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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  Great SUV! - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By Michael - December 14 - 4:06 pm

  I have thoroughly enjoyed my new Highlander. It has a nice smooth ride with minimal noisy and plenty of room. The design and functionality of the car make it a great buy! In addition, it looks great!

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  18 month review - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Jimmy V - December 8 - 2:00 am

  Overall, one of best, if not the best,new vehicles Ive ever purchased (7 previous). The ride and quietness are top notch. recently, my wife & I transported her elderly aunt & uncle in the Highlander. They were truly impressed, and these are pretty selective individuals, as they have always had luxury vehicles. Her uncle couldnt get over the quiet, car like quality & comfort. I have, so far, (knock on wood) had no mechanical problems whatsoever. Ive had only changed oil and rotated tires. p.s. it has also performed excellent during the early winter weve been getting in upstate NY.

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  Lemon. Well almost. - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By javax - December 8 - 2:00 am

  At 13000 miles, cheap interior started making noise. Globe compartment rattles, the clicking noise from passenger door, anoying rattle from the drivers side rear door, and ticking noise from under the hood (plastic trims that holds the windshield). They are all snap-on plastic pieces. Futhermore, the engine light and VSC light come on and stay on. Also, a few times, as I start the vehicle, the engine stalled. We I had a Ford Explore before this vehicle and I regret that I traded it in with this one at 70000 mi. What an expensive mistake I made... Sorry Ford, I will buy yours next again.

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  KU Highlander - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Jerry Townsend - December 4 - 7:26 am

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  Great vehicle! - 2010 Toyota Highlander
  By Gene - December 2 - 8:53 am

  Purchased in Nov 2009, use primarily on long trips, although some around town avg gas mileage in low 20s mixed driving, on highway gotten as high as 27 mpg with the V6 AWD, doing 65 to 70. Very satisfied with that. Comfortable, roomy, love the heated seats, have to be a computer science major to work the nav system and other elect stuff. Great car so far. No problems re recall issues.

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  Toyota Highlander - the trusted SUV - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By AjBay - November 30 - 7:23 pm

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  Great SUV. But the JBL Radio? - 2014 Toyota Highlander
  By yngturk - November 29 - 6:08 pm

  Ive had this vehicle eight months now, with 12,500 miles and not a single problem. Weve had two 10+ inch snowfalls this winter that my Highlander handled them both effortlessly. Handling, power, room, and comfort are all awesome. A terrific vehicle. BUT: The JBL audio system is a complete mystery. On FM or Satellite the equalizer controls are essentially useless, and bass is ill-defined. On AM the audio is distorted and mushy, except I you happen to find a station broadcasting in AM HD. My daughter has the same vehicle with the non-JBL Premium Audio and it is much better.

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  My third Highlander ! O:) - 2010 Toyota Highlander
  By Loveit! - November 29 - 12:43 am

  2010 Sport Highlander purchased 12/09! My third Highlander ! love love love it! 19 inches wheels big plus! Roomy! Moonroof! Stereo system exc! In spite of Toyotas recent problems would buy another today! All my Toyota vehicles (buying them since 1970; all new) have been problem free, routing maintenance, change the oil! Great product!

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  Satisfied Grandmother - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Diane - November 26 - 6:00 pm

  I wanted the Highlander because of its safety evaluation. I frequently have my grandchildren with me and feel they are much safer than they were in my little sedan. It is easily accessable for the baby in the carseat as well as the older ones. Also it is so much easier to load and unload.

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  Almost There - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By New to Toyota - November 22 - 12:23 pm

  This is my first Toyota and I wanted an SUV with more reliabilty and better gas mileage than my 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. This vehicle is perfect in size and the 3rd row seat is great for short trips with more than 5 adults. I like the styling and features of the LTD. However, the front seats are not padded enough to be comfortable on long trips and the gas mileage is disappointing. I have driven 3,300 miles and have average 15 mph in city driving and 19 mph on the freeway.