For eight passengers, second-row bench seats are standard on Highlander L, LE, XLE, and XSE trim levels. Luxury second-row Captain’s Chairs are a standard feature of the Highlander Limited and Platinum trim levels, and they are an option for the XLE and XSE trim levels.
In This Article...
Which model year of the Toyota Highlander must to be avoided?
The Highlander has proven to be a very secure SUV over time. Additionally, it only has a few significant dependability issues.
Only the 2003 and 2004 model years for the original generation Highlander (2001-2007) should be avoided. This is due to complaints that they have issues that necessitate costly repairs like replacing the engine or transmission.
The Highlanders from model years 2005 to 2007 are among those that earned better reviews.
It’s recommended to leave the 2008 Highlander with a for-sale sign on it as that model year also had some engine issues. But the majority of the past years have shown to be extremely secure and trustworthy.
The Highlander’s reputation as one of the best SUVs available is hardly surprising. The Highlander is the only SUV you need to consider if you’re shopping around for one.
Toyota Highlander: Model Years that are Best Buys
- Second-generation Highlander from 2009 to 2013.
- Third-generation Highlander, 20172019
- Fourth-generation Highlander, present
- First-generation Highlander, 20062007
Which year of the Toyota Highlander is best?
According to Consumer Reports and J.D. Power, every year has a fantastic dependability score, with the exception of 2019. The third-generation Highlander was unchanged from 2014 to 2019 with the exception of a minor facelift in the middle of the model year. At the time, they were praised for having a comfortable ride that consumes highway miles but frequently criticized for feeling a little numb in the turns. The third generation introduced various driver assistance features, like as all-wheel drive and blind-spot monitoring, but not on the cheapest vehicles. Avoid the base four-cylinder model if at all possible and opt for the more powerful V6 instead.
The 2020 update added many more features, improved handling, and a far more potent engine. To distinguish the changes between a 2020 Highlander and a 2022, one must be a fan of Toyota. Despite having a third row, the Highlander is better suited for children than for adults. Several items that were key choices in the previous generation were included as standard equipment with the 2020. The all-wheel drive hybrid model is the significant gain, though.
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.
which is more trustworthy Toyota Highlander or a Honda Pilot?
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.
How many kilometers are there in a Toyota Highlander?
What Is the Toyota Highlander’s Lifespan? 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.
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.
Which Japanese Highlanders are available?
The current Toyota Highlander, which is in its fourth generation, is made in Princeton, Indiana, and Guangzhou, China. This facility, which has been running since 1998, employs over 7000 people. The plant has a production capacity of 450,000 automobiles per year and a total area of 4000 acres.
This factory produces more than just the Toyota Highlander. The Princeton, Indiana Plant produces a total of seven distinct models. These are the models:
- Tundra Toyota
- Tacoma, Toyota
- Sequoia Toyota
- Nissan Sienna
- Mitsubishi Outlander
- Cadillac Equinox
- The fourth-generation Toyota Rav
Other nations, such as China and Japan, produced earlier iterations of the Toyota Highlander. The first generation of the Highlander, which debuted in 2001, was only produced in Japan.
China and Japan both produced the second generation, which was produced between 2004 and 2007. The third generation, which was produced primarily in China from 2008 to 2013, was in use.
The fourth and current generation, which debuted in 2014, is produced in China, Japan, and the United States. While Japan and China make automobiles for their own markets, all North American production is handled by the Princeton, Indiana plant.
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.
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.
What is the Toyota Highlander’s most typical issue?
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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Has the Toyota Highlander experienced transmission issues?
Both the lawsuit and consumer complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explain the issues. It claims that there has been a loss of force or acceleration. Transmissions getting stuck in one gear is another problem. The 20172020 Highlander and Sienna, the 20182020 Avalon sedan, and the 2019 RAV4 have all received concerns.
Other concerns relate to jerky, sluggish, or abrupt shifting, inability to accelerate quickly from a standstill, shuddering, rapid power loss, and early transmission failures. Some Sienna owners claim that when in Eco mode, the vehicle decelerates when turning into a corner. Vehicle History claims that owners have not been able to disable the Eco mode.
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.
Is Toyota Highlander maintenance expensive?
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.
The Toyota Highlander grew in size in what year?
The fifth model in Toyota’s lineup of SUVs, the Highlander, made its introduction in 2001. The Highlander was a pioneering crossover caran 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.
The Toyota Highlander is manufactured where?
However, the Corolla was produced there instead, and starting with the 2010 model year for the majority of North America, Tundra manufacture was moved to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton, Indiana.
What SUV has the longest lifespan?
The 10 Longest-Running SUVs
- Suburban Chevrolet.
- Sequoia by Toyota.
- Cadillac Tahoe
- Yukon XL by GMC.
- Chevy Yukon.
- Cadillac Navigator.
- Escalade by Cadillac.
- GX Lexus.
What is the Toyota Highlander’s highest mileage?
The Toyota Highlander can run for up to 300,000 miles, or almost 20 years, according to statistics. Although that is a long time to own any vehicle, Highlander owners appear to be happy with their purchase. 12.4 percent of Highlander owners, or twice as many as the average SUV owner, keep their vehicles for more than 15 years, according to iSeeCars.
Cities like Jacksonville, Florida, saw percentages up to 17% higher than that. The lifespan of a 300,000-mile SUV is also longer than that of most other SUVs. Competitors like the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder typically have a 250,000-mile lifespan.
The outstanding dependability of the Toyota Highlander is supported by Consumer Reports as well. Since 2001, the Highlander has received an excellent or nearly excellent overall reliability rating. Over the years, owners have reported a few issues with their Highlanders, but the most are easily rectified. Toyota frequently paid owners back for the cost of repairs when there was a recall, for example.
Although Highlanders rarely draw criticism, certain model years are worse than others. Because of its defective brakes and engine block bolts, the 2003 model is often regarded as being the worst. The 2015 Highlander’s unpleasant seats are another reason why it isn’t a popular with buyers.
Which vehicle’s engine lasts the longest?
The Small Block V8 made its debut as a 4.7-liter in the 1955 Chevrolet Corvette (’58 model shown) and the significantly bigger Bel Air saloon. Thereafter, it was employed in many GM automobiles and trucks. Similar to the Ford Windsor, it is currently only available from GM as a “crate” engine that may be purchased to maintain an older vehicle. It is estimated that well over 100 million were produced overall.