53 am

  The check engine light has been (and still is) on since I think day 2 of ownership. Took it to Toyota several times, the last one they stated the code is generic and represents over 500 possible problems it could be. It took 3 months just to get it to pass PA inspection, brakes/rotors replaced too many times within 70k miles of driving, the stainless steel tube at the power steering resevoir blew out, the seats are the most uncomfortable I have ever sat in, the interior is chincy looking for $26k, the engine is sluggish and noisy, weird wind noise w/ 4 windows down. This is the 2nd and probably last Toyota for us.

• 

  Great SUV - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By MJC II - January 4 - 7:00 pm

  Traded in my 03 Highlander which was a great vehicle but the improvements made to the 08 blow the 03 out of the water. The 08 has fantastic leg room (both front & back seats), very comfortable bucket seats, a smooth ride & more than enough power with the V6, 270-hp. The overall redesign of 08 has added some great sight lines & a bit of masculinity.

• 

  Enjoying then new ride! - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Dan Sterrenberg - December 29 - 11:30 pm

• 

  Highlander 2016 - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By EDDIE EDDAHBI - December 29 - 1:12 am

  The car drives & handles very well ..I thought w the xle you expect more Options such parking sensor ..The leather seats quality is really not the best ..over all the car is worth the money !

• 

  Good safe choice - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By winston - December 25 - 9:33 pm

  My wife and I were comparing Honda Pilot and Highlander. Decided on Toyota because of finance deal and 6 disc changer that dealer put in and DVD system. Toyota is a little smaller than Pilot and does not ride as high, but makes it easier for my wife to get in the car. Drives very smoothly with good power curve when accelerating. Also has better gas mileage than Pilot. Interior is well laid out with features such as backset bottle holders and backseat is comfortable and reclines.