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 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.
The Toyota Highlander has what issues?
Knowing what kind of performance to anticipate from each model year is crucial if you’re thinking about purchasing a Toyota Highlander. Although Toyota is a reliable brand and the Highlander is a well-liked and sturdy SUV, not every year for the Highlander was successful. If you want to be sure you get a dependable car that will endure through years of regular use, you must be aware of the Toyota Highlander years to stay away from.
Some buyers love experimental cars, but nobody wants to purchase one they believe won’t be a dependable daily driver.
We’ll also touch on the Highlander model years that have received the best ratings and reviews, as well as any other factors you might want to take into account before purchasing a Toyota Highlander.
Here are a few of the Toyota Highlander’s most frequent issues to stay away from.
- Engine bolts are ripping out.
- Engine malfunction
- Using Engine Oil More Rapidly than Normal.
- Issues with the AC condenser and fuel tank.
- faulty oxygen sensor and head gasket.
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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 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.
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.
How far can a Highlander be driven?
How many miles can a Toyota Highlander travel on average? When you inquire with a Toyota dealer, they will give you the high-end estimate, which is approximately 300,000 miles.
This figure is approximately 50–100,000 miles higher than you would generally anticipate in this price range and size class.
Although 300,000 miles is certainly not unheard of, if you take care of your Highlander, you shouldn’t be surprised to see it go far beyond that number.
However, this is the best-case situation and presupposes that you are most likely the first owner and haven’t been putting off any oil or fluid changes.
A typical used Highlander will likely travel at least 250,000 miles with its original engine and transmission if you’re the third or fourth owner. From then, everything will depend on you.
According to Kelley Blue Book, the typical American logs 14,000 miles a year on their vehicles. Therefore, if you can keep it clear of rust and prevent collisions, your Highlander might live over 20 years, assuming ordinary mileage.
The majority of Highlanders are built on the same Toyota K platform as the Avalon, which has been known to travel more than 500,000 kilometers.
All things considered, driving a Highlander into Guinness World Record zone is possible if you really know how to maintain an SUV.
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.
Is the Highlander or 4Runner bigger?
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.
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.
Key Points
- In a recent survey of the cars most likely to travel 200,000 miles, the Honda brand came in second. Although the Honda Odyssey minivan, which has the same platform as the Pilot, was listed in the study’s list of 16 cars projected to reach that mileage milestone, the Pilot was not.
- The Pilot’s track record of dependability has one flaw: In 2013, a class action lawsuit involving an engine problem impacting more than 1.6 million automobiles was resolved. The 3.5-liter V6 engine used in 2009–2013 Pilots may malfunction or burn excessive amounts of oil, according to the lawsuit.
- The average annual repair cost for more recent Pilots is $542, which is less expensive than the Ford Explorer’s average annual repair cost of $732.
- Less than 100 complaints on vehicles from 2014 and later indicate that the Pilot has been a reliable vehicle, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- The Honda Pilot is a dependable and reasonably priced SUV that, while not the most thrilling car on the road, should satisfy the ordinary driver for a decade or more of devoted service and can easily travel over 150,000 miles with proper maintenance.
Do Toyota Highlanders handle snow well?
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.
Do Toyota Highlanders cost a lot to repair?
During its first ten years of use, a Toyota Highlander will need roughly $5,771 in maintenance and repairs.
This is $3,362 less than the industry average for popular SUV models. Additionally, there is a 16.08% likelihood that a Highlander will need a significant repair at that time. Compared to competing automobiles in this sector, this is 5.42% better. The following graph shows how these expenses and the likelihood of repairs will rise over time.
Are Highlanders reliable vehicles?
The Highlander is an excellent SUV, yes. It has plenty of basic safety technology, comfortable seats for adults in the first two rows, and decent cabin materials. The Highlander’s powerful, fuel-efficient V6 engine, balanced handling, and comfortable ride also make for a great driving experience.
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.
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.
Is the Toyota Highlander built like a truck?
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.