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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  2001 Toyota Highlander - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By Don - December 5 - 11:40 am

  After all the bad experiences with a Chevy, an Olds, and 2 Fords, I risked buying this the first year they were offered. One of the best decisions Ive ever made. Drives well, good with my bad back, and reliable. No repairs, only scheduled maintenance. Drawbacks: burns lots of oil (2 qts on a 250 mile hwy trip), and the front seat support broke on one side. (I skipped the $800 to replace it by putting a box of paper underneath to prop it up.)

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  Best new car I have owned - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Atoyot - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Not the cheapest SUV around but as far as I can determine, the best value. Prior to this car I woulnt look twice at an SUV--they were all disguised trucks and rode that way to prove my point. It is roomy, rides well and is not a problem to park. Three of my friends have the same car and really are totally pleased.

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  fun to drive if only.... - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By soverdi - December 1 - 10:00 am

  ....they offered it with a third seat.

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  excellent - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By jum - November 29 - 10:00 am

  the only improvement i found from earlier models was the radio an on the steering wheel were radio controls

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  Reliability Problems - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Jim - November 26 - 10:06 am

  Bought new; since then 3 windshields, 3 sets of rear and 2 sets of front brakes, 3 transmission transfer cases, and both sets of rear wheel bearings. Everything except the engine seems to be under specified. The Toyota dealer tells me to sell it as it was made on Monday! My 97 Avalon required only $40 worth of unscheduled maintenance at 130K miles. Whats happened to Toyota quality?

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  My excellent highlander - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Allan Franklin - November 24 - 10:43 pm

  Excellent ride, very comfortable, lots of cargo space, great mileage on recent trip to Dayton, Ohio in range of 35/36 mpg at 110km/hr average. Smooth ride. Overall an excellent vehicle.

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  After a year - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By marphylous - November 22 - 1:50 pm

  The Highlander has been a pleasure to drive this past year. The vehicle has outstanding build quality and solidity. It is very quiet and easy to drive. Comfort for rear seat passengers is good, especially with the reclining rear seats. The size of the vehicle is a good balance that provides adequate hauling capacity while keeping down vehicle weight. I was able to carry a rolled 9 x 12 carpet inside. Controls are sensibly placed and easy to operate. It took a little while to get used to the brakes. At first they felt a little bit soft, but the vehicle has good stopping distance and control. Turning radius is significantly better than the Lexus RX300.

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  Quality and Customer Service Failing - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By SUV Woes - November 19 - 9:46 pm

  I bought my Highlander new and I have been disappointed in the quality and customer service since that day. The SUV had rail dust that required several treatments but still exists. My front differential began leaking at 42,000 miles and it was repaired. But at 65,000 miles it is leaking again. Told cost to repair is 1,900 and no break from the dealership or the corp. Factory tires had to be replaced too soon and the rear rotors as well because Toyota installs cheap ones now. Ive learned to stay away from Toyota and always buy the extended warranties.

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  Happy wife with 6K in my pocket - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By happyowner88 - November 14 - 2:00 am

  We have put 600 miles in two weeks. I drive a 2002 ES300 lexus and its silky smooth. But my wifes highlander is actually smoother and more like a lexury car. Yes, its hard to believe. we thought about new 2004 rx330 but went ahead and bought Highlander 2wd limited. If you want to save $$$ in this economy and dont care too much about the badge, this is it. Make sure you keep your tire pressure to factory recommanded 30psi.

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  We went back for seconds!! - 2011 Toyota Highlander
  By financeman2 - November 12 - 8:36 pm

  The lease on our base model 08 AWD Highlander concluded this month. We very much enjoyed the 08 and decided to purchase a replacement. On 12/18/2010 we picked up a 2011 with the tech package. We especially appreciate the upgraded stereo/sat. radio, blue tooth, back up camera, and rear window hatch in the new vehicle. The drive is identical to the 08. No signficant problems noted following delivery...just a minor rattle from the rear hatch that we will have the dealer address at some point.