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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Pretty Good - 2003 Toyota Highlander
By Pilotboy03 - June 3 - 2:00 amThe highlander is a wonderful viecle with a very nice ride, toyota build quality and reliability and good fuel economy for its class. Although I was dissapointed that the car is extreamely boreing to drive, bland and although toyota is known for its great looks on its SUVs this one is a dissapointment. Although its interior design is great the exterior design looks weak and to soft. A good alternate for this viecle is the Honda Pilot More room, a lil more power and much more rugged exterior looks with the same level of refinement.
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Very happy with Highlander - 2010 Toyota Highlander
By Excellent SUV - June 2 - 8:00 am1 month since I picked Highlander fully loaded. Love power and room inside it. Very smooth in city and on highway.
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Take the High road with a Highlander! - 2011 Toyota Highlander
By frannie - June 1 - 4:17 amHighlanders are such a dependable and safe vehicle. I have had mine for almost five years and it has been 100% trouble free - 100% Friends and neighbors are constantly taking both Swedish and American models into the shop. Not with a Toyota - you can depend on a Toyota, day after day, week after week, year after year. First Toyota I have owned. I will always own a Toyota!
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Simply Perfect!! - 2008 Toyota Highlander
By vidafareed - May 30 - 1:46 pmThis is my first brand new car and I adore it. My brother has a BMW X5 and I see no difference in the performance, build and looks. Great buy. Recommended 5 out of 5.
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Very Efficient Package - 2003 Toyota Highlander
By Grenedy - May 29 - 10:00 amHave just turned 1000 miles on new black/gray base 4cyl w/QO,AW,DR,HE,HP,MG,SR,SP,Z1 paid $1,000 under invoice. Vehicle has been excellent thus far. Only issue is engine can be a bit "buzzy" on launch and works pretty hard with full load and A/C on. But the overall quality package, low price and fuel economy, for me, outweigh any performance issues.
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Awesome MPG and comfortable ride, no cargo space - 2013 Toyota Highlander
By jakeh56@gmail.com - May 28 - 11:52 amWe bought a 2013 Highlander Base because it is the only model with a 4cyl. It gets great MPG for a Crossover, and has surprising power for a 4cyl. The front seats and back seats are really comfortable with the exception of the middle seat in the back row. It is seriously about a foot wide, so no more than small children will be able to sit in the middle. The third row seats are not comfortable. The Highlander handles and drives great. After 6 months of owning the Highlander we are selling it to buy a Honda Pilot. The only reason is the storage space in the hatch. The Highlander appears to be designed with the idea of only using the third row on occasion. When you are using the third row we cannot even put a 24 pack of water flat in the hatch. You have to turn it sideways. We were willing to sacrifice luxury for the MPG, but when using the third row the cargo is almost completely useless.
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It a complete lemon - 2005 Toyota Highlander
By "Lemon" - May 28 - 1:03 amOur Lexus RX300 was stolen from us and we had tofind a reliable vehicle fast. We were planing on getting another Lexus but we were paying off a house. So we got the "cheaper cousin" instead. We test drove it and it was fine. Once we got it, it was horrible. There is no acceleration on thr V6 and it is a bumpy ride. Sound system is horrible. We test drove the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee and we saw it at the dealer and it was very beautiful. We immediatly traded it and it is an awesome vehicle. It feels like a BMX, Lexus, and Land Rover combined into one incredible "Useful Vehicle" The Highlander is horrible and i cant believe Lexus parent Toyota makes such refined vehicles but Toyota is garbage.
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nice - 2016 Toyota Highlander
By joe galassi - May 26 - 8:50 pmVery nice vehicle, rides great and comfortable. looks great
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Excellent car - 2016 Toyota Highlander
By fazal haq - May 26 - 4:56 pmI have had this car for three months. It is the best decision I made. Its road handling, fuel economy, cabin noise are all great. The power is adequate. Excellent storage. Also, it had the best handling and ride quality among all the cars I test drove (Pilot/Mazda CX9).
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2001 Highlander Limited - 2001 Toyota Highlander
By quon_b - May 23 - 10:00 amI purchased this vehicle in 2006 with about 75,000 miles on it, and added 69,000 miles of my own. Initially I was in love with it but that soon faded away very quickly, because in addition to my routine maintenance At least twice a year I had to make major repairs on it such as replacing the rotors, steering column, air conditioning panel, suspension etc...The mpg states that its 19/25 but thats far from the truth because I usually averaged 16 mpg regardless of street or highway mileage, and when exceeding about 50 mph there was an annoying whistling sound that leads you to believe your windows are open when theyre not. At my wits end and ready to purchasde another vehicle
