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: you got to feel the ride... - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Mohit - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I live in Michigan, one day decided to visit a friend in Virginia. The drive was very comfortable. Didnt even feel that drive was for 16 hours. love the smoothness, style, and quality of the car.

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  Spacious cabin and features for the little ones! - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Rustin Shakelford - December 26 - 9:28 am

  This is the only vehicle Ive ever owned that Ive enjoyed more than my 69 El Camino. The roominess is perfect to those long drives to Florida from Virginia and the suspension seems incredibly smooth. Also, it has 5 USB chargers which judging by the lack of bickering between my grand kids, is a great thing for keeping them pre occupied on their I-Andriods and bluetooth players. The engine is also smooth as silk and has the peppiness I need when pulling out into Florida traffic (people drive like animals)!

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  Drive the 4 cyl first - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Oakland Owner - December 25 - 2:00 am

  I love this SUV. I dont go off road and dont use 4WD. Most people who buy this type of vehicle will get 4WD and never use it. Dont bother. Also, test drive the 4 cyl first. You will be surprised at the power it has. The V6 is better but if you dont haul stuff and plan to get a 2WD, this will work. This is a car in an SUVs body.

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  2010 highlander-one year later - 2010 Toyota Highlander
  By colorado - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Weve had our 2010 Highlander-Limited for one year. After 17,000 miles of mountain driving it rides the same as it did on day one. No squeaks. Eerily quiet ride. V6 has plenty of power. Top-quality build. Completely happy with purchase.

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  Gotta luv it - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By ML - December 20 - 12:06 am

  SUV room with a great car ride (did not want a truck ride like the Honda Pilot. Well built, quiet, V6 power and room for a tall (63) guy to spare. Like the easy rear fold down seats for cargo (unlike my old Chrysler mini (yuk)). Sits high enough for great visibility but also easy to get into for the shorter person (wife). We end up taking this on long trips rather than our luxury Avalon. Just more comfortable and versatile. Best car owned in 20 years! Would get another in a heart beat.

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  5 years with a Highlander - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By jackgray - December 19 - 1:16 am

  In 77000 miles of chicago winters and texas summers this car has never caused me a problem. All I have spent on it is changed the tires atg 35000 and bought 4 michelin crossterrains.They are a little harder ride than the bridgestone OEM but still have about another 10K in them. I bought this the first year they were out and have never regretted it once.

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  2016 Toyota highlander LP AWD - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By PB - December 17 - 11:29 pm

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  Love it! - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By T Martin - December 17 - 10:00 am

  I traded in a 2001 Volvo V70XC fully loaded--that has been nothing but one problem after another since my second year of ownership. (Had to have a new transmission after only 54000 miles!) I am very impressed with the comfortable ride, and ease of driveability of my new Highlander. I didnt get the Limited, because after owning the Volvo, I realized I didnt really use half the "bells and whistles" my Volvo included. I would advise going for the leather though. (I did) I was not impressed with the quality of the cloth seats offered in the Highlander. I look forward to many happy (trouble free) years of owning my new Highlander! :o)

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  Excellent Choice Overall - only minor issues - 2014 Toyota Highlander
  By ellisjeff - December 15 - 9:38 pm

  Had the 2014 Highlander XLE AWD for almost one year. Bought it in Feb 2014. I like the vehicle overall. Very comfortable, wide vehicle makes handling really sharp, but long reach to the glove box. Great interior and exterior finish and appointments. Large touchscreen display is outstanding but here is the big negative. The voice command system is very poor. Lets put it this way...If you have SIRI that would grade A+ and this voice system would grade F- Just does not undertand me. Sometimes the voice recognition recognizes me sometimes not....mostly not. That said excellent overall, mileage, power, safety, braking, reliable. I plan on getting Car-Play.

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  Great Product, but Poor Service - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By former BMW driver - December 15 - 10:00 am

  I picked the Highlander and love it. I drove around in my brothers X5 for a month, but the Highlander with its price makes it all better. As for Toyota Service.... Service guy at the dealership told me he deals with "reality while the sales guys tell me fantasy." The car is missing a part and had a scratch upon purhcase. They didnt tell me that I can only bring it in on Tuesdays to get the paint fixed. Ive been to the service department 3 times now. I dont think Ill ever buy another car from Dublin Toyota again. But the product is excellent.