The innovative Toyota Highlander broke new ground when it debuted at the 2000 New York Auto Show for the 2001 model year: It was the first vehicle to combine a car-like ride with SUV flexibility and convenience, and it effectively created the midsize crossover SUV automotive segment. Based on the Lexus RX 300, which debuted at about the same time, the Highlander kicked off a new wave of vehicles that now numbers more than 20 competitors, including the Honda Pilot, the Ford Edge, the Chevrolet Traverse, the Nissan Murano, the Kia Sorento, the Hyundai Santa Fe, and the Mazda CX series.

Rather than build the Highlander on a truck platform, like the larger 4Runner, Toyota borrowed the front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform from the Camry (it used the same platform for the RX 300). As a result, the Highlander delivered a sedan-like ride, as well as the functionality of a minivan and the cargo space of an SUV. Although initially available as a two-row, five-passenger vehicle, Toyota soon offered an optional third-row seat, which expanded the seating capacity to seven.

Early testers praised the Highlander's nimble handling, good road manners, smooth, supple ride, and overall performance on paved surfaces. The Highlander also performed well off-road when equipped with optional full-time four-wheel drive (4WD), which split torque 50/50 between the front and rear wheels during normal driving conditions but sent additional torque to specific wheels when it detected slippage.

Throughout its production run, the Highlander has generally scored good marks with reviewers, who appreciate its exterior styling, upscale features, interior versatility, and overall affordability. However, some reviewers would like to see more horsepower under the hood, while others find the suspension tuning a little too soft. Other nicks against the Highlander include its numb steering and somewhat bland interior.

Generations: Four

• Toyota Highlander 1st Generation
• Toyota Highlander 2nd Generation
• Toyota Highlander 3rd Generation
• Toyota Highlander 4th Generation

Pros: Spacious, comfortable interior, handsome styling, reasonable starting MSRP
Cons: Not the most exciting to drive, Toyota’s infotainment tech lags behind its competition’s

2020-Present Toyota Highlander 4th Generation

The fourth-generation Highlander models are some of the most comfortable, practical vehicles on the market. The 2020 redesign brought more upscale styling and interior features, and Toyota reinforced the SUV’s body to make it more comfortable on the road.

Toyota offers both gas and hybrid powertrain variants for the 2022 Highlander. The gas model comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, and the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that combine for 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) is available.

The Highlander is an actual do-it-all vehicle, boasting up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded down. That’s one of the best measurements in its class. Every Highlander comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, USB inputs, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and more. Toyota’s tech remains a hassle to use with the current Highlander, but the standard smartphone interfaces significantly improve the situation.

Toyota Safety Sense comes standard, including functions such as lane-keep assist, lane-departure alerts, and automatic emergency braking. This suite of features helped Toyota earn a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The Highlander line continues to expand as time goes on. Toyota now offers a Bronze Edition, a sporty XSE trim, and a luxurious Platinum trim. While mid-trim-level variants get features like Softex upholstery, the top Highlander Platinum offers leather-trimmed seats and high-end features like a hands-free power liftgate, LED fog lights, adaptive cruise control, a large touchscreen display, wireless charging, second-row captain’s chairs, rear sunshades, a rear-seat entertainment system, and more.

2014-2019 Toyota Highlander 3rd Generation

Toyota redesigned the Highlander for the 2014 model year, bringing a sharper, more muscular shape to the family-hauling SUV. The refresh brought an eight-passenger seating option to the Highlander for the first time, along with technology to make life with kids easier.

The Toyota Highlander LE got a 2.7-liter inline-four that produced 185 horsepower, but all others came with a 3.5-liter V6 with 270 horsepower. Toyota also introduced a new hybrid option. The updated Highlander offered standard features that included a 6.1-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, a backup camera, USB ports, and 18-inch wheels. The top Toyota Highlander Limited and Limited Platinum trims got near-Lexus levels of luxury features, such as a panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel, and heated second-row seats.

This generation of Highlander also gained approval for use as an NYC taxi and ushered in the SUV's advanced safety tech. Top trims include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.

2008-2013 Toyota Highlander 2nd Generation

For the second-generation Highlander, which debuted at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show for the 2008 model year, Toyota stretched the wheelbase by nearly 3 inches, to 109.8 inches, while the overall length measured 188.4 inches, an increase of 4.1 inches. As a result, interior cargo space increased from a maximum of 81.6 cubic feet for the first generation to a maximum of 95.4 cubic feet.

A new 3.5-liter, 270-hp V6 engine, borrowed from the Camry and the RAV4, powered all 2008 trims. Due to the Highlander's increased weight, Toyota dropped the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine from the lineup. However, the automaker introduced a new, environmentally friendly 187-hp, 2.7-liter four-cylinder in 2009. The new four-cylinder drove five-passenger FWD trims. Toyota also offered AWD.

Standard safety features for the 2008 Highlander included front side-impact airbags, traction control, hill-start assist, and antilock brakes. Toyota continued to equip the Limited trim with a Vehicle Stability Control system, which was optional on the other trims.

In 2010, Toyota replaced the Sport trim with the SE trim and added electric power steering to the standard feature list. In addition, the automaker offered a new towing package for the Highlander, which increased its towing capacity to 5,000 pounds.

2001-2007 Toyota Highlander 1st Generation

Debuting with the 2001 model year, the Toyota Highlander midsize SUV initially came in Base and Limited trims, with seating for five passengers in two rows. Geared toward families who spent most of their time shuttling kids around town to school and sports activities, the first-generation Highlander turned heads by mashing up the best attributes of an SUV, a minivan, and a station wagon. It sat on a 106.9-inch wheelbase, and its overall length measured 184.3 inches, which resulted in a roomy cabin and a comfortable ride.

The Base trim came equipped with such features as cruise control, air conditioning, a CD player, and 17-inch alloy wheels, while the SE added a power moonroof and heated front seats. The Limited included three-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver's seat, keyless entry, and 19-inch alloy wheels. Owners could add an optional Leather Package, which included heated front seats, to either trim.

Power for the first-generation Highlander came from a 155-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or an optional 220-hp, 3.0-liter V6, which linked to a four-speed automatic transmission. Both trims were available with either FWD or 4WD. Fuel economy specs topped out at 27 mpg on the highway with the four-cylinder engine in a FWD trim.

The first-generation Highlander came standard with antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist. Owners could add Toyota's Vehicle Skid Control system, which included traction control, as an option. Dual front airbags were also standard, while side-impact airbags were optional.

In 2004, Toyota gave the Highlander a mid-generation refresh. Exterior updates included a new grille, updated bumpers, and redesigned headlights. Toyota also offered an optional third-row seat, expanding passenger capacity to seven. In addition, the automaker replaced the four-speed automatic transmission in V6-powered trims with a five-speed automatic. The four-speed remained in four-cylinder trims. Toyota also added traction control to the standard equipment list.

The Highlander Hybrid debuted at the 2004 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and went on sale in mid-2005 for the 2006 model year. It came standard with three rows of seating, making it the first seven-passenger hybrid vehicle.

Toyota also added a new Sport trim to the lineup in 2006. The Sport came equipped with a unique grille and wheels, among other features, and it rode on a sport-tuned suspension. Toyota also added its stability control system, called Vehicle Stability Control, as a standard feature for the Limited trim in '06.

In 2007, side-impact airbags became standard equipment, and Toyota gave the Highlander a few exterior design updates, including new chrome door handles, color-keyed mudguards, fog lights, and chrome exhaust tips. Inside, the Highlander received an upgraded audio system.