The fifth model in Toyota’s lineup of SUVs, the Highlander, made its introduction in 2001. The Highlander was a pioneering crossover car—an SUV built on a car platform as opposed to a truck platform. Although the design offers comfortable handling and a smooth ride, it lacks true off-road performance. In the early Highlanders, there were two rows that could accommodate five people, but by 2004, there was a third row that could seat seven people. Due to a bigger third row, the third-generation Highlander’s maximum seating capacity was extended to eight for 2014. As a 2020 model, the current Highlander’s fourth generation made its debut.
In This Article...
What Toyota Highlander is the oldest?
As one of the first car-based, mid-size vehicles of its sort, the Toyota Highlander invented the crossover SUV segment when it was initially manufactured in 2000.
The Toyota Highlander was initially designed on the same basis as the Toyota Camry with the goal of fusing the spacious cargo area of a station wagon with the usefulness of a minivan or full-size SUV.
Present Toyota Highlander (XU70 4th Generation)
The 2019 New York Auto Show saw the world premiere of the fourth-generation Highlander, which is built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K) unibody platform. With a combined fuel economy of 34 MPG, the hybrid model leads the pack for its size. It is available in five trim levels: Platinum Edition, Limited, LE, XLE, and L.
The gas-powered Highlander has a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque with an 8-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission. This version can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 115 mph.
The hybrid model has a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that generates 243 horsepower overall. It also has two electric motors arranged coaxially rather than in line and is available in 2WD or AWD.
The 2020 Highlander came standard with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, Waze, and Amazon Alexa Compatibility as well as the optional Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, which offers better active safety measures. With a 12.3 inch size, it also has one of the largest multimedia screens in its class.
The XSE trim was unveiled by Toyota for the 2021 model year. Additionally, they made the Toyota Safety Sense suite and LED projector headlights standard features for all trim levels.
The Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition debuted with the 2022 model year. The XLE is expanded upon in this edition, but bronze wheels, badging, and front-seat trim are included.
Which Highlanders year is best?
The 2008–2013 edition is most likely the best option. You get more interior room, more features, a more potent engine lineup, better safety ratings, and better crash test results with this generation.
How many different Highlander generations exist?
Different Toyota Highlander Models There are still six trim levels available for this eight-seater SUV, but there is just one engine and transmission option.
Which is more dependable, a pilot or a Highlander?
The information above makes it evident that the Toyota Highlander outperforms the Honda Pilot in every category, including safety features and fuel efficiency. The Highlander is a much better choice if you’re searching for a three-row SUV that is incredibly dependable in this situation.
Is the Highlander constructed from a Camry chassis?
Instead of a truck frame, the Highlander is constructed on a Camry-derived platform. The Highlander’s lower ride height and more car-like appearance are made possible by its unibody design. Either front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive are options. Actually, the Lexus RX300 provides the majority of the genetic makeup for the Highlander.
Do Toyota Highlanders frequently experience issues?
Toyota Highlander Typical Issues This generation of Highlanders has received comparatively few complaints from owners. However, some owners report concerns with the motorized tailgate becoming caught in the open or closed position, a musty odor coming from the air conditioning system, and excessive wind noise when traveling at highway speeds.
How far can a Toyota Highlander travel?
One of the most durable midsize SUVs on the market, the Toyota Highlander can keep going for up to 300,000 miles after you drive it off the lot.
Do Highlanders continue to be valuable?
The Highlander received higher ratings than other well-liked cars like the Honda Pilot and Subaru Ascent. KBB data indicates that the Highlander keeps 60.2% of its value 36 months after purchase. It still retains 46.3% of its value after 60 months.
What is the Highlander’s Lexus equivalent?
The Lexus RX 350L and Toyota Highlander are two of the most well-liked SUVs on the market. The Lexus RX 350 has far more expensive materials and a sportier ride, but the Highlander is one of the best options for a three-row SUV. These cars are somewhat different from one another.
Can the Toyota Highlander handle snow?
Can a Toyota Highlander Handle Snow Well? The Toyota Highlander performs exceptionally well in snow because to its raised and commanding ride height. This elevates it above many other cars in terms of drivability in snow, along with its assortment of safety measures from the Toyota Star Safety system.
Is the Highlander being phased out by Toyota?
The choice to reduce the motor size in the upcoming 2023 Toyota Highlander SUV by Toyota will have a significant impact. For the past six years, it has been the best-selling midsize SUV. Toyota will replace the Highlander’s V6 engine in 2023 with a new, four-cylinder turbocharged engine for the first time. The engine change is one of many that Toyota will be implementing in 2023 SUVs. For instance, the new 2023 Toyota Sequoia and 2023 Tundra receive new i-FORCE MAX hybrid engines in place of V8s.
Highlander has AWD or 4WD.
A: Does the Highlander have 4×4 or AWD? A: Front-wheel drive is standard on the 2021 Highlander. However, every trim had an optional all-wheel-drive technology that provides more traction and control in slick driving situations when it was being marketed as new. This variant does not have four-wheel drive.
What year underwent the Highlander change?
For 2008, the Highlander underwent a redesign based on the longer Toyota Avalon chassis, maintaining its seven-seat capacity. At the beginning of the generation, only V-6 engines were offered; the conventional gas model had a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, while the gas-electric hybrid exclusively had all-wheel drive. 2009 saw Toyota launch a front-drive four-cylinder variant, and 2011 saw an upgrade to the exterior design.
Toyota Highlanders: Are they produced there?
One of the most well-liked midsize SUVs on the market is the Toyota Highlander. It is renowned for its smooth ride, roomy interior, and fuel effectiveness. You might be interested to know where these incredible cars are created if you’re thinking about purchasing one.
The Princeton, Indiana factory produces the Toyota Highlander for the US market. The first Highlander model was created at the Miyata factory in Fukuoka, Japan, although it is also produced in China and Japan.
Not all Toyota vehicles are built in Princeton, Indiana, including the Highlander. This plant produces the majority of Toyota’s SUVs. Along with the Toyota Sequoia SUV and Toyota Sienna minivan, the Toyota Highlander is built on the same assembly line.
Cabin Space
Highlander: At 194.9 inches, the new 2020 Highlander is 4.7 inches longer than its more capable off-road sibling, the 4Runner. Even though their widths are nearly identical, the new Highlander sits three inches lower than the 4Runner. The Highlander is, it may be said, even more like a car than before. The Highlander makes better use of its interior space because it is built on the new TNGA unibody chassis.
The headroom is 39.9 inches without the panoramic moonroof and 39.4 inches with the optional glass roof. Without the sunroof, there is 37.1 inches of headroom in the second row and 38.4 inches with it. In any configuration, the third row offers 36.1 inches of headroom. In terms of legroom, the first two seats have enough of it. Even the tallest passengers can easily fit in the first two rows thanks to its 40.4 and 41.0 inch widths. However, the third row is a little congested at 27.7 inches.
4Runner: Despite standing a solid 71.5 inches tall and measuring 190 inches in length, the 4Runner lacks a tiny bit of headroom and shoulder room compared to its car-based predecessor. The truck-like structure, which utilizes robust but space-consuming suspension components, is partly to blame for this.
Comparing the 4Runner to its slightly bigger unibody sister, both vehicles offer comparable amounts of headroom. To be exact, 39.3 inches in the front and 38.6 inches in the back. Although it does manage to reclaim some space in the third row, which offers two inches more legroom than the Highlander, the legroom in the middle seat is noticeably shorter at 32.9 inches due to the body on frame structure.
Conclusion: The Toyota Highlander is larger than the 4Runner and has significantly more space inside for passengers. The way they are built is primarily to blame for this. The 4Runner is a body on frame, in contrast to the Highlander’s unibody design. As a result, the 4Runner sits on top of its frame as opposed to the Highlander, which means the cabin’s available area is immediately reduced.
Which Highlander model year offers the largest cargo space?
The Highlander’s cargo area is divided up by model year as follows: Maximum capacity for the first generation (2001–2007) is 81.4 cubic feet. Maximum capacity for the second generation (2008–2013) is 95.4 cubic feet. Third generation (2014–2019): 83.2 cubic feet maximum capacity.
The Toyota Highlander with the largest cargo capacity?
With all the seats folded down, the 2021 Toyota Highlander offers a maximum load volume of 84.3 cubic feet, or 13.8 cubic feet behind the third row. The maximum cargo capacity of the 2021 Toyota RAV4 is 69.8 cubic feet, and the maximum amount of space behind the back seat is 37.6 cubic feet.
A Toyota Highlander has a truck frame, right?
Toyota provides customers with two highly excellent midsize car options, whether you’re looking for a crossover or an SUV. The Toyota Highlander, a popular midsize crossover from Toyota, is a fantastic choice for customers seeking a comfortable ride. Because the body and frame of the Highlander are constructed as a single unit, it is smooth and responsive to drive.
However, the Toyota 4Runner is categorized as an SUV since its body is attached to the frame, giving it a platform similar to that of a truck. Drivers can now travel on and off the road with a stronger handling thanks to this.
In order to better handle rain, snow, ice, and your undiscovered adventures, both the Highlander and the 4Runner are offered with four-wheel drive.
For drivers searching for a brand-new mid-sized car that is dependable and sturdy, the 2018 Toyota Highlander and 2018 Toyota 4Runner are fantastic possibilities. Below, we side-by-side compared these two Toyota models to demonstrate some of their basic specifications.