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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  Love it - 2011 Toyota Highlander
  By John D - November 15 - 3:58 am

  Purchased the SE used with 83,000 miles and so far have loved it. Within 1 month, traveled nearly 3000 miles-1 long road trip and it drove great. Plenty of room, quiet ride and great sound on Sirius/XM. Rear camera is nice to let you know something is there but do not trust it to back into a parking spot

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  I love my Highlander - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Jan - November 14 - 10:26 am

  This is my second Highlander. My first one I have passed to my daughter so she has a reliable car. Did not have any trouble with the first one, and my present one is even better. Just a little disappointed that the gas mileage is not as good. Yes, I have a 6 cyl this time, and most of my driving is city driving. Maybe it will be better on the highway.

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  3rd Toyota purchase - 2011 Toyota Highlander
  By rma581 - November 11 - 10:18 pm

  I purchased this SUV 5 days ago. after driving 390 miles I calculated 27.8 MPG after my 1st tank fill, 70% hy 30% city driving. The 4cyl is a little noisy in the lower gears as oppose to the v6 however it performs well. I purchased the base model with the tech package option. (a must to have if you own a IPOD) I have 3 kids & decided to choose this model when Toyota changed the 3rd row on the 2011 Highlander from a single row to a split. This allows my son to sit in the back with the other seat down for more storage.

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  So smooth - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By reuben powell - November 11 - 12:43 pm

  This car is way better then my last great ride smooth engine best decision I made in a car

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  SUV that drives like a Car - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By I500X - October 20 - 12:00 pm

  Ive driven a few cars of similar size and type. They dont compare to this cars performance! The Highlander has great handling that gives the driver a nice feel for the road.. the steering is sharp.. the acceleration is good.. the brakes are excellent! The interior is pretty solid.. the only complaints i have is that it gets noisy at high speeds and the sound system could be better. Ive been using the Highlander for trips, moving boxes/furniture, moving heavy materials, and everyday use! Its very useful to have a larger car but the Highlander is not so large that it becomes bulky. It still feels like a car, rather than the truck (unlike the 4Runner).

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  Best Bang For Your Buck - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By ladydriver123 - October 18 - 2:26 am

  I bought my Highlander Limited recently after 4 months of looking and test driving lots other vehicles. Compared to the Lexus RX, Acura MDX, Lincoln MKX, BMW X3, MB ML350, and Infiniti FX and EX 35, my Highlander blows them away! Standard equipment includes: back up camera, rear seat change up into captains chairs, easy to read controls, AC & heat controls for the rear passengers, lots of HP, loads of trunk space (w/ 3rd seat down) and regular gas. The Blizzard Pearl color (w/gray interior) is gorgeous, and the ride is as smooth as my husbands RX 350! This car gives you a much better bang for your buck, is good to look at, and is in a class by itself. Try it, you wont be disappointed.

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  Technology Sucks - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Gary - October 17 - 12:08 pm

  If you are paying for, and expect reliable, navigation, auto hi-beam and voice assist....dont get a Toyota. Google "Toyota navigation and voice-activation problems" and read for yourself. If you get one and expect that Toyota will correct them, dont. Your navigation display will lag your actual current location by considerable distance and the voice-activation will drive you crazy. The response you will get from Toyota is, "normal function". If you have your windshield replaced, even with OEM glass, dont expect your auto-high beams to ever operate normally again. Toyota will tell you after testing, "normal parameters". Poor car when you consider what you are paying. Toyota should deliver what they advertise and charge you for in technology.

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  Great reliable vehicle with a good price - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By mshw777 - October 12 - 6:00 am

  This is the 2nd Toyota Ive purchased in 7 years because of my wonderful experience with our 98 4Runner (which we stil own). Reliability and value drove us to buy another Toyota - glad we did! The 05 Highlander w/4cyl is very smooth and responsive. Gas mileage is a bit off (20/25) as compared to the sticker (22/27) but its still new. Comfort is outstanding; 3rd row is very nice to have. Overall, a smooth and reliable vehicle... no regrets. Pricing was very good for what I got...

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  Bad Choice... - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By aman12 - October 6 - 2:22 pm

  Horrible quality. Have replaced numerous door rest inserts, ratlles coming from every corner, New transmission at 80k, now its in the shop because the lift gate needs a new hydraulic system. Not what Toyota used to be..

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  Leather Seats Streching - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By egre - September 30 - 9:36 am

  Have about 1200 miles on my HI sport. Have noticed in rear seats, section of leather is looking stretched out. These two seats sat in app 2 hours a week if that. Not noticed in drivers seat that I am in day in and day out. Dealer saying its not an issue. I would understand the worn look after a year or two but after 8 weeks, cmon! Am guessing the pieces of leather may be thinner than other pieced on the seat - Im not giving in til I get some resolution - this is a 30K vehicle!