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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  2008 Highlander - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Bob & Emily - July 4 - 12:36 am

  Very pleased with all aspects of this car. Gas mileage exceeded our expectations, getting 25.5 mpg on a recent 600 mile trip. We got just under 28 mpg on the way back. So far we seem to be averaging 20 mpg around town. Kids love the room and the third row seat. Great ride, quiet and comfortable. Were glad this vehicle came with the back up camera without having to get the nav. system. We looked for a long time and at lots of different cars, this easily was the best car for us.

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  Juds machine - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Rick Nelson - July 2 - 3:03 pm

  This is and has been a great vehicle. My wife loves to drive it, I seldom get a chance to drive it. The only negative I can think of (and this is a stretch) is that on the doors of our car (cloth upholstery) Toyota has put fabric right up to the glass, this material is easy soiled, If you clean the windows, if you rest your arm on the window sill, if the dog stands in the window, dust settles there also. For being a four cylinder, the car performs well, and the four wheel drive is great.

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  2nd Best - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Tess - July 2 - 7:53 am

  This is my second Highlander, and I am still keeping my 2003 Highlander. After 13 years from the old model, I am confident that my new 2016 Highlander is the 2nd Best SUV if not the 1st. The legacy of a Highlander performance has been outstanding, and all the bells & whistles of the new models for an excellent ride and excitement to both the young ones and/or the "young-once" are value added without costing you an arm and a leg.

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  High Marks For Highlander - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By Florida Son - July 2 - 2:03 am

  Looked long and hard at what was available out there, and Highlander Limited is the perfect vehicle if you want a well-built, reliable mid-size SUV that doesnt go off-road. My limited is loaded with lots of options, and it seems Toyota has put just about anything you can think of into the vehicle. Safety features are also above and beyond, comparable with Volvo. Its early in the process for us, but were very happy thus far!

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  Not A Bad Drive - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By MCavallu - June 30 - 7:36 am

  I bought this vehicle mainly because of an earlier family purchase of a Celica back in 1985 when my 2 brothers & I beat the heck out of it. This version however isnt exactly what I expected. First, the paint had chips at delivery, then one fog light was out & EVER since I owned it, the automatic shift isnt so fluid & the city gas mileage isnt near the "average" at all. A/C on a hot day just doesnt get cold enough! The car is indeed fun to drive but the drivers seat seems to tilt too forward almost making one feel like theyre falling off the seat. Having said all of these things, I still feel its a good, highly rated, vehicle.

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  Very nice vehicle - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Michael - June 30 - 4:43 am

  I went with the FWD (didn’t think I needed AWD). I’m very happy with my purchase. The ride is comfortable and quiet, and while I may have been happy with the 4 cylinder I decided to go with the Limited V6 model (towing increase). The Highlander vs. Pilot decision was hard as both vehicles were neck and neck in areas I considered important (safety, reliability, and comfort - in that order). I believe there is better visibility in the Toyota. I also prefer the Highlanders "look" over the Pilot.

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  I love this car. - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By dtrimner001 - June 28 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car for over 19 months, and I still look forward to driving it (It is my wifes primary vehicle). I have always owned American cars, and I am very very impressed with the tight fit of everything in the interior, and the curb appeal of this SUV. It has excellent headroom and legroom, 3 adults can sit comfortable in the back seat. Handles like a dream, smooth yet responsive. No, I would not take it off-road much more than I would an ordinary sedan, but it is a solid vehicle all the way around.

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  Highlander Rocks! - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By metuka22 - June 27 - 4:30 am

  This was my first new car that I purchased. I absolutely love it! I have never taken it to the dealership (other than service of course) and I do not have one complaint. I recommend this vehicle to anyone looking to purchase a new or used car. Enjoy it as much as I have so far.

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  Very Happy Highlander owner - 2010 Toyota Highlander
  By dubrich - June 25 - 2:50 pm

  Traded in a 05 MB E320 after being fed up with avg annual maintenance of $1000. Drove it from SC to Dallas, TX and EVERYONE loved it, ESP. the kids. Very roomy for the 1st 2 rows. 4 Adults and 3 kids {ages 9,8,7} fit comfortably without the center seat on the 2nd row while driving around the city. 0% for 60 months also makes it even that much more enjoyable! 2nd Toyota purchased within 2 weeks of each other {due to 0%}. Also averaged 27, that is right, 27 MPG at an average speed of 70 MPH over a 6 hour stretch of flat interstate. Always dreamed of owning an E-class since middle school, but I DO NOT MISS IT! Love the HL.

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  Highlander 2005 - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By SUZ - June 24 - 11:00 am

  This is the greatest vehicle that I have owned. Its fun to drive, very comfortable and I would buy another in a heartbeat. I have had several different vehicles including 3 SUVs and I love this one the best. Having the 3rd row is like a bonus. We dont use it much but it is nice to know its there if we need it.