The Toyota Highlander has been a mainstay in the mid-size SUV segment for over two decades, consistently earning praise for its reliability, practicality, and family-friendly features. But in today’s competitive market, with a plethora of options vying for your attention and hard-earned cash, is the Toyota Highlander truly worth the investment? This in-depth review will delve into the Highlander’s strengths, weaknesses, trim levels, fuel economy, safety features, and overall value proposition to help you make an informed decision.
The Enduring Appeal of the Toyota Highlander
The Highlander’s enduring popularity stems from its well-rounded nature. It isn’t the flashiest or most exciting SUV on the market, but it excels in providing a comfortable, dependable, and safe driving experience for families. This focus on practicality and reliability has cemented its reputation as a smart and sensible choice.
The Highlander boasts a spacious interior, offering three rows of seating that can accommodate up to eight passengers, depending on the configuration. While the third row might be a bit tight for taller adults on long journeys, it’s perfectly suitable for children or shorter adults. The second row, however, provides ample legroom and headroom, making it a comfortable space for passengers of all sizes.
Toyota’s legendary reputation for reliability is a major selling point for the Highlander. Owners consistently report fewer mechanical issues compared to other SUVs in its class, leading to lower long-term ownership costs and peace of mind.
Breaking Down the Pros: What Makes the Highlander Shine?
The Toyota Highlander has many strong points. Let’s examine some of the reasons consumers favor this car:
Reliability and Durability
Toyota’s unwavering commitment to quality is evident in the Highlander’s construction and engineering. The powertrain is robust and dependable, and the overall build quality is impressive. This translates into fewer trips to the mechanic and a lower likelihood of unexpected breakdowns.
Spacious and Comfortable Interior
The Highlander’s interior is designed with passenger comfort in mind. The seats are supportive and well-cushioned, and the cabin is generally quiet and refined. The ample cargo space behind the third row is also a major advantage for families who need to haul groceries, sports equipment, or luggage.
Strong Resale Value
Toyotas, in general, hold their value exceptionally well, and the Highlander is no exception. Its strong resale value makes it a smart investment, as you can expect to recoup a significant portion of your initial purchase price when you eventually decide to sell or trade it in.
Comprehensive Safety Features
The Highlander comes standard with a suite of advanced safety features, including Toyota Safety Sense, which includes features like pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. These features contribute to a safer driving experience for you and your passengers.
Available Hybrid Powertrain
For those seeking better fuel economy, the Highlander offers a hybrid powertrain option that delivers impressive gas mileage without sacrificing performance. The hybrid model combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor to provide a more efficient and environmentally friendly driving experience.
Addressing the Cons: Areas for Improvement
Even with its many strengths, the Highlander isn’t without its drawbacks. Potential buyers should be aware of these before making a purchase.
Third-Row Space Limitations
While the Highlander offers three rows of seating, the third row can be cramped, especially for taller adults. If you regularly need to transport adults in the third row, you might want to consider a larger SUV with more legroom.
Styling Can Be Considered Conservative
The Highlander’s design is generally considered conservative and understated. It lacks the aggressive styling or eye-catching features of some of its competitors. If you’re looking for an SUV that makes a bold statement, the Highlander might not be the best choice.
Infotainment System Could Be More Intuitive
While the Highlander’s infotainment system is functional, it’s not the most intuitive or user-friendly on the market. Some users have complained about the interface being clunky and the graphics looking dated. Newer models are improving this aspect, but it’s still an area for potential improvement.
Driving Dynamics Can Be Uninspiring
The Highlander prioritizes comfort and smoothness over sporty handling. While it’s perfectly competent in everyday driving situations, it’s not particularly engaging or fun to drive. If you’re looking for an SUV with a more dynamic driving experience, you might want to explore other options.
Trim Levels and Key Features: Finding the Right Highlander for You
The Toyota Highlander is available in a variety of trim levels, each offering a different set of features and amenities. Understanding the differences between these trims is crucial to finding the right Highlander to suit your needs and budget.
L and LE Trims: The Essentials
The L and LE trims represent the entry-level options in the Highlander lineup. They offer a good value proposition, providing essential features like Toyota Safety Sense, a touchscreen infotainment system, and comfortable seating. However, they lack some of the more luxurious features found in higher trims.
XLE Trim: Stepping Up the Comfort
The XLE trim adds a touch of luxury and convenience to the Highlander. It includes features like a sunroof, heated front seats, and a power liftgate. The XLE is a popular choice for buyers who want more features without breaking the bank.
Limited Trim: Premium Comfort and Technology
The Limited trim takes the Highlander to the next level of luxury and technology. It includes features like leather upholstery, a premium audio system, and a larger touchscreen display. The Limited trim offers a more refined and upscale driving experience.
Platinum Trim: The Ultimate Highlander Experience
The Platinum trim represents the top of the line in the Highlander lineup. It includes all the features of the Limited trim, plus additional amenities like a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, and heated second-row seats. The Platinum trim offers the ultimate in comfort, convenience, and technology.
Hybrid Options: Fuel Efficiency Without Compromise
Each of these trims, with the exception of the L, are also available as hybrid versions, making them exceptionally fuel efficient.
Fuel Economy: Balancing Power and Efficiency
Fuel economy is a major consideration for many SUV buyers. The Highlander offers a range of powertrain options, each with its own fuel economy rating.
The standard gasoline engine delivers respectable fuel economy for its class. However, the hybrid powertrain offers significantly better gas mileage, making it an attractive option for those who prioritize fuel efficiency.
The Highlander Hybrid is a standout in its class when it comes to fuel economy. It can save you a significant amount of money at the pump over the long term.
Safety Ratings and Features: Prioritizing Passenger Protection
Safety is paramount when choosing a family vehicle. The Toyota Highlander has consistently earned high safety ratings from reputable organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The Highlander comes standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including:
- Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection
- Lane departure alert with steering assist
- Automatic high beams
- Dynamic radar cruise control
- Blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert
These features work together to help prevent accidents and protect occupants in the event of a collision.
The Verdict: Is the Toyota Highlander Worth It?
So, is the Toyota Highlander worth the money? The answer, as with most things, depends on your individual needs and priorities.
If you prioritize reliability, spaciousness, safety, and strong resale value, the Toyota Highlander is an excellent choice. Its reputation for dependability and its comprehensive suite of safety features make it a smart and sensible option for families.
However, if you’re looking for an SUV with sporty handling, eye-catching styling, or a more intuitive infotainment system, you might want to explore other options.
Ultimately, the best way to determine if the Toyota Highlander is right for you is to take it for a test drive and compare it to other SUVs in its class. Consider your budget, your driving needs, and your personal preferences to make an informed decision.
For most families, the Toyota Highlander represents a solid and dependable choice that delivers excellent value for the money. Its combination of reliability, spaciousness, safety, and strong resale value makes it a worthwhile investment. The availability of the hybrid version only adds to the appeal, providing excellent fuel economy and environmental benefits.
Is the Toyota Highlander reliable, and what is its predicted lifespan?
The Toyota Highlander has consistently ranked highly in reliability surveys from sources like J.D. Power and Consumer Reports. This stems from Toyota’s renowned engineering and manufacturing processes, focusing on proven technologies rather than cutting-edge but potentially unreliable innovations. Owners often report minimal issues, particularly with the drivetrain, contributing to lower long-term maintenance costs compared to some competitors.
With proper maintenance, a Toyota Highlander can easily exceed 200,000 miles and often reaches 300,000 miles or more. This longevity is a significant factor contributing to its value proposition, offsetting the initial purchase price over the vehicle’s lifespan. Factors like driving habits, regular servicing, and environmental conditions will obviously impact its actual lifespan.
How does the Highlander compare to its competitors in terms of fuel efficiency?
The Toyota Highlander offers competitive fuel economy within the mid-size SUV segment, particularly with its hybrid powertrain option. The standard gasoline engine achieves respectable MPG figures for its size and power, while the hybrid version significantly improves upon this, making it a compelling choice for fuel-conscious buyers. Real-world fuel economy often matches EPA estimates, which is a positive attribute.
Compared to competitors like the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Kia Telluride, the Highlander holds its own, especially when considering the hybrid model. While some rivals might offer slightly better MPG in specific driving conditions, the Highlander consistently provides a balanced approach to power and efficiency, making it a practical choice for everyday use.
What are the key differences between the gasoline and hybrid Highlander models?
The most significant difference between the gasoline and hybrid Highlander models lies in their powertrains and fuel efficiency. The gasoline model uses a conventional engine, offering robust power for towing and acceleration. The hybrid model combines a gasoline engine with electric motors, prioritizing fuel economy and lower emissions. This impacts the driving experience, with the hybrid offering a smoother, quieter ride at lower speeds.
Besides the powertrain, the hybrid Highlander often features slight differences in trim levels and available options. Generally, the hybrid comes at a higher upfront cost, but this can be offset by the long-term savings in fuel expenses. Consider your driving habits and priorities to determine which powertrain better suits your needs.
Is the Toyota Highlander comfortable for long road trips with a family?
The Toyota Highlander excels in providing a comfortable experience for long road trips with a family. The spacious cabin offers ample legroom and headroom in the first two rows, ensuring passengers can relax even on extended journeys. The ride quality is smooth and well-damped, minimizing bumps and vibrations.
Furthermore, the Highlander features a range of amenities designed to enhance comfort, including available leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a comprehensive infotainment system. Features like adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning can also reduce driver fatigue during long drives. The availability of a rear-seat entertainment system also proves very beneficial for keeping kids occupied.
What are the common complaints or drawbacks of owning a Toyota Highlander?
While the Toyota Highlander is generally well-regarded, some common complaints include the smaller cargo space compared to some competitors, particularly with the third row in use. The third row itself can be a bit cramped for adults, making it more suitable for children. Some drivers also find the infotainment system less intuitive than those offered by other manufacturers.
Another potential drawback is the higher initial price compared to some rival models. While the Highlander’s reliability and resale value often compensate for this, it’s still a factor to consider when budgeting. Finally, some reviewers have noted that the Highlander’s styling can be considered conservative compared to more aggressively styled SUVs on the market.
Does the Toyota Highlander hold its value well over time?
Yes, the Toyota Highlander is known for its exceptional resale value, consistently ranking among the top vehicles in its class in terms of retaining its worth over time. This strong resale value is a testament to its reputation for reliability, durability, and overall quality. Demand for used Highlanders remains consistently high.
Factors contributing to its strong resale value include the Toyota brand’s positive image, the Highlander’s proven track record, and its broad appeal to families and individuals seeking a dependable and practical SUV. This makes it a smart investment for those who plan to eventually trade in or sell their vehicle.
What safety features does the Toyota Highlander offer?
The Toyota Highlander comes standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, typically including Toyota Safety Sense, which incorporates features like pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. These technologies are designed to help prevent accidents and mitigate the severity of collisions.
Beyond the standard features, higher trim levels may offer additional safety technologies, such as blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The Highlander has also consistently earned high safety ratings from organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), further solidifying its commitment to occupant protection.