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 - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Reglo - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I researched all mid size SUVs and test drove about 3 of them. The highlander had the best ratings, a great ride, decent gas mileage. I feel comfortable, safe and stylish.

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  love the Highlander - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By rwh153 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I have had the Highlander for over a month and have been extremly pleased. It handles beautifully and rides like a dream. The Schaumburg Toyota dealership has been great. There was a small chip on the door panel that I didnt see and when I returned to the dealership they fixed it immediately, no questions asked, and even gave me a loaner to use for the day.

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  I love it!! - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By pattipumpkin - September 26 - 10:00 am

  The Highlander is a great vehicle and I have enjoyed every minute of driving it. The ride is great-very smooth. There is more front leg room than the Honda Pilot which I saw at the Auto Show in Chicago. My Highlander has been very reliable and the gas mileage is quite respectable for an SUV. I get a lot of comments from it from neighbors and coworkers and would recommend it to anyone.

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  Great mileage - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By rrgy2k - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Im getting 21mpg in town (who ever heard of a car that gets 20% better gas mileage than the sticker?) Great rear seat comfort. Good ride. I couldnt be happier!

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  Love this vehicle! - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By uronmarco - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This beauty rides like a dream! Very comfortable seats. Love the large "back" area, great for groceries, pets ect...Just an overall great vehicle! Toyota delivers once again!

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  awsome - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By adriene - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Great buy! This suv is not only affordable, but fun to drive. The clean design is both classy and sporty. I would recommend this truck to anyone looking for affordability and style.

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  Highlander Best Vehicle Ever Owned - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Peva - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Often we go to Colorado to visit family. These visits usually include trips to the mountains (Estes Park). While we were looking for a new vehicle, we wanted something that was quite, handled well in the mountains as well as the highway, and got reasonable mileage. The Highlander has proven successful in all of those areas, thus far. We are happy with our decision to purchase the Highlander.

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  Love My Highlander - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By boogerbare - September 26 - 10:00 am

  The Highlander is the smoothest riding vehicle I have ever owned. I like being up a little bit higher than every one else. It is also easier for my elderly Mother to get in and out. I traded in an Avalon that I dearly loved for it, so it had better be a great vehicle!

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  Versatile, Roomy & Confortable - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Frank in Cleveland - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Bought in Aug 03. Great ride - with nice feeling of height above the road - like a delux car/truck. This 4 cyl has good pick up & about as much power as my previous 6 cyl 95 Camry. Highlander is totally assembled in Japan - well built, sturdy & quiet. Dont pay for factory alarm. Get after market Viper550 system installed for about $395 - which includes remote engine starter. Im stll only getting 16-17 mpg after 2000 miles - should be closer to 21 mpg as shown on sticker. Hope it will improve after full breakin.

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  Me and My Highlander - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Judy Heck - September 26 - 10:00 am

  My experience over the past year has been excellent. One of the first snow storms I was in happened in NY State where I found myself in 3 feet of snow. The car handled flawlessly. I had just traded in my Lexus LS400 two months before and am sure glad I was in the Highlander!