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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safety should come first - 2008 Toyota Highlander
By bob - January 17 - 9:36 pmMy two year old V6 awd sport model Highlander with 30k HIGHWAY miles and now Im told I need new tires? I think a car costing over 38k plus would use a better and safer tire? Toyota states safety, well with these cheap TOYO tires they use I say they might want to revisit the tires they use on the Highlander. In March during our nasty rain storms here in MA. I hit a puddle and lost control on the highway did what i call a 160 even with AWD and traction on. I think the tires are failing and so soon. I love everything about this suv, and being my fourth SUV but my first Toyota. Ill be going back to my all american SUV where they use better and safer tires that gets more than 30K out of the
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I love my Toyota - 2003 Toyota Highlander
By Cecelia - January 15 - 2:00 amI have owned alot of vehicles over the years as I usually upgrade every two years.I have never had a vehicle that I have enjoyed driving as much as this one. I love the way it handles especially in the snow. I live where we get an average of 120 inches of snow a year. I have had no problem with this vehicle on the snow or wet roads.
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Toyota Highlander - 2004 Toyota Highlander
By jayteemom - January 15 - 2:00 amI was encouraged to purchase this vehicle by reports in Consumer Reports. Since purchase I have been more than satisfied with the handling of the vehicle in snow and ice. We have had much of this this winter. I have also been impressed with the roominess. It is not too large to navigate, but large enough for my needs. This is the first SUV I have purchased and I feel I will own this car for a long time.
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Go Highlander - 2004 Toyota Highlander
By Eherby - January 15 - 2:00 amI compared several SUV and owned a Blazer prior to this car. Toyota by far has this market. The Highlander is quiet, smooth and fun to drive. Gas mileage is very good.
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Almost there.... - 2004 Toyota Highlander
By Kirk831 - January 9 - 1:06 pmEasy to drive, very reliable, quiet and comfortable. Base model was reasonable in price, but those options add up fast ! Rear seat is only for kids, dont believe 2 adults can occupy.
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Best SUV - 2003 Toyota Highlander
By Diondra - January 8 - 10:56 pmThis car has the most room, the rear seats fold down FLAT, for animals, and it by far has the BEST, smoothest ride of any SUV on the market. Plus you get all the wonderful Toyota dependability to go with it!!
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Glad I bought it! - 2003 Toyota Highlander
By TD - January 8 - 10:00 amSmooth, quiet ride, good gas mileage for an SUV type vehicle.
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Good SUV - 2005 Toyota Highlander
By frank - January 2 - 7:03 pmOwned a Blazer then an Explorer that I traded in for this. Much better on gas then the Explorer, smoother ride not as truck like, more like a car. Went back to Toyota because of our experience with an Avalon which was trouble free for the three years we owned it.
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Wonderful - 2001 Toyota Highlander
By brussell889 - January 1 - 8:46 pmThis is one of the best SUVs out there!! I have yet to have a problem with it, and Ive almost reached the 100,000 mile mark. It still runs as if it just came off of the assembly line.
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Marshas Ride - 2003 Toyota Highlander
By Toto in Kansas - January 1 - 2:00 amHighlander is a super ride!!! Two kids, a husband, and being able to take our dog were the reason for looking at an SUV. Pilots were pricey and little dealing. My Camry was great and wanted Toyota quality. 4 Banger is great, just put your foot in it. Snow in St. Louis was a great work out for AWD and ECT switch. 75-80 MPH no sweat on I-70, buy and enjoy.
