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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  highlander 05 - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Paul Compratt - May 5 - 2:13 pm

  Just got back from Lake Tahoe and one of the heaviest snowfalls in decades. The vehicle handled like a dream never slipping on the packed snow and icy pavement.

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  Highlander is a very good SUV - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By hammon44 - May 3 - 3:20 am

  I have owned my Highlander Limited for almost 8 years and have put on about 90,000 miles. Purchased it at 33,000 miles. The SUV has been very good. It has been perfect for everything Ive done in the last eight years including multiple cross country road trips and hauling stuff from the home depot. Even the roof rack have been very helpful. In 2002 the Limited edition had more features than I need from a car. Leather has held up very well. Very comfortable ride. Only one major repair needed. The SUVs computer failed three years ago. Cost over $1500 to get it replaced. Have had 4 sets of tires which is excessive but could be due to buying lower tier tires for the first 3 sets.

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  Practical, comfortable, and capable - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Bill - April 30 - 3:50 am

  Traded in a 2003 Highlander for the 2008 Sport. We have only been driving it for two weeks and we love it. It is a great car for the price, practical, quiet, looks great in and out. Nice upgrades compared to the 2003 for few dollars more. Accessibilty is great w/ large doors, rear window can be lifed. The ergonomic is great, buttons and controls are w/n easy reach where they should be. I highly recommend it for young families in need of a practical yet comfortable SUV. The rear is spacious for cargos w/ 2nd and 3rd row folded.

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  great car/suv - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By chocolate - April 26 - 10:00 am

  I have had this suv for almost one week, I was looking at the Madza Tribute and the Isuzu Rodeo.This is by far a superior suv to the above two. The ride is incredible and I got a great price, even under the price on Edmunds.This is like riding in the Lexus RX300.

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  Great SUV with so so fuel economy - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By City Hunter - April 23 - 6:06 am

  This is my first toyota SUV, traded in my older Camry. A smooth and powerful V6 engine, quiet and comfortable ride, nice interior layout and romminess. excellent build quality. But strong engine vibration when cold start, eventually will gone after engine warm up. need to bring back to dealer to check up. Steering and handling are secure but not sound. Fuel economy only so so, Im conservative drive and try to lite on gas. I only get around 15 mpg mix driving. Rear door hatch is heavy to open and close. Overall is a very nice SUV with some negative.

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  Fun and style all wrapped up in a SUV - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Peabody - April 22 - 9:00 pm

  Lots of fun to drive/Plenty of spunk and handles very well/Not much road noise and the leather seats are very comfortable/Moonroof is big and great/ Plenty of leg room front and back/The optional JBL 6 disc stereo is mind blowing/sound is hard to believe with the voice coils in the upper part of the door/ have not been able to turn volume to max since there seems to be no max with no distortion whatsoever/Short on optional accessories to dress it up but the hood deflector adds a nice touch.

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  Solid As A Rock - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Steve - April 18 - 6:10 am

  We have had our Highlander since it was new and run up 70k on it. So far so good. No major problems. I have only changed the oil and tires. We do have an AC problem with it getting warm as you turn corners or hit a bump. Its a common problem and you need to pull out the control panel and soder the wires back on. I will get around to it some time. The gas mileage is fine for a midsize SUV, what do people expect when the buy the car? Highway driving will get you maybe 22 if you drive 65 otherwise its 19-20 mpg. Combined we average about 17. The Highlander suffers from some wind and road noise and the back seat could use a little more leg room. I have found it to be a very capable car.

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  LOVE MY CAR!!! - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By TRDFAN - April 14 - 7:00 pm

  Thers only 2 items that could be better. The drivers seat is a bit narrow, and there is more wind noise than I would orfer inside the vehicle. Other than that its almost perfect!!

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  recent purchase - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By mofire - April 8 - 2:00 am

  highlander is everything we were hoping it would be. quiet, tight build excelent ride and extremely comfortable.

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  My First Toyota/SUV - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By Andy - April 4 - 3:36 pm

  So far I have enjoyed driving my Highlander, I use it as my everyday car from commuting to running errands. The ride is smooth, and quiet (surprising for an SUV). Have not run into any problems, so far. Still need to test it in the snow! Seems to me that the Highlander is more of a family vehicle than a single persons ride, but it was in my price range, and had all the features I was looking for. I should have waited a few more months for the release of the new 2008 model, it looks sweet.