Used 2017 Toyota Highlander for Sale near North Carolina

How much does the 2017 Toyota Highlander cost?

Prices have softened 4.73% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,134 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2017 Toyota Highlander a good car?

Yes — it earns 4.86/5 from owners and 7.17/10 from our experts. The model scores 8/10 across Look and feel and Form and function.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, power, and family-friendly design, and they also like the smooth driving experience and impressive features. In practical terms, that lines up well with the Highlander’s role as a family-oriented crossover that feels polished and up to date for its year.

You also get a useful mix of everyday usability and broader appeal from the 2017 refresh, including the sporty SE trim and standard safety equipment. 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities in the market.

Is the 2017 Toyota Highlander reliable?

Owners rate it 4.86/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable, comfortable, and well suited to family use over time. That kind of recurring praise matters because it usually reflects a model you can count on for regular driving without a lot of drama.

The expert drive notes also support that impression by describing the Highlander as a capable, smooth, and well-rounded crossover with an updated engine and transmission. Toyota’s standard maintenance coverage also helps reduce early ownership friction, which is a nice bonus if you want a used SUV that should be straightforward to live with.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright unreliability and more about finding a well-kept example, since condition and maintenance history will matter more than the badge alone.

What should I look for when buying a used 2017 Toyota Highlander?

At 60.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the equipment level matches the trim being advertised.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LE starts with the basics, but you’ll want to pay attention to the feature gap as you move up the lineup. The LE Plus adds the kinds of conveniences many shoppers expect, while the XLE is where keyless entry and ignition finally appear.
• Powertrain: The 3.5-liter V6 is the engine to look for, and it pairs with an 8-speed automatic. The updated setup is described as capable in traffic and on the highway, with better mileage than before.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense is standard and includes adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and auto braking, lane-departure warning and intervention, and auto high beams. That standard equipment is a major reason this model year stands out.
• Infotainment: The LE Plus brings an 8-inch touchscreen, and higher trims add features like navigation and rear-seat entertainment. The tech story is strongest once you move beyond the most basic versions.
• Fuel efficiency: The V6 is rated at 20 mpg city, 27 highway, and 23 combined with rear-wheel drive, or 19 city, 26 highway, and 22 combined with all-wheel drive.

Which 2017 Toyota Highlander trim should I buy?

The 2017 Toyota Highlander is offered in 5 trim levels: LE, LE Plus, XLE, SE, and Limited.

Here's the short version:

• LE: This is the entry point, but the base 4-cylinder is described as underpowered and unrefined, so you should treat the V6 as the real starting point if you want the Highlander to feel right.
• LE Plus: This is the best-value trim. It adds the features many shoppers want most, including tri-zone climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen, a power driver’s seat, and a power liftgate.
• XLE: Choose this if you want the convenience features that many buyers now consider essential, especially keyless entry and ignition.
• SE: This is the trim to test drive if you want the sportier setup. It adds a retuned suspension, 19-inch alloys, LED running lights, and more aggressive styling inside and out.
• Limited: Go here if you want the most upscale equipment, including rear parking sensors, heated and ventilated front seats with driver memory, a JBL audio system, and second-row captain’s chairs.

Toyota Safety Sense is standard across the lineup, so even the lower trims get a meaningful safety advantage.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2017 Toyota Highlander?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,134 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.73% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 60.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,625, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2017 Toyota Highlander's resale value?

The current average of $20,225 sits slightly below last year's $21,230.

That decline suggests the market has eased a bit, which can help you buy more confidently now if you plan to keep the vehicle for a while. For a future seller, the softer pricing means you should expect some depreciation pressure, especially if you buy above the current market average.

Even so, the Highlander’s strong owner satisfaction helps support demand. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.86/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2017 Toyota Highlander safe?

The 2017 Toyota Highlander earns top overall marks from both IIHS and NHTSA, with an Acceptable IIHS headlights result and four-star ratings in the frontal crash and rollover tests from NHTSA, plus five-star ratings in all other NHTSA tests.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Toyota Safety Sense is standard, and it includes adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and auto braking, lane-departure warning and intervention, and auto high beams. That gives you a strong baseline of driver assistance even if you shop a lower trim.

The main caveat is the headlights result, which is the one area where the IIHS score is not at the top level. Even so, the overall safety picture remains strong for a used family SUV.

Should I buy a 2017 Toyota Highlander or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2017 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2017 if:

• 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 60.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.73% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Toyota’s 2017 refresh added an updated V6, a new SE trim, and standard Safety Sense, making this year feel more current than the one before it.

The bottom line: The 2017 is the better pick if you want a refreshed Highlander with stronger standard safety equipment and a market that currently gives you some negotiating room. If you’re especially price-sensitive, a nearby year may still make sense, but the 2017’s update package and owner satisfaction make it the more compelling all-around choice.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.