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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  Good Quality for the money - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Sieverss - December 30 - 10:00 am

  Just bought a 2002 Highlander V6 FWD. It has all the features we were looking for at an affordable price for an SUV. Love the reclining back seats and the armrest. It has plenty of pick-up on the freeway and rides smooth. Put 700 miles on it the first weekend we had it. I still like the tilt steering in american cars, but you cant have everything. I hope to get several years of good service out of this vehicle and so far it looks like I will.

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  No Buyer Remorse - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Dave - December 27 - 12:36 am

  I traded in 2007 Toyota Prius with 24,000 miles and purchased new 2008 Base Highlander with max out options. We got great gas mileage on Prius avg on 24,000 miles was 45 MPG. Great car just not the car I wanted to drive in the winter in CO. We have driven the Highlander only 3,279 miles 80% city 20% highway. Average 19.9 MPG. High of 25.6 in the mountains and highway and low of 17.7 in city. This a average 16 tanks of gas. That is 165 gal of gas on 3,279 miles driven or 19.9 MPG. Im happy having much more extensive comfort and control on snow covered roads in the winter. (No Buyers Remorse.)

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  1st 6 months - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Lenny P - December 24 - 10:00 am

  This is one great car. I highly recommend. All minor details are thought through carefully. Only gripe is no power antenna unless Limited edition. Drives very much like a car but can handle off road bumps pretty well. Interior is quiet and comfortable. No defects at all to date and I have about 17K already. I had 4Runner before and Highlander actually has more usable room. Probably because it is a little wider. Acceleration is very good. Much better than 4Runner. A Great all-round vehicle as it was designed to be.

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  Best Car I ever owned - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By erin, MD - December 22 - 9:23 am

  I just love driving my Highlander. It is such a smooth ride. The air conditioning comes on instantly even on really hot days. The interior is really nice and neatly organized. My only complaint is the gas light comes on early; before it even touches E.

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  Disappointed long time Toyota owner - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By JoesHomeWorkshop - December 21 - 6:13 pm

  The vehicle started out OK with no issues. By the time 70,000 miles rolled around we had unending engine light problems which the dealer kept "fixing" by running "calibration". This held for a few months at a time until the emissions warranty ran out. Then a "surprise" quote to the tune of $1,000 for catalytic converter job! At 104,000 miles the vehicle came to a literal "grinding" halt with a $4,000 transmission repair quote from a dealer. Took it an independent reputable tranny shop that found a pinion gear roll pin that had not been installed right at the factory, had backed out and caused damage to the transmission. Claim to Toyota did nothing. I had better luck with my other Toyotas.

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  The Gentlemans SUV - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By Andy - December 16 - 8:06 pm

  Pros: Smooth engine, transmission, comfortable ride. Cons: Shifter intrudes on right leg room in drivers seat, tiny arm rests, came with Big O tires. Make sure you listen to the tires while you test drive. I didnt notice my tires were so loud. They were good snow tires, but I replaced them with quieter Firestone tires.

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  Wonderful Car - 2009 Toyota Highlander
  By Krishna - December 16 - 5:10 am

  Im very happy about my decision. I was looking for a SUV to replace my VW Passat which is economical and could satisfy my SUV Dreams. Im happy that I purchased this base model highlander. For my regular commute it give 24 in average and for longer trips it give 26.5mpg. Handling is very good and very very comfortable. Dealer converted the seats to leather for $1099 with heated seats (front and second row). I will recommend this car to anyone without any regret.

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  I still love my Highlander! - 2013 Toyota Highlander
  By Dawn Cicco - December 14 - 5:44 am

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  Would Recommend Highlander - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By J David - December 12 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable and Reliable, would recommend a test drive.

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  Great SUV/Car - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By RichTeg - December 12 - 2:00 am

  Never having owned an SUV I did a lot of research. Edmunds.Com was very helpful. I was able to get a good prive via the internet, then offered my local dealer a chance to match it, which she did. The purchase process was very smooth and delivery was within a few weeks. The vehicle was in excellant condition upon arrival. I love the feel and overall package.