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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  A Great Vehicle - 2010 Toyota Highlander
  By Stinraymo in AZ - February 13 - 2:56 pm

  This vehicle is an all around great car. Performance is excellent both off the line and out on the highway when passing. It is very comfortable to drive (I am 6 5"). Gas mileage is as advertised 17-23. I have never gotten as low as 17 and it averages 21-22 in a combination of city/highway driving. The S/E has about everything standard that you could want. The only option that I elected to get was the XM radio receiver. I would highly recommend this car to anyone. My only other Toyota was a 1970 Corona which was a drive to work car. Kept it 14 years and 140,000 miles and it never failed to start one time. Best car I ever owned. Hope this one is as good.

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  My wifes SUV - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By bronco86 - February 8 - 10:00 am

  My wife didnt want another suv till she drove this one. The moment she test drove it, it started to to belong to her.Its hard to deal on a car when the dealer knows its sold to you ,I would of payed FULL list , but didnt. Its a great small SUV,for 5 peopleand packages

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  2012 Toyo Highlander - Overhead Console - 2012 Toyota Highlander
  By jaregm65 - February 7 - 7:48 pm

  I purchased my 2012 Highlander in Dec. 2012, I do love my Vehicle, befor this I had a 2000 Rav4 so this is a step up for me. I am having Major issues with my Overhead Console that has the Small Compartment above the Rearview Mirror. I have taken it in already for this problem twice for falling completely down and the small door not closing. Im wandering if other owners are having this issue and what have they done to fix it because it seems that the dealer just wont fix it they just bandaid the problem. I just dont kbnow what to do anymore and I am frustrated because this is my new car and I shouldnt have any problems and yes I have purchased the full and extended warranties. Help Please

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  Suitable Off-Road, Comfort on the Hwy - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By DB - February 2 - 11:36 am

  It has plenty of pep, car- like ride on the highway and handles the mud suprisingly well.

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  More than Expected - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Rudo - February 2 - 10:00 am

  Just got the 03 Highlander today. We were astounded by the seat fabric and the interior materials, upscale look, better than CRV/Pilot LX. The engine is peepy and the acceleration is surprisingly good. The ride is very similar to our Camry. Cabin is quiet and roomy. Body roll is very noticeable when cornering though. So far we like it.

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  2002 Highlander Review - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Jerry - February 2 - 2:00 am

  We purchased the Highlander 6 years ago after much research. We moved to the city so this is our only car which does it all. It was an excellent buy and have not had a major problem, worst thing to happen was heater switch had to be repaired for $350. Highly recommend. We have a 2WD V6 which we both feel handles great and gets 20MPG in city and 24 on road with 87 octane. Drives just like a car. We buy cars that last and drive them till they die. Our next car will be a Hybrid Highlander but it may be a while before this one quits!

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  Great SUV - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Richard Ceccatti - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This model does not have memory seat positions for the driver. My wife and daughter also drive the car and im annoyed when i must fix the seat positions.

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  Nice car poor audio - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By fremont - January 26 - 2:00 am

  I was actually looking for a nice station wagon when I bought my highlander. I am very happy that I made the right decision. It cost almost same as the VW Jetta station wagon. I got a much better car: bigger space, comfortable ride, excellent performance, good gas mileage, very reliable. Also, dont forget that it is a SUV, the hottest thing on the road.

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  Rear Entertainment System issue - 2013 Toyota Highlander
  By jkb7 - January 23 - 10:51 pm

  Just bought this vehicle with rear ent. sys and was extremely disappointed to find that Toyota decided to apparently use a new radio this year that is not connected to the rear entertainment system. Audio for movies is available through the included wireless headphones or you have to use an aftermarket solution like a bluetooth connection (not provided) or run a manual cable from one of the headphone jacks of the ent. system to the auxillary jack on the radio which should work in theory. Considering Toyota is still charging a premium price for the Rear Entertainment System, and the dealers are not even aware that the sound is not avbl thru the speakers, I wanted to warn potential buyers.

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  Excellent Family Car! - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Shawn - January 23 - 9:30 pm

  Bought the Highlander last year when we discovered we were expecting our 2nd child. We got an optioned out Sport 2WD, mainly because in Southern GA we dont need the 4WD, and could get almost all the features included in the Limited and a sportier suspension for less cost. After one year, I couldnt be happier. The ride is quiet and comfortable with plenty of room, visibility is great, plenty of power, and fuel economy for a midsize SUV is fantastic, we got 26 mpg on a trip to Florida last year. The backup camera is invaluable with pets and small children around (our son is 2). Do not regret this purchase one bit.