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:
Showing 531 through 540 of 1,941.00-
Average SUV - 2005 Toyota Highlander
By BILL - March 25 - 10:33 pmDisappointed in the ride - a little rough - feel every bump in the road - not kid friendly - Toyota makes you pay extra for safety ex. side curtain air bags - not an option, its a step up to a more expensive vehicle - Ill trade this car in for a Murano soon.
-
Best Car I have ever had - 2003 Toyota Highlander
By Michelle E. - March 24 - 10:00 amI love my Highlander! I put 30,000 miles on it in one year and never had the first problem. It is comfortable, smooth and fun to drive. Handles beautifully in Virginia winters, even without 4 wheel drive. The heated seats are great on a cold morning and the DVD player has saved my sanity on several trips. I would buy another one in a heart beat.
-
2004 Toyota Highlander in the highlands - 2004 Toyota Highlander
By msvoyageur - March 24 - 10:00 amI have had my new Highlander for a month now and love it. It rides like a dream on the interstates, but mountain climbing is also a piece of cake. Ive also mastered twisting radical steep downgrades in the mountains without touching the brakes. Im looking forward to trying it out in rain and snow. Oh...did I mention the 22 mpg? Yes, its true the 4 runner was sportier looking, but I was tired of "climbing up" into my ride everyday. The highlander gives me everything I want in a vehicle. After all, its a toyota!
-
Riding High - 2001 Toyota Highlander
By Toolman - March 23 - 11:46 pmMy wife is 55" tall, Im 64", we both experience good visibility and comfort from the front bucket seats. The 2.4L 4cyl. engine gives good fuel economy and adequate power. Our Highlander is Vintage Gold, which is a great color!
-
Still love it 6 years later - 2006 Toyota Highlander
By mmaddage - March 20 - 4:34 amPurchased Jan. 2006 at the time my requirement was back seat size, trunk space, side curtain air bags and great than 20 MPG. This brought us to the Toyota Highlander. It has been FANTASTIC for our family. I travel an average of 25,000 miles a year and have NO real complaints. I still when I get in say "i love this car". No major mechanical issues at all! Just routine maintenance. Change the oil every 5-7,000 miles - it is perfect.
-
Damm Near Perfect... Ill Keep It! - 2003 Toyota Highlander
By JonHailey - March 20 - 2:00 amSolid feeling body. No rattles. Smooth, silent, drive-train. Ample power. Pleasurable engine/door closing sounds. Right size outside/inside dimensions. Handy in tight parallel parking situations. Excellent foul weather handling. Seats are long term comfortable. Running close to EPAs mileage estimate. Well placed armrests. Few, if any blind spots. Good mirrors. Flat floors! Rear seats recline. Ivory interior hard to keep clean. No change holder. Center console storage awkwardly arranged. Wind rush at highway speeds with any window/sunroof open. No power passenger seat. Few manual seating adjustments. No memory settings. No shelf for cargo area.
-
Love My Highlander!! - 2007 Toyota Highlander
By Anna - March 17 - 11:53 amI knew I wanted this car from the moment I saw it. When I found out that 3rd Row seating was available, I knew it was the car! I love how it drives!! The ride is smooth and the seats are very comfortable. My husband sat in the 3rd row and he said there was plenty of legroom. Our 9 year old son thinks the car is "spacious". Our 3 year old likes the car too. I love all the features it has. Outside temp display, drivers window is auto up and down, auto dimming rear view, separate rear heat control, the little compartment to the left of the steering wheel (great for garage door opener and parking garage card AND chapstick!), 6-disc in dash CD changer and the 10 cup holders!! WOW!!
-
Love my Highlander - 2008 Toyota Highlander
By ellyn25 - March 11 - 5:13 pmIve had mine about a month. I traded in my Camry when purchasing the Highlander. I was trying to decide between it and the Mazda CX-9. The Highlander won out because of the great reliabiitiy of Toyotas Ive owned vs the unreliable Mazda I also had in the past. I love my 08 Highlander Sport!
-
Best "Car like" SUV - 2003 Toyota Highlander
By LCC - March 10 - 10:00 amBought my Highlander for $300 under invoice! Great deal for a lot of car. WOuld like a few more standard features in the base model, but it handles great, looks great, and is fun to drive. Better value compared to Honda Pilot LX, and handles much better. It was hard to find a 4WD 4- cyl, (didnt want the lower gas mileage of the 6) so had to take one fewer options than I would have liked, but it comes with almost everything I would have wanted anyway.
-
Almost perfect SUV - 2010 Toyota Highlander
By Almost perfect SUV - March 9 - 2:53 amGreat SUV with lots of power and security features. Bit thirsty on fuel but that is expected for 4x4 with this size and comparable to other SUVs. Smooth on road, lots of room for family and trunk.
