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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  Larger interior, great ride, good looks - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Wes - February 21 - 2:46 pm

  The limited is a good quiet ride. Its really a van disguised as an SUV. Goes in a straight line very well. The interior is roomy and near luxury with leather. Drove and looked at many SUVs and waited for this model to come out. So far, we are glad we did. Averaged 27mpg on last highway trip at 70mph. Runs on regular, engine likes methanol. Beautiful exterior, build quality excellent. Automatic rear door might be a real plus on this SUV. Engine somewhat loud at cold start up, you can hear those 24 valves! Goes away quickly. Bluetooth phone dial by number is not very easy to use but speed dial works very well. This car was more expensive than others we tested, but worth it.

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  Ride on the Edge of America - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By bill geery - February 21 - 3:28 am

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  Almost a good car - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Last Chance - February 20 - 11:10 pm

  At 1000 miles the engine developed a cold engine knock that Toyota would not fix. They said it was the new piston design, and not a problem. When I unplugged my GPS from the console power outlet the entire console top came off with the plug. Very cheaply made. I dont drive it very much anymore because I hate the cold engine knock, and Im afraid of what else they might have compromised when they designed and produced this vehicle.

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  Awesome SUV - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By pch316 - February 19 - 2:10 pm

  My wife and I just purchased the 08 Highlander Limited awd. We love this vehicle it drives really smooth, comfortable and quiet. There are so many features in the Limited model. We really wanted the nav. but there wasnt one available so we just took the one on the showroom which was the Blizzard Pearl without the nav. and DVD. I love the 19" wheels, they look really nice. Im planning to accessorize this suv with wind deflectors on the hood and running boards. Good luck to all.

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  Smooth/Quiet Ride - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Don Lusk - February 18 - 2:00 am

  The Highlander is sporty and provides a ride equal or better than most cars. The engine performs well (Very quiet), the acceleration is good and the transmission shifts smoothly. The sporty details of the exterior makes it rather attractive to look at. The interior controls are welllocated and the storage space is is more than adequate for CDs, tapes, etc.

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  HLNDR - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By asta - February 18 - 2:00 am

  So far, I have no complaints. The auto is relatively expensive when compared to similar vehicles. It does take some time getting acustomed to dropping 30K on a truck. I expect it to pay off 8-10 years down the road.

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  Riding high - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By ddn_11 - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Have had the car now for 2 months and it is wonderful to drive. The car is spacious feels airy and comfortable. I had test drove 3 other similar cars and the Highlander went to the top of the list. The engine a V6 is strong and smooth. The AWD is great in the snow. The cars finish is nearly perfect and everything is laid out nicely in the cabin and the controls are easy to use. While some reviews complained about the odd placement of the shifter, I have no complaints. The exterior is growing on me and somewhere between the CRV and the 4Runner. Its a SUV after all and boxy is okay...though the Honda Pilot I thought was too boxy.

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  Need a smooth ride in SUV - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By RAJA - February 18 - 2:00 am

  It is good and very nice to drive in the cities.

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  Toy - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By D.Ferguson - February 13 - 10:00 am

  On coming traffic think I have the high beam rather than low beam on. Fuel tank is full but register only shows 3/4 full.

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  Toyota Highlander: Safe, fun and roomy - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Angels Intuition - February 7 - 10:00 am

  On Aug. 9th, 2003, I was driving my Highlander on a roadtrip in Oregon. On a remote road, I was hit by a drunk driver... driver side to drive side. Both of us were driving at 55mph. My Highlander saved my life. The engine dropped down and the airbag deployed. I and my two friends walked away from the accident. This SUV was fun to drive, lots of interior room and safe. A pleasure to owe.