Toyota Highlander Review

toyota highlander side view

Toyota Highlander appeals to consumers who want an SUV image, cargo-carrying versatility and carlike driving characteristics. Think of the Highlander as an elevated, oversize Camry wagon dressed for the great outdoors, and you’ve got the general idea.

Now, The Toyota Highlander is a midsize crossover SUV that can seat up to seven passengers. The one-piece folding third-row seat is smaller than most competitors and is really only suitable for children. However, the middle section of the Highlander’s 40/20/40 second-row bench folds away into its own receptacle, leaving you with a pair of captain’s chairs — just like in a minivan. Toyota calls this handy innovation “Center Stow.”

toyota highlander rear seats interior

Toyota Highlander is available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Base front-drive models come with a standard 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. It’s connected to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The present Toyota Highlander Model represents the second-generation model, which was introduced for 2008. It’s significantly bigger than the previous model in nearly every way, adding shoulder room, hiproom and legroom all around as well as additional cargo capacity.

toyota highlander center console

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.