Overview & Reviews

Toyota's car-based Highlander SUV receives no changes this year.

• Roomy interior, car-like ride and handling, spunky V6 engine.

• Rear seat is uncomfortably low, no third-row seat, limited towing and off-road abilities.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 229.00

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  Disappointed long time Toyota owner - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By JoesHomeWorkshop - December 21 - 6:13 pm

  The vehicle started out OK with no issues. By the time 70,000 miles rolled around we had unending engine light problems which the dealer kept "fixing" by running "calibration". This held for a few months at a time until the emissions warranty ran out. Then a "surprise" quote to the tune of $1,000 for catalytic converter job! At 104,000 miles the vehicle came to a literal "grinding" halt with a $4,000 transmission repair quote from a dealer. Took it an independent reputable tranny shop that found a pinion gear roll pin that had not been installed right at the factory, had backed out and caused damage to the transmission. Claim to Toyota did nothing. I had better luck with my other Toyotas.

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  Would Recommend Highlander - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By J David - December 12 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable and Reliable, would recommend a test drive.

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  Almost perfect - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By LeeOfB - October 20 - 10:00 am

  Almost perfect mid-size SUV, but the leather seats are as slippery as ice. I often cant lay anything on the seat - it slides off during normal stopping. Also, the car has no back-up lights! Also would enjoy sound system controls on the steering wheel. Finally, my only other issue with the car is ego- related. I wish it looked more "butch". But I love having all the advantages of a SUV in a vehicle that delivers decent, civilized gas mileage yet rides like a car, with plenty of power. Overall a great vehicle.

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  Sound System Inferior - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By First Toyota - August 18 - 10:00 am

  All mechanical components seem to be ok. Premium radio system has noticable noise out of drivers side tweeter. Over 5 attempts to fix problem still no solution. Speaker, radio unit, and amplifier have been changed. Toyota has no solution proposed. Speaker noise exists on am, fm and cd settings. Very frustrating.

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  Love this vehicle - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By PerspectiveMan - May 4 - 2:00 am

  We went to the Toyota dealership to test the legroom in the Tundra. Not only did my son not fit in the backseat, I did not fit well in the front seat. Well, long story short, we started to leave when my wife saw the Highlander at a price we liked. It turned out to be one of those "one and only" that dealers advertise, then sell the day before the ad comes out. Only -5- weeks old, but it has been a great vehicle. Quiet, roomy, and so far very economical. Was initially hesitant on the 4cyl but really have no complaints. Hard to call it an SUV, I think of it more as a tall station wagon.

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  Keeps going - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By mdr000069 - February 23 - 10:04 am

  I purchased this car with 72,000 miles on it. I have 130,000 with no major problems. Get around 23 MPG over all. Runs good for only having a 4 cyl. I would buy another.

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  160,000 miles - still going strong - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Alan - December 25 - 6:33 pm

  Our 2002 has 160,000 miles on it and has been a very reliable vehicle. I do all of my own routine maintenence work, and filers, plugs, etc., are easily accessible. The engine and auto trans still run like brand new - does not use any oil between changes, has never needed any internal engine or trans work - and never had any problems with any major components. We live on a rough gravel road, and the suspension was starting to feel a bit lose at 150,000 miles - I installed new struts, link rods, ball joints, bushings, etc. and it is back to feeling very "tight". The Idle Control Valve became dirty and caused stalling problems, but once I cleaned it problem went away.

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  highlander - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By greg100 - September 30 - 2:00 am

  very happy with car

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  Sold - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Cody Beilman - August 11 - 2:02 pm

  Nice little car. I was pleasantly surprised that it had as much pep as it did. Great off road and in snowy conditions. Smooth ride, ok MPG. Sold it, lost a lot of value in 5 yrars.

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  Super SUV - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By CAROLINAS - May 14 - 10:00 am

  We wanted a SUV style vehicle to replace a Conversion Van. Researched SUVs for quality, design, ride. Also, talked to other with SUVs. The Highlander Limited came out ahead. Im not into off road stuff so a "car-ish" rather than a "truck-ish" ride was, and has been, the best solution for me. My 2002 Highland was purchased used with a Toyota Used Car Certification check. Have had no problems and enjoy driving it in the city and on the highway. Id do it all over again with Toyota.