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. Why Edmund uses "Wagon"? - 2001 Toyota Highlander
By NWong - November 7 - 10:00 amGreat SUV. Ride like a car. Smooth, powerful. Better my BMWs.
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2016 Highlander - 2016 Toyota Highlander
By Lee V - November 5 - 12:59 amShop around before buying. Different dealers have slightly different promotions and pricing.
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I am so glad I bought this truck! - 2004 Toyota Highlander
By Tedzwife - November 4 - 10:00 amI got tired of my mini van and decided to get an suv. After days of research, test driving and comparison shopping, I finally found it! The body is nicely contoured. Not too rugged. The interior is driver friendly, everything where you need it and sleek. The safety features are a major plus! the break assist and anti skid protection make me feel safer driving in poor weather.
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SUV to seriously consider - 2008 Toyota Highlander
By Jim Burdette - October 30 - 5:10 amGreat car! Fuel economy is above average, I was hoping for terrific fuel economy. Fun to drive, power when needed, comfortable for longer trips. Many standard features are optional on other comparable SUVs. I am looking forward to winter driving to test the performance in snow. Highly recommend this vehicle.
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Great SUV - 2017 Toyota Highlander
By Kathy - October 30 - 2:10 amThe Highlander is a great SUV. This is my 3rd one and is by far the best. The interior is more roomy and comfortable. I really like the shelf that it has over the charging portal for you phone etc., it is very convenient. It handle great. Although I have only had it 1 month I am sure it will just as reliable as my other 2 were.
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Good Vehicle to Me - 2001 Toyota Highlander
By Wendy - October 28 - 5:20 amI have owned this car since 2001. I abuse my cars and am lucky to have it in for an oil change every 5,000 miles. It is in need of its 60,000 mile tune-up and I am over 100,000 miles now... ughh. One of the best vehicles I have ever owned, aside from a dead battery (my fault), and the check engine light (from some idiot not putting my air filter back correctly after an oil change) never had a problem. Plan to give it to my son who will be driving age in 2 years. Then... maybe another highlander.
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Good job - 2005 Toyota Highlander
By BC - October 25 - 3:50 amMy husband and I bought the Highlander after months of research. The reliability and reputation of Toyota went a long way in our decision. The gas mileage helped, too. I dont know where they got the 19/21 on the sticker, but I routinely get 25-plus out of my 6-cylinder. The exterior could be a little jazzier, and I have trouble with the steering wheel audio controls. While Im driving, my thumb hits the "mode" button, turning on the stereo when Im not expecting it.
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Affordable Luxury! - 2016 Toyota Highlander
By Shannon Lasky - October 21 - 11:02 amWe love this car! Such a smooth, comfortable ride. The 3rd row seats 3, which is awesome when carting around the kids and their friends. The technology is easy to use and so convenient.
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J1404de - 2003 Toyota Highlander
By j1404de - October 21 - 2:00 amIT is very roomy for a small size and has a lot of great options. The car chasis makes it very smooth to rid. NO engine/wind noise and great feautres. The seats are very comfortable.
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Good Vehicle - 2008 Toyota Highlander
By JM42 - October 15 - 3:33 pmSo far everything has been good. Had some rail dust on the back gate but that is being taken care of. Does lack some features that are in higher-end vehicles but theyre not too big of a deal. I have not really had any issues with sliding or driving in snow in SD. I just think some people should slow down. Very comfortable and smooth ride. All auto windows would be nice along with memory seating. A USB port would also be nice. In the summer we get about 22 mpg and winter is 18. 24 mpg highway. Do not like the cruise when going up hills or resuming and the speed is greater than 5 mph off. Kicks into low gear to catchup and that is annoying.
