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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  Disappointed - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By Gloria S - March 26 - 7:36 pm

  I bought this vehicle after much research. I am disappointed in the leg room, you feel like your legs are not fully supported. The seats feel very hard. In addition, if it is raining and very hot, your ac will not cool and the belt slips.

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  Toyota run around - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By highlander24 - March 2 - 6:28 pm

  I purchased a 2001 toyota highlander from toyota financial in september 2011. The highlander has 110000 miles on it and it has a lot of oil blowby near the PCV valve. I heard there was a sludge issue with these vehciles so I went to Libertyville Toyota and asked them to check it out. I told them i was adding a quart of oil every 500 miles and I said they should check the PCV area because I heard the sludge build up was in an unusual area of the engine. We removed the PCV plug and stuck a tube in the engne area and pulled out alot of sludge. dealer teck called and said NO Warrentee because the engine was clean. They did not check PCV area, they said I would need to pay $400 first.

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  Problems with Toyota Highlander - 2013 Toyota Highlander
  By Scott - February 2 - 11:11 pm

  Problems: 1My Multifunction Display intermittently stops working. I have taken it to the dealership and had a soft wear upgrade that did not solve the problem. I contacted Toyota Customer Service and had a case number assigned. I called multiple times and was told it was a district manager decision and they would get back to me. You can guess that they did not get back to me. After more phone calls my problem was sent to the National level for review. My highlander was still 3 months within the 3 year and 36 month Factory warranty period and just over the mileage. (Less than 37000). Toyota refused to help me despite the fact that I have owned a number of Toyotas and keep the highlander serviced. (The replacement cost is thousands of dollars). I usually buy the extended warranty on my vehicles, but online reviews says Toyota is very reliable and that the extended warranty not needed. That may have been true in the past, but in my opinion is not true now. Please dont make the same mistake I did and count on Toyota Reliability. Also dont count on Toyota to stand behind the products.

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  Dont buy for Stereo - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By PGIL - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle runs good, but engine noise heard through speakers. Toyota not standing behind audio system. Says good as it gets. $35,000+ auto with upgraded stereo has engine interference? This problem went away in the 80s, now its back? Wont buy another Toyota, based on their unwillingness to stand behind vehicle.

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  Navigation deliberately crippled - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By captpayne - December 20 - 8:41 pm

  Know that you will still need to have your garmin on your dash. Many of the Navigation systems features wont work unless you STOP THE VEHICLE. I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IF I HAD KNOWN THIS. BEWARE. Also, the engine turns off at stop lights. This feature must be disabled EVERY TIME YOU START THE CAR. IT CANNOT BE PERMANENTLY DISABLED. THIS VEHICLE HAS TOO MANY NANNY FEATURES THAT CANNOT BE TURNED OFF. Update, 8-7-2017 The vehicle is now 4 months old. The radio/navigation system died today, 6 days before we are to drive the car to Florida for a vacation we have planned all year. The dealership says the entire radio and nav display must be replaced and the parts wont be available for 3 weeks. They gave me a national number for Toyota. They said to go to different Toyota dealerships to see if the parts are available there. They said the dealerships dont share parts. I bought the platinum service agreement and a 6 year prepaid maintenance plan; all apparently worthless. I deeply regret buying a Toyota. It is a mistake I will never make again. I will trade in this garbage as soon as I am financially able to do so.

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  Way too much road noise! - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By Renee - November 25 - 4:03 am

  Purchased new in Aug 2007 after selling my Avalon. Does the job, and its lack of "flashiness" is fine with me. But the road noise - ugh!! My father-in-laws 2004 Highlander is super quiet. So now I wonder if this noise issue is unique to my vehicle or all 07s. Upgraded to Bridgestone tires but didnt help with the noise. Music and conversation has to be at very loud levels to hear. Plan on asking dealership about it.

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  Disappointed with Highlander - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By kraley - September 4 - 4:06 am

  Purchased the Highlander about 2 weeks ago and ready to trade it in already. Vehicle makes a weird, rattling/vibrating noise when accelerating from a hard stop. Doesnt go away til you pass 40 mph. Interior visibilitily at night difficult. Cant see buttons etc. well. Worst of all, there are no A/C vents in second row. Passengers sitting in the back row are totally dependent on front seat passengers for A/C vent control. This means front row passengers freeze so that the back seat passengers are getting enough air. This is such a basic oversight I cant believe I spent over $31K for this vehicle.

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  Great all around car, but not for touring! - 2013 Toyota Highlander
  By Michael McRae - August 27 - 12:57 am

  I actually love my 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited, but I wish it had more comfortable and adaptable front seats. We have put just under 40K miles on ours and just recently took the first extended trip in it. Both my wife and I couldnt stand to stay in the seats for more than a couple hours. They literally were a pain in the ....

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  Used to be better - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Jill Berg - July 12 - 3:58 am

  I was given a 2016 Highlander XLE as a rental car while my 2011 Toyota Highlander was getting work done. It just didnt seem like the quality was as a good as with the previous body style. The seats were definitely not as comfortable. Also, the hood design creates a hazard when the sun reflects off of it at certain angles. You dont notice it from the outside but when you sit in the front seat you can see there is somewhat of a "U" shape design. Well when the sun hits the top of the "U" on either side it shines right in your eyes. I understand car manufacturers often make changes just for the sake of change, to differentiate the new from the old. However, please dont make changes that result in an inferior product.

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  Pretty Good - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Pilotboy03 - June 3 - 2:00 am

  The highlander is a wonderful viecle with a very nice ride, toyota build quality and reliability and good fuel economy for its class. Although I was dissapointed that the car is extreamely boreing to drive, bland and although toyota is known for its great looks on its SUVs this one is a dissapointment. Although its interior design is great the exterior design looks weak and to soft. A good alternate for this viecle is the Honda Pilot More room, a lil more power and much more rugged exterior looks with the same level of refinement.