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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  GREAT CAR - 2011 Toyota Highlander
  By David Gervais - August 30 - 5:41 pm

  This is the 3rd Toyota Highlander we have owned - started with the 2002 Limited. This car has served us very well. Great design, load a lot of stuff inside, great on long trips. I think the highlander is one of the best SUVs on the market today. Very reliable.

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  so long BMW X-5 Hello Highlander - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By pb - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Bought Limited edition for my wife and traded in her 2001 BMW X-5 (poor reliability). Test drove XC90 Volvo, Honda Pilot, Acura MDX and Lexus RX330. We both agreed that the Highlander won hands down. Didnt like new drivetrain, 5 speed auto, of Lexus; could feel down shifting and slight whine on deceleration; too lond a wait for Pilot; MDX and XC90 to pricey vs. Highlander.

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  Oh what a wonderful Toyota Highlander! - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Chip Glidden - August 24 - 12:28 pm

  This everything I had hoped for and more. The Highlander is very comfortable and stylish. The safety features are an added reason to pick this great vehicle.

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  So far So great - 2009 Toyota Highlander
  By Marc Lindstrom - August 23 - 10:20 pm

  Cant say enough about the Highlander. Handles great, rides better, and has great pickup speed.

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  Research resarch, drive it - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Dave - August 22 - 1:46 am

  Bought used with 33,000. Runs great no problem finding tires. Had to search a little but found 10 brands that make that size. Rides and handles like a car. My wife is disabled and has little to no trouble getting in and out. Only real grip is not having a hatch release up front.

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  Love this Car - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By JANICEDAWG - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Just bought used Highlander last month. Got all bell and whistles for same price as 2003 base model, with only 8800 miles on it- Aloways wanted one since I departed from my 4-runner 2 years ago. Went to a sedan (hated it).

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  Once you drive it youll buy it - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Gery B. - August 14 - 4:55 pm

  Dont trade in if you can sell to a private party. Find an enet sales person who wants to make a sale, and not at $450 or 750 below MSR-deal and be ready to walk away if their feet are in concrete. Search the whole state for your car, it could likely be to your interest and let them know if the price is right youd make the trip. Test drive before you start seriously looking. Be ready for the finical officer hes got a ton of service and extended contracts and remember you have an option under Toyotas warranty and road service to buy any other extended contracts before theirs end.

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  4 TOYOTAS & NOW A SUV & I LOVE IT!!!!!! - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By LLLESKO - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Toyotas have been my safety net, they are safe and that is why I buy them. Ask your insurance company. My father started me out in the family Toyota in 1971. Enjoy LLL

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  Get your own - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By Stuman - August 14 - 8:13 am

  As we see more and more of these on the road it is no wonder. These are fantasic vehicles that handle great as well as ride excellent, get great mileage and has outstanding looks. We all love it!!

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  First Toyota - like it dont love it - 2010 Toyota Highlander
  By lewis - August 12 - 10:00 am

  Ride is smooth compared to my old Ford Explorer and Jeep Commander. Drives more like a car than a SUV. Quiet ride. Radio and Controls for heat/ac are confusing and seem awkwardly designed. I am 511" and my head is almost hitting the roof so this car not designed for a tall person. Got the auto start from dealer and it came as a separate key fob and you have to turn off car from outside to get in and than restart - a stupid feature. Horn sounds like it is from a corolla from 1985. I added the side body moldings for $200 - car seemed naked and i wanted some basic protection for doors in parking lots. No auto trunk opening - that is a big drag - overall had it 4 weeks and really like it