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:

• 

  2006 Highlander Limited - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By MDellapenn - July 9 - 4:06 am

  I love my Highlander Limited, it is a pleasure to drive and easy to handle. The only thing I do not like is the fact it has no trim on the exterior, nothing to break the color up. The comfort on the inside is like driving your living room recliner around. It is great and I love my Highlander.

• 

  We love it - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Ann, Cambridge, Md - July 7 - 8:23 pm

  This is my first Toyota and we really do love it. I wish it got a little better gas milage but we needed the extra room. We really enjoy all the bells and whistles. We travel alot and it just makes it that much more enjoyable. We did get 24 mpg on a trip to Fla. but we usually get around 20 mpg.

• 

  Its a great buggy! - 2014 Toyota Highlander
  By ous - July 7 - 2:29 pm

  It has been a wonderful surprise in almost all areas. We were able to get all the goodies we wanted at 10k less than some of the rivals we compared.

• 

  UPGRADE FROM RAV4 - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By YRAM - July 2 - 10:00 am

  I WAS WAITING FOR A USED HIGHLANDER. I UPGRADED FROM A RAV4 WHICH WAS TOO SMALL. I HAD IT 5 YEARS AND WAS MY FIRST TOYOTA SO I WANTED ANOTHER AND LOVE HIGHLANDER STYLE. BEING USED IT DOES NOT HAVE ALL THE FEATURES I WOULD LIKE ,BUT I LOVE IT. IT BIG, ROOMY SMOOTH RIDING, GREAT ON GAS, LARGE CARGO AREA FOR HAULING AND HIG UP OFF THE GROUND. IT IS THE NICEST AND MOST FAVORITE CAR I EVER DROVE. THE DEALERSHIP IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST AND HAS GONE OVERBOARD TO MAKE EVERYTHING PERFECT. ITS A 2001 IN MINT CONDITION AND HAD 20,00 MILES ON IT. SO HAPPY WITH MY NEW BUGGY. THANK YOU

• 

  Cabin Noise is terrible - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By pjd - June 30 - 12:00 pm

  We set a decibel meter in the the cabin and at 70 mph the 93 db reading requires hearing protection by the federal government. You get engine noise at low speed and tire noise along with wind noise at speeds higher than 45 mph. The engine always seems to act as if it is working to keep up at the 55 - 65 mph and the fuel mileage on two long trips of Interstate in excess of 300 miles has not been above 19.7 miles per gallon, currently only have 4100 miles on auto. JBL radio speakers are poor and there is not a setting that will pair volume with increased sound so in town at 40 mph your radio volume is set at 12 for volume and on the highway at 70 mph you need to turn the radio up to a setting of 28. This is my forth Toyota and it will be my last.

• 

  Highlander Wins Again - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Jan - June 28 - 6:32 pm

  After hours of combing through Consumer Reports, various websites and test driving SUVs, we chose the Toyota Highlander. This is our 2nd Highlander. It is our main, family of 4, vehicle. We had a base model 2005 Highlander for 12 years & loved it. It was very reliable as we pretty much only had to do routine maintenance. Our 2016, we purchased, was previously a lease vehicle. The safety features are fantastic. The back seat has captain chairs which my 2, 510" tall, teenagers love. The 2nd & 3rd row has more leg room than our previous model. We only use 3rd row seat for short trips. Overall, the 2016 feels roomier than our 2005. Im not a fan of the plastic cargo cover in the back. Id rather have carpet to help keep things from sliding around. Also, the storage center between the front seats is awkward/bulky. The tech features are easy figure out & use. The ride feels smoother & is quieter than our previous Highlander. We test drove the 2017 Honda Pilot at least 4 times & liked it too, but the tech had zero knobs & was not as easy as Highlander to figure out. The Pilot seemed to sit lower than the Highlander & the steering felt looser. In the end we purchased the Highlander, because we know it will be reliable for years to come & we wanted a sportier look.

• 

  Quality - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Edward1 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Quality of toyota is what I was looking for.I love the gold color.

• 

  Basics Work - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By j4tuna - June 23 - 2:49 am

  Bought my 2007 Hylander new and currently have been putting 20,000 miles a year. Total maintenance has consisted of 2 sets of tires, a battery and an alternator. Alternator went at 100,000 miles. Used synthetic motor oil from first change - change the oil 3 times a year with filter. Driving - front end is very light - does not do well with snow, ice or heavy rain - but just have to slow down and take lack of traction into account. 6 years into the vehicle - 120,000 miles - hoping to get 4 more years!!

• 

  Best SUV on the market - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Patrick - June 22 - 2:03 pm

  This car handles very well and is a pleasure to drive. Excellent off road traction, very comfortable interior and a pleasure to drive. Highly recommend this vehicle.

• 

  Drive like a car - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Shawn Tay - June 22 - 10:00 am

  It has been 3 weeks since I owned it. Like it like it like it! Pervously owned a Collora with 200,000 miles on it. One of the reason why I went back to choose a Toyota again (traded in). Since it is Camry based SUV, it really drive like a car. I chose 4x2 because it came with VSC (vehicle Stability Control) and snow traction control. Great for people who do not do much off- road driving.