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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  Not happy with Toyota - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Kimberly McAllister - March 15 - 12:16 pm

  After doing a lot of research we purchased our 2008 Sport Highlander just three weeks ago. After two weeks of driving it we started to hear a noise when we would accelerate the car. (Mind you it only has 750 miles on it). Long story short we took it in to be checked out and found out we need a new transmission!!!! We are not happy and now doubt the reliability of our car.

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  Toyota - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By Lynn - February 3 - 1:16 am

  I purchased this used at 94000 miles, one owner, claiming to have no problems. Since 8/06 I have had to replace 4 tires, have it aligned, replace front brakes (would not pass inspection), need to replace rear brakes; check engine light on - had emission sensor replaced (expensive) and now check engine light on again. Cup holder has broken - very bad spot and poorly designed/made. I downgraded from 2004 Tahoe to this due to other circumstances than gas mileage; have had hard time finding replacement wiper blades for front/back; windshield leaks around rubber seal; lack of inside compartments; cig lighter jumps out of "pocket" if you try and use it; not real pleased with this.

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  Engine overheating after 1,500 miles on odometer - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By JW - October 21 - 12:38 pm

  gotta have it towed to the dealer tomorrow. I will have a follow up post after the dealers analysis of why the engine is overheating.

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  The Lurchmobile - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By obob - October 9 - 9:00 pm

  This car cannot make up its mind what gear it should go into. It drives like, (Im not kidding here), my old 3-speed K-car from the seventies. It cant seem to change gears without first dropping into passing gear, even at 70+ mph in cruise control, thus the "Lurchmobile". But at least I have the comfort of knowing that it looks beautiful and handles like Im towing a trailer. I guess my overall rating is a 5.

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  Disappointed - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By rdibella - September 29 - 9:10 pm

  1) Significant, frequent and dangerous hesitation problem (reminiscent of an out-of-adjustment carburetor in the old days). 2) Rough shifting transmission; shifts at odd rpm levels. 3) Annoying rear hatch door rattle. 4) Rough starting at unpredictable times. 5) Difficult to moderate AC/heat with the standard controls. 6) Other trivial items that, in the past, would have never been associated with a Toyota product.

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  Gas mileage? - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By donna - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I won a 99 RX300 and 01 Pathfinder.My husband is not very happy with the large blind spot or the gas mileage on the PF and wants to sell it and get possibly a Highlander.What is the mileage you owners are getting? What did you pay for a loaded Ltd edition? Im in NY. Thanks.

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  JBL sound system is terrible. Very disappointing! - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Scott Steele - June 5 - 4:52 pm

  The 2016 Platinum model comes standard with the JBL sound system (with subwoofer). Its not that it doesnt sound good when its working....but in less than a year of ownership, the subwoofer has blown 3x and now Toyota wont stand behind the product or the warranty. The dealership nor Toyota customer service have not satisfied me as a customer. I cant imagine buying another Toyota product...and I would be leary if I were you.

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  Slow & Unresponsive! - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Ray - May 25 - 7:31 pm

  I have Leased/Owned a 2012, 2015, and now a 2017 Toyota Highlander V6 AWD Limited Platinum. Even though the 2015 and 2017 models look somewhat similar (...minor changes in the lights) their power-train is completely different. The new engine is good (more power, and yet more efficient) but the new 8 speed transmission is just TERRIBLE! It changes gears too quickly and it seems like the car is always under-powered. When merging onto the freeway, changing lanes, going up-hills, or ... there is a significant lag between pressing the accelerator and the vehicle responding!!! Very disappointing... Much different than my 2015, or even the 2012 model. Also, I get about 19-20 MPG for combined driving (... i do live in a "hilly" area though). I hope this helps!

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  Good car, but no Honda Pilot. - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By B Tappan - April 14 - 8:18 am

  I own both a 2017 Highlander and a 2017 Honda Pilot. The Highlander is more comfortable to drive, and I like the physical stereo controls better than the laggy touch screen in the Pilot, but the Pilot is better in nearly every other way. The Pilot is cheaper when similarly equipped, has far more interior space, and is much more flexible on where child safety seats fit, having more latch points available in the 2nd and 3rd row. The pilot also gets better fuel economy.

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  2008 and newer highlander V6 engine issues - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By gobubba - April 1 - 3:07 am

  All V6 2008 and newer highlanders will develop piston slap according to the dealer and factory rep I talked to. It causes the engine to sound like a diesel for the first 10minutes of driving. The dealership could not fix the issue and bought our vehicle back. Im writing this to help educate people about this and hopefully save someone from making the same mistake I did, purchasing a certified highlander....