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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Very Happy - 2008 Toyota Highlander
By Eric - January 21 - 9:03 amI just picked up my 2008 HL Ltd. on August 2nd, the Canada wide launch date. I ordered it in black with black interior in May when local dealership placed their first orders without knowing final price. Seriously considered 2007 MDX and Lexus RX 350. Decided to wait for HL and very pleased. Just returned from vacation trip to Lake of the Woods Ontario and it handled beautifully over hills and highway. Looks much better in person than in pictures. Ride quality, performance and JBL premium stereo are top notch along with fit and finish. Great room legroom and headroom. Upgraded from 2000 GM Montana van, will never consider GM product (Acadia, Enclave) after major problems with Montana.
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Love it! - 2008 Toyota Highlander
By teamtodd - January 18 - 10:46 pmWe purchased a loaded 08 Sport, minus leather, and we just cant drive it enough! It is so smooth and quiet; feels like you are gliding. Our first trip we averaged 27.3 on the road and in the city we are averaging 21.2. Overall we are very pleased with our new purchase.
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So far so good! - 2017 Toyota Highlander
By Bailey - January 18 - 10:19 amFirst 1700 miles..have been fantstic. Picked the Toyota over the Jeep Grand Cherokee n Ford Explorer! Look at the cheap fiber board wheel wells of Jeep n Ford at least Toyota has plastic in the front n some plastic in the rear, If going on dirt roads fiber board wheel wells WILL NOT hold up over time. The Toyota fuel economy is much better than expected. Getting 24.5 in city n 27+ on highway so far. Plus the V6 engine is the same as a Lexus RC 350. Love having radar weather over navigation maps too. That is free for life. Overall a 10 plus so far...!
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Great Buy - 2004 Toyota Highlander
By Dave 2 - January 14 - 2:00 amI bought my 04 Highlander about six weeks ago - my first Toyota. So far it has proven to be everything I was told. I bought the "base model" with a few options and got a GREAT deal. Given the current price of gas, I opted for the 4 cyl. and I am getting 26 mpg on the highway. The ride and acceleration is smooth and comfortable. So far a great car!
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Comfort and Security, but.... - 2002 Toyota Highlander
By cageym - January 12 - 10:00 amDespite careful break-in period, good maintenance and conservative driving, the gas mileage is worse than anticipated. Otherwise the comforts are there, fit an finish great, and winter handling impressive.
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Its the Best - 2002 Toyota Highlander
By Garretttt - January 12 - 2:00 amGreat SUV, worth every penny!
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Highlander is high on quality - 2006 Toyota Highlander
By Bill D - January 6 - 11:43 amI had my Highlander 7 months and I still love it. We went on a long trip and averaged 28 mpg on open highway. This vehicle can tow a light trailer just as well as my Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD. This vehicle will last me a very long time.
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Love this vehicle - 2014 Toyota Highlander
By pinner72 - December 31 - 7:56 pmI have the XLE AWD and in its first 5000 miles the vehicle is all I could ask for. It is a pretty SUV, it is quiet, and it delivers good mileage. I have had four 4-Runners over the years and this truck trumps them all. We recently towed a boat into Canada and my truck was loaded with gear and friends and we got 20.7 mpg on the trip. I have the captains chairs and that made for a very comfortable ride for the back seat boys. We took turns driving and to a man they all expressed the notion that it was a remarkable SUV.
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The SUV that Has it All - 2008 Toyota Highlander
By tregos - December 30 - 4:00 pmGot my Highlander June 2008 and have test driven it for 11,000 miles in all weather conditions. I am very pleased with all of the vehicles functions. My only real complaint is that in very cold weather the vehicle needs to be warmed up before driving otherwise it makes a lot of noise and has a major loss of power. My Subaru Outback that I traded in never did that in any temperature weather. Other than that, the vehicle has power, comfort, reliability and fairly good fuel economy for a large vehicle.
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The Best SUV w/3rd row! - 2010 Toyota Highlander
By Tricia - December 30 - 7:06 amI have been shopping around for a vehicle with a 3rd row. My kids absolutely love it. There is plenty of room in the 3rd row. Gas mileage is fine for this size SUV. V6 is great. I would absolutely recommend the Highlander.
