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! - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By kelly_lynne_2004 - September 30 - 5:36 am

  I love this car. I am coming from a half ton pick up so of course the fuel mileage is way better!! I love how it handles and the storage under the cargo area. I enjoy how the car handles and is another great product from Toyota!!

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  AWESOME ALL AROUND! - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By highaudio - September 28 - 1:10 pm

  This car is so versatile... excellent reliability -- done nothing with it but gotten oil changes.

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  Angela s review - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By bapdj - September 28 - 10:00 am

  My Highlander is family friendly and reliable.

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  CAUTION - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By raygen - September 24 - 6:31 am

  be warned this vehicle while an outstanding vehicle does seem to have problems with the steering rack at 65 K I fell as if I should not be asked to replace it already.

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  Touch Of Class - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By DDCTech - September 14 - 10:00 am

  Saddens me that USA wont build something of this caliber. Has all the personality of a perfect gentleman. Refined, reserved, full of class but never snooty, this is as near a perfect vehicle as I have ever seen. Bland? Boring? Never! Want exitement? Buy a Pontiac. If you want the Ultimate Family Machine, the HL is for you. 10 years from now it will still have its dignity, which is more than can be said for the competition.

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  REPALCE THE LEX - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By PETERPAL49 - September 14 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS MY FIRST HIGHLANDER, WHICH IS REPLACING MY RX300. LOOKED AT FORD, CHEVY AND CHRYSLER, AND WAS NOT IMPRESSED WITH THE VEHICLES FOR THE MONEY THEY WANTED. THE HIGHLANDER IS VERY COMPERABLE TO MY RX IN MANY WAYS EXCEPT PRICE! 10 GRAN LESS!! THE LEX IS QUIETER AND A SOFTER RIDE, BUT FOR 10 THOUSAND MORE? THE HIGHLANDER WAS A GOOD COMPREMISE.

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  Could be better - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By chili palmer - September 12 - 1:56 pm

  Just bought the 2WD Limited edition. Took it for a test drive before buying but I didnt notice the poorly designed inside door handles. It seems when you try and use the electric window switches the handle gets in the way. Try it youll see what I mean. I have a 2003 Highlander and it rides better then this 2008. This 2008 rides more like a truck with the 19" wheels. All in all I think its one of the best out there. They just have to twik it a bit. Also, its bigger than my 2003 which I think I like, Ill have to get use to it.

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  Love My Toyota - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Rick - September 12 - 12:46 pm

  I bought this with 15,000 miles on it and it has 116,000 on it now and never had any problems with it, I guess its time to change the plugs other than that, I will be looking for a newer one soon and getting a nice resale on this one.

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  Love my new Highlander Limited - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Barry - September 10 - 3:10 am

  I finally turned in my gas guzzler Lexus LX 470 SUV. This Highlander has all of the features I required except the nav. (I did not get the nav as I plan on buying my own to share in my household). The gas mileage is great at 20 MPG for my use (half city, half highway). Very smooth ride, JBL sounds great. Like the "smart key" push button start, homelink, heated seats, power rear door, lots of room. I highly recommend this vehicle.

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  I like it! - 2010 Toyota Highlander
  By Ali - September 6 - 10:00 am

  I bought the highlander about a month ago after doing my research on crossovers and SUvs. I chose the highlander after seeing all of the wonderful reviews it had. I am very pleased with my decision although I do believe as with other people there could be a few added upgrades on these vehicles. I purchased the 4 cyl and average about 28 mpg highway going about 60 mph. Im very satisfied with my choice.