2009 Toyota Highlander Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Overview
Apparently, Toyota has taken the old saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” to heart. Not much is brand new for the 2009 non-hybrid...
Apparently, Toyota has taken the old saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” to heart. Not much is brand new for the 2009 non-hybrid Highlander. A bit of tweaking in the headlight design is the extent of styling changes for this year. A hefty redesign in ’08, including a larger body and cabin plus a beefier engine, left the 2009 Highlander little to improve upon.
The non-hybrid Highlander still offers three trim levels: Base, Sport and Limited, each of which comes in FWD and AWD versions. Sport and Limited trims come with a standard 6-CD changer and 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, and options include a sunroof, a DVD rear-seat entertainment system, and a navigation system. The Sport trim, with its MacPherson sport-type suspension, obviously provides a somewhat stiffer ride than the Base and Limited trims. The Highlander Limited has a 3.5-inch multi-function display standard as well as leather-trimmed seating.
The Highlander's 270-hp, 3.5-liter V6, coupled with a 5-speed transmission and standard on all trims, has been a hit with drivers and reviewers alike. This particular engine features a DOHC with four valves per cylinder and variable valve tuning. Its estimated 18/24 mpg city/highway is pretty much standard for the class. Highlander’s comfortable, Camry-inspired chassis and 5-star crash-test rating have also proven to be winners.
So what’s in the offing for Highlander in ’09? How ‘bout a four-cylinder model? The so-far unheralded four-cylinder Highlander, expected in mid-January, represents a significant departure from Toyota’s mantra that if drivers want a four-cylinder SUV, they’ll buy a RAV4.
An inline four-cylinder (I4) engine will be offered only on the FWD Base trim to start. Should it prove popular, Toyota will, understandably, offer the I4 in the Sport and Limited trims as well.
Borrowed from the just-introduced Venza, the Highlander’s 2.7-liter I4 will put out 189 hp and, paired up with a 6-speed automatic transmission, ought to equal the traditional V6 in performance, if not power. With an optional towing package, the I4 will have a capacity of 3,500 lbs, while the V6 can handle 5,000 lbs. Toyota claims the four-cylinder Highlander will achieve 20/26 mpg, and if those numbers prove accurate, it will wrest the Dodge Journey's mantle as the most economical gasoline-powered crossover.
What owners say
"Overall, owners love the 2009 Toyota Highlander for its reliability, comfortable ride, and solid build quality. Many appreciate its decent fuel economy and spacious interior. However, some drivers noted issues with the sound system and limited storage compared to larger models."
Reliable, drives great, good mileage, good ride. What more could you want. Also tows more than the same generation Honda pilot.
July 5, 2021Truly the most awesome vehicle I have owned. Solidly built and it glides on the road. And of course inside, all the bells & whistles make driving/riding an even nicer experience. You sit high to see everything on the road, lots of room shoulder to shoulder and front to back. There can't be anything else on the market even close in the same price range.
August 18, 2009Reverse camera screen is handy but small. Will upgrade the head unit to get a better back up screen. Love the leather seats! Checked the vin, it starts with J so it was built in Japan. Very high quality car!
April 21, 2021What owners say
Reliable, drives great, good mileage, good ride. What more could you want. Also tows more than the same generation Honda pilot.
July 5, 2021Truly the most awesome vehicle I have owned. Solidly built and it glides on the road. And of course inside, all the bells & whistles make driving/riding an even nicer experience. You sit high to see everything on the road, lots of room shoulder to shoulder and front to back. There can't be anything else on the market even close in the same price range.
August 18, 2009Reverse camera screen is handy but small. Will upgrade the head unit to get a better back up screen. Love the leather seats! Checked the vin, it starts with J so it was built in Japan. Very high quality car!
April 21, 2021Best SUV ever. Great size and very economical. Best bang for your buck and dependable
September 9, 2020Great car! I downsized from a Toyota minivan… and I’m missing the extra storage space and added nooks and compartments for storage… but other than that… I love it!
September 27, 2023This SUV is quiet, rides nice and has a very powerful V6 that's a blast to drive. Around town we have been averaging 19-20 mpg. A recent vacation trip, mostly highway with a lot of mountain roads yielded 26 mpg. 4 whl disc brakes with anti lock and ESC work GREAT. It also came with a hill assist feature that will hold the brakes for ~ 2-3 secs or until you hit the gas to prevent rollback. The winter package heats the outside mirrors and wiper blade tray and worked well. The 3rd row is comfortable and useful. The middle row is very flexible, 2 or 3 passengers with a cool storage compartment for the extra cushion if you're not using it. a Cup holder tray replaces it in this event. It's only FWD but did fine in the snow last winter. Here's some picky stuff I do not like. I hate how the door handles in the front obstruct the power window switches. There are also switches on the LH dash that are obscured by the steering wheel. There's a prop rod on the hood in this 30K SUV instead of a hydraulic piston. The cloth seats are comfortable but the cloth and headliner is crappy looking. The Trade in value seems to have taken a bit hit in the past year probably due to all of the recalls. P.S. mine was built in Japan so no gas pedal recall for me. I've only paid for oil changes and had no quality issues so far. Overall I love the vehicle and would recommend it.
July 29, 2010The car is super smooth, so you'll be going 80 down they freeway and feel like you're only going 30, which can be quite dangerous to my license! haha. All the different amenities are nice compared to my last car which was 10 year old, so the technology is obviously newer. The only downer is the speakers and radio are kind of lame. I got the base model, so i shouldnt expect much, but my 10 year old car had the JBL system in it, so there was a major difference.
May 31, 2010Absolutely love this car. Overall, performance, build quality and apperance are the best. Nothing can be added to the above. It is the best we have owned since our new Solora.
June 21, 2009Trims & specs
Base MSRP $31,450 | Seating 7 |
Engine 3.5L 270 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 10.3 cu ft |
Combined MPG 20 | Drivetrain AWD |
Base MSRP $29,050 | Seating 7 |
Engine 3.5L 270 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 10.3 cu ft |
Combined MPG 20 | Drivetrain AWD |
Base MSRP $34,520 | Seating 7 |
Engine 3.5L 270 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 10.3 cu ft |
Combined MPG 20 | Drivetrain AWD |
Base MSRP $25,705 | Seating 7 |
Engine 2.7L 187 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 42.3 cu ft |
Combined MPG 23 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $33,070 | Seating 7 |
Engine 3.5L 270 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 42.3 cu ft |
Combined MPG 21 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $30,000 | Seating 7 |
Engine 3.5L 270 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 42.3 cu ft |
Combined MPG 21 | Drivetrain FWD |
Pricing trends
MSRP range
$25,705 - $34,520
Current avg. market price
$9,461
Trending up by 1.9% this month
May 2026 - October 2026
