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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  Boat towing highlander - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Illinihighlander - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Compared several midsize Suvs. choose Toyota Highlander for our familys needs. It will be used to tow a 2,500 bass boat on the weekends. Have made 2 trips to the lake so far, over 100 miles each way. I had a 2 inch hitch installed. Very happy with towing performance (16 mpg towing) Very solid made vehicle. Have owned 2 Toyota cars in the past with zero problems both over 150,000 miles.

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  Really Good - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By agapememeber - March 24 - 2:00 am

  words cannot express how this car handles and preform while on the road. My dad recently purchased this suv for me

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  Do not get the base. Spend the $$ - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By deewill - March 22 - 7:33 pm

  So far this is a great vehicle. Great power and gets 24.4 on the highway. The base has the standard features but when you are used to a loaded Toyota you do not realize how many options you are missing until you leave the dealership. No power lift gate. Takes two men and a small boy to pull it down. No outside temp gauge. Manual cloth base seats are not all that comfortable on trips. No blue tooth, no hitch, though you pay standard for the prep. I guess they drilled some holes in the frame for you. You cannot buy a hitch yet. No body side molding. I see numerous door dings in the future. Multiple blind spots. Need to add the convex mirrors in the corners.

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  I love my Highlander - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By arvida - March 22 - 10:00 am

  Fun and versatile. Fit and finish are superb. It is comfortable and I can pack all my camping and biking gear in the back. Pleanty of room. The 6 is peppy and I never have problems accelerating to pass. Only problem has been the door to the glove box rattled. The dealer found a way to insulate the door and now it is as quiet as can be. Sound system is good but not great. Also, They should redesign where the lever for the gas door is placed. It is currently on the floor and sometimes my heal catches it as I am exiting the car. It is not the cheapest in the market, but the quality and reliability are worth every cent.

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  The best car yet! - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By T.M - March 22 - 12:43 am

  The Highlander has the "get up and go" I need for the mountain roads. The interior is "homey" and comfortable. With a quiet engine, you feel as if you are floating on the road. Traction is great!! Safety features that outweigh anything else I have owned!! A prevous owner of like vehicles, the Highlander is by far the best SUV I have owned.

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  Definitely a family car - 2014 Toyota Highlander
  By jayaswals - March 21 - 6:33 am

  The 2014 Highlander XLE AWD does has what it takes to be successful. It has a decent pick up, not very sporty, but thats what you get when driving a big car. The best aspect of pick up is when you are merging in a freeway and it delivers. It has cool interiors and nice safety features (annoying to some). For e.g. you cannot set a route on the navigation unless the vehicle is at full stop. You can speak to the voice command to set the via route though. The voice needs some training. the ride is smooth and quieter than any other big car I have driven. the seats are very comfortable. The handling is nice and of course it has the Toyota reliability.

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  Love it - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Dnoe - March 18 - 10:00 am

  In the whole SUV I have only a few complaints. Still a very nice rig and we love it. We have no regrets buying a highlander rather than a Honda Pilot. Here are our only complaints. 1.The sunroof needs an indicator to show when it is closed. You have to use wind noise to be sure its closed all the way; not easy if you are parked. 2. The driver/front seat cupholder is poorly designed. When you put a drink in the holder a hard springloaded lip holds it in place. The first time I put a soda can in the holder, the lip grabbed the can and soda splashed all over. A piece of rubber would be better than the rigid lip.

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  08 Highlander - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Louie - March 17 - 12:50 am

  I love my highlander. It gets 21 mpg around town and 23 mpg on the highway. Rides comfortably at 80 on the highway and still has plenty of gusto left to pass on a hill. Its a very quiet ride and smooth. The steering wheel is very tight and turns in a small circle, I love it. Thank you to everyone else who wrote a review, it really helped my decision to buy a highlander. I would recommend a highlander, my husband is now looking at the Tundra. I guess well be a Toyota Family.

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  It just gets better ! - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Lowe - March 15 - 3:00 pm

  After having my 2008 Highlander Limited since January, I can tell you that I love this SUV. With its exterior looks looks and Blizzard Pearl Paint, it really turns heads! The gas mpg keeps getting better with an average of 17-18 in city driving.I havent been on a trip yet, but look forward to seeing the gas mpg. The gas mpg has varied from different post, but I find you can really get great gas if you just take it easy on start and stops. The interior is beautifully done with luxury looks, and the displays are very easy to reach. I have found the information screen very helpful along with the Bluetooth. The engine is very quiet and ride is smooth. Premium radio is a must for sound.

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  A good value - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By jjmatuszak - March 15 - 2:43 am

  This SUV purchase was a good value. The car rides nice, and I think its very comfortable. The bank seat has plenty of room. The cargo area is large with plenty of room for the kids.