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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  fantastic - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By brendan23 - March 13 - 4:28 am

  we have had this car for 13 years and is fantastic.

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  Competent, reliable - not much flash - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By ScottR - March 6 - 10:00 am

  If you a looking for SUV-likeness and decent space with a 3rd row (for kids on short trips) the H/L does the job extremely well, in comfort and with reliability. 3rd row is more useable when second row is slid forward slightly. Exterior is reasonably handsome - a bit plain. Interior is comfortable and nicely appointed. We compared this against the Pilot and purchased because (1) better build quality, (2) better MPG, (3) better drive feel & handling, (4) serious discounts ($5,665 off MSRP).

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  2001 mid year build Highlander - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By mollysalsa - March 3 - 4:03 am

  Did about 2 months of research on the HL B-4 buying,,this our 3ed Toyota and am sold,,the AWD system is great here in Minnesota,,except for a few small things build quality is a 10.

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  best in its class - 2010 Toyota Highlander
  By Andres - March 2 - 6:43 pm

  For a 4 cylinder, I got more than expected; the 2.7 187 hp engine makes this car a nice option to have a lot fun with your family.

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  Good Solid Value - 2009 Toyota Highlander
  By James Van - February 28 - 11:53 pm

  Traded a 2003 Ford Explorer for this car. Plenty of room inside for people who are tall and larger in size. Rides very nicely and car handles the road good. The 6cyl gives you plenty of power. Inside interior is nicely laid out.

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  Trouble starting after 10k miles - 2014 Toyota Highlander
  By patjk - February 23 - 6:12 pm

  After an exhaustive search of 3rd row SUVs we chose the LTD Platinum for its interior features and smooth ride. But, after 10k miles, there are issues. 1st: the roof drains (not sunroof) had defective hoses which leaked into the the 2nd row seatbelts & carpeting, instead of the ground. 2-3 weeks later it was fixed but, the car wreaks of chemicals. 2nd: similar to another review, it has a problem starting. Toyota towed it, tested the battery, & said its fine. Even with auto headlight feature, Toyota says its b/c headlights were left on. Meanwhile, now it sputters if/when it chooses to start. 3rd: the 2nd row cup holder gets stuck open & not great if you want kids in the 3rd row.

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  JR review - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By jr - February 23 - 3:40 pm

  Great car for traveling in the flats and slight hills. I recommend this Toyota highly.

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  HAPPY Highlander - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Happy Owner - February 21 - 5:24 pm

  Study Consumer Reports testing of the several SUVS and do a test drive of at least 3 makes. I am sure you will find the Highlander stands out as the best in performance and comfort. I would highly recommend this vehicle to any one.

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  Does everything for $10K-$15K less than MDX and Q7 - 2018 Toyota Highlander
  By Bob - February 20 - 6:34 pm

  I was looking at the mid-size SUVs with AWD and cargo space. The Cadillac XT5 and Q5 were just a bit too tight in back seat (2nd row) for me. I found the 3 best were Acura MDX, Audi Q7 and Toyota Highlander. After test driving, the MDX and Q7 are sportier but the Highlander did everything very well. The Q7 had buttons in unusual places (at least for me) and the MDX had push button transmission and 2 screens for changing settings that took a few touches to change heat settings. Coming from a Lexus, I knew Toyota built a great car but the front seat is very comfortable, has all the safety equipment and is very easy to see out of, I chose to save $15K and buy the Toyota. Reliability, gas economy, resale and initial cost are all better with Toyota and Ill have alot less problems down the road.

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  Still hard to beat after 7 years and nearly 100,000 miles - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By bbimmer7 - February 19 - 4:47 am

  I received my 04 Highlander in 2010 from my mother when she purchased her new BMW X3. It was a great family car when it was hers and now it is a great first car for a teenage driver. Although it was a rather expensive car when bought new back in 12/2003, reliability has been excellent over the past 7 years, and very little money has had to have been put into it. Interior comfort and fit & finish quality are excellent. Exterior styling is a bit too boring for my tastes. Overall, Im really happy with my Highlander. Its a solid vehicle with so many great features, and its a great first car!