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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  Great SUV - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By Fred H - November 26 - 6:43 pm

  Our Toyota Highlander is the best vehicle wes ever owned. Its comfortable, gets good gas mileage and can haul heavy loads of gifts for our grandchildren. It seats seven and we love it.

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  poor tires on awd - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By gary - November 26 - 2:33 pm

  Why buy an awd. The tires that come for it are junk. Only two mfg make them. The tires are very poor in the snow. See tire rack survey. Toyota told me to install chains. Why did I pay for the awd. Toyota blew it when it specked these tires. They should have gone to a size where there are more tires avail.

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  Love my Highlander - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By rosiem - November 22 - 2:00 am

  I love my Highlander, the body reminds me more of a van than an SUV and that is the only thing I dont care for. But, there is really nothing I would change about my car. I like that there are plenty of drink holders in the car so you dont have to worry about anyone dropping their drinks. It is very easy to keep clean, no hard areas that you cant reach.

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  Toyota Highlander Owner - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Lmn1996 - November 22 - 2:00 am

  I shopped for 6 months before I made my decision on the Hilander. I am a girl Scout leaer and I camp a lot wth my girls and my family and I absolutely loves this vehical. I find it very reliable, easy to drice, and safety is the number 1 factor whay I purchased this SUV. I would recommend it to any one who wants luxury performance with out a luxury price.

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  Highlander 2X - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By pbenke - November 22 - 2:00 am

  Simply terrific...in all regards.

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  Everything & More-SOLD!!!!!!!! - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By DJStephen - November 22 - 2:00 am

  Shopped around and tested everything from Nissan to Honda to American makes and settled on the Highlander.Took almost 8 weeks,5 cities & countless phone conversations but it was all worth it. It rides so smooth youll think youre in a mid size/luxuary car. Blazer felt like a truck and the X- Terra really felt like you were off the road all the time. Drove both 4 cyl. and 6 cyl engines and settled on 6 just for pure pickup getting into traffic Sharp car,from color to performance.Wide seats,even in the back,according to my passengers.So far gas has been fine(18-19 around town...20 on the trips).. Wont get another new car review from me for 12- 14 years...

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  Very Happy With Purchase - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Jim S - November 21 - 3:36 pm

  Ive only been driving the Highlander for about a month, but so far Im very happy with it. Im amazed at how good the gas mileage is, especially considering how much power it has. Even better gas mileage than the 05 Highlander that I traded. I bought the 2 wheel drive model not only to save money, but also because its better on gas, and requires less maintenance than the 4 wheel drive model. My only real complaint is the 55 series 19" tires that come standard on the Limited model. The 19" wheels look great, but one good look at the Bridgestones tell you that theyre not well suited for snow or ice. Ive already purchased 4 Blizzaks and alloy wheels for the winter months.

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  Small & Quick - 2009 Toyota Highlander
  By SLOJO - November 20 - 12:33 pm

  Its new. Rides great. Maneuvers well. Plenty of get up and go. Has all the bells and whistles. Fit and trim are excellent. First non-"big three" we have owned. Center dash w/navigation/CD combined is too delicate and complex. Steering wheel controls good/dash controls unnecessarily confusing. Owners Manual near useless - WAY TOO LONG. More comfortable than competitors especially for someone over 62" and 250 lbs. Cargo area is good w/3rd seat down.

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  I love my new Highlander!!!!!!! - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By brandi - November 20 - 10:00 am

  This drives so much like a car and not an SUV. Believe it or not I chose this over the Lexus RX300 and not because of the price!!!

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  Great car...some quality issues...poor customer experience... - 2011 Toyota Highlander
  By tjbss - November 19 - 12:13 pm

  The only negative regarding this car relates to quality issues (power windows and sun visor) and specifically the way the dealership and Toyota executed their customer service. Otherwise, the vehicle is a joy to drive and (so far) very reliable. The drivers sun visor has broken twice in less than three years. The dealership, Rice Toyota, and Toyota have, in the end replaced the sun visor at no charge, however Toyota corps customer service has disappointed me due to failed follow up promises. The power window failed due to a nut that came off the window...a repair we paid for. These relatively "minor repairs make me less positive toward the brands quality and customer service.