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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  Technology Sucks - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Gary - October 17 - 12:08 pm

  If you are paying for, and expect reliable, navigation, auto hi-beam and voice assist....dont get a Toyota. Google "Toyota navigation and voice-activation problems" and read for yourself. If you get one and expect that Toyota will correct them, dont. Your navigation display will lag your actual current location by considerable distance and the voice-activation will drive you crazy. The response you will get from Toyota is, "normal function". If you have your windshield replaced, even with OEM glass, dont expect your auto-high beams to ever operate normally again. Toyota will tell you after testing, "normal parameters". Poor car when you consider what you are paying. Toyota should deliver what they advertise and charge you for in technology.

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  Bad Choice... - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By aman12 - October 6 - 2:22 pm

  Horrible quality. Have replaced numerous door rest inserts, ratlles coming from every corner, New transmission at 80k, now its in the shop because the lift gate needs a new hydraulic system. Not what Toyota used to be..

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  Mixed Review - 2013 Toyota Highlander
  By tnboy - August 6 - 6:45 am

  Less than a week ago I bought a 2013 Highlander Limited with no options or accessories. I rated it three stars in all categories because Ive had it for only a few days. The good: Exterior is up to Toyotas relatively high standards...fit and finish appear to be good. Interior room is good for four adults. Engine power is adequate for the weight of the vehicle but not superb. The bad: Entry space at every door is too small. Either the doors dont open wide enough or the seats (even in their most rearward positions) dont allow enough room to comfortably enter the vehicle. The interior has way too many plastic surfaces for a $38K vehicle (more below).

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  Disappointed & Frightened - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Michele W - July 20 - 11:50 pm

  When I purchased my Highlander, I told the sales rep I needed a safe, dependable car for my 6 grandchildren who I taxi almost daily. In the snow, my brakes seem to lock the front wheels after a thumping noise. I have sailed through three intersections; did a 360 spin in a roundabout doing 20mph with an inch of snow on the ground; came within a hair of hitting a utility truck in a snow filled parking lot; and have spun around while turning a corner. I live in the northeast with snow from November to March. On 1/14/10 my dealer said, "Cant find a problem and -no- snow tires are not the answer." Im afraid to have the grandchildren in the car and am now scared to drive in the snow.

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  Not worth the cost. - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By J. Green - July 10 - 10:21 am

  Purchased the 2016 Toyota Highlander Limited Platinum using reviews and owners feedback and own test drive. Have owned for one year and have been very disappointed from the beginning. Rented a Toyota Highlander XLE because no Limited available to rent. Test drove it for about 2 hours over all different types freeway and road conditions except wet pavement. The vehicle was a excellent ride, quite and refined and engine noise and acceleration very good. However we could not test drive a Limited Platinum as we purchased. What a difference in autos. The Limited platinum rides rough and potholes and even small bumps in the pavement can be felt. The wind noise at normal speeds is very loud and at freeway speeds one cannot hold a conversation with another person. I tried to locate the source of the noise and taped up everything in the end but only slightly reduced the noise. The Dealer did find the source which is the rubber seal where the roof and roof rack meet. There is a gap in the seal that is the source of almost all the wind noise. The dealer has no fix and ask me to let them know if I was able to find a solution. I have taken it to two body shops and ask if they could correct the problem. The body shops will not even take on the repair so I am stuck with coming up with a solution of my own. I have tried different things but have not found a solution yet that will stay in place because all of what I have tried will only adhere to either the rubber seal or the metal but not both. Disappointing because I have owned 6 different 4-Runners and the last three all road and drove as well as the Highlander without the road noise.

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  oil leak. - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Tom - June 26 - 2:13 pm

  I discovered an oil leak coming from above the oil filter area. The dealer stated that it is a major casket and toyota issued a technical issue on this item. I understand this is not a normal occurrence but will require a major pull of the engine and replacing formed caskets...

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  If only Nav wasnt so bad - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Marty - June 4 - 3:08 am

  We have about 3200 miles on the vehicle. Drove it to Florida from Ky for family vacation. Vehicle is quiet rides pretty good and handles well for an SUV. MPG is not what is advertised in my opinion if you are driving over 65MPH (which 70 and up is standard for our area now). We still have our 2008 Nissan Quest minivan and if I were to do it over, another minivan would be in store. However, my biggest complaint is the Audio system, Navigation, and the lack of Car Play and/or Android auto. If the Nav was better I could do without the Car Play and Android. But the Nav is horrible. And why cant we do map updates through our phones when on wifi?? Toyota has dropped the ball on this and dont do what we did and thought the Nav would be handy, it will cost you a ton of time, is hard to use, and just isnt near the level of Google maps and other competitors in the mapping world. Voice recognition is spotty at best. I had high hopes as this is our first Toyota but looks like it will be our last. Glad we are leasing.

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  Vanilla - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By DV - May 27 - 3:56 pm

  Ive owned the Highlander for five years now and have never gotten used to the exterior styling. Its about as vanilla (plain) as they come. The interior is well done, however, and the car provides a very comfortable ride, although its a bit noisy at highway speed. Reliability and quality are good - just as one might expect from Toyota. However, if youre looking for good styling and a powerful, fun car to drive this is not it - nor is any Toyota for that matter. The car lacks style and horsepower and has no towing capacity. Most importantly, it lacks rear interior space and can only carry four to five adults. (Only small children can fit in the optional rear seat.)

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  I would consider other options before purchasing - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Bill F. - May 26 - 6:44 am

  This is our 5th Toyota and by far our least favorite. The large outside mirrors cause blind spots when turning. The auto climate control seems to overshoot the temperature causing discomfort until the cabin temp has stabilized. We do not experience this on our 2014 Rav4. The navigation system was not accurate the voice command often told us to turn in one direction when the map displayed the opposite. We found out that the map data was from 2015 on a 2016 vehicle purchased in October of 2016. The dealer wanted to charge us for the update that was released prior to the purchase date. The rear windshield wiper locks up at times after the rear window is opened and closed. (The wiper is driven from a mechanical linkage located in the lower portion of the hatch and often does not re-engage after the window is closed. The brakes are awful, pedal often goes almost to the floor and the dealer says this is normal. They would not even check to see if the brakes needed to be bled as they said this would be admitting there was a problem?????????) The drivers side window makes a loud noise every time it closes. In all the prior Toyota vehicles we have owned starting in 2009 we have never had a complaint until the Highlander. Our 2014 Rav4 is a much better vehicle than the Highlander. Based on the way Toyota and the dealer responded to the issues, we will likely never purchase another Toyota.

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  Is OK ..Just Ok - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By pointswest - April 5 - 8:52 am

  This was a replacement to years of minivans.. I was surprised that reliability has not been as good as I expected from what I was told of Toyota ( good marketing I guess),and some repair items under warranty required discussion elevated to dealer manager before issue was resolved. To the question , Will I buy another Toyota ? probably not