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:

• 

  Exceptional Stationwagon - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By LH - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Traded a Mercedes ML320. Mercedes is probably more capable off road, but Highlander is quieter, more comforable, and just easier to live with every day.

• 

  Nice Wheels - Typical Toyota Part 2 - 2009 Toyota Highlander
  By Love Findlay - June 24 - 1:40 pm

  Almost four months with our new Highlander and no issues since we drove it off the dealer lot. 5000 miles and averaging 19 mpg consistently....22 for hghwy trips. My wife loves the push button start and key fob that unlocks the vehicle for her. Vehicle is still quiet, smooth and has very comfortable seats. The seat heaters feel great on the lower back even during the summer and the JBL sounds great. The rear seat is roomy, comfortable and the rear climate control is as comfortable as the front...nice.

• 

  Family car - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Paul Birley - June 23 - 2:57 pm

• 

  Love it - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Joan - June 23 - 10:50 am

  I just bought this SUV 4 weeks ago. I love it. It rides like a car and interior is roomy well equipped. I looked at all the mid size SUVs and this is the one I kept coming back to.

• 

  Highlander Review - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By E Miller - June 20 - 2:00 am

  This Highlander has been all we had hoped it would be. We have an SR5 but it is more equiped than the typical Limited. It provides a refined ride with ample interior space, it feels solid and handles responsively. We dont mind making long trips in it, and performs well under harsh wintery conditions. Gas mileage has been very good for an SUV. We are very satisfied.

• 

  best in class - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By older&wiser - June 19 - 10:00 am

  drove both 4 & 6 cy., and chose the 4 for gas mileage. Its fine for majority of driving, but if you ever have to stop on an incline, and then start uphill again it may take you to Christmas to get to the top! I test drove Explorer, Pathfinder, CR-V, Santa Fe, Escape, and Jeep Liberty. Highlanders quality far better than any of those. I have bought nine new cars in my life, and this was the most unpleasant transaction Ive had. The dealership was the most impersonal, uncaring, arrogant salesmen Ive ever dealt with, especially AFTER the sale. Wouldnt return phone calls.

• 

  2004 Highlander Review - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By JLipka - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle because I have a rather large family. I wanted something bigger than what I was already driving. This was exactly what I was looking for. The optional 3rd row seating works great for us. I unfold it when not in use. The CD/radio that came with the Highlander sounds great. I did test drive some other makes and models of SUVs. The Toyota Highlander was the one that I enjoyed driving the most. I like that seats in the 2nd and 3rd row are able to move forward and backwards. With the 3rd row seats folded down there is ample amount of cargo space. The gas mileage is excellent for this SUV. I opted for the 4 cyl. engine.

• 

  Highlander Heaven - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By nancrosy - June 10 - 5:10 pm

  I love driving my Highlander. I initially bought this because of its safety ratings and the side curtain airbags. It handles well in the Buffalo snow and ice, which is much to its credit. The seats and legroom are generous enough for my two 6 foot-plus teenagers. The ride is smooth and quiet. It requires only routine maintenance and is very reliable.

• 

  2004 Toyota Highlander - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By allison zerr - June 10 - 10:00 am

  After 6 months of research, I decided to "take the plunge". I am glad I did. We got a great deal on a reliable, comfortable, safe SUV.

• 

  Wonderful Hwy Cruiser - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By Metro Atlanta - June 7 - 12:30 pm

  My wife and I were shopping for a small/medium size SUV for our off-work vehicle. We were looking at several other SUVs out there before settling for the Highlander. It was not the best of the bunch but it was the best deal of them all. The RAV4 V6 and Murano definitely had more punch and characteristics. But the Highlander had the best value of the bunch. As expected, the fit & finish is excellent. The V6 is more than adequate for everyday driving. The handling is better than I expected. It is quite balanced for a fwd. Great ergonomics all around. The chrome enhancement on the Sport model really freshens up the dull look of the base model. Cant beat the deal at 0% for 48 months.