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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  Highlander 03 Denv - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By victoyo03 - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I purchase this vehicle because I heard of its great quality and that it is built on a Camry body frame that makes it ride very smooth. So far I am not disappointed except for one thing that has failed or is not working properly is the cruise control. However the dealership will take care of this. I bought the Limited Edition 4 Wheel Drive V6 3.0 litter fully loaded. It has the power to pull you out of an emergency i.e passing other cars or semi trucks. The only part I did not rate very well was in the gas mileage. It supposes to do 21 MPG city and 24 MPG Hwy. Instead does about 19 city 22 to 23 HWY. It’s spacious, drives like a car and looks great too.

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  Best SUV Ive Ever Owned - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Road Warrior - April 13 - 6:44 pm

  I needed a 8 passenger SUV for my family with growing kid, their friends, sports, activities, etc... I narrowed it down to the redesigned Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander XLE AWD. I reviewed many customer, and on-line expert reviews, and for me there was no contest... the winner was the Toyota Highlander XLE. From looks and comfort to performance and safety/technology. All of my past five SUVs all drove like trucks, but not the Highlander, this one drove like a Lexus! It is definitely a head turner that Im proud to drive. I got the Blizzard White which is not your standard white, its a more luxurious color for sure. Im 62 tall and I have plenty of room in the drive seat, which is not the case in a lot of SUVs. Just to be picky...I wish it had a few more USB ports, better headlights, and blind side indicators for this model, which is the more popular middle of the road model. I could not comment on the maintenance costs or repair frequency since I only have 1k for miles. Great vehicle overall and so much fun to drive! You will not be disappointed with the Toyota Highlander!!!

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  New Toyota - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Lawrence - April 7 - 10:43 pm

  I had a wonderful experience when purchasing my Toyota. The employees were very professional and experienced. I traded my 2014 Terrain for the Highlander and the difference is unbelievable. This is the quietest car I have ever had. It handles great and the 6 cylinder is really good. I am still learning all the electronics, but the keyless start is amazing. Interior is beautiful. Everything is well made. There is plenty of leg room for my 66" husband. He loves to drive the car. He thinks I made the right decision purchasing the Highlander Limited. It was a few thousand dollars more than the XL and worth the difference. We have always bought GM vehicles and this is our first Toyota. It is much better than the Terrain.

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  Solid and fun SUV - 2009 Toyota Highlander
  By NLEditor - April 2 - 2:50 pm

  Went from G35 to Highlander Sport 4WD - big change, but surprisingly a nice transition. More pickup and power than I thought it would have, nice ride (although coming from a sport car, a little too soft, especially steering feel). My kids like the 2nd row capt. chairs, and Im glad the 3rd row folds flat - hauled home a 46" LCD TV, no problem!

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  gds - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By GDS - April 2 - 7:38 am

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  2005 Toyota Highlander Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By WarrenG - March 28 - 11:30 am

  I bought this new in 2005 and now have 65k trouble-free miles on it. After 3 Explorers, it has been very nice not to have to meet on a regular basis with the service writer for a change. 4-cyl is strong enough and gives 20 mpg around town, 25 hwy. Only problem was with original Toyo tires - at 29k they looked great but couldnt keep the vehicle on the road in FL summer rains. New Michelin LTs solved that problem. Only costs have been oil changes, filter changes, and a new battery. Very satisfied.

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  Excellent Choice - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By AnonymousGA - March 22 - 10:00 am

  This has been an awesome car. It has not gone in the shop once since I have had it. It is extremely comfortable and the back seat area is very spacious. It drives like a dream. It gets great gas mileage for being an SUV.

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  THE VERY BEST THING IVE EVER BOUGHT - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Sanya - March 20 - 10:00 am

  Ive bought many things in my life, but NONE except my house have been as satifying as this truck!!! A friend of mine bought the lexus truck and is so mad at me for saving 10K and have the same feel and luxury of her lexus!!! I cant say enough about this SUV.... it is truly the best.

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  Great Vehicle! - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Tom Negri - March 18 - 4:33 am

  Fun and Easy to drive, Great Pick-up, very smooth ride.

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  FTD - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By leonf3rd - March 16 - 10:00 am

  FunToDrive. I was very surprise on it smooth handling. Family loves it. After adding a few accessories on the outside it turned out to be a very good-looking vehicle. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a small-medium SUV. Good gas mileage. I wish the fog lights were standard. Can get expensive adding few features.