Toyota Highlander (2000 - 2007) Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Toyota Highlander SUV V6 Ltd. 2002 has proven itself in performance, durability, and reliability. This vehicle,, garage kept with regular and proper maintenance , has exceed all expectations. Even with high mileage, 380,000+ miles, the original engine purrs, has pickup and go, when needed, and rides like a quiet dream. Hunter Green on the outside and tan leather interior on the inside. Plenty of leg and head room in both front and back seat, and ample storage space in the back. This vehicle is the better choice above all other mid-size SUV options.Aug 12, 2021

The Highlander is the perfect size for a family of 2-4. It runs and drives excellent, very smooth with plenty of power. My only complaints are the extremely small armrests in the front seats, and not enough seat travel for my 64 height. Neither one of these were deal breakers for us. There is one important thing to be aware of. The Highlanders with V6 engines have timing belts thru the 2007 model year, instead of timing chains. Toyota recommends changing them every 90-100 thousand miles. If they break, you could have catastrophic engine failure. I couldnt terrace down when or if ours was ever changed, so we are having it replaced. At a dealer or reputable repair shop, this is a $800-$1000 expense. If there is no record of it being replaced, Id recommend considering this an addition to the purchase price. Mar 19, 2021

The 06 Highlander is a great vehicle. the gas mileage is the only drawback as it only gets about 20 mpg combined, but the one I have ran 230k miles before an accident totaled it. I never had any mechanical issues with it; changed the oil and rotated the tires regularly and had a major tune-up done just over 100k miles and it ran as good at 200k as it did when it was new . Everything on it still worked with out any issues or repairs.Nov 12, 2020

Purchased for economy in an SUV. Good steady economy. Very Good power in the 330hp V6. Performance in acceleration, braking and handling in a medium large SUV I believe is not comparied too. Extremely well built for a vehicle. Appearance is excellent inside and was as good as it got in 2004 on the Outside. It can be a good work vehicle, and fine Family car, good for taking long trips, it really is asolid and fun vehicle.Mar 27, 2012

Performance: I was very impressed by how quiet the 3.3-liter V6 was. Even under moderate to heavy acceleration, engine noise hardly penetrated the cabin at all. More impressive still was the vibration, or lack thereof. Throughout the engine's rev range it was virtually undetectable - this has consistently been an area in which Toyota V6s never fail to deliver. While the 230- horsepower power output doesn't sound impressive, the car never feels slow or strained under normal driving. I found the plentiful low-end torque particularly helpful, and I really enjoyed the smooth-shifting 5- speed automatic transmission. Steering feel was nonexistent, but in a family crossover, this isn't really a problem. The Highlander's brakes were by far the worst aspect of the driving experience. Stopping power was not consistent or linear throughout pedal travel. Handling was good, and the ride was well composed. Build Quality: While the Highlander's interior surfaces don't stand out as being particularly high-quality, they are exceptionally well made and solid- feeling. Much like the driving characteristics, you're never left wanting for more. At 46K miles, the Highlander I drove was tight as a drum, with not a single squeak or rattle to speak of. Appearance: I found nothing to either love or hate about the Highlander's appearance. Much like the Toyota Camry sedan on which it's based, the Highlander can blend easily into any environment, going entirely unnoticed in most cases. Cost of Ownership: Gas mileage is rated at an EPA-estimated 18/24 MPG - accurate, based on my observations. This figure is certainly competitive within the class, and the Highlander is widely regarded as offering an excellent value of ownership over the long run. Fun Factor: Is this a fun car? In a word, "no." I don't see this as a knock against the Highlander in any way at all. It simply is not fun, nor was it ever supposed to be. The Toyota Highlander is one of those vehicles that does everything it was intended to do, and does those things very well. It is a fantastic family vehicle, and I'd recommend one to anyone in the market for a midsize crossover.Feb 21, 2012