Spent significant amount of time (~6 months) researching purchase of a good car for a variety of needs and weather conditions. If you are looking for a great all-around car here are some good attributes about the 2003 Highlander:
-good interior space for cargo and passengers
-great leg room for tall people
-handles well
-reliable and well built
-handles well in bad weather (no problems on highway or dirt roads from dead of summer through worst of winter)

The 2003 Toyota Highlander came as a 2WD and a 4WD, each as a four-cylinder or a V6 engine. The four-cylinder engine has 2.4 liters and 155 horsepower. The V6 has 3.0 liters and 220 horsepower. Fuel economy is about 18/22 to 22/27, depending on the engine.

Some areas I would re-evaluate if I were at Toyota:
-gas mileage is so-so (though there are limits that can be reached for a car this size and its sheer weight)
-some dashboard knobs and compartments are a bit flimsy (though this is more aesthetic than functionally limiting)
-brakes are soft compared to other cars and take some time getting used to (this may just be Toyota compared to other manufactueres in general, not sure)

Regardless, I consider this car a great buy and have had absolutely no real problems with it mechanically. Highly recommend it.